From Cartel’s takeaway frozen margs to cheese advent calendars, here’s Canberra’s December foodie guide
Posted on
‘Tis the season to be eating because Canberra’s food scene is pulling out all the stops this December.
It might be the end of the year, but there’s no slowing down – in fact, it’s ramping up with enough openings, events and festive treats to keep you busy until New Year’s.
From a Christmas pavlova box to a lakeside party and even a cheese advent calendar (yes, really), here’s everything you need to know.
Cartel slinging takeaway frozen margs
Cartel Tacos’ Queanbeyan (Ray Morton Park, 6 Trinculo Place, Queanbeyan East) and Belconnen (Unit 5/114 Emu Bank, Belconnen) stores now slinging takeaway frozen margs in raspberry/lychee, chilli/mango and kiwi/yuzu. Drink of the summer?
Mark your calendar: Canberra’s most iconic lakeside party is back in 2026
We’re talking about an unforgettable evening by the water, complete with cocktails, canapés, and live music. On Saturday 7 February, The Boat House (7 Menindee Drive, Barton) is bringing back their Lake Side Sesh, transforming the venue into an indoor/outdoor cocktail haven, complete with breathtaking views of Lake Burley Griffin.
Priced at $185 per person, the ticket will include a live DJ, bottomless summer cocktails, bubbles and beers, food and the historic MV Reliance by Love Boat taking guests across the lake at sunset.
Book your spot here.
Pop-up wine & snack sessions at Dairy Road
Vinofriendo is hosting a More Than Friends wine kiosk every Saturday and Sunday in December at Dairy Road.
Head along to the Dairy Road weighbridge (next to The Vault) for wine, snack and spritz sessions from 2 pm til sunset.
Keep an eye on the Vinofriendo instagram for more!
Meet your new Thursday tradition: Pasto di Pasta
Thursday has never sounded so good with the launch of Pasto di Pasta at COMPA (148 Bunda Street, Canberra City). Serving up authentic Italian pasta, you can choose from five pasta dishes priced between $15 and $18, plus an optional Limoncello Spritz or Mini Negroni for just $12.
Available for both lunch and dinner, bookings are essential.
SNACK CITY by Sandoochie
It’s been a hot second since Sandoochie (No Name Lane, 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City) has made anything that isn’t a sandwich and they are jacked to make some good nosh. They can’t say exactly what will be on the menu, but think things like crispy skinned chicken tossed in vibrant red plum jam, steamed prawns and dipping sauce, toothy betel leaves parcels, meringues with malt custard and fruit.
Get along from 4.30 pm on Friday 5 December for music, good vibes, booze and more! More information here.
Lunetta Trattoria is hosting its first-ever chef’s collaboration
Bringing together two stars of the kitchen for one afternoon on Sunday 7 December, head chef Will Moyle is opening the fires of Lunetta Trattoria (60 Red Hill Drive, Red Hill) to fellow chef Georgia Lahiff.
Bringing to life the Italian art of La Tavolata, attendees are invited to pull up a chair at communal tables and join Georgia and Will in conversation whilst enjoying a seasonal fire-driven feast.
Taking place over three sittings, expect Roman-style lamb with anchovies and rosemary, tubetti pasta with clams, fried zucchini with mint, and more. Book your spot here.
Acai Amigos is making your Christmas merry and bright
Acai Amigos is taking Christmas to the next level, popping right in the middle of Canberra’s best Christmas lights! Open on Huddy Street in Forde, they’re not only serving acai (including a protein acai bowl) but also iced matcha. Made with ceremonial-grade matcha, options include a traditional iced matcha, iced strawberry matcha, and iced rose cloud matcha, as well as @baked.cbr cheesecake-stuffed cookies on the weekends.
Donating all profits from soft drink sales at Huddy Street to The Roundabout Canberra charity, it’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit! And with plans to relocate the truck to outside the Dickson Tradies, you’ll have plenty of chances to cool down with an acai or matcha in the summer heat.
This is where you can find summer sips for just $10
Seeking a spot for an aperitivo in the warm weather? This summer Bar Outro, Terra and Recess are serving Das Juice wines – including organic and biodynamic bubbly, orange and rosé, white and red options – for just $10.
Available from 12 pm to 5 pm Friday to Sunday, we’ll say ‘cheers’ to that.
Find out more here.
Celebrate Christmas the most delicious way possible: cheese
We said what we said. Le Cheeserie (43/10 Market Street, Belconnen) is launching a 12 Days of Cheesemas box this festive season, featuring a curated selection of twelve international and Australian artisan cheeses.
Starting from Sunday 14 December, each day you’ll unwrap a new cheese, learn a little bit about it and enjoy a moment of pure holiday indulgence.
Pre-order yours here.
Picnic Atelier is here to make your picnic luxe
Luxury picnics are having a moment, and Picnic Atelier is here to help you. All about the aesthetics, it focuses on the little luxuries that make the picnic experience all the more special.
Think: layered linens, elegant florals, a bar trolley, drinks dispenser and boho umbrellas (all of which are included in every booking), along with the option to add more extras. Ideal for any special occasion (or just because), it’s chic, modern and memorable.
Don’t want to cook? Have a QT Christmas feast at home
Why cook this Christmas when you can have a chef-made meal from the comfort of home? Christmas Feasts by QT at Home is serving up food comas left, right and centre with a massive menu designed to be shared by groups of six.
Featuring Sydney rock oysters, honey glazed ham and mini Christmas puddings, order your feast by 19 December for pick up on Christmas Eve between 10 am and 5 pm.
Did someone say ‘Christmas pavlova box’?
Filled with five mini pavlovas, five mini meringues, fresh seasonal fruits, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce, Grazing Haven Canberra is serving up a very special grazing box this December. Priced at $75, it’s a super sweet addition for gifting or entertaining!
With limited boxes available, DM them on Instagram or email grazinghaven.cbr@gmail.com to order.
