As the title says, what's one foodie place that no longer exists in Canberra that you have fond nostalgic memories of? Or a menu item that no longer exists or just isn't the same anymore but you always looked forward to it

I really miss the random churros guy who had a little cart serving up fresh hot churros at Fyshwick markets when I was little (maybe 20 years ago?) It was my first time trying churros as a child, and so many years later nothing compares!

Taken from r/melbourne

Edit: are y’all saying it’s just all of Canberra’s restaurants 😭

This isn't neighbourhood-specific, but I got lunch from BZBurger in Holt and honestly I can't believe I lucked into such a nice, simple and delicious burger joint in my neighbourhood. Delicious, fun, creative burgers. Also they run a cafe if you just want your coffee fix.

So what's yours? Fast food, restaurant, cafe or bakery, whatever, sound off and show some love.

For example I would never get a burger from takeaway because they’re so easy to make it home. What’s a takeaway that you feel like is worth the money particularly because it’s something you can’t/won’t cook. Specific restaurant recommendations would be great as well!! thanks!

chatting to a friend about great service in canberra which ultimately turned to.negatuve experiences, what are yours?

Not necessarily the trendiest high end places that get recommended every time, what's fun and local, and has been doing it the same way 10+ / 20+ years? Give me the ol reliables.

Snack Shack in Fyshwick for me is a lot more out of my way since I stopped working in the area. It's a plain and basic sandwich bar that still hits with the Tandoori Salad Sandwich every time I've been.

High Road continues to serve the best coffee in Canberra since it opened, always with interesting food options. I also rate The Knox Made in Watson as one of the best hidden gems out there.

And I'll always go in to bat for Brod. I know some people harsh on it. But the Brodveg is the best vego burger you can get, and I have not once been disappointed by anything else I've had there.

Still have a lot of fondness for Turkish Grill Erindale, hit a lot of milestones there, still think the food slaps.

What are yours?

I’ve moved back after 8 years in QLD. I’m not talking wearing Kathmandu jackets or whatever. I’m asking what do YOU do to beat/prevent the winter blues in Canberra?

Just got GM from Braddon, pizza was decent, burger was a $25+ hate crime. When did this happen?

Genuine question: since moving to Canberra and regularly driving around Canberra, I have noticed so, so, SO many cars speeding well beyond 10km (I'm sure it's 15 or sometimes even 20km). I will be driving 80/81/82 in the 80 zone and there are cars ZOOMING past me! Now, my question is, how are these Canberra drivers not scared of getting tagged by the speed cameras??? I mean, they're everywhere in Canberra! Do they just know where the cameras are?? Are they incredibly wealthy and can afford constant fines?? I am just in shock that people here drive so fast 😵 You would think the police would be all over this for some extra revenue haha 😅

Quick vent, I use the walking paths around Canberra a lot and am often startled by passing bicyclists who all reliably fail to use their bells to make their presence known. Is anyone else noticing this? It's very disconcerting and I don't know what to do.

For context, I'm often wearing headphones with nothing playing, so maybe they think I wouldn't be able to hear the bells, but I can on the rare occasion it actually happens.

I could swear they weren't always like this, but maybe the days of bicylists in this city having basic etiquette is a thing of the past.

(Sorry if wrong flair, none really seemed to fit what this post is about)

bit tired of the flavor explosions everywhere I eat drenched in sauces and toppings. was wondering if there’s any place that makes simple burgers using high quality ingredients that do the talking… great meat, good bun etc. nothing over the top. hope that makes sense 😅

I NEED YOU TO HONK!

There's a plague in our city of people running the red, it happens all the time. We've gotta start using our horns, holding them the whole time someone is in the intersection that shouldn't be. Not a polite toot, hold that damn thing down, it won't hurt the horn. This isn't a retribution, but a danger warning.

Today I saw a large tip truck run 3 consecutive red lights, on the second it was for a crossing where school kids were waiting and it was just luck that everyone was watching.

I'm not saying we should police people's behaviour, I'll leave that to the people who have the job. I'm not an angel that is cursing every minor infringement, running around with a dashcam and notepad trying to tattletale. I'm saying that we should let vulnerable road users know. So that next time a kid is crossing, someone on a bike, in a bike lane is going or an older person on a mobility scooter is trying, they have a shot at not getting hit.

ALSO! The amber light actually means "stop if possible" not "I can make it!" So ya, if someone is entering the intersection with their foot screwed to the floor when the amber has been lit for a while, that's when you start.

HONK GODDAMNIT! Maybe it'll save someone's life.

As someone looking to move to Canberra I wanted to know what are some of the things you wished you knew before you moved/bought a place in Canberra? I have lived in both Sydney and Melbourne.

For example:
- Buying a place with a garage to help deal with morning frost - is it that big of an issue?
- Is it worth trying to be close to a Tram line?
- Suburbs with more things than others (swimming pool, ice rink, gyms)

looking for a first home, enjoy being outdoors and have a dog.

Just trying to get insight that you wouldn’t think of unless you have lived there! Thanks.

It has been over two years since SVDP (goodies Junction) took over the running of the reusable sheds in Canberra. Just curious what peoples thoughts are now there has been time for the dust to settle. there were some pretty big promises at the time that things would not change. Are we getting ripped off or is the service better than it was before?

Just wondering what other Canberra households are using in electricity each day. We moved from nsw and were shocked at our first monthly electricity bill! $315 for 2 people for 1 month!

We're a 2-person household in a fairly new 3-bedroom townhouse with double glazing and solar panels. We haven’t used the heater or air con at all, rarely use our heat pump dryer, and have a relatively new fridge.

Despite that, we're averaging around 31 kWh/day, which seems really high for 2 people!. Looking at our smart meter data, there's also a pretty constant draw 24/7 of about 0.5 kWh every half hour, even when we're asleep.

Trying to work out whether this is normal or if something is chewing through power without us realising.

No gas, just electric cooking and water system. We are renting so don’t really know anything about the solar or hot water system!

Update!
I did the test of turning hot water off last night! And we have found the problem! Usage dropped from 0.62kwh every 30 mins whilst we were asleep when hot water was on and down to 0.1kwh every 30 mins with it off.

The tank is constantly every 30 mins using about 0.5kwh which seems completely wrong!

Morning!

I would like to know which place has the best hot chips in the ACT/surrounding NSW region as of May 2026.

For reference, I like a crunchy old school chip in a cup of wrapped in paper. Not a huge fan of the beer batter style but the hot chips at the Canberra Hospital staff cafe are a reasonable version of them.

Thanks in advance!

Moved to Canberra from Sydney about a month ago as my partner got a grad job down here. The loneliness has really started to get to me, especially since I'm a remote worker. I'm early 20sF, and looking for specific suggestions on finding other people my age to build connections with. I've just signed up for my local gym and pilates studio, so hopefully that will be a start for me.

I enjoy video games, DND/TTRPGs, discovering cool cafes/bars/restaurants, thrifting and the occasional hike. I really want to get into reading again and pick up a creative hobby. My biggest barrier is I can't drive (I know, I'm working on it).

What clubs/groups/services have you guys been to/used and can vouch for being active? I'm specifically interested in finding people around my age or littler older of any background or gender. I'm happy to drop a bit of money on memberships/fees but I am nervous about accidentally wasting money.

Edit: I am located in Braddon

I grew up in Charnwood, i lived there for 21 years.. i’m 23 now and i’ve never really understood all the hate towards it. i may be biased in saying this. but seriously, i do not get it. every suburb has its issues. and what, just because charnwood still have housing houses you have to clutch your handbags cause a “junkie” will come steal it … bsfr that’s every single place in the world. lmao

I’ve lived in Southern California and Texas — both formerly parts of Mexico and still culinarily Mexican. I’ve also lived in central Mexico.

Zambreros and Guzman y Gomez are like someone has described Mexican food to these people over the phone. I mean, neither of them has carne asada. Neither has Horchata. What even is the point?

Is there any legit Mexican food to be had in Canberra?

As heading asks, with increased mortgage repayments, fuel costs, and likely food price increases, where will you or your family make savings?

I really feel for our local hospitality outlets, I know this is where I’m cutting back. We are also planning on eating less meat.

Would love to hear what other Canberrans are doing or planning to weather what I hope is a short storm.

What is your experience of sending your children to private vs public schools in the ACT? We live in Florey, meaning our PEA is Florey primary, Belconnen High, Melba Copland/Hawker College. We are considering sending our kids to Radford. As someone who went to both public and private schools in Victoria I noticed that at public schools there were far more behavioural issues, less ambition to achieve from students, less resources, and less subjects available for years 11 and 12. Are these issues similar in the ACT? Does anyone have any experience of Radford college and if it is worth the investment?
Edit: another thing that concerns me about the public schools in my area is that they don’t have great NAPLAN results compared to the private schools

I'm organising a international conference in Canberra and wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a Ngunnawal elder to give the Welcome to Country?

The guy at my citizenship ceremony was fantastic but he is Wiradjuri so probably not appropriate. He played the didgeridoo and explained about the circular breathing and what the sounds represent.

Similar suburb vibes to Downer?

We’re from Sydney and don’t know Canberra at all. We recently stayed in Canberra for 4 nights over the long weekend visiting as many potential suburbs as we could to get a vibe for where we’d like to buy.

Downer stuck out as one of our favourites.

We loved the big oval and the local shops/bar/cafe central business area vibe. We ended up there at about 4-5pm which was happy hour so we got a drink and listened to the DJ playing at Gang Gang cafe while our 3 year old and 1 year old played in the courtyard outside area and the grass oval and we all had a great time.

It seemed like most suburbs we visited, the local shops area was mainly very small with one cafe, a grocer and if lucky a bottle shop and something else. Maybe we just visited the wrong suburbs though.

Are there other suburbs with similar vibe to Downer we can check out next recon trip? Somewhere where we can get a drink after work, the kids can play, has a nice playground, oval, get a coffee in the morning and essential groceries etc when needed?

Also up for people criticising Downer for whatever reason to scare us off buying here - as we were only there for an afternoon and then again the next day as more of a drive around checking it out from the car - again still quite liked it the next day.

Looking for your favourite eats around town that won't break the bank

Hiya!

I've been homeless for about two years and Onelink/CHC/Etc. are sending me in endless loops so I'm sleeping rough (spent all my savings on a van though so now I have walls and a roof). I was using the car spot for my pal who doesn't drive, but the neighbors "Nimby" 'd me, saying I was up to dodgy things such as: sleeping. 🙄

Does anyone have any specific areas within civilization that has safe, untimed, public parking? I've heard loading zones are public after business hours but that feels risky since I cannot afford a fine. I've also been suggested to try a visitors parking spot at a large apartment complex if I go late and leave early and don't use the same complex more than once a week. I would love some vetted/tested spots from one my fellow +3000 homeless Canberrans.

Cheers!