10 Best Italian Restaurants in Canberra

We know how hard it can be to resist quality Italian cuisine, and luckily, Canberra has a plethora of Italian eats for you to try. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh pasta, antithetic pizza or a decadent tiramisu, these restaurants will have you covered. So, get ready to transport yourself to the streets of Italy, Aperol spritz in hand, because these are the best Italian restaurants in Canberra.

1. Agostinis Italian Restaurant

Agostinis is a family-owned, authentic Italian restaurant inside the East Hotel that Canberrans have come to love. We had the pleasure of tasting their new Autumn menu on a recent trip and believe us when we say the Burrata Con Fichi is the absolute best we’ve tasted in the country. While they keep a few staples on deck (including the Burrata) the menu is seasonal – but some of our favourites to look out for include the Gnocchi (pictured above), spaghetti Neri (squid ink infused spaghetti tossed with tiger prawns, cuttlefish, cherry tomatoes and garlic) and for dessert, we can’t go past the locally made cannoli. Wine is Italian sourced both locally in Murrumbateman (a true hidden gem) from Italian varietals and abroad.

• Address: East Hotel, 69 Canberra Ave, Griffith
• Phone: (02) 6178 0048
• Hours: Monday – Sunday 12 pm – 3.30 pm/ 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm

Agostinis Italian Restaurant

2. Molto Italian

Molto Italian is one of the best Italian restaurants in Canberra that manages to seamlessly blend the modern with the traditional. With the aesthetic appeal of a modern seaside trattoria, Molto boasts sleek interiors, an open kitchen and bar and a wood fire pizza oven. We recommend their Salsicce pizza, topped with Italian sausage, green spinach, black olives & mozzarella- the whole thing will be gone before you know it!

• Address: Element Building Unit Kingston, 155/43 Eastlake Parade, Kingston
• Phone: (02) 6140 7039
• Hours: Monday – Sunday 12 pm – 3 pm/ 6 pm – 10 pm

Molto Italian

3. Mama’s Trattoria

Homestyle Italian dining at its finest, Mama’s Trattoria is authentic, fuss-free and delicious! Dine al fresco style and relish in the hearty meals straight from mama’s kitchen. Keeping with the simple theme, we recommend the focaccia, with your choice of fillings and cheese; who thought bread could taste so good!

• Address: Melbourne Building, Shop 4/45 W Row, Canberra
• Phone: (02) 6248 0936
• Hours: Monday – Wednesday 11.30 am – 3 pm/5 om – 8.30 pm, Thursday – Friday 11.30 am – 3 pm/ 5 pm – 10 pm, Saturday 5 pm – 10 pm

Mama’s Trattoria

4. La Rustica

With panoramic views over Lake Burley Griffin, this is just one of the drawcards of this rustic Italian restaurant. You can expect to dig into plenty of handmade pasta, including irresistible handmade gnocchi Sorrento with rich tomato and basil sauce. They also have an extensive wine list so you can accompany your meal with a delicious drop, offering Australian, New Zealand, and Italian labels.

• Address: Eastlake Parade & Trevillian Quay, Kingston
• Phone: (02) 6295 0152
• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 12 pm – 2 pm/ 6 pm – 9.30 pm

5. Mezzalira Italian Restaurant

Mezzalira is fondly known as the more sophisticated sibling of Italian & Sons, so it’s your go-to when you’re looking for something delicious and a little bit fancy. Nestled in the historic Melbourne building, the restaurant is known for its endless assortment of handmade pasta and authentic pizza. If you like to enjoy a glass (or two) of wine while you dine, they also have an award-winning wine menu for you to enjoy.

• Address: 55 London Cct, Canberra
• Phone: (02) 6230 0025
• Hours: Monday – Friday 12 pom – 2.30 pm/ 6 om – 10 pm, Saturday 6 pm – 10 pm

Mezzalira Italian Restaurant

6. Italian & Sons

One of the best Italian restaurants in Canberra, and the young sibling of Mezzalira, Italian & Sons, sure knows how to live up to its older counterpart. The seasonal menu is constantly changing and forever exciting. We recommend starting with zucchini flowers and smoked swordfish before moving on to the asparagus, leek & ricotta agnolotti. For dessert, we can’t go past their classic cheese board.

• Address: 7 Lonsdale St, Braddon
• Phone: (02) 6162 4888
• Hours: Saturday, Tuesday 5.30 pm – 10 pm, Wednesday – Friday 12 pm – 2 pm/ 5.30 om 0- 10 pm

Italian & Sons

7. Trecento Restaurant

When you can’t jump on a plane to Italy, a visit to Trecento Restaurant is the next best thing. Trecento doubles as a pizzeria, restaurant & bar, serving up Neapolitan-style pizza using a 300-year-old Italian recipe, adding modern spins on traditional regional Italian dishes. Nestled in the heart of Manuka, there is an open kitchen, so you’re just as involved in the cooking as you are the eating!

• Address: Unit 33/18 Flinders Way, Griffith
• Phone: (02) 6260 7111
• Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm, Thursday – Sunday 12 pm – 2.30 pm/ 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm

Trecento Restaurant

8. Chez Frederic

Chez Frederic is one of the best Italian restaurants in Canberra when you’re looking for something innovative and exciting. Located on Lonsdale St in Braddon, father and daughter team Frederic & Sara work wonders. Sara heads the restaurant with a passion for reproducing dishes that her father discovered through his travels, melting them into classical French and Italian cuisine. Bon Appetit!

• Address: 4/14 Lonsdale St, Braddon
• Phone: (02) 6248 0044
• Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 12 pm – 2 pm/ 5 pm – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 12 pm – 10 pm

9. Briscola Italian

It’s no secret Briscola is the real deal, with flour imported from Italy, they’re taking no shortcuts when it comes to reproducing the finest Italian cuisine. They offer an unpretentious, authentic dining experience that we can’t resist- we recommend one of the woodfire pizzas and the affogato for dessert.

• Address: 60 Alinga St, Canberra
• Phone: (02) 6248 5444
• Hours: Monday 5.30 pm – 8.30 pm, Tuesday – Sunday 12 pm – 2 pm/ 5.30 pm – 8.30 pm

10. La Capanna

Another one of the best Italian restaurants in Canberra is fuss-free, unpretentious dining is your thing- La Capanna is everything authentic and traditional Italian cuisine in the heart of Kingston. With streetside tables and affordable dishes, you could be fooled into thinking you were dining in Italy! Try one of their seven selections of bruschetta- you won’t regret it!

• Address: 32 Giles St, Kingston
• Phone: (02) 6239 6712
• Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 6 pm – 9.30 pm

La Capanna

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