Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON’s sunk her teeth into selecting her favourite restaurants for the year.
My taste buds danced their way through meals at more than 45 establishments in 2025 and have been put to the test to select the top five dining places for the year.
Decisions were challenging, but inspiring to make.
Here are my top five for 25, in alphabetical order (by establishment name).
Clover Wafu Italian, in Civic, is an exciting concept, adapting Japanese flavours and techniques with Italian. Does it work? You bet, including the utterly addictive warm edamame with anchovies, lemon, chilli and parmesan. The creamy tiramisu is created with Japanese yuzu. Housed in the Sebel Hotel (and close to the Canberra Theatre Centre, Clover is comfortable and caring. Cross-cultural ideas at their best.
Lunetta Trattoria, on top of Red Hill, is worth a visit just to soak up the spectacular views. Housed on the ground level, we were over the moon with the décor, service, food, wine and casual atmosphere. Exceptional was the light chicken parfait and the broccolini with whipped lemon buffalo ricotta. The massive open kitchen pumps out Italian-inspired dishes that are truly squisito.
Absolutely fun is the yummy yum cha at Oh No in Manuka. Book for 1 hour and 45 minutes for an all-you-can-eat experience. Don’t miss the prawn toast, formed into small spring roll shapes. Super special is the salted egg yolk lava bun, dark in colour but glistening with gold on top. Dessert anyone? Indulge in the smooth, silky, creamy mango pudding. Young and fun staff.
Romanee Wine Bar’s sommelier has strong credentials and knows his wine. But the Braddon bar also ranks highly for its food, including cured kingfish with pepper berry, radish and Buddah hand. Sharing is the name of the game, including with the baked Raclette – melted Swiss cheese served with drizzles of quality honey and sunflower seeds for crunch.
A new kid on the (Kingston) block, Tintino is a playful wine bar-bottle shop combo with an inviting and exciting food offering. The menu is compact but top-notch. Truffle toasties are super fun, Gildas perfectly poised, and cauliflower blossom and egg yolk with cashew delightful. Tintino now has an outdoor area, and dishes change regularly to maintain interest. Cool vibe all round.
Honourable mentions go to Queenies (Kingston) for its recently refreshed, all-gluten-free menu, which never compromises on presentation or taste. Rebel Rebel (Acton) is a strong player in the hospitality scene and continually dares to be different with its innovative dishes. A huge toast to Rizla (Braddon), which this year celebrated its sixth birthday with great food and attentive, caring service. Steak lovers must visit recently-opened Vice (Civic) for melt-in-the-mouth Stone Axe Pastoral Company Wagyu rib eye, duck-fat roasted chats and a sinful vanilla bean flan.
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