“Feeling the pinch of Queanbeyan’s major infrastructure works, but hanging in there, is Urban Bar and Grill, on the Monaro Street main drag,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON.

Restaurants come and restaurants go at a rapid rate in Canberra and surrounding areas. 

Recently, for example, we’ve seen the closure of special spots such as Peonee, Portia’s Place, Compa, &Sando, Onzieme, Muk Bar and Locale Pizzeria. 

Also bidding us farewell is Saint Malo, which will no longer operate as a restaurant but an event venue and catering service. Alia Bar will also no longer operate as a restaurant. Rumours of other closures abound. It’s mind boggling.

Some, but not all, closures have been driven by local light rail disruptions. Nearby Queanbeyan is also feeling construction pain with Monaro Street still undergoing major infrastructure works, with many more months still to go. 

Feeling the pinch, but hanging in there, is Urban Bar and Grill, on the main drag. A friend and I happened to be in Queanbeyan and stopped by for lunch to lend a bit of support. 

Urban Bar and Grill has been open for more than two years and it offers a straightforward menu, specialising in steaks off the grill, burgers, and main meals with standard options such as schnitzel, parmigiana, pizza, and fish and chips. 

The bar offering is extensive, and we treated ourselves to cocktails. My Cuban Mojito was well executed with a refreshing balance of white rum, sweet cane sugar, tart lime, mint and soda ($18). My friend’s bitter-sweet Negroni was equally well executed ($18). Three mocktails are on the menu ($13 or $14).

Lunch began with plump tempura prawns, light and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside ($15 for six pieces). We dipped them into a sweet chilli sauce.

For my main, I ordered herb spiced and marinated lamb cutlets, tender and cooked medium rare, just as I ordered.

Cooked on the grill, the cutlets featured a welcoming smoky, savoury element ($32). The two cutlets arrived with mashed potatoes (not the best I’ve had) and a colourful medley of steamed vegetables, including broccoli, zucchini, green, red and yellow capsicum and carrots. I appreciated the combination of textures and flavours. My barbecue sauce was as tangy as promised.

My friend’s scotch fillet (300 grams, $42) was also cooked to order. At Urban Bar and Grill, diners choose two sides and a sauce (from six available). This dish came with the same medley of steamed vegetables I enjoyed.

For dessert we shared a super generous, house-made crème brûlée, featuring a rich and creamy baked custard but missing the all-important “crack” on the thin layer of caramelised sugar on top ($14). 

Urban Bar and Grill’s wine list is acceptable and reasonably priced. We dined with a Reschke R Series Pinot Gris (2025) from the Limestone Coast ($42).

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