Did anyone else accidentally get sunburnt this weekend?
Because I did. Sunburnt, in September, because I, like probably most Canberrans, spent longer than expected sitting in the glorious spring sunshine.
There's something so restorative about the first outdoor lunch in the sun after winter has finally burnt away. The sense of wellbeing you get from passing around glasses of wine, or fizzy water, pouncing upon bowls of chips, ordering food and not minding if it's slower than usual to arrive.
Canberra, as I think we can all agree, actually has amazing weather pertaining to each distinct season, if only you can find the right place to enjoy it. In winter, you need a cosy fireplace, in the summer, shade and air-conditioning. In the autumn, some wine to beat the melancholy. And in the spring, a place that feels both celebratory and something of a revelation.
We've come an awfully long way since the very early days when eating outside was banned!
Here are some favourites to try.
First up, the pub. Lots of Canberra's pubs and bars have outdoor seating, and most stay operational in the winter. But it's the day drinking on that first unexpectedly hot day that sings the sweetest. Capital Brewing at Dairy Road is the most obvious starter for this list, because of its sprawling and flexible beer garden, with an abstract water feature that has proved endlessly entertaining to kids. The sun's out, so it doesn't matter if their shoes get wet! Honourable mentions go to Edgars at Ainslie, George Harcourt Inn at Gold Creek, Public in Manuka and Assembly in Braddon. Does upmarket wine bar Tintino in Kingston count, or is it too posh? Let's chuck it in the mix because it's so nice to sit there for a beverage.
Ditto any cafe with outdoor seating, the most obvious being Tilleys in Lyneham, The Knox in Watson and Beess and Co in Yarralumla, because of the spreading limbs of the trees above. Speaking of trees, when was the last time you visited Oaks Brasserie in Weston Park? It's where one of Canberra's earliest gardeners lived, in a sweet little cottage just by the Yarralumla Nursery. They now do a lovely lunch, with the significant bonus of a special dog-friendly menu. The Cupping Room in Civic and Two Before Ten in Greenway should be on the list, as well as A Bite to Eat in Chifley and Cafe Stepping Stones in Dickson. Bonus points here for the inspirational staff and beautiful kitchen garden right outside.
We don't have a beach and it doesn't matter because there are plenty of places at which to gaze at the water while dining in the sun. It's time to start planning a catch-up at Snapper & Co, which has a courtyard, a deck and a vast lawn that meanders right to the edge of Lake Burley Griffin. It's the place for superior fish and chips, alongside wine and cocktails. Don't forget the other lakes, though. Across town, The Lighthouse at Belconnen has been named Canberra's best traditional pub (in 2024) for a reason, and the water views help. And The Kiln at Belco Arts has beautiful sunset views on weekends.
Back at the old LBG, if you want to step it up a notch or two, one Canberra icon has been doing fine dining by the water for decades - The Boathouse. Much newer are the current tenants at Regatta Point, the Walter Cafe and the Marion. But the Kingston Foreshore will do just as well these days, with an entire strip of outdoor dining, including new winery Contentious Character, much-loved pubs The Dock and Walk & Burley, and a parade of top-notch cafes and restaurants.
But listen, you might not even get that far, because along the way, you'll find The Jetty, the beer garden that's just reopened for the season. Ordering an Aperol spritz is a very good idea on a warm day. And just nearby is the chic lakeside espresso bar Margot, serving coffee and pastries until 2pm.
And if it's one of those arts and culture days, you could do worse than spend a few hours on Bookplate's expansive terrace at the National Library of Australia, the beautiful new cafe Oculus at the National Gallery of Australia, or Rosas in the Rose Garden. Just across the way at the National Museum of Australia, the Museum Cafe does brisk business on sunny days.
