The 10 best Italian restaurants in Canberra

What is it? A handsome seasonally-focused restaurant in a famous Canberra setting since 1996.

Why go? Behind the grand arched windows of the landmark Melbourne Building sits one of Canberra’s best and longest-running Italian restaurants. Between their fresh bread and pasta, and the peppering of woodfired dishes throughout their menu, the food at Mezzalira is truly special. Changing with the seasons, you may find pappardelle with smoked duck breast, casarecce with suckling lamb, and the mainstay wood-baked focaccia with whipped ricotta and chestnut honey.

What is it? A swish lakeside restaurant inspired by the Italian coast run by a celebrated Canberra chef. 

Why go? Are we on the shores of Lake Como or Lake Burley Griffin? Carlo Tosolini’s expansive restaurant will transport you straight to the heart of Italy, with its comforting carbs and deli fridge, stocked to the brim with local and specially imported DOP cheeses and meats. Pair buffalo mozzarella and gnocco fritto with an Aperol Spritz on one of their outdoor tables and you could call it a splendid day, but you’ll want to order a dish from their woodfire oven. Butterflied king prawns in garlic and chilli oil, or one of their pizzas with a bubbly charred crust.

What is it? An award-winning restaurant serving seasonal Italian pasta and mains with top-quality produce.

Why go? Pasquale Trimboli applied his learnings from Canberra’s much-loved Mezzalira to create this sophisticated Italian concept in Braddon. Italian and Sons’ understated elegance is loved by all Canberrans, including prime minister Anthony Albanese. The menu is guided by the seasons and changes daily, but you can expect to enjoy renditions of pasta and generous piatti principal (main dishes) from quality local ingredients, like woodfired pork cutlet and char-grilled striploin. 

What is it? A longstanding family-run restaurant with hand-rolled pasta and an excellent wine list in Narrabundah.

Why go? Walking through the brick arches at La Cantina feels like you’ve descended into a secret Italian wine cellar and not a leafy corner of Narrabundah. However, you would be right in some aspects, with stacks of Australian and Italian drops available from their impressive wine collection. Let their warm and savvy waiters steer you towards a drop to go with their traditional Italian menu. Their house-made pasta dough is a highlight here, with dishes like their umami-laden duck agnolotti being a favourite since opening in 2009.

What is it? An Italian stalwart with more than 20 years under its belt. 

Why go? This Italian institution has been serving this city since 1988. Since then, their two venues in Woden and Manuka have become Canberra’s go-to restaurants when it comes to classic Italian food. The Manuka location’s sleek black marble pass sees fluffy house-baked ciabatta with unfiltered olive oil, and crisp zucchini flours stuffed with four cheeses and honey vinaigrette. Both locations offer tried and true pizza and pasta, but the magic happens in their hefty secondi offering, featuring spatchcock with perfectly caramelised skin or hearty slow-cooked lamb shank that falls apart.

What is it? Canberra’s only Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana-certified pizza restaurant, located in Griffith. 

Why go? Sometimes, no number of toppings will outdo a simple marinara pizza, where the sweetness of San Marzano tomatoes shines against the blistered bubbles of wood-fired dough. That’s exactly what earned this Griffith pizzeria, restaurant and bar certification from the strict Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. Quick lunches here are also some of Canberra’s best, with their charred bread becoming the vessel for moreish Neapolitan sandwiches.

What is it? A family-owned hotel restaurant with personality in Griffith. 

Why go? Whether you’re visiting Canberra, staycationing or simply craving a night out with some top-notch Italian fare, Agositinis won’t let you down. This buzzing restaurant, located in Kingston’s East Hotel, is inspired by a bar the family used to run generations ago in Northern Italy. It's worth visiting just to try their speciality dish, frico, a Northern Italian pancake of sorts, layered with potato and Montasio cheese.

What is it? A part cool and casual wine bar, part luxurious takeaway on Lonsdale Street.

Why go? Chez Frederic was born on Perth’s Cottesloe Beach in 2002, but has found a home in Braddon. Here, friends can share a cheeky bowl of gnocchi and a glass of vino, or opt for takeaway, where boxes of pasta fly out the door on any given night. The menu is Italian with some playful modern twists here and there. Crisp spring roll wrappers hide Italian flavours inside with garlic prawns and mozzarella, and cheeseburger gnocchi is the devilish dish that will revive you on a cold winter night. 

What is it? A woodfired pizza staple with outdoor seating in the heart of town on Lonsdale Street. 

Why go? Past the happy revellers parading down Lonsdale Street with takeaway boxes and through the restored stained-glass windows, lies some of Canberra’s finest pizza. For over a decade, Pizza Gusto’s oven has been cranking out pizzas and calzones cooked at a sizzling 400 degrees. Toppings range from classic Margheritas and capricciosas to less traditional (but packed with flavour) butter chicken and other specials, like beef brisket and jalapeño.

What is it? Simple, unpretentious Italian fare tucked away in Kingston Foreshore.

Why go? Nab a table outside at this lakeside joint for straightforward, comforting Italian dishes by the lake. House-baked focaccia is warm and fluffy – perfect to dip in olive oil, but even better with their antipasto plate. Their secondi will have you feeling like you’ve just been fed by Nonna. Generous portions of rich veal saltimbocca and a pollo parmigiana are finessed but comforting.