If you’re craving for one of your favourite snacks or dishes from home, it’s likely you’ll find it here.

Living abroad is a great opportunity to taste the flavours of your new adoptive home. Canberra is ideally located between the in-land Riverina region (the ‘food bowl’ of Australia) and our bountiful coast which means delicious local fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood are available to enjoy year-round. 

However, with over 25% of Canberra residents born overseas, across the city you’ll also find cuisines available from around the world in restaurants, cafés and supermarkets. Here are a few options to get you started.

Indian

Dine at: Blu Ginger, Tikka Take, or Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant in the city, Chalisa Indian Restaurant in Greenway, Sweet Mahal in Amaroo, Taj Agra or Punjabi Junction in Belconnen – or for something a bit different, try Ramas Fiji Indian Restaurant in Pearce.

Shop at: For ingredients, try Bharat International in Belconnen, All In One Super Mart in the City, Apna Indian Bazaar in Belconnen, Kitchen King Grocer or Spice Market ACT in Phillip, Aao Jee Indian Bazaar in Amaroo.

Vietnamese

Dine at: Bistro Nguyen’s or iPho Vietnamese Street Food in the city, Pho Phu Quoc Vietnamese Restaurant in Dickson, or Au Lac Royal Vegetarian Cuisine in Dickson and Phillip.

Shop at: Sai Gon Asian Grocery in Dickson, Thanh Phat Asian Grocer at Homeworld Tuggeranong.

Malaysian

Dine at: Madam Lu Malaysian Restaurant in the city and Abell’s Kopi Tiam in Manuka. For a special occasion try Lanterne Rooms in Campbell.

Shop at: Emart Asian Supermarket in the city.

Indonesian

Dine at: Rasa Rosa or Indo Cafe in the city, Kita in Narrabundah, or KOPIKU Cafe in O’Connor.

Shop at: T&E Asian Groceries in Fyshwick.

Chinese

Dine at: 1980 Chinese Restaurant or Happy’s Chinese Restaurant in the city, Ruby Chinese Restaurant or Jimmy’s Place in Dickson.

Shop at: Daily Market in Kambri at ANU, T&E Asian Groceries in Fyshwick, and Emart Asian Supermarket in the city.

Pakistani

Dine at: Lahori Gate in Weetangera.

Shop at: Bharat International in Belconnen or Phillip.

Filipino

Dine at: Lolo and Lola in Watson, Northside Garden Café in Nicholls, Cup & Coaster in Fyshwick, or Papa J’s Resto Bar in Dickson.

Shop at: T&E Asian Groceries in Fyshwick.

Most Filipino ingredients or products can easily be substituted with the more accessible ones in groceries. But when you get used to the distinct taste of your preferred brand, it can be frustrating because it just isn’t the same. Luckily, there are a tonne of Asian groceries around Canberra.

“For more extensive options, we go to T&E which is a Filipino-owned Asian grocery store in Fyshwick. Just last weekend my partner and I dropped by because we suddenly had a craving for snacks we grew up eating as kids. Luckily, it’s an occasional itch we get to scratch here in Canberra as it is guaranteed to be available somewhere.

“The market for Filipino food in Canberra is not too saturated, but you do not really need a lot of options to get a taste of home as the existing ones truly hit the spot where they should! Northside Garden Cafe in Nicholls, Lolo and Lola in Watson, Papa J’s in Dickson, and Cup & Coaster in Fyshwick are the places to go for comfort Filipino food.

Nicole Frances Cadores, Post-graduate student from the Philippines.

Nepalese

Dine at: The Hungry Buddha in Belconnen, Chomolungma Nepalese Cuisine in Manuka, The Mustang in Farrer, The Kathmandu Momo House in the city, or The Chimney Nepalese Restaurant & Bar in Gungahlin.

Shop at: Bharat International in Belconnen or Phillip, or Lumbini Grocery in Gungahlin.

I am particular about my food and all the ingredients that go with it. That’s why my friends ask me about the ingredients when they don’t find one. It’s easy to source what I need from different corners of Canberra: Belconnen (Himalayan Butcher), Coombs (Canberra Grocery Store), Gunghalin (Lumbini Grocery) primarily. It’s a pleasure to have buses going there and these stores are situated not that far from the stops.

Sometimes when I am lazy, I go to the restaurants by the side of Lake Ginninderra. They have lovely views to the lake. Also, hop on the tram to City or Gunghalin to eat some momos, chhoila, or rice-curry set. There are some places I recommend: Kathmandu Momos, Hungry Buddha, Nakha chhey, Mustang Nepali restaurant and Chimney Nepalese restaurant.

Sushant Rijal, postgraduate student from Nepal