If you love a good steak, Canberra is somewhere you simply have to dine at. The city boasts a vibrant dining scene which includes some of the best steak restaurants in Australia.
In this review, we will take a look at a selection of venues that excel with their prime cuts and culinary excellence. So prepare to be tantalised by their offerings of juicy, tender cuts, expertly seared to perfection and enhanced with a myriad of accompanying sauces, sides, and garnishes that harmonise beautifully with the meat.
Regardless of whether you prefer a mouthwatering ribeye, a succulent fillet, or a richly marbled Wagyu beef, Canberra’s steak restaurants deliver a symphony of taste sensations that will leave you craving for more.
So, loosen your belts and prepare for an epicurean adventure as we embark on this journey to explore the best steak restaurants the nation’s capital has to offer.
Kingston Hotel
Affectionately known as ‘The Kingo’ by locals, The Kingston Hotel is a convivial and rustic pub-style establishment that enjoys a big reputation for serving exceptional steaks.
Offering no less than a dozen choices of meat, as well as a couple of portion sizes of frites and some 14 sauce options, diners are spoilt for choice.
Additionally, if you are a lover of good quality beer, you’ll enjoy their extensive collection of draught and boutique on-tap beers and ciders they have available. Just be sure to make a reservation as this venue is always busy.
Address: 73 Canberra Ave, Kingston ACT 2604
Phone: (02) 6295 0123
Hours: Sun – Tues 10 am – 11 pm, Wed 10 am – 11.30 pm, Thurs – Sat 10 am – 12 am
Vincent
To say that Vincent is one of the quirkiest venues in town is a bit of an understatement.
Situated in Governor Place within the suburb of Barton, it’s contemporary and slick design features tables that are incorporated into a bar that runs around the restaurant’s perimeter. It also incorporates a ‘scrabble-tile’ style menu that serves as one of the main features of its walls.
One of the best steaks to have here is the signature Wagyu 8+ grade Sirloin which is deliciously paired with Dutch heirloom carrots and pomegranate jus.
As well as their meat dishes, they also pride themselves on offering a terrific selection of unconventional wines sourced from around the world. The restaurant is also known for its exceptional service.
Address: 48 Macquarie St, Barton ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6273 7773
Hours: Sun & Mon Closed, Tues to Fri 12 pm – 2 pm & 4 pm – 10 pm, Sat 6 pm – 10 pm
Marble & Grain
Set within the deluxe Avenue Hotel, Marble & Grain is an upscale European-inspired steakhouse that boasts a warm and welcoming interior that instantly puts diners in a relaxed frame of mind.
Overall, they offer six different cuts of steak which they serve with a delicious range of extras that include duck fat potatoes and red wine jus. Many of the ingredients of which they source from their very own farm, called the Travale.
To accompany your meal, the restaurant offers an excellent menu of cocktails, spirits and wines from Europe and Australia. The knowledgeable staff will be able to help you choose the best ones to go with your meal.
Address: 25 Mort St, Canberra ACT 2612
Phone: (02) 6246 9555
Hours: Mon to Fri 6.30 am – 10 pm, Sat & Sun 7 am – 10 pm
Black Fire
Over in Braddon, Black Fire is an acclaimed Mediterranean inspired restaurant that is best known in Canberra for its authentic approach and charcoal style of grilling.
Given its name, the restaurant’s focus is very much on meat, with all their grain or grass-fed steaks all being sourced locally. Additionally, they are also dry aged for at least a month prior to being cooked on a charcoal grill in an open roasted fire. The result is a smokey and succulent taste which literally makes your mouth water.
For those wanting a nice drop of red to go with their meal, the restaurant also has a robust wine list that comprises a delightful range of Australian and Spanish varietals. It also possesses a warm and authentic Mediterranean ambience which wouldn’t be out of place in Spain or France.
Address: 45/38 Mort St, Braddon ACT 2612
Phone: (02) 6230 5921
Hours: Mon to Thurs 11.30 am – 2 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm, Fri 11.30 am – 2 pm, 5.30 pm – 9 pm, Sat 10 am – 2 pm, 5.30 pm – 9 pm, Sun 10 am – 2 pm, 6 pm – 9 pm
Charcoal
Charcoal is one of Canberra’s most iconic restaurants.
Set within the Melbourne Building, it is the oldest steakhouse in the city. It is also renowned for being
one of the best places in the nation’s capital to enjoy a top-quality steak meal.
Blessed with original interiors, the venue is rich in charm and character, which makes for a lovely place to dine. However, it is the food that really steals the show here.
Its classic menu plates up delicious cuts of charcoal-grilled steaks, as well as other mainstay meals that are accompanied by much loved sauces and sides that have stood the test of time.
The wine list too is also very impressive, while you’ll also want to save some room for their sumptuous desserts, which are a highlight in themselves!
Address: 61 London Cct, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6248 8015
Hours: Sun & Mon Closed, Tues to Fri 12 pm – 2 pm & 5.30 pm – 9 pm, Sat 5.30 pm – 9 pm
Capitol Bar & Grill
If you have been to Canberra before the chances are you will have heard of the Capitol Bar and Grill.
Set within the QT Canberra building, this elegant and chic American-Italian steakhouse offers something for all lovers of good quality steak.
Overall they have 10 different cuts that are always perfectly cooked and accompanied by a veritable mountain of frites.
Their offerings range from ‘I only have a minute steak’, which is their cheapest option, to the massive Double Rib-Eye that is recommended for four people to share. They also serve up a terrific selection of cocktails, spirits and wines to go with your meal.
Another venue where it is recommended to book, you’ll love the ambience, portion size and quality of service at this eminent establishment.
Address: 1 London Cct, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6267 1261
Hours: Sun & Mon Closed, Tues to Sat 5.30 pm – 9 pm
Otis Dining Hall
Rocking a dining hall vibe that makes it the perfect place to visit with a group of friends, Otis prides itself on being one of the best places for a steak dinner in Canberra.
Presenting a French-inspired menu that is more in line with an upscale, fine-dining venue, the steak of choice for many here is the Otis Pepper Steak. This delightful 220-gram aged beef cut is topped with silkwood pepper and served with a delectable brandy jus that will make your taste buds sing.
Should you come here for a meal, you’ll also be able to enjoy a great selection of reasonably priced wines and cocktails as well as ambient lighting and a cracking ambience.
Address: 29 Jardine St, Kingston ACT 2604
Phone: (02) 6260 6066
Hours: Mon & Tues Closed, Wed to Sun 6 pm – 12 am
Chifley’s Bar and Grill
Residing in Canberra’s plush Hotel Kurrajong is the wonderful Chifley’s Bar and Grill.
Resplendent with an elegant classical style, the dining space is set within a terrace that is glassed-in and overlooks the property’s stunning gardens. It makes for a lovely spot to enjoy a range of steak cuts, as well as several sauces and sides, including their incredible beer battered onion rings.
If you don’t fancy a steak, this place is worth coming to just for its whiskey bar, which is part of a wide selection of alcoholic beverages you can buy there.
Address: 8 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6234 4444
Hours: Mon – Fri 7 am – 10 am & 12 pm – 2 pm & 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm, Sat & Sun 7 am – 10 am & 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm
RAKU
RAKU is a contemporary Japanese-inspired restaurant that is centrally located in the Canberra Centre.
Presenting a menu that includes everything from sushi to hearty meat dishes, the venue has a nice mix of Japanese and modern Aussie choices available.
For those wanting to get their steak fix, the Wagyu Grain-Fed and Scotch Fillet will satisfy your craving, as both are perfectly grilled to perfection. They are also provided with the option of a Japanese twist in the form of wasabi cream, which makes for an interesting taste sensation.
Being Japanese-inspired, they also offer a wonderful Sake Experience to accompany your meal. But if you are not down with that, their mandarin-infused Sour Yuzu, which is mixed and shaken with Archie Rose Gin, is highly recommended.
Address: Shop DG36C/148 Bunda St, Canberra ACT 2608
Phone: 0481 758 687
Hours: 11.30 am – 2.30 pm & 5.30 pm – 10 pm Every Day
Manuka Steakhouse
Last but not least, the Manuka Steakhouse is the place to go if you love steak frites.
Set within a casual, inviting and relaxed space in Manuka Terrace, the steaks here are legendary. They come from a grill menu that covers half a dozen cuts, which you can enjoy with a range of classic sides and five different sauces. The portion size is massive, so two big eaters could easily share.
As it is relatively cheap, the drinks menu is not something you’ll want to share. Though there is plenty of white, red and sparkling wine, as well as beers and spirits to choose from.
Address: 7/18 Flinders Way, Griffith ACT 2603
Phone: (02) 6181 8292
Hours: 5 pm – 9.30 pm Every Day