Beyond the business of boardrooms and power suits, there’s more to discover in our nation’s capital.

A city where heart, soul, and flavour define its character, Canberra, although on most of our radars for its political importance in the Australian landscape, is quickly becoming known for more than its business side. A spot where life outside the 9-5 thrives, En-Route took a trip to Australia’s capital this week to take a look at exactly what happens in this city outside the boardroom, and to say we were blown away by what was on offer is a true understatement.

Easily accessible to those on the East Coast through a quick road trip, and for those outside the East, a short plane ride away, it’s no wonder local Australian cities are becoming a more popular tourist destination year on year. Whether you’re a family looking to escape the hassle of overseas flights with little ones, or you’re after a romantic weekend getaway that’s not too far away, Canberra is the city that needs to be on your 2026 radar.

For our guide on the best eats, sips, and sleeps in Australia’s capital city, read our picks below.

Where to stay:

In the heart of Canberra city lies a taste of modern romantic flair at The East Hotel, an Italian-inspired boutique space that’s equal parts luxurious and comfortable. Opened in 2012, The East Hotel services 140 rooms across 5 stories, featuring amenities including conference rooms, a gym, and trendy food and wine bars, so you can enjoy a taste of luxury all from the comfort of your own hotel.

Its prime location means you’re never too far from all of Canberra’s most iconic attractions. Just an 8-minute drive from Parliament House and Questacon, a 16-minute drive from the Arboretum, and down the road from Canberra Central, it’s conveniently situated right in the know, and for those of us who love to explore, it’s the best case scenario.

Upon entry, its reception boasts a contemporary, eclectic mix of warm light and furniture to zone in on the hotel’s modern Italian flair. Inside its spacious rooms, you’ll find a warm and inviting space to lounge and enjoy the view of the Canberra cityscape (or in our case, Parliament House!), alongside a full kitchenette, laundry amenities, a spacious bathroom, and a private bedroom. It’s a quiet step into a little bit of luxury to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing, and after one night, it was easy to see why the space is such a popular choice not just for travellers, but for locals looking for a staycation.

With package deals on offer, including dine-in and drinks packages for couples, families, and groups,

Book your next stay at The East Hotel, Canberra here.

What to eat:

Nestled within The East Hotel, Agostinis is a charming, inviting restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an authentic Italian twist. Rooted in family tradition, the space serves regional cuisine designed to inspire connection for those who dine in, where the food and drinks made in-house are designed to create a familial sense of shared joy around the table.

For starters, we enjoyed a taste of creamy burrata alongside freshly baked focaccia bread and whipped garlic butter, a truly authentic Italian introduction to what would be an evening of rich, flavoursome meals that transported us straight to the streets of Italy. Our starters came smoothly and were enjoyed just as quickly, washed down with a refreshing burst of lemonata spritz for a truly Amalfi-inspired feast.

As for our mains, it was hard to resist the charm of a classic Agostini lasagna and Prosciutto Rucola pizza, a real European-inspired treat that felt like we were right in the heart of Italy. The Lasagna was fresh and flavoursome with every bite, I could tell it had been prepared with love straight from the kitchen. The real star of the show was their Prosciutto Rucola pizza, which was made in their in-house Marana Forni pizza oven and topped with fresh bursts of rocket for a little extra crunch. As a red-sauce pizza lover, this one was right up my alley. Thinly sliced cuts of Prosciutto alongside a rich tomato base? Say less, I’m in heaven. Each cut was prepared with an even amount of topping and sauce, so you could take any slice and know you’ll be looked after.

The food serving sizes are generous enough to share around the table, so we split our courses and enjoyed both alongside that familial sense of shared family plates around a dinner table. Beside us, families and groups of friends stayed laughing and enjoying each other’s time; it was a space you could go to unwind and enjoy authentic foods with your loved ones amongst good company. When you’re travelling, it’s hard to recreate the vibe of your own dinner table, but Agostini’s delivered, and we felt at home.

If you’re craving an early morning coffee and a bite to eat, Agostini’s also offers a breakfast service. Think rich, earthy coffees and creamy scrambled eggs, alongside chorizo and sourdough bread, to start your morning – there’s nothing better. We enjoyed a hearty feast before setting off for the day, because a morning starting with coffee is the only way to go.

Agostinis, we’ll be back.

Book a table here.

For lovers of authentic, refined Asian cuisine, this one’s for you.

A celebration of Japanese and Korean cuisines, Azuma Den boasts a high-quality menu that infuses bold flavours with exciting textures for a total indulgence. From steaming starters that’ll leave you drooling, to mains made to share around, it’s not just a restaurant for filling your plate after a long day of exploring (literally), but somewhere that encourages you to explore beyond your usual taste palette and into the realm of new surprises. The space was packed, from date nights to family gatherings, friends, and your solo diners, it’s clear locals and travellers alike are flocking to Azuma Den.

For starters, we enjoyed the Wagyu Beef tartare tacos with nashi pear and cucumber, a bold and zesty meal to start our evening with, and one that we enjoyed alongside a pot of steaming green tea (my favourite type of tea). The Wagyu was tender to the bite and a delicious way to open up our evening. Then, we dived right into the Chef’s recommendation and my personal favourite dish of the evening, the pork and ginger house-made dumplings. Crispy on the bottom and soft on top and inside, these were a real treat to enjoy. Each dumpling was made with care and attention to the flavours inside, something that was evident on the first bite. With a rush of pork and subtle ginger flavour with every bite, these dumplings were a filling, delicious taste explosion – No wonder they’re a best seller!

Next up was a crowd favourite, the broccolini, topped with sticky sesame for an added crunch. Perfectly grilled and flavoursome, it’s hard to say no to broccolini when I see it on the menu, and this time was no different.
Alongside this, sweet potato noodles were the carb-booster we needed to recover post all day walking. Mouth-watering and sweet, these are a great addition to any meal for their hearty, filling nature and glassy texture. Topped off with some vegetables and a side of chicken skewers, and we were set.

Of course, no matter how many mains you could order, there’s always room for some dessert, and this was a real treat. Instantly, I was drawn to the menu’s coconut meringue, topped with yuzu miso caramel custard and citrusy mandarin for a sweet, tangy finish – It’s an exotic flavour fusion I’ve never seen before, but one that is now all over my radar for future dinners. Light and crunchy, the coconut meringue was like eating a cloud, with a touch of zesty mandarin to bring you right back down to its earthy base. This one was blended perfectly, and the best way to top off an evening well spent.

Book here.

What to sip:

For our lovers of quiet luxury, this one’s for you.

A step into Italian Cocktails and refined contemporary flavours, Joe’s Bar is an intimate, chic meeting space best enjoyed with friends – because we couldn’t keep this one to ourselves. Tucked within the East Hotel in Kingston, the space boasts a retro yet timeless interior space filled with inviting couches and spaces for friends to sit and relax. A much more elevated take on your typical post-dinner drinks bar, its menu is filled with Italian-inspired bites and nibbles to share and enjoy with friends, from house-made focaccia to decadent tiramisu, Its menu will leave you drooling for more.

Their best-selling drink is one for the sweet-tooths, and one that I enjoyed late into the evening as a way to round off a perfect day well spent in the nation’s capital. Aptly named ‘Dream of Passion’, it’s a modern take on the classic cocktail with a creamy, chocolate-y twist. Made with sweet passionfruit, pandan liqueur, dry apera, and vodka, and topped with a slab of decadent white chocolate, it’s best served alongside a post-dinner chat and a laugh or two.

An evening spent lounging in Joe’s Bar’s eccentric and retro-themed furniture space was the perfect way to round off the day. Best kept for couples debriefing on a busy day and friends swapping laughs, the space was cosy and intimate, and felt like a burst of contemporary flair in Canberra that we hadn’t yet seen. It was the perfect way to round out the day.

Book Joe’s Bar here.