Chairman & Yip

Much like the Chairman Group’s other venues Lanterne Rooms, Mu Omakase and Lilotang, Chairman & Yip aims to elevate classic Asian dishes to modern heights. And though it left its original home in Civic for a new one in Barton (it moved into the former Malamay site in 2016), Chairman’s roots still run deep in Canberra’s dining scene. Whether you're cutting a business deal or celebrating a special occasion, this icon’s had the capital covered for more than 25 years.

Interiors recall plenty of Shanghai glamour, with glistening red glass accents, tall black wooden beams, high ceilings and sheer black curtains. Tables are spaciously dotted throughout the dining room – a far cry from the image of a raucous, tightly-packed dumpling house. There’s also an outdoor terrace that’s primed for year-round dining.

Originally a bastion for traditional Cantonese food, Chairman & Yip’s menu has grown over time to incorporate a wider range of influences, spanning Sichuan and Yunnan cuisines. Across five set courses, you might start with delicately wrapped crab wontons served in a green tea-infused soy dashi. Next, a towering plate of Sichuan eggplant: tender eggplant pieces encased in a light tempura crust and spiked with numbing Sichuan peppercorns. Mains range from whole steamed barramundi to siu mei platters of barbequed meat and seafood, and there’s a daily dessert to finish.

The extensive wine list features local, Australian and international drops chosen to complement dishes. On the cocktail front, the usual suspects of Martini and Negroni are joined by house creations starring Japanese ingredients such as mirin and sake.