It may not have a reputation for being so, but Canberra is a young and vibrant city with a strong multicultural bent, thanks to its population of migrant and international workers. Which means the nation’s capital boasts a stack of killer restaurants where you can settle in for an afternoon or evening with a loved one – some in the heart of the CBD, others in what feels like the middle of the countryside (but, in a very Canberran trick, still only 10 minutes from the city). Here’s where to make a booking for your next date night.

Rebel Rebel
Rebel Rebel (named after the David Bowie song, of course) has worked out that any time is the right time for a Martini or freshly shucked oysters. Launched in 2019 by Sean McConnell (brother of Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell, of Cumulus Inc and Gimlet fame) in the hip New Acton precinct, the eatery is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays, with a breakfast menu also available on the weekend. The modern menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients, with an emphasis on vegetables, as well as plenty of seafood. Breakfast options include baked eggs with shanklish (a Middle Eastern cheese), a ricotta and kale omelette, porridge with quince, and black pudding with fried eggs and pickle. If you’re going for a dinner date, try the parmesan cannoli, the grilled prawns with bay-leaf butter, or raw hiramasa kingfish. Start with a cocktail, or choose from a worldly wine list that raises a glass to French vineyards (what could be more romantic?) and local luminaries such as Clonakilla and Lark Hill.

Pilot
The award-winning Pilot offers a truly elevated dining experience, with a roll call of innovative dishes prepared by head chef Malcolm Hanslow. If you’re looking to impress your date with your impeccable taste in food, this is the place to go. Pilot features a modern European and Asian set menu – but you’ll only find out what the menu is for that night as the meal is served to you, so it’s best to give them a call if you have any dietary requirements. Otherwise, just sit back and wait for the surprises to arrive. There are no guarantees, but dishes that make a regular appearance include money bags (wontons), roasted chicken, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and fried Jerusalem artichokes. The wine list is mostly Australian, and you can match vinos with courses for an extra charge (or BYO with a corkage fee).

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Akiba
Akiba is vibrant and busy with neon lights, Japanese street art and a dash of K-pop: everything you need, then, for a memorable date night. Meals at Akiba are cooked on wood and charcoal, so the aroma of Asian and American barbeque fills the casual dining room. Dishes are designed to be shared: it’s easiest to choose the “feed me” option – a chef’s choice of eight dishes. Otherwise, the pork belly bao is a favourite among regulars, as is the Japanese fried chicken served with kewpie and sriracha. For drinks there are plenty of cocktails and Canberra wines to choose from. Whisky lovers will rejoice, especially if Japanese drams are your drop of choice, and the sake list is among the most comprehensive in the country.

Mu Omakase
Mu Omakase serves a seasonal degustation in a low-lit, intimate room that encourages conversation. Its cosy counters provide a front-row view of the quick-paced open kitchen and plenty of interaction with the chef. Seafood is a mainstay of a menu that morphs with the seasons. Expect at least 10 courses, which could range from Hokkaido scallops to octopus to Wagyu flank steak. And you can’t do a Japanese date night without sampling the sake – Mu Omakase won’t leave you short of choice, with dozens to choose from.

Pialligo Estate
Pialligo Estate is a boutique winery little more than 10 minutes’ drive from the city but with a rural outlook, set on the banks of the Molonglo River. The location is perfect for enjoying a “country” date without having to travel far. As well as a winery, Pialligo Estate boasts a market grocer, a smokehouse, an olive grove and an orchard. A tour of the 22-hectare farm will help you get to grips with the landscape and the paddock-to-plate philosophy that guide the business. Choose from a two- or three-course menu that offers a diverse sampling of the farm produce and native ingredients. Starters might include ember-roasted kohlrabi, beetroot pastrami, and raw wallaby with horseradish and saltbush. Mains are centred on proteins such as King George whiting, duck breast and beef cheek, plus a vegetarian option (right now it’s ricotta gnocchi).

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Visit Canberra.