A return to Friday night drinks in the courtyard, opening up the wood-panelled Members Bar to the public, pop-up food carts, celebrity chef nights and the resurrection of a full-time restaurant are all being considered.

Events from poetry slams on the steps where ousted prime minister Gough Whitlam gave his famous dismissal speech to film festivals in the courtyards to breakfast on the front terraces watching the balloon festival unfold across the road are all possibilities.

And a food experience shaped with the help of award-winning chef Sean Connolly has also been locked in.

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House director Daryl Karp announced on Thursday a new catering contract with Restaurant Associates, saying it was just part of a new strategic plan to enliven the iconic building, the plan due to be put to the advisory council on August 2.

"It is timely to shape a fresh role for Old Parliament House as a new kind of town square, a place to connect with family and friends and offering unprecedented opportunities for exhibitions, festivals and celebrations," Ms Karp said.

"This new catering partnership provides the perfect foundation for our future endeavours."

Restaurant Associates starts on August 7 on a four-year contract after winning the open tender process following previous long-time caterer Ginger Catering winning the contract to run a cafe and restaurant at the National Arboretum Canberra.

Restaurant Associates has worked with other high-profile venues including Taronga Zoo, Sydney Town Hall and the Queensland Museum.

Restaurant Associates general manager Deborah Kemp said the food experience at Old Parliament House would be shaped by Sean Connolly and Sebastien Lutaud, the company's general manager of culinary services who has worked with leading names such as Liam Tomlin at Brasserie Cassis, Tony Billson and Pascal Bardot at Ampersand and Connolly at Astral.

Ms Kemp said Connolly had an exclusive partnership with Restaurant Associates to work with Lutaud to develop seasonal and unique function menus in the venues it managed across the nation.

"In the first year of our partnership, we will be refurbishing the cafe to establish this space as a firm destination among locals and visitors to Canberra but we will also be delivering cutting-edge events in the beautiful historic spaces within this amazing museum," Ms Kemp said.

"The food and drink experience at the Museum of Australian Democracy will be complete from entry to exit. By that we mean that we plan it to not be limited to the designated catering spaces but also there will be 'roving' food and drink experiences within the museum and in its outside areas. Our vision is that regulars of the museum will enjoy a different hospitality experience each time they visit us."

Ms Karp said she was keen for the building to have extended hours and emphasised that any changes would conform with heritage guidelines.

"It's really about bringing this place to life," she said.