When we last caught up with Lincoln Fairleigh in late March he had just set up the website cbrstillopen.com which enabled venues to list what their current state of play was.
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With the easing of restrictions this past weekend, he's updated the site to include information about who is offering dining in options.
Fairleigh, who runs Lava Espresso cafe in Phillip said he was blown away by the Canberra community during lockdown.
"We all adapted quickly to the restrictions and people continued to support local businesses," he said.
"More than 70,000 people have visited CBRstillopen.com since it began, showing how much Canberrans love to eat out, and are always on the lookout for somewhere new and tasty. The response from venues was great too - it became a hub for us to share what was working for us and spread ideas for others. It's so encouraging to see what food businesses have done to adapt and reinvent themselves."
He said the hospitality industry might look different as we work our way out of the crisis.
"From watching the businesses hustle to keep things alive, I think we'll always keep working hard. Hospitality is an industry run on tight margins at the best of times, so putting the pressure on has enabled some creative and fresh ideas to come out, to ensure continued cash flow for the business and employment for the workers. So yes, I think it will look very different - I think we'll bounce back better than ever."
- Check out cbrstillopen.com for up-to-date information.
The doors are open
Rebel Rebel, New Acton: From May 30, open seven days for lunch and dinner and weekend breakfasts. Bookings are encouraged. Half the restaurant will be turned into a providore selling house-made produce including take-home meals, baked goods, preserves, pickles, and alcohol.
Pilot, Ainslie: From June 3, stay tuned for fine details via the website. Last weekend of Pilot Presents on Sunday, May 24.
Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan: Open seven days with bookings required, 12pm-8pm for dining in every day with takeaway and delivery services still available. Tap beer, drinks and our full menu available for diners. Bookings: 6297 1444.
Highball Express, City: open for two-hour drink and dine sessions at 3.30, 5.45, 8pm and 10.15pm. Get the girls together for the Girls' Night Out experience: a cocktail class, $65pp, learn to make (and drink) three cocktails, enjoy some nibbles from the menu. Maximum 10 per session.
Lerida Estate Wines, Lake George: open for seated dining seven days a week. Taking bookings for lunch (served between 11am-3.30pm) for tables of two and four. All bookings are for 1.5 hours and the new winter al la carte menu is available. Outside of the lunch service times coffee, cakes, cheese and charcuterie plates are still on offer.
Temporada, City: reopening with two set menus, $70pp or $90pp. Bookings essential.
The Boat House, Barton: six-course set menu matched with premium beverage selections by sommelier Kate Hibberson. Tickets available soon and will be $250pp including menu and matched alcoholic beverages or $225 including non alcoholic beverages. Available Thursday to Saturday evenings.
Muse Canberra, Kingston: reopening for takeaway and dine-in guests, seven days, 7am-12pm.
Grazing, Gundaroo: From May 28, two sittings each lunch and dinner: 11.45am and 1.45pm for lunch; 6pm and 8pm for dinner. Sitting times will go for an hour and 45mins. Bookings by phone and/or email only.
Barrio Collective Coffee, Braddon: Reopening for dining in, Friday, May 22
Bentham Street Bar and Pizza, Yarralumla: taking limited bookings by reservation only, with two sittings every evening (5.45-7.30pm, and 7.45pm onwards). Tables for two and four people will be available, and reservations will be taken by phone on 62827741. Minimum charge of $40 per head.
Krack'd Pepper Cafe, Gilmore: Reopened for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Friday, 11am-9pm, Saturday 8.30am-9pm and Sunday 8.30am-3pm.
Southern Cross Club (Woden Central, Valley Grille, Cornerstone Restaurant and Snapper on the Lake): dining will be by reservation only with seven 75 minute dining times available through the day and evening. The first sitting will be at 11am and the last each day at 8pm.
P.J O'Reilly's, City : Providing full menu and alcohol options. Book a table online up to 10 people through pjoreillys.com.au and sit indoors. Open Tuesdays - Fridays noon-2.30pm and 5.30pm till late and Saturday and Sunday from 5.30pm till late. Live music Fridays from 6pm.
The Howling Moon, Braddon: howl from the rooftop once again and welcome your pack (10 wolves max). With sunset snacks and beautifully designed shared and set menus we have something for everyone. Bookings are essential and can be made via phone or email.
La Cantina, Narrabundah: open seven nights from 5.30-9pm and Wednesday to Friday for lunch noon-2pm.
65 Northourne Restaurant and Wine Bar, City: Full menu sit-down or takeaway available, open Monday to Saturday from 5.30pm-late. Bookings essential call 02 6262 6522.
The Italian Place, Braddon: two sittings at lunch, noon-1.30pm, and 1.30 onwards; two sittings at dinner, 6-8pm and 8pm onwards. 10 people per sitting.
1882 Bar & Grill, Hall: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday (multiple sittings) and dinner Tuesday to Friday. Also continuing to offer takeaway Tuesday to Sunday, from 5pm.
Old Canberra Inn, Lyneham: Gather a group of your nearest and dearest - minimum of eight maximum of 10. Book a two-hour slot, 12-2pm, 2-4pm, 4-6pm, 6-8pm, 8-10pm. (Please note you will need to vacate the room 15 minutes before the next booking to allow for cleaning). Get exclusive access to the Kookaburra room with a designated waiter to attend to your every desire. Smaller groups will be permitted if the room is unoccupied - feel free to call and check. Food must be consumed with each sitting.
Capital Brewing Co, Fyshwick: What do you get when you cross a global pandemic, a brewery and 10 people? A once-in-a-lifetime experience - the entire taproom to yourself with nine mates. $45pp you get the entire place to yourself for two hours, a tasting paddle, bar snacks, wings, fries and mac and cheese balls. Time slots available Friday through Sunday.
Zaab, Braddon: offering a Feed Menu at limited sittings.
Rye Cafe, Braddon.
BentSpoke Brewing Co, Braddon: The Brewpub is open, $40 gets your food and your choice of three beers from the onsite selection. Bookings essential.
Milky Lane, Braddon.
Otis Dining Hall, Kingston: Otis, Clonakilla and The Truffle Farm join forces for a chef's table event. $180pp, limited to 10. Six courses with matching wines. Bookings essential.
Sweet Bones, Braddon.
Assembly Bar, Braddon: open for breakfast through dinner. Walk-ins welcome for breakfast and lunch. Dinner must be prebooked.
XO, Narrabundah: two dinner sittings, seven nights a week. Lunch Tuesday to Friday.
Happy's Chinese Restaurant, City: Accepting customers with a first in best dressed policy until we reach capacity at 10.
The Front, Lyneham.
Walt and Burley, Kingston.
Kita Cafe, Narrabundah: a few tables outside to enjoy your light meal and coffee.
Chisholm Tavern, Chisholm: dinner Saturday nights, lunch during the week.
Sammy's at the Foreshore, Kingston.
Sunday in Canberra, Gungahlin.
Kynefin, Hall: Open 9-2 Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch, coffees and treats, and 5-8.30pm for dinner service on Friday and Saturday nights. Takeaway is available during these hours, as well as up to 10 dine-in customers. Fully licenced venue.
Contentious Character, Wamboin: Cellar door is open and takeaway lunch, dinner, and coffee will all still be available during our current trading hours 11am-8pm Thursday to Sunday.
- Has your venue reopened for dining in? Email food.wine@canberratimes.com.au with details for inclusion in this list.
- All venues are complying with government regulations and conditions vary. Please check with the individual venues for further information.
- Small businesses in Canberra are encouraged to share the word that they're open for business through a Business Hour on The Canberra Times Facebook page on Wednesday night. Between 6-7pm, local businesses are invited to comment on a dedicated post to tell our readers they are open for business. Businesses can tag themselves in the Business Hour post and upload a picture of their wares.