How can you go past a classic Brodburger? Photos: Emily Phelps.
Canberra likes to think of itself as a city of sophisticated eaters. We have hatted restaurants, trendy wine bars tucked down laneways and enough excellent brunch spots to spark weekly debates.
We know where to find perfect kingfish sashimi, the custard tart worth queueing for and exactly which croissant will fix a bad morning.
But beneath the oat lattes and carefully curated small plates lies another truth – Canberrans are creatures of habit.
We are fiercely loyal to the meals that have seen us through university days, first jobs, breakups, new babies, long winters and celebrations.
The dishes we order without opening the menu and the ones we insist interstate visitors simply must try.
In a city known for roundabouts that still divide opinions, politicians you’ll casually see at Coles and a collective agreement that heaters are strictly post–Anzac Day territory, perhaps the most Canberra thing about us is this: once we find a favourite, we stick with it.
The queue outside Mee’s Sushi in the city has become part of the lunchtime ritual. You get there early, you wait, you shuffle forward and you already know the order before you’ve reached the counter.
At Dickson Asian Noodle House, there are people who haven’t looked at the menu in over a decade. “The laksa,” they’ll say. Always the laksa.
Brodburger has built its own kind of loyalty economy. It has survived relocations, copycats and changing food trends, but the order rarely changes.
Brodburger owner Joelle Brodbeck says you can’t really go past a classic Brodburger.
“It’s the burger that made us who we are today, and it’s still our most popular order,” she says.
In fact, a few regulars are so predictable the team could probably start making their order before they’ve even hit the register.
“We’ve asked customers why they never switch things up and the answer is pretty simple – when you know something is good, why change it?” Joelle says.
“We started with a small caravan by the lake and earned our reputation one burger at a time. Canberrans are incredibly good at recognising and supporting local businesses.”
You’ve got to get in quick to snag a banoffee pie from EightySix.
Then there are those sweet traditions.
Goodberry’s frozen concretes have become less dessert and more reward system. Survived swimming lessons? Goodberry’s. Finished exams? Goodberry’s. Made it through another winter? Definitely Goodberry’s.
And EightySix’s banoffee pie inspires the kind of loyalty usually reserved for sporting teams. People speak about it in reverent tones – some order it before their main, just in case.
The zucchini puffs from Turkish Pide House taste like Friday night after sport. Kingsley’s chips feel like being 19 again and making questionable decisions.
And a flaky croissant from Three Mills tastes like a Sunday morning done right!
Food memories anchor us and there’s psychology behind it too. Familiar meals require less decision making and offer something rare in busy lives – certainty.
Bungendore local and Canberra foodie Amy Ludzioweit understands that better than most.
“When I first moved to Canberra, my comfort food became the pho from Pho Phu Quoc in Dickson,” she says.
“I’ve been ordering it for 13 years.”
What started as a cheap and cheerful Friday night dinner with her sister has evolved into something else entirely.
“Now it’s my Sunday lunch ritual with my eldest daughter,” Amy says. “I associate it with family and chit-chat.”
Even for someone fiercely loyal to Dickson pho, there’s room for other favourites.
“If interstate visitors are in town, I’d send them straight to Akiba or Kinn Thai,” Amy says.
“They’re always consistent – and never disappoint.”
Even Akiba’s baos and kingfish can be described as a comfort food for Canberrans.
Perhaps that’s the whole point. The meals we return to aren’t always the fanciest or trendiest – they’re the ones woven through the seasons of our lives.
Canberra might love a shiny new opening, but we’re also a city built on routines. We have our coffee order locked in, our preferred walking loop around Lake Burley Griffin, our favourite markets and our non-negotiable Friday night takeaway.
So, what is Canberra’s true signature dish? Not the one in a tourism campaign, but the one you crave after a long day, recommend without hesitation and could be ordered before you’ve looked at the menu.
Because maybe that’s our real food identity. We defend our favourite orders like they’re part of who we are – and in a way, they are.
And yes, we’ll absolutely try something new next time … right after the usual.
We asked around town what Canberra’s favourite dish really is and the responses came in thick and fast, with some strong opinions. So consider this your unofficial Canberra comfort food bucket list and if we’ve missed your ride-or-die order definitely let us know in the comments.
- Molto Italian – spaghetti cacio e pepe
- Lazy Su – wagyu cheesesteak spring roll
- Mama Dough – prawn pizza
- Pho Phu Quoc – rare beef pho
- Bunnings – sausage sizzle
- Akiba – kingfish sashimi
- Italian and Sons – pumpkin and ricotta tortelli
- Rama’s Fiji Indian Restaurant – pumpkin and coconut roti parcel
- Pialligo Bakesmith – cinnamon bun
- Canteen – Hot Daddy ramen
- Intra – bolognese jaffle
- Lanterne Rooms – tom yum prawns
- AK’s Diner – Asian bolognese
- Good Neighbour – double choc cookie
- Wilma – sticky eggplant
- Ottoman Cuisine – zucchini flowers
- Lolo and Lola – ribs
- Silo Bakery – French-style custard tarts
- Penny University – ricotta hotcakes
- Grease Monkey – cheeseburger and loaded fries
- Your local club – chicken schnitty
- Spice Affair – lamb rogan josh
- Little Sutton Bakehouse – pepper steak pie
- Happy’s – banana chicken
- Solita – pesto gnocchi
- CBD Dumpling House – (literally) any dumpling
- Messina – tiramisu gelato.
