Modern Australian Restaurants in Canberra

Hermitage City Owner Malcolm Carlin will happily tell you that his mother must have had him lobotomised at an early age. Apparently it is the only sound explanation for why he has stayed in the restaurant game so long, but Canberrans are awfully glad he did.

Since opening in '74, The Hermitage has become something of a Canberra dining institution. People frequent this classically toned eatery for a number of culinary reasons. It's the establishment's signature dish that gets the most lips smacking; beef tournedos with bug tails, potato gratin and bearnaise, to be exact, and by all accounts it is more than worth the trip.

The wine list that was once more than 2000 bottles strong has been refined a little in recent years. The international selections are still impressive and there is also a fair representation of bottles from '70s harvests. They can be enjoyed with a meal or sipped in the comfort of the eatery's separate wine bar. more