Casual late night eats
We asked our friend Seanie McConnell (frigging excellent chef of Monster fame) to tell us his favourite casual eats in Canberra - here they are. Many of them are open until late (although to our knowledge there aren't many places that are open as late as the Monster which means the kitchen staff don't get to eat out as often as they would like to after work). To get a vibe for Sean's taste - he loves street food, he doesn't mind hanging out in weird alleyways (if it's good, it's good, it doesn't matter what the décor), and he'll try anything once.
Pho Phu Quoc
Pho Phu Quoc in Dickson is my go to for a quick bowl of phở. I spent a month in Vietnam a few years ago and I love the ceremony behind phở, the plastic chairs, the plate of fresh herbs and bean sprouts... And it’s just $12.90 for a giant bowl of soup so you can’t go wrong.
A much loved local Vietnamese go to. For phở, laksa, clay pots, whole fried fish... And yes spring rolls (the fatty ones and the Vietnamese ones). A kitsch set up and friendly owners.
| Type | Eat |
| Where | 5 Badham Street, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Their details https://www.facebook.com/Pho-Phu-Quoc-Vietnamese-Restaurant-381755458667539/ |
The Scholar
Still over in Dickson, The Scholar upstairs is the best in town for authentic Cantonese yum cha. Open seven days, it’s a great place to get a quick fix of dumplings.
This is very much an authentic Cantonese yum cha restaurant that also takes seafood seriously. It's always packed with local Chinese diners (so you know it's the good stuff). The décor is unassuming (90's patterned carpet and chairs covered in blue velvet) and you are met with big tanks of fish and lobsters and specials signs handwritten in English and Cantonese.
| Type | Eat |
| Where | 23 Woolley St, Dickson, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Their details https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scholah/168007639918390?fref=ts |
Chez Kimchi
Korean fried chicken in Civic. With 14 varieties of Korean Fried Chicken (KFC), Korean beers and Shoju. This is one of the favourites for all of the chef’s at Monster. Just go easy on the Shoju, it creeps up on you!
A Korean fried chicken joint. They also serve pancakes, hot pots and bibimbap.
| Type | Eat |
| Where | 70 Bunda Street, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Their details https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chez-Kimchi/1473177526325199 |
Mandalay bus
The one thing I miss about working in Melbourne is the variety of late night eating-houses. The Mandalay bus has it covered, try the chicken roti or the hot wings.
A Canberra icon - a food bus in a carpark in Braddon. It's pretty great. Super casual - they serve up a mix of food types (Burmese, Spanish, Chinese...) which you get to eat whilst sitting on the old couches and milk crates scattered around the bus. Open until late.
| Type | Eat |
| Where | 20 Girrahween St, Braddon ACT 2612, Australia |
| Info | Their details https://www.facebook.com/pg/themandalaybus/about/?ref=page_internal |
Grease Monkey
This burger and fried chicken joint in the middle of Braddon is, in my opinion, the best burger in town. They also have a good selection of craft beers on tap. Try the 'Greasy Burger', the first time I had one, I had to order a second one.
A burger joint housed in the old Repco Car Service workshop building. Think burgers, fried chicken, fries, milkshakes and on tap beer.
| Type | Eat |
| Where | 19 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Their details https://www.facebook.com/pg/greasemonkeycanberra/about/?ref=page_internal |