With its deep-rooted traditions and constant evolution, Chinese cuisine embodies a rich spectrum of tastes, textures, and aromas. Spanning thousands of years of history, Chinese food has evolved over the journey to be one of the most popular and respected cuisines across the world. Canberrans are no exception when it comes to enjoying delicious dishes from China, so we have put together a list of the best Chinese restaurants in Canberra.
Skip to the list of Canberra's best Chinese restaurants
- 1980 Chinese Restaurant
- CBD Dumpling House
- Happy’s Chinese Restaurant
- Ginseng at Hellenic
- The East Kitchen
- Timmy's Kitchen
What makes a quality Chinese restaurant?
A great Chinese restaurant stands out through a combination of factors that contribute to an exceptional dining experience. Here are some key elements that make a Chinese restaurant worth a visit:
- Quality ingredients: High-quality ingredients are the foundation of any excellent restaurant. Fresh vegetables, meats and other ingredients contribute to the flavors and textures of the dishes.
- Authenticity: A top Chinese restaurant maintains the essence of Chinese cuisine, using authentic ingredients, cooking techniques, and recipes.
- Diverse menu: A great Chinese restaurant offers a varied menu that includes an assortment of regional Chinese dishes. This allows customers to explore different flavors and styles of Chinese cuisine.
- Efficient service: Attentive and friendly staff contribute to a positive dining experience. The food should also arrive in good time as to not keep the customer waiting.
- Inviting atmosphere: The restaurant's ambiance plays a significant role in creating a pleasant dining experience. A clean, well-maintained, and culturally appropriate atmosphere adds to the overall appeal.
When these elements come together, they create a dining experience that is truly worthwhile.
The best Chinese restaurants in Canberra 2024
To be listed as one of Canberra’s best, Canberra Daily requires them to have maintained a track record of positive reviews on Google and Facebook, with a minimum average of 4/5 stars. The Google ratings shown were updated August 2023.
When looking for delicious Chinese food in Canberra, check out our list of Canberra Daily’s best local restaurants below.
Timmy's Kitchen
Since opening in 1985, Timmy’s Kitchen has set a high standard for Chinese and Malaysian cuisine in Canberra.
Located in Manuka, the restaurant creates an array of delicious specialty dishes as well as many old favourites. Some of their most popular menu items include shantung chicken, sizzling butterfly king prawns and their variety of laksas.
David Willard left this five-star review on Google: “Quick and friendly service and excellent food at a very good price. The small restaurant is plain but clean and well organised. We enjoyed our meals so much we came back the next night to do it all again, and we were not disappointed. Highly recommend this great little Chinese restaurant.”
Happy’s Chinese Restaurant
Happy’s opened their doors in 1962 and have now been serving up delicious, traditional Cantonese cuisine for over 50 years.
The city restaurant has been family owned for three generations and promises a family friendly environment. The menu is varied and features many Chinese favourites along with a range of different banquet options for larger groups to enjoy.
Kate Banasik left this Google review: “We loved this cozy spot for casual dinner full of delicious dishes. Service was great and fast. Recommend for a friendly night out or a quick bite!”
CBD Dumpling House
Located downstairs in the Canberra Centre, CBD Dumpling House offers simple, fresh dishes and is packed just about every night of the week.
They have a large variety of both pan fried and boiled dumplings available to try including chicken, beef, pork, prawn and vegetable.
Along with dumpling, CBD Dumpling House also has an extensive array of other tasty dishes so there is bound to be something for everyone to try.
Bryan left this five-star review on Google: “Well presented restaurant and good authentic dumplings and hand pulled noodles cooked just right. Definitely make a booking which we didn’t and had to wait a long time for a seat!”
1980 Chinese Restaurant
Formerly known as Spicy Ginger Cafe, 1980 Chinese Restaurant has a new look and menu that caters to the tastes of a variety of customers.
They continue to serve favourites like cumin lamb, dry chilli chicken, but also have new options to try. They are known for their delicious seafood dishes featuring lobster, crab, prawns and fish. The menu also has a range of other offerings, such as dumplings, chicken sang choy bao, satay beef as well as vegetarian options.
On Google, Kaye Sun left this positive review: “Delicious lunch, good portions and efficient service. Would recommend!”
Ginseng at Hellenic
Located within the Hellenic Club in Won, Ginseng offers a vast selection of innovative and fresh Chinese cuisine and efficient service.
The award-winning restaurant has a great range of dine in or takeaway options, while the eatery also includes multiple rooms for larger functions or bookings.
Pia wrote this five-star review on Google: “Great service, friendly and efficient. The food was delicious and serves were generous. The fried rice was the best I’ve had in a long time. You can tell it was wok fried.”
The East Kitchen
The East Kitchen is a Hong Kong inspired Chinese restaurant with a modern flare.
This Dickson Chinese restaurant is the perfect place for banquets, celebration dinners or any other occasion. The menu is extensive and features entrees, soups, noodle dishes as well as chicken, beef, prawn, pork and vegetable options.
Mathew Byrne left this five-star review on Google: “Visiting Canberra overnight and found this lovely restaurant for dinner, and turned out to be a gem. The chilli beef was spiced to perfection and the salt and pepper squid was great. To top it off friendly and personable service. Next time I’m in Canberra I’ll definitely be back and it is definitely worth a try.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chinese cuisine known for?
Chinese cuisine is renowned for its diverse flavors, regional variations, and emphasis on balance. It features a wide range of ingredients, cooking techniques, and styles that reflect the cultural, geographical, and historical diversity of China.
What are staple ingredients in Chinese cooking?
Staple ingredients in Chinese cooking include rice, noodles, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic, green onions, and various aromatic spices. Different regions also use unique ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, tofu and pickled vegetables.
What are some traditional Chinese cooking techniques?
Chinese cooking techniques include stir-frying, steaming, deep-frying, boiling, braising, and roasting. These methods are often combined to achieve specific textures and flavors.
Are there vegetarian options in Chinese cuisine?
Yes, Chinese cuisine offers a variety of vegetarian dishes, especially in Buddhist and Taoist culinary traditions. Tofu and a wide array of vegetables are commonly used to create flavorful and nutritious vegetarian meals.
What is dim sum?
Dim sum is a Cantonese-style meal that features a variety of small, savory or sweet dishes, often served with tea.
