Raku has been named the ACT’s restaurant of the year, taking out a number of awards at the Restaurant and Catering Australia (R&CA) awards for excellence last night which showcased the best places to eat in Canberra.
The popular Japanese restaurant, a stalwart on the Canberra fine dining scene, was also named the ACT’s best Asian restaurant, and executive chef Hao Chen was named restaurateur of the year. Raku was named both the ACT’s restaurant of the year and Australia’s best Japanese restaurant in 2019.
“We are tremendously lucky to have so many absolute gems in the hospitality sector spanning the width and breadth of the ACT,” said R&CA CEO Wes Lambert.
“After suffering so much over the last 18 months from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is incredible to be able to bring the industry together for such an iconic night despite so many adversities.”
Indian restaurant Daana once again swept the categories, too, with the Curtin eatery taking out the awards for best Indian restaurant, best tourism restaurant, and the consumer vote. Chef Sunita Kumar was also in the running for chef of the year, which was won by Otis Dining Hall’s Damian Brabender.
Caterer of the year was awarded to Hotel Realm while Italian and Sons’ Pasquale Trimboli was announced as the winner of the lifetime achiever award. His restaurant was pipped at the post for best Italian restaurant with that gong going to long-time Canberra favourite, Mezzalira.
“It is always such an amazing experience to recognise some of the state’s finest hospitality businesses who showcase the very best our industry has to offer,” Mr Lambert said.
Queanbeyan’s Thirty Four Café was named best breakfast restaurant, while Café Gather in Braddon took out the award for best café dining/patisserie.
The Boat House and Ginger Catering at the Arboretum were recognised for their contemporary Australian dining offerings, while Les Bistronomes was named Canberra’s best European restaurant.
Other winners included Capitol Bar and Grill at QT Hotel and Pialligo Estate.
For the full list of the best places to eat in Canberra, head to the R&CA website.
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