Time for the next edition of our “My Canberra” series. If you’re new to the site, the series is a chance for Canberra women to share their favourite places to eat, drink and shop, and their favourite things to do. It’s about encouraging us all to try  new things and to see our town through fresh eyes.

All too often, we don’t play ‘tourist’ enough in our own hometowns. We get caught up in our neighbourhood favourites that we don’t explore too far afield…we don’t uncover all this region has to offer. The little boutiques, the fabulous coffee shops and providores, the great little secret gems that too few people know about.

Belladonna Took is a former primary school teacher from Sydney who is loving being a housewife in Canberra while her husband brings home the bacon. She is writing her first novel-a teenage/young adult fantasy that is not about vampires (well, not the sparkly, goodlooking ones, anyway). Today, she shares her favourite foodie haunts. Come with her on a journey of food, glorious food!

Italian chef Antonio Carluccio said that in life, all we really need is food and love. I don’t know about the ‘love’ situation in Canberra (though many of my single girlfriends do bemoan the lack of eligible men here), but when it comes to food, we Canberrans are seriously spoiled for choice.

When I first arrived here two and a bit years ago, I couldn’t believe how many cafes and restaurants there were in such a small city-compared to Sydney or Melbourne, of course. I’m still discovering great places to eat in Canberra, but here are seven of my favourites so far. (Note: Most of these places are on the southside, as that’s where I live. I still need to discover the culinary delights on the North side of town so Northerners, please share!).

Café Societea, Griffith

Tucked in the Griffith shops is this very delightful little café – Cafe Societea – that offers the most scrumptious menu. You can order the very popular Marilyn Monroe salad, the Elvis Prelsey Favourite (bacon and egg roll), the hot and tasty James Dean BLT, the Mona Lisa Frittata, the Brad Pitt Usual (egg and lettuce sandwich) and the Twiggy Special (a sald roll with the lot). There’s also a wide selection of yummy fresh cakes and treats available.

Café Societea also offers High Tea (I’m dying to try this one out soon!) at $40 per person but you need to book in advance for this. Café Societea, 12 Barker Street, Griffith. Open for breakfast and lunch. Call 6239 5477.

Scope Café, Mount Stromlo

Scope Café and wine bar is situated on top of Mount Stromlo within the grounds of the Mount Stromlo Observatory in Weston Creek. The café has floor to ceiling windows and a balcony with spectacular views of the Brindabella ranges. It certainly is a gorgeous place to have breakfast or lunch!

Scope also specialises in a range of functions including weddings, birthday parties and seminars. Open Tuesday to Friday (10am-5pm) and Saturday to Sunday (8am-5pm). Call 6162 2388.

Palette Café, Deakin

Palette Café, with its delightful courtyard area, is located within the Beaver Galleries building. The Beaver Galleries was established in 1975 and is the largest privately-owned gallery in Canberra. The café offers morning and afternoon tea, a la carte lunch, and all day brunch on the weekend.

Beaver Galleries, 81 Dennison Street, Deakin. Call 6282 5294.

Beyond Q bookshop and cafe, Curtin.

Beyond Q is a glorious second-hand bookshop located within the Curtin shops. After browsing through the rows upon rows of bookshelves, relax and unwind in the cute little café. There are gourmet sandwiches and rolls on offer, as well as delicious cakes, biscuits and sweet breads.

You can also hear live music on most weekend afternoons.  Beyond Q is located at 44 Curtin Place, Curtin. Call 6162  3999.

Hungry Buddha, Curtin

Right next to Beyond Q is the Hungry Buddha, serving delicious, authentic Nepalese food.  I’ve been here three times already, and I love it. I love the daal bhat, a traditional Nepalese set dinner of rice and daal served with a choice of meat and a traditional vegetable dish as well.

The Hungry Buddha offers a wide range of gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian options. Open 7 days from 6pm till 10.30pm. The Hungry Buddha is located at 44 Curtin Place, Curtin. Call 6285 2425.

Maestral, Weston

Maestral is an award-winning Mediterranean and Seafood restaurant located in Weston. The cuisine reflects Croatia’s heritage with influences from Austria, Hungary, Italy, and the Middle East. You have to try the succulent seafood dishes as well as the traditional Croatian dishes like cevapcici (a mixture of minced meats and Adriatic spices served with feta cheese and onions) and stubica (pan fried prok fillet stuffed with sweet dried prunes and served with a plum brandy cream sauce).

Maestral is located at 13 Trenerry Street, Weston. Open for lunch Wed-Fri from 12 noon, and dinner Tues-Sat from 6pm. Call 6287 3930.

Rama’s Fiji-Indian restaurant, Pearce

I love Indian food, and Rama’s is one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve come across so far in Canberra. Other Canberrans must love Rama’s too because it’s always packed!

The Indian food has a Fijian flavour, the staff are friendly and welcoming, and it’s a wonderful place to keep warm on those cold Canberra nights. Rama’s is located at Shop 6, Pearce Shopping Centre, Cnr. Macfarland & Hodgson Cres., Pearce. Call 6286 1964.