This week the Sydney Morning Herald published a ‘food lover’s bucket list‘ – a list of 55 must-do, must-try, must-eat experiences for the gourmet traveller. And if you’re here in Canberra, then ALL 55 suggestions do require some travel because none of them could be found here in the ACT.

If you’re lucky enough to be able to take a helicopter to El Questro and have lunch beside your own private billabong (#46) or pop over to Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia for what’s reportedly the world’s best fish and chips (#16) then bon voyage and bon appetit. The rest of us will be kicking up our heels and undoing the top buttons of our jeans and enjoying something a little closer to home…

Here are 55 fantastic foodie experiences that you can indulge in right here in the nation’s capital. It’s by no means exhaustive – we are truly spoiled for choice here in Canberra – but it’s a good start.

All of these suggestions were submitted by contributors to HerCanberra. Disclaimer: we are not professional food critics…we just really, really like food. If you have any more that you would like to add, please leave a comment here or on our Facebook page.

55 Great Capital Food Experiences

Breakfast at Farmers Daughter in Yarralumla – on a chilly morning sit outside with a blanket over your knees and a warm Labrador at your feet.

3 Seeds Cooking School at Fyshwick Markets – Chef Andrew Haskins imparts 30-odd years of culinary expertise in a hands-on, relaxed environment. Added bonus: eat your creations!

Public Bar in Manuka for their chocolate and peanut butter parfait and the Aussie pie floater with mint peas.

Della Rocca, an Italian restaurant in Kaleen for their fettuccine gorgonzola.

Siren Bar & Restaurant in Gungahlin for their amazing arancini balls.

The Spence Family Bakery for lamingtons.

Duck Pancakes from Portia’s Place in Kingston.

Dream Cuisine for macarons and heavenly croissants made from scratch with cultured butter.

Playground Martini & Tapas Bar in Civic for pigs cheek schnitzels with fennel and caramelised apple, washed down with a Cherry Amaretto Sour.

Ruby Chinese in Dickson for wagyu beef.

Asian Food Mart in Kippax for their mie ayam (Indonesian egg noodles with chicken and meatballs, in soup).

Just outside Canberra in Gundaroo, Grazing Restaurant in the Royal Hotel. This time of year, ask for a table by the fire. They also have a great kids’ menu.

La Petite Miette for cupcakes and macarons to die for.

Streets of Asia in Tuggeranong for the best hainan chicken rice.

Shanghai Dumping House in Childers Lane, Civic for dumplings and the vegetarian fried rice cakes (and value for money!)

Babar, in the Canberra Centre for salted caramel tart.

Dickson Asian Noodle House for laksa.

2 Yummy Noodle House in Belconnen for Super Tasty Duck.

Kudos Taste for Japanese in Civic – try their katsudon.

Sage, Braddon for truffle mash potato.

Pizza Gusto in Braddon for pizza – honorable mentions to Mare e Monte woodfired pizza – tomato, bocconcini, prawns [marinated in garlic, olive oil and parsley] and mushrooms – and their prosciutto and rocket pizza.

The Old Bus Depot Markets, every Sunday in Kingston, for their impressive food hall.

TuDo Vietnamese in O’Connor for pork chop with crabmeat pate and broken rice.

Ethiopian cuisine from the Gorman House Markets.

Soju Girl in the city for chocolate fondant with peanut butter ice cream.

Guzman y Gomez in Civic for their vegetarian burrito bowl.

Sammy’s in Civic for hot rock salted calamari and shantung chicken.

Café Societea in Griffith and Benedict House in Queanbeyan for High Tea.

Roti House for dessert roti.

Sweet Bones in Lonsdale Street Traders for vegan brownies and other sweet treats.

Kusina, Weston Creek for Filipino breakfast.

Italian & Sons, Braddon for beef cheeks and then for dessert try the panettone with cherry and almond served with amaretto zabaglione.

Award winning Lanterne Rooms in Campbell.

Malamay at the Burbury Hotel, Barton – absolutely anything on the menu!

Little Istanbul Turkish cafe in Tuggeranong.

A Bite to Eat in Chifley.

Farmers’ Markets at Exhibition Park on Saturday mornings for produce straight from the producer.

Scope Cafe on Mount Stromlo (especially for the views).

The National Multicultural Festival.

Seafood Noodle Soup at The Chinese Kitchen at Woden.

2602 at Ainslie.

Lime Leaves Thai restaurant in Queanbeyan (also in Kaleen).

Beef rendang at Abell’s Kopi Tiam, Malaysian restaurant in Manuka.

The Ceviche at 86 in Braddon, made with whatever is the freshest fish available at the market.

Hot rock salted prawns at Timmy’s Kitchen, Manuka.

The prix fixe menu at Aubergine, Canberra’s only two-hatted restaurant. Amazing food and a regional wine list at an astoundingly good price.

Lamington cake from The Flute Bakery in Fyshwick (their Hot X Brioche/Buns are amazing as well).

Malai Kofta at Blu Ginger in the city.

Niçoise salad from Bookplate at The National Library.

Kismet Turkish Restaurant in Manuka for “the best kebabs in town”.

Lonsdale Street Roasters for the pulled pork panini or the ‘Kevin Bacon’ bacon, egg and tomato panini.

Seafood cooked to perfection at Maestral, in Weston.

Smoque in Bailey’s Arcade in the city for the chicken wings, ribs and the salted butter caramel icecream.

Brodburger for burgers, best enjoyed on a picnic blanket on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

Last but not least… the paprika spiced eggs for breakfast at The Elk and Pea in Braddon