The Specials Board: These Are Canberra's Must-Try Food and Drink Specials for May
New month, new flavours — these are the standout new dishes and deals to check out this month.
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Dining out in Canberra is always a good idea, but May brings a few extra reasons to lock in that booking. Across the city, venues are rolling out limited-time specials and exclusive discounts — an ideal excuse to try somewhere new, or even revisit an old favourite.
That's where American Express delicious. Month Out comes in, spotlighting the restaurants, bars and cafes that keep Canberra's thriving dining scene ticking. All month long, eligible Amex Card Members can unlock an exclusive offer at participating venues once they've saved it to their Amex Card*, with some also serving up limited-time dishes and menus. Many of these spots are also part of the Amex Shop Small program, which celebrates local businesses and encourages Canberrans to shop local, meaning every meal is a chance to support neighbourhood favourites.
In this month's Specials Board, we're highlighting some of our favourite ways to dine out as part of Amex delicious. Month Out. Get in while it's good.
A complimentary Fish 'n' Chips snack at Pilot
Ainslie fine diner Pilot has earned a devoted following well beyond the capital for its intimate dining room, ever-evolving tasting menus and quietly confident approach to hospitality. The food balances precision with playfulness, with inventive dishes shaped by memory, seasonality and a strong sense of place, all backed by an all-Australian drinks list. As part of delicious. Month Out, this May, Amex members can score a complimentary serving of the restaurant's cult-favourite Fish 'n' Chips snack — salt-and-vinegar blue mackerel chips paired with a potato dip spiked with dill, chervil and citrus. Prefer a liquid snack? You can swap it for a glass of bubbles instead.
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Refined European dining and thoughtful wine pairings at Courgette
A long-standing Canberra favourite, Courgette pairs warm, understated interiors with a polished European-inspired menu built around balance, finesse and premium local produce. Expect elegant dishes that shift with the seasons — from delicate seafood plates to rich, slow-cooked meats — alongside one of the city's more thoughtfully curated wine lists. It's the kind of restaurant made for lingering over multiple courses, whether you're celebrating something special or simply treating yourself to a very good dinner. And with a little extra value in the mix this month, there's every reason to say yes to dessert.
Cassie Abraham
A complimentary drink with any set menu at Such and Such
With its creative interiors and playful, constantly evolving approach to food and drink, Such and Such blurs the line between restaurant, bar and all-night social spot. The menus move from quick pre-theatre bites to longer, more indulgent feasts, while the drinks program spans everything from polished cocktails to a 300-bottle wine list. Throughout May, book in for any of the three set menus and you'll score a complimentary drink on the house, with your pick of prosecco, beer, non-alcoholic options or sparkling gamay. Consider it a very good excuse to make a night of it.
Specialty coffee and produce-driven brunch at Two Before Ten
Since opening its first cafe in 2008, Two Before Ten has garnered a loyal Canberra following thanks to its ethically sourced coffee, produce-driven menus and a genuine connection to the local community. Alongside its specialty house-roasted coffee, the cafe group also supplies ingredients from its own urban farm, with seasonal produce making its way directly onto the plate. Expect everything from hearty brunch dishes and house-baked pastries to sandwiches, salads and expertly brewed coffee across its relaxed, design-forward spaces. It's the kind of spot that makes slowing down for a second coffee feel like a very good idea — especially with a little off this month if you play your cards right.
Lillie Thompson and The Artline
Big-night dining and skyline views at Lunetta
Perched high above Red Hill, Lunetta brings a sense of occasion to Canberra dining with sweeping views, dramatic interiors and a menu that rewards curiosity. The kitchen moves between refined Italian influences and contemporary Australian technique, turning out thoughtfully constructed dishes designed to be shared across the table, while the drinks list leans heavily into European and antipodean varietals. It's elegant without feeling stuffy — equally suited to milestone dinners, long lunches or simply dressing up for the night — which you can enjoy all the more with a little off the bill for Amex Card Members this month.
PewPew Studio
A special five-course teishoku at Mu Omakase
At Mu Omakase, the dining experience is placed firmly in the hands of the chefs, with the CBD restaurant earning a following for its refined omakase menus built around seasonality, technique and premium local produce. While the full 11-course chef's selection is the main event, the venue's teishoku offering delivers a shorter, more relaxed multi-course experience without losing any of the finesse. This May, the Constitution Avenue venue is curating a special five-course teishoku for Amex delicious. Month Out, showcasing seasonal ingredients alongside premium wagyu. A very good entry point into one of Canberra's most considered dining experiences.
*Limits and exclusions apply — check here for the full details.
Top image: PewPew Studio.
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