Pilot Restaurant

Pilot Restaurant stands as one of Canberra’s most distinctive fine dining destinations, tucked away at the back of the Ainslie shops. Since opening in 2018, this intimate 24-seat dining room has built a loyal following by doing things differently — genuine, warm hospitality paired with nostalgic dishes that surprise and delight. The kitchen, led by Malcolm Hanslow and Syed Rashid, draws deeply on personal experience, childhood food memories and the many talented people they’ve worked alongside throughout their careers. At Pilot, fine dining means all the technique and precision you’d expect, but delivered in a relaxed setting where the team genuinely wants you to have fun.

Every service at Pilot reflects a deep respect for the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, on whose lands the restaurant operates. That acknowledgment is not a formality — it is woven into the venue’s ethos of care, community and connection. Whether you visit for a long, leisurely Saturday lunch or an evening tasting menu experience, you will find a team that is knowledgeable without pretence, a drinks list dedicated entirely to Australian producers, and a room that feels more like a stylish dinner party than a traditional restaurant.

Services & Facilities

Pilot offers a carefully curated experience that changes with the seasons. At its heart is a multi-course tasting menu that showcases the best produce available at any given moment. The format lets the kitchen tell a story, moving between playful snacks, elegant seafood, richly flavoured meats and desserts that lean into nostalgia. Dietary requirements are handled with genuine care — because every guest deserves the full experience.

Alongside the main dining room, ‘That Other Place’ operates as Pilot’s courtyard bar. During the warmer months it is the perfect spot to settle in for a pre-dinner drink or to extend the evening after your meal. The bar stays true to Pilot’s all-Australian beverage philosophy, pouring a tight list of wines, beers and spirits that celebrate local producers.

• Seasonal tasting menu — a set menu that evolves with the seasons, designed to be enjoyed by the whole table.
• All-Australian beverages — a drinks list focused exclusively on Australian wine, beer, spirits and non-alcoholic options.
• Pre- and post-dinner drinks — ‘That Other Place’ courtyard bar open in warmer weather.
• Private events and group bookings — the team welcomes larger bookings and can tailor private gatherings at both Pilot and That Other Place.
• Gift vouchers — delivered electronically to reduce paper waste, redeemable at any of the group’s venues.

What We Offer

Pilot’s kitchen team prizes ingredients that speak of time and place. Menus are built around what is at its peak, sourced from growers and producers who share the restaurant’s values. You might encounter a milk bun with cult-like status among regulars, a delicate chawanmushi that balances intense savouriness with silky texture, or a dessert that reinvents a childhood classic without losing its comforting soul. The experience is underpinned by a genuine desire to make you feel looked after — the kind of place where dietary requests are not an inconvenience but a creative challenge the kitchen embraces.

The beverage program is equally thoughtful. By restricting the list to Australian producers only, Pilot showcases the depth and diversity of the country’s wine regions, craft distilleries and independent breweries. Staff are trained to guide guests toward pairings that complement each course, but never push — the goal is to enhance your evening, not dictate it.

• Produce-driven tasting menus — courses that reflect the season and the kitchens relationships with farmers and makers.
• Nostalgic, technique-led cooking — dishes that draw on food memories and global influences while remaining firmly grounded in modern Australian dining.
• Local artist collaborations — a rotating exhibition program featuring Canberra-based painters and visual artists, curated by Grace Blake and Kael Stace.
• Warm, informed service — a team that knows the menu inside out but prioritises genuine connection over formality.

Why Customers Choose Us

Pilot fills a unique niche in the Canberra dining scene. It delivers the precision and ambition of a chef-hatted restaurant yet rejects the stiff atmosphere that sometimes accompanies that level of cooking. Guests frequently mention the sense of welcome they feel from the moment they walk through the door — a credit to a front-of-house team that remembers names, preferences and the small details that make an evening feel personal.

The room itself plays a big part in that feeling. With only 24 seats, no two tables are overlooked. The space is intimate without feeling cramped, and the open kitchen keeps the energy of the room alive without ever becoming intrusive. Reviews consistently highlight the balance Pilot strikes: ambitious food served in a setting where you can laugh, linger and genuinely relax.

• Consistently high praise — rated 4.5 stars across 329 Google reviews, with guests frequently calling out the welcoming staff and memorable food.
• Intimate dining environment — a compact, thoughtfully designed room that makes every seat feel like the best in the house.
• Dietary inclusivity — the kitchen is known for adapting its tasting menu to vegetarian, vegan and allergy requirements without diminishing the experience.
• A genuine local favourite — hidden behind the Ainslie shops, Pilot has become a destination for special occasions and regulars alike, earning trust through consistency and care.

Serving Ainslie & Canberra’s Inner North

Nestled in the quiet suburb of Ainslie, Pilot draws guests from across the Australian Capital Territory and beyond. Its location at 1 Wakefield Gardens places it at the heart of a beloved local shopping strip, a short drive from the Canberra CBD and easily accessible for visitors staying in the city. The restaurant is an anchor of the inner north dining scene, contributing to a neighbourhood known for its village atmosphere and strong community spirit.

Canberra diners have embraced Pilot as a place worthy of a special journey, while Ainslie locals treat it as their own hidden gem. The close proximity to Mount Ainslie and the Australian War Memorial makes it a natural addition to a day exploring the capital’s cultural landmarks. Whether you are a Canberran marking a milestone or a visitor chasing one of the country’s most talked-about tasting menus, Pilot offers a reason to discover the quieter streets of Ainslie.

Hours, Location & Directions

Pilot operates a focused service schedule, opening Thursday through Sunday. Dinner is served from 6:00 pm, while Saturday and Sunday lunches begin at 12:00 pm. The office is available for phone and email enquiries between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm Thursday to Sunday. The team asks for patience outside those hours — during service, their priority is the guests in the dining room.

The address is 1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie ACT 2612. Look for the shops at the Wakefield Gardens complex; Pilot is tucked at the back, with ‘That Other Place’ bar in the front courtyard. Limited on-street parking is available, and the restaurant is reachable by public transport with a short walk from nearby bus routes on Majura Avenue and Limestone Avenue.

Questions Visitors Ask

Is Pilot a fine dining restaurant?

Yes — Pilot is widely regarded as a fine dining restaurant, offering a seasonal tasting menu with an all-Australian beverage program. The kitchen applies high-level technique in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

Do you accommodate dietary requirements?

The kitchen is experienced at adapting the tasting menu for vegetarian, vegan, coeliac and other dietary needs. It is always best to notify the team at the time of booking to ensure a seamless experience.

What is ‘That Other Place’?

‘That Other Place’ is Pilot’s courtyard bar, open during warmer months for drinks before or after your meal. It pours the same all-Australian wine, beer and spirits list found in the main restaurant.

Can I book a private event at Pilot?

The restaurant welcomes larger bookings and private events. Enquiries should be directed to the team via email at we@pilotrestaurant.com, with details about your preferred date and group size.

How do gift vouchers work?

Gift vouchers are delivered electronically and can be redeemed at any of the group’s venues. Multiple vouchers can be purchased by contacting the restaurant directly.