Bicicletta Restaurant

Bicicletta Restaurant brings authentic Italian flavours to the vibrant New Acton precinct in Canberra. Nestled inside the Peppers Gallery Hotel, this stylish yet casual eatery is built around fresh, seasonal produce and a genuine passion for Italian cuisine. From handcrafted pizzas and pastas to house-made gelati, the kitchen plates up daily specials sourced from the marketplace, creating a dining experience that feels both spontaneous and considered. The restaurant's own ethos – “Authentic Italian food, using the freshest seasonal produce” – is woven through every dish, balancing tradition with a contemporary Australian sensibility.

Guests can choose between the light-filled dining room, the adjoining Library Bar, and a beautiful outdoor courtyard where blankets are offered in winter. Cash-free transactions keep service smooth, while a carefully curated wine list and professional, friendly team round out the experience. Google Maps reviewers recognise Bicicletta as a destination for brunch, dinner, and everything in between, often highlighting the menu's breadth and its location inside a landmark Canberra hotel.

Please note: Bicicletta Restaurant is currently temporarily closed. The hotel has announced an exciting new chapter for the space, with a new dining concept coming soon. Until then, the Library Bar continues to operate daily from 3pm, and the hotel team remains available for alternative breakfast and dining recommendations.

Italian Dining in Canberra’s New Acton Precinct

Bicicletta draws its identity from the neighbourhood it calls home. New Acton is a cultural and design-focused district, recognised for its architecture, public art, and independent hospitality. Inside Peppers Gallery Hotel, the restaurant is steps from the newly opened Nishi complex and a short walk from Lake Burley Griffin. This location makes it a natural choice for hotel guests, after-work drinks, and weekend brunch in the inner north.

The restaurant’s design mirrors the precinct’s aesthetic: clean lines, warm lighting, and a layout that shifts from casual day-time dining to an intimate evening mood. The courtyard, shaded by established trees, is a draw in Canberra’s warmer months, while the Library Bar – with its deep armchairs and cocktail menu – extends the experience well beyond the dinner hour.

Menu Highlights at Bicicletta Restaurant

The kitchen’s focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients means the menu shifts regularly, but several dishes have earned loyal followings. Based on Google Maps mentions and the restaurant’s own descriptions, standouts include:

• Black Mussels – frequently cited as a popular dish, prepared with Mediterranean aromatics and served with crusty bread.
• Arancini – golden, crisp risotto balls that appear on both brunch and evening menus.
• Carbonara – a rich, classic rendition that respects Roman tradition.
• Seafood Pizza – a house favourite, loaded with fresh seafood on a thin, wood-fired base.
• Pappardelle – wide ribbons of pasta typically paired with slow-braised ragù or seasonal mushrooms.
• Risotto – prepared with ingredients sourced from local markets, often featuring asparagus, mushroom, or seafood.
• Sea Bass – a lighter main, simply grilled and finished with olive oil and lemon.
• Panna Cotta – the quintessential Italian dessert, silky and served with seasonal fruit compote.

Customer Reviews & Ratings

Bicicletta Restaurant holds a 3.9-star rating on Google Maps based on 729 reviews. The feedback paints a detailed picture of the strengths and occasional inconsistencies that guests encounter.

What Diners Appreciate

Several recurring themes surface in positive reviews. The quality and flavour of the food are consistently mentioned, with many diners praising specific dishes such as the seafood pizza, black mussels, and carbonara. The setting – particularly the courtyard and the hotel backdrop – earns frequent compliments for its atmosphere. Reviewers also note the professional appearance of the space, describing it as stylish and welcoming for both casual meals and celebrations.

Areas of Constructive Feedback

Google Maps reviews also highlight areas where the restaurant has room to improve. Service speed and attentiveness appear in multiple reviews; some guests felt the team was friendly but stretched thin during busy periods. Noise levels have been flagged by a few diners seeking a quieter meal, with one Local Guide noting the restaurant was “very full and loud” and less suitable for a quiet couple’s dinner. Management has engaged with these reviews publicly, thanking guests for their honesty and outlining steps to address pacing and service flow.

Notable Review Excerpts

A Local Guide with 285 reviews shared: “The food was good, the drinks were hit-and-miss, and the service was lacking. The server was friendly but not particularly fast. Everything was tasty, but nothing blew us away.” Another reviewer, who visited for a family celebration, observed: “The food was good, but the service didn’t match the occasion.” These voices suggest that while the kitchen performs well, the front-of-house experience can vary depending on the day and crowd size.

Bicicletta Restaurant in Canberra

The restaurant is located at 1/15 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra ACT 2601, inside the Peppers Gallery Hotel. Public transport, cycling, and walking routes are accessible from the address, and the New Acton precinct provides street-level visibility that makes the venue easy to find. Parking options include nearby paid garages and limited on-street parking around Edinburgh Avenue. The Google Maps listing confirms the business is LGBTQ+-friendly.

Because Bicicletta sits within a hotel, it caters simultaneously to travellers staying on-site and Canberrans seeking a reliable Italian meal. This dual audience is reflected in the menu breadth and the operating rhythm – quiet weekday mornings give way to brisk evening trade and weekend brunch services. During its operational period, brunch was a featured service, and breakfast service continued until 15 December 2025, when the restaurant began its transition toward a new dining concept.

Library Bar and Ongoing Services

While the main restaurant is temporarily closed, the Library Bar remains open daily from 3pm to late. It offers drinks and lighter dining in an intimate, book-lined setting. The bar operates on cash-free transactions only, and a 15% surcharge applies on public holidays. For breakfast alternatives and updates on the upcoming concept, guests can contact the Peppers Gallery Hotel team directly.

Common Questions

What type of cuisine does Bicicletta Restaurant specialise in?

Bicicletta Restaurant specialises in authentic Italian cuisine using fresh, seasonal produce. The menu includes handcrafted pizzas, pastas, daily specials, gelati, and a curated wine list.

Is Bicicletta Restaurant currently open?

Bicicletta Restaurant is temporarily closed as it transitions to a new dining concept. The Library Bar remains open daily from 3pm, and the hotel team can provide alternative breakfast and dining suggestions.

Where is Bicicletta Restaurant located?

Bicicletta is situated at 1/15 Edinburgh Avenue inside the Peppers Gallery Hotel in Canberra’s New Acton precinct, near the Nishi complex and within walking distance of Lake Burley Griffin.

Does Bicicletta Restaurant cater to dietary requirements?

The restaurant uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and prepares dishes to order. Contact the team directly to discuss specific dietary needs or allergies.

How can I make a reservation or enquiry?

Reservations and enquiries can be sent to gallery.rest@peppers.com.au. For updates on the new dining concept, reach out to the Peppers Gallery Hotel team.

Does Bicicletta have an outdoor dining area?

Yes. Bicicletta features a courtyard that is open seasonally, with blankets provided during cooler months so guests can enjoy the outdoor space comfortably.

Is Bicicletta wheelchair accessible?

While the Google Maps listing does not explicitly list wheelchair accessibility attributes, the restaurant is located inside a hotel that generally provides accessible entry and facilities. Contact the venue to confirm specific accessibility requirements.

Does Bicicletta accept cash?

All transactions at Bicicletta and the Library Bar are cash-free. Credit and debit cards are accepted; a 15% surcharge applies on public holidays.

If you’re exploring Italian restaurants in Canberra, Bicicletta offers a hotel-backed, produce-driven experience in one of the city’s most design-conscious precincts. To discover how it compares with other Italian dining spots in the ACT, browse the full listings on Ilistify and find the right match for your next meal.