Hunter & Barrel Canberra

Ignite your dining experience at Hunter & Barrel Canberra, a sophisticated steakhouse bringing the primal art of open-fire cooking to the heart of the capital's CBD. Located at 20 Scotts Crossing within the Canberra Centre, this premier dining destination has quickly become a sought-after locale for steak lovers and those in search of a warm, enveloping culinary experience. From the moment you approach, the inviting aroma of smoking ironbark and sizzling premium meats signals a meal that strips dining back to its ancient roots, letting raw fire and exceptional ingredients take centre stage.

Hunter & Barrel's philosophy is built around the communal feast, a celebration of great food, drink, and friends in a setting that marries rustic comfort with refined service. The restaurant draws inspiration from the hunter's way, where ancient ritual combines with the raw elements of nature in a modern context. This is not a place you simply stumble upon; it is a deliberate destination for those who appreciate the craft of fire-cooked meats and authentic, bold flavours. With a total seating capacity for up to 151 guests and intimate private dining rooms accommodating 10, the venue offers a variety of spaces to suit everything from a casual lunch to a milestone celebration or corporate event, all serviced by a team that reads the room and tailors their approach to match the moment.

The Open-Fire Culinary Philosophy

The heart of the Hunter & Barrel experience lies in its commitment to elemental cooking. Each steak is cooked over the white-hot coals of signature open grills, a method that delivers a distinct smoky, charred flavour no other cooking style can replicate. The menu is a testament to the power of the flame, built around quality produce and primal techniques that celebrate the ingredient itself. The kitchen team, led by Head Chef Thomas Brimble, approaches every dish with intention, balancing rustic tradition with a refined, modern sensibility.

This philosophy extends beyond the grill. The restaurant also employs a signature spit rotisserie for slow-roasted meats, allowing tougher cuts to transform into tender, flavour-packed dishes. The focus is always on the ingredient—fresh steak, poultry, and seafood—treated simply but with deep respect. This results in a menu that feels both grounded in tradition and inspired by innovation, where the natural flavours of the produce are enhanced, not masked, by fire and smoke.

Menu Highlights and Signature Dishes

The à la carte menu showcases a range of premium beef cuts, from the well-marbled rib-eye to the jaw-dropping tomahawk, each expertly seasoned and fired to the guest's preference. These steakhouse staples are served alongside a diverse offering of meats, poultry, and seafood, all prepared with the same primal techniques. The signature feast boards are ideal for sharing, loaded with a selection of house-smoked and grilled items that capture the full spectrum of the kitchen's output.

Slow-cooked meats form another pillar of the offering, with dishes that fall off the bone, enriched by the lingering scent of the fire. The seasonal sides and salads provide a well-rounded counterpoint, ensuring the menu caters to a variety of palates and occasions. A particular highlight for group dining is the Explorer Menu, a curated sharing-style experience frequently praised by guests for its generosity, variety, and ability to deliver the complete Hunter & Barrel journey without the need for decisions.

Sweets and the Campfire Dessert

The dessert menu is not an afterthought but a continuation of the fire-led narrative. The team has reimagined classics with the campfire in mind, and nothing embodies this better than the signature Apple Tarte Tatin. This dish features roasted seasonal apples, a silky pistachio custard, and a scoop of hazelnut ice-cream, but its defining element is a campfire-inspired s’mores component that ties the entire meal back to the flames.

Head Chef Thomas Brimble describes the dessert as being