Banana Leaf Restaurant
A relaxed yet refined spot serving Sri Lankan cuisine with a creative twist, offering a vibrant culinary journey.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Banana Leaf Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A relaxed yet refined spot serving Sri Lankan cuisine with a creative twist, offering a vibrant culinary journey.
"This is the best Sri Lankan restaurant I've been to in Australia so far!"
Parking can be tricky
Plan your trip with parking in mind or consider public transportation to avoid hassle.
Spice level caution
The chilli sambal on the side packs a punch, so be mindful if you prefer milder food.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Sri Lankan
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+61 2 6101 2713
Address
2 Akuna St, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
Website
bananaleafrestaurant.com.au/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Sri Lankan Flavors with a Twist
Experience an authentic Sri Lankan feast with beautiful presentation, featuring unique fusion dishes and traditional favorites.
Spectacular Singaporean Black Pepper Sauce
A standout dish featuring tender lamb or beef in a spicy, tangy black pepper sauce with perfect eggplant.
Refreshing Mango Mojito
A perfectly refreshing drink, often cited as one of the best ever tasted, complementing the flavorful Lankan dishes.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Parking can be tricky
Plan your trip with parking in mind or consider public transportation to avoid hassle.
Spice level caution
The chilli sambal on the side packs a punch, so be mindful if you prefer milder food.
Consider individual dishes
For a more personalized dining experience, opt for individual main courses over share plates.
Pair with signature cocktails
Enhance your meal by trying their expertly crafted signature cocktails.
Tips
from all over the internet
Parking can be tricky
Plan your trip with parking in mind or consider public transportation to avoid hassle.
Spice level caution
The chilli sambal on the side packs a punch, so be mindful if you prefer milder food.
Consider individual dishes
For a more personalized dining experience, opt for individual main courses over share plates.
Pair with signature cocktails
Enhance your meal by trying their expertly crafted signature cocktails.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners consistently praise Banana Leaf Restaurant for its delicious and authentic Sri Lankan flavors, often highlighting unique fusion dishes and exceptional presentation. While many rave about specific standouts like the Singaporean Black Pepper Beef and Mango Mojito, a few note that the wine selection could be improved.
"This is a great restaurant! The food is delicious and a little bit different. It's presented beautifully! It caters for shows at the Canberra Theatre with early sittings. The staff are friendly and there for you. The decor is also a little bit different and interesting with a wall full of masks. It's
good all-round! 😊"
jan heisner
"We came to Canberra to see the Pompeii exhibition and wanted somewhere to eat the night before. I am so glad so picked this restaurant. The food was some of the best I have ever eaten at a restaurant. It was absolutely delicious. The service was great too."
Mutley Harris
"This was our lunch stop while visiting Canberra. I have to say that this is the best Sri Lankan restaurant I’ve been to in Australia so far. Everything was pretty neat. I ordered a mango mojito, which was one of the most refreshing drinks I’ve ever had. For the mains, we ordered Lamprais, which was bursting with authentic Lankan flavors👌. The presentation was very impressive, and the chicken gravy side was both tasty and spicy. For dessert, we had the Lankan favorite, watalappan, which also had an impressive presentation and tasted just as great.
The service was excellent, and the restaurant's atmosphere was calm, allowing everyone to enjoy their meal. The portion sizes were decent. It is a bit pricey, but it's definitely worth it for what you get. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience, and I hope to go back someday."
Charitha Epa
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Highly recommended dishes include the Singaporean Black Pepper Beef, Kottu Roti, Seeni Sambol Gnocchi, and the refreshing Mango Mojito.
Yes, the restaurant is recognized for its gluten-free offerings and attentive service for dietary needs.
Parking can be tricky, so it's advisable to plan ahead or consider using public transportation.
The food is generally flavorful. Be aware that the chilli sambal on the side can be quite spicy.
For a more tailored experience, consider ordering individual dishes rather than relying solely on share plates.
Yes, the restaurant is conveniently located and caters to early sittings for shows at the Canberra Theatre.
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(Slightly) hidden restaurants in Canberra you might not know about
Seeni Sambol Gnocchi, Curry Glazed Duck, Lamb Back Strap, and more – Banana Leaf offers Sri Lankan fine-ish dining, and who doesn’t love flavoursome comfort food with a twist?. Perfect for stopping off for a meal before the theatre or for something a little different when catching up with friends, this fusion experience will quickly become a favourite. 2 Akuna Street, Canberra City | Open Monday to Friday, 12 pm – 2 pm (lunch) and 5 pm – 9 pm (dinner) and Saturday to Sunday, 5 pm – 9 pm | bananaleafrestaurant.com.au
The best restaurants in Canberra
Ideally located in the heart of the city, Banana Leaf is delightful restaurant serving up delicious dishes of Sri Lankan heritage. The food is combination of tasty flavours, spices and colours from traditional recipes in Sri Lanka. Some of their most popular dishes include curry glazed duck, lamprais, lamb back strap, spice marinated barramundi and more.
10+ new restaurants to put on your radar
Marrying the vibrant flavours of Sinhalese, Tamil, Moor, Dutch and Malay, Banana Leaf has reopened in the Canberra City. Expect coconut, cardamon, curries, chilli sambols, rotis and more of the Sri Lankan cuisine you know and love, with a twist.
Eat and Drink
Enjoy the delicious multi-cultural delights of Sri Lanka, with meals that feature a vibrant blend of Sinhalese, Tamil, Moor, Dutch and Malay tastes and textures.
Top 43 Gluten-Free Dinner Spots to Enjoy in Canberra
My first impression - they knew we had a coeliac at the table due to our booking notes. It was so refreshing!!!. The food was excellent.
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