Aubergine

Aubergine, Canberra 18 Barker St - Canberra

European
• Australian
• Sit down

94/100
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Ratings and reviews

94
/100
Based on 1927 ratings and reviews
Updated

The menu of Aubergine suggested by Sluurpy users

Ratings of Aubergine

TA

Trip
Last update on 03/06/2021
4,5
544 Reviews
Opentable
Opentable
Last update on 31/01/2023
4,7
139 Reviews
Google
Google
Last update on 16/06/2023
4,6
335 Reviews
Facebook
Facebook
Last update on 31/01/2023
4,6
180 Reviews
Thefork
Thefork
Last update on 29/10/2022
5,0
488 Reviews
Zomato
Zomato
Last update on 31/01/2023
4,9
181 Reviews

Menu Aubergine

  • First Course
    • Cured silver trevally, spanner crab, beetroot, plum & crème fraiche
  • Second Course
    • Comté custard, heirloom tomato, fennel pollen & wakame oil
    • Fillet of red mullet, celtuce, mussels, buttermilk & lovage dressing
    • Boxgum Grazing pork belly, carrot & muntrie salad, semi-dried carrot
    • Lamb rump & sweetbread, eggplant, butternut pumpkin & tahini yoghurt
  • Third Course
    • Potato tart, roasted yeast, black garlic, swiss chard & crème fraiche
    • Fillet of barramundi, prawn bourride, salsify & pickled apple
    • Eugowra quail chou-farci, glazed quail leg, baby turnips, parsley puree
    • Beef oyster blade, smoked potato, mushroom & sauce au poivre
  • . . .
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Available menus

Reviews

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Tien Kelly
+5
First, the service was impeccable, for example, water was refilled promptly, coats were taken to a coat storage area, when saying thank you to the servers/waiters, they replied with "You are very welcome." in a sincere and calm tone, when returning from the bathroom my linen napkin was made into a decorative shape and then placed gently back on my lap, the meals were explained when they made it to the table and the door was held open for us when we went to leave. Second, the atmosphere was conducive to fine dining; lovely furnishings, beautifully dim lights, quiet peaceful music, very clean bathrooms with beautiful soap, thick soft paper towels and heated benches. Third, lovely additionals, such as squid ink crisps with apple puree and radish, rich chocolate truffles, and thin handmade sourdough bread, which was topped up when we'd finished the first serving, with creamy butter. Fourth, the food was out of this world. For entrees we had a kingfish pastrami which was unbelievably tender, something that was a recurring theme, and a Coffin Bay octopus dish, with roasted octopus broth which was poured over when it arrived at the table, it also included 'noodles' which were thin strips of cuttlefish, so tender that it my fork prong slid through it, without any force but gravity. All dishes were presented beautifully, like art, this one included. Mains: The duck breast with incredibly seasoned skin, it came with a duck sausage that was a portion of a large sausage, with a perfect amount of duck fat and proper intestine casing, and a great jus, the sweetest corn ever, and onion skins filled with a gorgeous crème. The beef was cut into smallish squares cooked medium rare, so amazingly tender, never had beef that tender in my life, with a marrow sauce and broccolini. The deserts were also amazing, which wasn't surprising, an orange crème caramel with hazelnut praline and orange sorbet was a good end to the meal, and the chocolate ganache, chocolate opaque jelly, licorice cream and pumpkin sorbet. The pumpkin sorbet was gorgeously sweet, with a savory twist. This dessert was described as "Ridiculous" by my dining partner, and it was so incredible. An amazing night, but must make a reservation, there are two seatings, 6:00-8:15pm and then 8:30pm onwards. The wine list was crazy extensive, but luckily there is a sommelier to help. There was even a 750mL bottle of French Apple Cider for $90. It's a must for anyone who visits or lives in Canberra, especially great for a first date or intimate birthday celebration.
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Miriam Hewson
+5
My husband and I visited this evening to celebrate my birthday. We had an absolutely wonderful time. The duck was amazing and the beef was the best I have ever had. The matched wines were perfect but unconventional. The sommelier did an exceptional job of explaining why he chose each wine & how they would compliment each course. Cannot recommend highly enough. *****
Zomato
Msjazz
+4.5
Canberra two hatted dining at its finest. Menu is seasonal & the wine list is extensive. Dining is over four courses, with the first course selected by the chef. Everything I ate was delicious from the mulloway (fish) - first course, sommerland chicken- second course, John Dory - third course & white chocolate mousse w/ lemonade fruits for dessert. We also received a chef's selection of starters which were super tasty too! A great spot to celebrate a special occasion & they are also able to cater to all dietary requirements.
Sep 17, 2017
Zomato
LuluBelle
+5
Omg love love loved it
From the authentic French Sommelier who was absolutely awesome and the wonderful service team, front of house certainly delivered.
Then the food.... exquisite, Devine, absolutely fabulous in every way!
Well worth every cent
Done there again? Definitely!
Jun 24, 2017
Zomato
Chris
+5
One of the very best degustation restaurants I have been to.
I take my elderly mother there every year or so, and the staff remember us, and give wonderful, helpful and informative service. They make my mum feel very special.
The food and wine are always superb. We are never rushed.
Jun 17, 2017
Zomato
Dolce Bunnie
+5
If we only had the option to go to one fancy restaurant during our recent trip to Canberra, it would’ve been Aubergine. When our taxi driver drove past the busy streets of Canberra and into a leafy green suburb I hesitated and thought that we might have given him the wrong address. I was equally concerned when he pulled up in a quite suburban shopping complex. Among the stores, there was a butcher, a hairdresser, a grocery store, then there was Aubergine. From the outside, Aubergine looked understated yet tasteful - there was nothing that screamed ‘look at me, I’m the number 1 ranked restaurant in Canberra with 2 Chef Hats’. Rather, it was cream walls with simple black writing - Aubergine.
May 01, 2017
Zomato
Amber
+4
We visited Aubergine around valentines and enjoyed the excellent food and service. We received a voucher for our engagement party (which is an excellent gift idea! We loved the experience.) The $90 menu was good value for the restaurant, and the wine we had was great. I had king fish (which wasn't really my cup of tea but still nice), lamb rump (absolutely delicious), mousse dessert (nice). My partner had pork belly, duck and the ice cream - he loved all his food. I'd recommend visiting for a special occasion.
Mar 25, 2017
Zomato
Little Pink Piggy
+4
Took my parents here for my mum's birthday. We decided on the $90 degustation menu. Unsure if there is any other way to order to be honest. The restaurant is very intimate with only about 20 tables available. The transparent black curtains made the restaurant quite dim. We received some complementary bread which would have been better served warm. The starter- baby octopus- was delicious and looked beautiful on the plate. My entree was the poached John Dory which was rather flavorless. My main way also fish. Blue eyed trevella which was better than the dory but very small in size. The desert was a bit of a disappointment as usually which mousse is beautiful.   Those at the table who ordered the ice cream were very disappointed with the single quinelle! The pros of the night was the service (my wine and water were always topped up) and the prettiness of the dishes made for eye candy! Have to mention that the wait times between meals were ridiculous. I got there at 7pm and didn't leave until 9.30pm. I think the small kitchen must really struggle on a Saturday night. The bill was $550 for five people which included a bottle of wine. A nice one-off experience but not really value for money even by fine-dining standards. The focus was about presentation rather than the flavour.
Mar 21, 2017
Zomato
Kevy K
+4.5
Mention the name 'Aubergine' to a local and you'll usually receive a knowing, appreciative look of envy that you're dining there. Even those who haven't been to the restaurant know the name.

Located conveniently in Griffith, there is ample street parking. 

Booking and service were as you would expect. Courteous, professional and efficient. An online reservation via OpenTable and email + SMS confirmation. We were fortunate to receive a lovely table for two by the window on what eventuated to be a full-house mid-week.

The ambience is semi-formal. Neat to smart casual attire. Well spaced tables to provide enough intimacy between diners, high ceilings and black sheer privacy curtains among the windows. I can only imagine what it would be like if this place overlooked the waterfront or an elevation.

Although only recently renovated, this place really deserves a view commiserate with the food on offer.

Menu is $90 prix fixe. Chef's choice of appertiser, followed by a your choice of entree, mains and dessert. The menu evolves with the seasons.  An optional $14 cheese course or fresh oysters available at $4/piece. The restaurant is happy to accomodate any dietary requirements.

Aubergine is one of few restaurants utilising the Coravin preservation system to allow them to serve special wines 'by the glass'. An extensive list of French wines, located varietals... my advice is to trust the sommelier. His suggestions and knowledge of wines were spot on.

Canapes and entree. A delectable morsel of a cheese biscuit, wafer with raspberry salt contrasting the baked carrots with sesame. The carrots rubbery, but otherwise a well presented start to the evening. A palate cleanser of a delicious pyramid of compressed watermelon with the classic combination of a sweet citrus mandarin. Onwards to main course and everything was perfectly cooked, presented and executed. The duck, so deliciously soft, juicy and tender over a circle of sweet pear and purple carrot. The vegetarian option, a tomato terrine. Dory, not often a fish seen in a degustation. Yet cooked to perfection. And dessert. This place does dessert well. Imagine a soft, cool verbena milk contrasting a brown butter ice-cream ... the flavour perhaps better known as delectable, brown caramel. 

Service cannot be faulted. The best in Canberra. Attentive wait staff who simply do not miss a beat. Your glass of water empty? Topped up without asking. Friendly, knowledgeable and organised. Perhaps it's the European culture and training... all but one of the wait-staff were French, to maintaining the ambience  of the restaurant.  The degustation well spaced, although a little slower towards main and dessert as other tables kept the place busy. 

The evening? $90 pp for the degustation is very reasonably priced. Double that when you pair premium wines by the glass.  We created our own wine pairing, with a delightful selection of French wines. The sommelier is more than accomodating and the Gewurztraimen from Sporen with it's tropical and lychee notes, the perfect pairing on a hot Summer day to our dessert.

Aubergine may be for special occasions. But do what we did. Come here "just because". You won't regret it.
Feb 11, 2017
Zomato
Michele Walton
+4
Aubergine is the Good Food Guide’s number one pick in Canberra, described as one of the country’s best restaurants. It remains the only two-hatted restaurant in Canberra. I had it saved for a special celebration, and last week I finally had the chance to try the dynamic and changing menu that prides itself on innovative combinations of local produce in new and imaginative ways.
Feb 02, 2017
Zomato
Eat Play Love Travel
+5
The $90 four-course modern Australian tasting menu at Aubergine, which includes complimentary starters and bread, is an inspired masterpiece by chef and owner Ben Willis, inventively pairing the freshest of locally-sourced in-season produce.
Dec 16, 2016
Zomato
JDP79
+5
Flew into Canberra for the weekend and couldn't resist trying out this one...

A truly wonderful experience filled with stunning food and impressive service. Four courses were delivered with such precision that it was hard to fault. The tuna was seared to perfection and was fresh and light. The lamb was subtle yet the sauce tied it together like the ribbon around a present. The burnt garlic was inspired. Beef was powerful as the beef rib had a sticky gelatinous feature that made me crave another bite. And dessert was inspiring with a burnt butter ice cream that had an almond praline that even a nut allergic person would find hard to resist.

Get there
Aug 27, 2016

Timetable

Monday:
06:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday:
06:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday:
06:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thursday:
06:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Friday:
06:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday:
06:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sunday:
Closed

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Our aggregate rating, “Sluurpometro”, is 94 based on 1927 parameters and reviews

If you need to contact by phone, call the number +61 2 6260 8666

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