Located in the heart of the nation's capital, Monster Kitchen And Bar stands as a distinctive culinary destination for locals and visitors alike. Situated at Ground/25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra ACT 2601, the establishment has carved out a unique identity within the vibrant dining scene of the city. It is more than just a place to eat; it is a space designed to foster connection, creativity, and a genuine appreciation for the art of hospitality. The atmosphere strikes a balance between sophisticated urban design and a welcoming, relaxed environment, making it an ideal setting for everything from casual morning coffees to long, lingering evening meals.
The philosophy behind the kitchen is rooted in a deep respect for seasonal produce and the stories behind the ingredients. By working closely with regional growers and producers, the culinary team ensures that every dish reflects the character of the surrounding landscape. The menu is thoughtfully curated to offer a diverse range of flavors, drawing inspiration from global techniques while remaining grounded in the quality of local Australian harvests. Whether you are visiting for a quick bite or a celebratory dinner, the experience is defined by a commitment to consistency, quality, and a warm, attentive service style that makes every guest feel at home.
What Makes Monster Kitchen And Bar Unique
Architectural Significance: The interior design is a testament to thoughtful craftsmanship, featuring textures and materials that create an immersive environment. The space is carefully curated to offer both intimate corners for private conversation and open areas that celebrate the energy of the dining room.
Commitment to Local Sourcing: A core pillar of the establishment is its dedication to the regional food ecosystem. By prioritizing ingredients sourced from the Canberra region and surrounding areas, the kitchen not only supports local agriculture but also ensures that the freshness of the produce is evident in every bite.
Versatile Dining Experience: The venue is designed to be fluid, adapting to the needs of its patrons throughout the day. From the early hours when the space serves as a hub for morning rituals to the evening transition into a sophisticated bar and dining room, the environment shifts seamlessly to match the mood of the city.
Focus on Culinary Storytelling: Every plate served is an opportunity to highlight the provenance of the ingredients. The chefs approach their work with a narrative-driven mindset, focusing on how different elements come together to create a cohesive and memorable dining experience that respects the integrity of the raw materials.
The beverage program at Monster Kitchen And Bar is equally considered, offering a selection that complements the food menu with precision. Guests can expect a thoughtful list of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic options that highlight both established producers and emerging labels. The bar team is well-versed in the nuances of their offerings, providing recommendations that enhance the overall flavor profile of the meal. This holistic approach to food and drink is what keeps the establishment relevant and engaging in a city that is constantly evolving its gastronomic identity.
Beyond the food and drink, the true essence of the venue lies in its ability to serve as a community anchor. It is a place where the rhythm of Canberra life is reflected in the daily interactions between staff and guests. The location on Edinburgh Avenue places it at a convenient intersection of business and leisure, allowing it to cater to a wide demographic of diners. As the city continues to grow and redefine its cultural landscape, Monster Kitchen And Bar remains a steadfast contributor to the local scene, inviting everyone to partake in a dining experience that is both grounded and inspired.
A Destination for Every Occasion
Whether you are a resident of the ACT or a traveler passing through, finding a space that balances professional service with a genuine, unpretentious vibe is a rare find. Monster Kitchen And Bar succeeds by focusing on the fundamentals: high-quality ingredients, a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment, and a team that is passionate about their craft. It is a venue that encourages you to slow down, enjoy the company you are with, and appreciate the simple pleasure of a well-prepared meal in a beautiful setting. We invite you to visit us on Edinburgh Avenue and experience the unique character that defines our approach to modern dining.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Outdoor seating
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Fireplace
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great wine list
Live music
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Halal food
Happy-hour drinks
Happy-hour food
Healthy options
Late-night food
Private dining room
Small plates
Spirits
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Bar on site
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Has changing table(s)
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
On-site parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Menus
Snacks & Shares
EDAMAME GF,DF,NF,VE$12.00
CORN RIBS DF,NF,VE$18.00
SEEDED SOURDOUGH NF,V$9.00
MARINATED OLIVES GF,DF,NF,VE$8.00
GUACAMOLE GF,DF,NF,VE$24.00
CRUDITÉ GF,NF,V$29.00
PEA AND MOZZARELLA CROQUETAS (3) GF,NF,V$18.00
PRAWN TOSTADAS (2) DF,NF$27.00
GOLDEN FRIED CALAMARI GF,DF,NF$26.00
TRIPLE CHEESE BIKINI V,NF$26.00
ANTIPASTO NF$38.00
Substantials
WINTER SALAD GF,V$29.00
NISHI SMASH BURGER NF$28.00
BUTTERNUT SQUASH TORTELLINI V$30.00
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST NF$36.00
LAMB LOIN GF,NF$46.00
STEAK FRITES GF,NF$45.00
Sides
FRENCH FRIES GF,NF,V$16.00
CHAR GRILLED BROCCOLINI GF,DF,NF,VE$18.00
Dessert
STEAMED GINGER DATE PUDDING NF$18.00
RHUBARB, ROSEMARY & MANDARIN CRUMBLE$18.00
DARK CHOCOLATE & WHISKEY TART NF$18.00
Photos
Reviews Monster Kitchen And Bar
Lara Schroeder
30-05-2026
Monster Kitchen and Bar is a vegetarian's dream come true!
No need to worry about what's inside a dish because you know the menu is 100% vegetarian 👌 So you can order to your heart's content!
Also, there's nothing boring about the meals so you can absolutely expect fine dining 5 star quality food.
The venue is gorgeous and the service always friendly.
Would 110% recommend!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$60–80
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Vegetarian options
Absolutely everything on the menu is vegetarian 🙌
Shirley Carandang
30-05-2026
08 Feb 2025: We booked for dinner at 9 PM. After we ordered, we had to chase up our meals after over half an hour of waiting. The food was served after almost an hour since ordering. My husband had to look for someone so we could order our … More
KarateNerd
30-05-2026
Drinks great but food never came. I stopped in for a meal before a meeting and ordered a dinner and a drink. Finished the first cocktail which was outstanding! Food still hadn’t come. Ordered a second and finished it, over half an hour and … More
Hanh Nguyen
30-05-2026
The decor is good. Staff and service is fine (we understand it was busy on new year eve so it took a while till someone noticed us while we were waiting to order food or drink or anything). The food is such a disappointment. It’s advertised … More
Cody C
30-05-2026
Disappointed , we had high hope for this restaurant but overall it was such a let down. Service were a hit and miss, we arrived a few minutes before booking but only got seated in our table after 15 minutes, then we waited another 10 for … More
Joel Dignam
30-05-2026
Overall: good food, punching above its weight for the price. Lovely ambience, spacious and not too noisy (not exactly cosy, more modern and hip). Service generally underwhelming, a weak spot. … More
Mark Johnston
30-05-2026
Loved this place - it’s the lobby of the Ovolo Nishi hotel and pretty active. Great service, always had very friendly and attentive staff. Entirely vegetarian menu but lots to enjoy. I ended up going there 3 nights during the week I was staying down the street at Peppers Gallery. One huge advantage: they are open late - I got there just before 10 and everything else in the area was closed. I really liked their veggie burger (pictured). The next night I had tempura zucchini flowers and mushroom potstickers (also pictured) - delicious. I also had the roasted cauliflower and though it good but not quite the same level. Overall it was a really good experience and I would recommend.
Michael Scappin
30-05-2026
Nah.
Big fall from grace
Bored staff don't greet
VERY expensive
Limited menu options cause everything is out of stock
Did I say expensive - $27 for the sad guac in the photo
Poor quality
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 3
Adhitya Suvarna (Addy)
30-05-2026
A rather disappointing experience for us and not sure what we missed based on the rave reviews here prior to our visit. Adding copious amounts of greasy sauce to veggies do not make it taste great. The vegetable has to be the hero but that was not the case. After the third mouthful, everything started to blend into one bland feeling. We left the dessert after a few spoonfuls as they were quite unpalatable. The ambiance was cosy for a Christmas dinner but the service was on the level of a roadside inn. The main restaurant was closed so we were seated outside adding to the feeling of being letdown. There is potential for the menu but it is being let down slowly by the lack of imagination and innovation. Sad. Waste of time.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100–120
Food: 3
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 4
Stephen Spencer
30-05-2026
Monster’s decision to go 100% plant-based has actually lifted the food to new heights even for people like us, who are not vegetarians.
Not only does it do great food for vegans and vegetarians, even those who wouldn’t normally choose these dishes will be delighted by the food.
Most of it is also GF, so this place ticks all the boxes if your family has problems choosing a restaurant because of dietary restrictions.
Service is good, the layout nicely spaced, and the absence of meat means the prices are great value for the quality of the food and service.
If you’ve never fancied vegetarian food before, Monster will be a very pleasant surprise.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$60–80
Vegetarian options
The entire menu is plant-based.
Dietary restrictions
Almost the entire menu is gluten-free
P Kay
30-05-2026
Average food average service. No waiters came to take our order. We had to get our own menu and water from the water tap next to bar. Staff are useless and lazy.
The steak was not worth $40+. It was a cheap cut from woolies and not cooked correctly. It tasted like it was stewed in the pan rather grilled. Very disappointed. Not worth the $150 paid. Civic pub is 10xs better.
Food: 2
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2
L L
30-05-2026
The owner must have been changed. I came here twice before and it was fine. Now it's completely unacceptable. It's extremely overpriced, the portions are tiny, and worst of all, every single dish tasted terrible. They just dumped tons of … More
Graham Upshall
30-05-2026
A Thursday night birthday celebration that was 5/10. Staff not familiar with table reservation system and actual table location. Bar staff needed assistance with drinks, senior staff took over and was excellent. Bar staff were also waiters … More
carla morgan
30-05-2026
We had the pleasure of dining here on Friday night. Was a little trepidatious after reading some of the reviews but we needn't have worried!
We had the tasting menu with matched wines. The night started superbly with … More
Tim Veyret
30-05-2026
This is a nice venue within Ovolo Nishi on the ground floor. The layout of the restaurant is nice, as it is open and there is space between tables. You have to order food and drinks at the bar, so it doesn't have a typical restaurant feel to it.
We were coming to watch a movie at Palace cinemas but came here first for a beer. It is nice that they have a fireplace, as the venue has a warm and cosy feel.
It would be most convenient if you were staying in the hotel to come down for a meal.
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–20
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Jake C
30-05-2026
Great location, lovely modern decor, great food
Attended for a 7:30 Saturday night dinner, upon arrival were met and taken to our table by the friendly wait staff, unfortunately we were placed next two two large 15+ party tables who were extremely loud, and we could barely hear each other talk.
Our waiter attended swiftly where we placed our drink orders and soon after our dinner order, we were asked in what order we would like our food to be served (unfortunately this was not followed) the first small plates arrived very quickly.
After finishing our entree we had to wait about an hour for the plates to be cleared and the rest of our food to arrive. Despite the wait staff walking past our table multiple times. We were also unfortunately never asked if we would like another drink (these things I would expect when dining in one of the more expensive options)
In all the location is great, food is priced highly and portions are on the smaller size but quite delicious. Probably better options around Canberra for the price point
Food: 4
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 2
JoLou
30-05-2026
RIP Monster. The old Monster was our go-to for special occasions, and whilst over the last year we’d noticed a distinct drop in the level of customer service we’ve always tried to give the place the benefit of the doubt as the food and menu remained excellent. We were aware of the change in approach to an omnivore menu before we booked, and knew we’d miss the tasty veggie, vegan (and almost entirely) GF offer. Tonight we had booked an early table before a film. We were met hesitantly, shown to a dining table in the bar area where we were seated and told to order at the bar. We assumed perhaps a new approach to early evening dining or that there was an event in the main dining area. Sadly no, this is the new status quo and both our first round of drinks and food were served to the wrong table. Whilst the food was tasty, it was overpriced, and if we’d have booked for an (even more) special occasion we’d have been left with a bad taste in the mouth. A disappointing experience.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$60–80
Food: 2
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Special events
No special event
Milan Pavkovic
30-05-2026
I had high hopes for Monster Bar in Canberra, but unfortunately, their cheese board fell well below expectations, especially considering the premium $39 price.
For that price, I expected a thoughtfully curated selection with a balance of quality cheeses, fresh accompaniments, and attention to presentation. Instead, what was served looked like something hastily thrown together at home. The board featured a few basic cheeses, some tired grapes and raisins, a handful of mixed nuts, dry crackers, and a small piece of quince paste. One of the cheeses even looked like it had been sitting out too long. It was underwhelming and felt like an afterthought, not a premium experience.
When we politely raised this with the waiter, their only suggestion was to return the board. No attempt was made to offer a replacement, a better alternative. For a venue that charges premium prices and markets itself as high-end, this lack of customer service was very disappointing.
What makes this even more frustrating is that venues like Ambrosia provide cheese boards that are not only generous and beautifully presented but also far more reasonably priced. Ambrosia’s platters show real care, with artisan cheeses, fresh produce, and well-matched sides that make you feel the price is justified.
Monster Bar needs to seriously improve both the quality of their offering and their approach to customer service. At the moment, it feels like style over substance, and not worth the money.
OUTRAGEOUS
Meal type
Other
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 4
Monica Lindemann
30-05-2026
Delicious, interesting vegetable dishes. Great flavours and well prepared. Our party of 2 shared the corn ribs, pomello pumpkin salad and the crispy tofu to start. Then shared the cauliflower shwarma main dish. The cauliflower was very tasty, ribs and tofu were very good, the pressed pumpkin in the salad was a little strange texturally, but the pomello and creamy feta was a nice combo. Great wine list, attentive service. We'll be back 👍🏼
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$80–100
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Chenelle Gonsalves
30-05-2026
Nice and hard-working staff.
Environment very unexpected. Food was regular. Dessert was out of this world.
Celebrated my birthday, staff and chefs were very kind.
Bathroom were beautiful and amazing for photo taking and general use.
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Reviews Monster Kitchen And Bar