18/19 Eastlake Parade · Kingston
The candlelit Rakkas dining room - the long communal table set with wine glasses against dark walls

18/19 Eastlake Parade · Canberra

Modern Turkish dining on the Kingston Foreshore.

Turkish-born chef Mert Toplu brings Istanbul technique to Australian produce in a candlelit dining experience on the water.

Reserve

The Restaurant & The Chef

The flavours of Istanbul, pushed somewhere new.

The char of the mangal, rose and pomegranate, the ritual of mezze - flavours you already love, applied to Australian produce with fine dining technique. The result: dishes Canberra’s Turkish dining scene hasn’t seen before.

Turkish-born chef Mert Toplu completed the top culinary school in Türkiye and entered the industry at fifteen - two decades of fine dining rooms and five-star hotels followed, across Istanbul and Canberra. Rakkas is his passion project: a candlelit, intimate room on the Foreshore, and all seven of Türkiye’s regions on one table.

“We want to show that Turkish food is absolutely limitless; Turkish culture is massive.”
Mert Toplu

Named one of Australia’s must-visit restaurants by AGFG, July 2026.

12
Course Tasting
12
Cities, Poured
Chef Mert Toplu smiling in his RAKKAS apron, standing by the set tables with the painting on the blue wall behind him

The Signature Experience

Sound of Istanbul

Twelve Courses · $125 Per Person

Twelve courses of Rakkas at its best, each dish drawn from heritage Turkish flavours. Every plate is another stop on the journey: taste your way to Türkiye from a table on the Kingston Foreshore. Available for two or more guests - the whole table dines together.

Prawns on saffron potato purée with herbs in a grey bowl at RakkasVine-leaf-wrapped fish dolma with yoghurt and crispy shallots in a dark bowlBeetroot cannoli with whipped dip and a sesame and nigella pide bunBeetroot carpaccio and rice-cracker canapés served on river stonesA Rakkas table spread - bread bowl, dips, mezze and red wine in etched glassesA staff member smoking a cocktail tableside for two guests at Rakkas

The Bar

Twelve cities, poured.

Twelve cocktails, each inspired by a Turkish city and built from what that city is known for. Move through the twelve - the map explains each glass.

Istanbul
Signature · Chef's favourite

Just like Istanbul - bold, spicy, layered with tradition and modern flair.

Chilli-infused raki, Cointreau, coriander, lime

IstanbulGallipoliIzmirManisaAntalyaAfyonAnkaraAmasyaErzurumMersinDenizliRize

Guest Reviews

4.6 · 298 Google reviews

  • Melis Gula

    We had the 12-course menu and it was honestly so filling and such a lovely experience. My favourites were the meze, mussels and duck confit . I absolutely loved them! My husband especially loved the… We had the 12-course menu and it was honestly so filling and such a lovely experience. My favourites were the meze, mussels and duck confit . I absolutely loved them! My husband especially loved the Wagyu entrecôte, kingfish tartare, and the modern take on baklava with its amazing cream. Everything was beautifully presented and the atmosphere was lovely. A special thank you to Celal for taking such good care of us throughout the evening. He was so friendly and attentive and made the whole experience even better. We’ll definitely be back! 🤍
  • Afzal Ahmad

    Excellent service and they accommodated our requests to swap some set menu dishes due to dietary preferences. The 12-course set menu went for 3 hours, so I recommend planning ahead for time.
  • Roo

    The bread served before the meal was perfectly soft and absolutely delicious. The kingfish tartare was a wonderful way to start the evening and really awakened our appetite. The confit duck leg was… The bread served before the meal was perfectly soft and absolutely delicious. The kingfish tartare was a wonderful way to start the evening and really awakened our appetite. The confit duck leg was incredibly tender and beautifully prepared. The steak paired perfectly with the mushroom cream sauce, creating a truly satisfying combination. Thank you so much for making our evening so happy and memorable. We had a wonderful time and look forward to visiting again!
  • E

    A bit busy but all dishes were amazing. The duck is a must-have☺️had a lovely time there and I'll definitely visit again.
  • Craig Opie

    We shared the 12 course degustation and each one was wonderfully reminiscent of Turkish flavours ! Equally impressive was detail to dish presentation and polite and informative service. Serving… We shared the 12 course degustation and each one was wonderfully reminiscent of Turkish flavours ! Equally impressive was detail to dish presentation and polite and informative service. Serving portions were appropriate. Nice calm atmosphere and very clean. Good bevvy menu also. As arnie says - we’ll be back!!
  • Prasanth Bhaskar

    Place to go for fine dining in Canberra. Food is very tasty and presented lovingly. Cocktails are amazing and desert is something not to be missed. Staff is super friendly and they make sure your… Place to go for fine dining in Canberra. Food is very tasty and presented lovingly. Cocktails are amazing and desert is something not to be missed. Staff is super friendly and they make sure your special needs are catered for. Book in advance as it can be quite busy on weekends.
  • Josiah Eteuati

    Absolute divine spot for dinner! The atmosphere is stunning, service is second to none and the food quality was some of the best I have experienced in Canberra. In the heart of Kingston, location is… Absolute divine spot for dinner! The atmosphere is stunning, service is second to none and the food quality was some of the best I have experienced in Canberra. In the heart of Kingston, location is also great, and the whole experience was so cosy and amazing.
  • Daniel Han

    Rakkas offers incredibly tasty Turkish food. The Mezze was exceptional. That hummus was easily the best I have ever had, it went very well with the bread. We ordered the Saslik (steak), Ordek… Rakkas offers incredibly tasty Turkish food. The Mezze was exceptional. That hummus was easily the best I have ever had, it went very well with the bread. We ordered the Saslik (steak), Ordek (confit duck) and Karides (prawns) as our main, with a side of Brokoli. The steak was in my opinion a little over. I wanted medium rare, I got medium. It was still really good. The bed of porcini mushrooms it was sitting on mixed well. The prawns were tasty but less surprising. The confit duck was the highlight. It was cooked to perfection and offered great depth of flavour. I loved it. We picked Rakkas Baklava as our dessert. This one is hard to describe. I would say that it is both creative and tasty. I highly recommend this place.
  • Phil Allen

    Absolutely fabulous food and the textures are out of this world. Chef Mert has some amazing talents. We were astounded by the variety and flavours of the tasting banquet. I would thoroughly recommend… Absolutely fabulous food and the textures are out of this world. Chef Mert has some amazing talents. We were astounded by the variety and flavours of the tasting banquet. I would thoroughly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys flavours from around the world.
  • Jasmin Turner

    For the price point, the quality of the food was absolutely worth it. Every dish was beautifully plated (refer to photos) and demonstrated the care of both the presentation and flavours. The shore… For the price point, the quality of the food was absolutely worth it. Every dish was beautifully plated (refer to photos) and demonstrated the care of both the presentation and flavours. The shore added to the overall experience making it feel more special. The servers were professional and made sure everything was looked after without being intrusive. Overall, it was a really enjoyable lunch experience and would happy return to.
  • Lazy Wanderer

    Wow! We had the most delicious lunch at Rakkas. The menu is an adventure and we loved every bite. We didn’t think we could manage all the dishes in the set menu so we went for the trio of dips with… Wow! We had the most delicious lunch at Rakkas. The menu is an adventure and we loved every bite. We didn’t think we could manage all the dishes in the set menu so we went for the trio of dips with Turkish bread and three entrees. It was more than enough for two of us. We also shared a bottle of lovely French rosé. The dips were beautifully presented and had so much flavour. For entrees we had the Balik Ekmek - kingfish sashimi in thin cracker. It was our favourite. So beautifully prepared, fresh and tasty. We also had the Hellim (halloumi) with honey, rose petals and thyme. So good. Finally we had the chargrilled calamari with walnut tarator. So tender and tasty. It was a wonderful dining experience. Professional, seamless service and a lovely outdoor terrace.
  • Napha Hengst

    The food is soooo good here, just love it, will definitely go back again soon. Yummy food, beautiful presentation.
  • Robert Howard

    Booked in two weeks in advance. May not have needed that much advance booking, but had tried previously closer to the date and was missing out. The service was enough without being over bearing. As… Booked in two weeks in advance. May not have needed that much advance booking, but had tried previously closer to the date and was missing out. The service was enough without being over bearing. As previously have commented. One waiter is a little begrudging with his service. It seemed to be hassle to wave him down as he passed to purchase another drink. But he assisted each time. The Halloumi with Honeycomb was absolutely the show stopper for me. Entree yes. But jeez it was a flavoursome paradise. We had mains and desert also. All meals were really well presented and flavoursome. The Bacalava was not served the traditional way and was also a welcoming surprise. The entree and desert was worth every cent. We also went through the entire signature menu of cocktails. They were all well presented and delicious. Two people with entree mains and desert, and six cocktails cost us $296.00. It’s the cocktails that you can go without if you wish to keep your price down.
  • Derek “Italian Foodie” Zorzit

    We went there for a birthday dinner. What a fantastic meal! Superb food and wonderful service. Sensational location on the Kingston Foreshore. Such a wonderful host with his wife who made our special… We went there for a birthday dinner. What a fantastic meal! Superb food and wonderful service. Sensational location on the Kingston Foreshore. Such a wonderful host with his wife who made our special dinner memorable
  • Dean Thompson

    We arrived early for our reservation and the managers were so accommodating. The food and drinks were so flavoursome, starting the night with the chief special cocktail called ‘Istanbul’ . We both… We arrived early for our reservation and the managers were so accommodating. The food and drinks were so flavoursome, starting the night with the chief special cocktail called ‘Istanbul’ . We both had the 9 course meal and were completely satisfied with the quality and quantity of the meals,. We would definitely come back to Rakkas again.
  • Sheilon Star

    Highly rate this place! We had lunch here recently and there was 10-12people in our group including 3 kids. We had the shared menu for 80pp. Every dish we had in our table was sublime 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼… Highly rate this place! We had lunch here recently and there was 10-12people in our group including 3 kids. We had the shared menu for 80pp. Every dish we had in our table was sublime 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 sooo delish so worth the $$$. They’re also great with kids which is a plus!
  • J Williams

    Hands down best meal I’ve had in ages! Exceptional service and lovely atmosphere. Was not expecting the novel take on the baklava dessert (looked kinda like a troll doll) but it was still delicious 👌
  • Innocent Murmur

    Enjoyed a very decent lunch. Bread and dips, scallops, asparagus, borek, beef kebab and prawns (recommend extra bread to soak up the sauce). Good strong cocktails from the house specials list. Too… Enjoyed a very decent lunch. Bread and dips, scallops, asparagus, borek, beef kebab and prawns (recommend extra bread to soak up the sauce). Good strong cocktails from the house specials list. Too full to try a dessert.
  • ser sim

    A super evening. We decided to try all their entrée selections. Apparently a first for the owner, Mert for such an order! Mert was very helpful and looked after us well. Definitely worth it and will… A super evening. We decided to try all their entrée selections. Apparently a first for the owner, Mert for such an order! Mert was very helpful and looked after us well. Definitely worth it and will return.
  • Troy Roughley

    Food is incredible. Loved the 7 course menu! Beautiful flavours - Turkish cuisine at its absolute best. Book in advance as it’s a very popular restaurant.
More on Google →
Guest reviewsReserve
Melis Gula

We had the 12-course menu and it was honestly so filling and such a lovely experience. My favourites were the meze, mussels and duck confit . I absolutely loved them! My husband especially loved the Wagyu entrecôte, kingfish tartare, and the modern take on baklava with its amazing cream. Everything was beautifully presented and the atmosphere was lovely. A special thank you to Celal for taking such good care of us throughout the evening. He was so friendly and attentive and made the whole experience even better. We’ll definitely be back! 🤍
Afzal Ahmad

Excellent service and they accommodated our requests to swap some set menu dishes due to dietary preferences. The 12-course set menu went for 3 hours, so I recommend planning ahead for time.
Roo

The bread served before the meal was perfectly soft and absolutely delicious. The kingfish tartare was a wonderful way to start the evening and really awakened our appetite. The confit duck leg was incredibly tender and beautifully prepared. The steak paired perfectly with the mushroom cream sauce, creating a truly satisfying combination. Thank you so much for making our evening so happy and memorable. We had a wonderful time and look forward to visiting again!
E

A bit busy but all dishes were amazing. The duck is a must-have☺️had a lovely time there and I'll definitely visit again.
Craig Opie

We shared the 12 course degustation and each one was wonderfully reminiscent of Turkish flavours ! Equally impressive was detail to dish presentation and polite and informative service. Serving portions were appropriate. Nice calm atmosphere and very clean. Good bevvy menu also. As arnie says - we’ll be back!!
Prasanth Bhaskar

Place to go for fine dining in Canberra. Food is very tasty and presented lovingly. Cocktails are amazing and desert is something not to be missed. Staff is super friendly and they make sure your special needs are catered for. Book in advance as it can be quite busy on weekends.
Josiah Eteuati

Absolute divine spot for dinner! The atmosphere is stunning, service is second to none and the food quality was some of the best I have experienced in Canberra. In the heart of Kingston, location is also great, and the whole experience was so cosy and amazing.
Daniel Han

Rakkas offers incredibly tasty Turkish food. The Mezze was exceptional. That hummus was easily the best I have ever had, it went very well with the bread. We ordered the Saslik (steak), Ordek (confit duck) and Karides (prawns) as our main, with a side of Brokoli. The steak was in my opinion a little over. I wanted medium rare, I got medium. It was still really good. The bed of porcini mushrooms it was sitting on mixed well. The prawns were tasty but less surprising. The confit duck was the highlight. It was cooked to perfection and offered great depth of flavour. I loved it. We picked Rakkas Baklava as our dessert. This one is hard to describe. I would say that it is both creative and tasty. I highly recommend this place.
Phil Allen

Absolutely fabulous food and the textures are out of this world. Chef Mert has some amazing talents. We were astounded by the variety and flavours of the tasting banquet. I would thoroughly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys flavours from around the world.
Jasmin Turner

For the price point, the quality of the food was absolutely worth it. Every dish was beautifully plated (refer to photos) and demonstrated the care of both the presentation and flavours. The shore added to the overall experience making it feel more special. The servers were professional and made sure everything was looked after without being intrusive. Overall, it was a really enjoyable lunch experience and would happy return to.
Lazy Wanderer

Wow! We had the most delicious lunch at Rakkas. The menu is an adventure and we loved every bite. We didn’t think we could manage all the dishes in the set menu so we went for the trio of dips with Turkish bread and three entrees. It was more than enough for two of us. We also shared a bottle of lovely French rosé. The dips were beautifully presented and had so much flavour. For entrees we had the Balik Ekmek - kingfish sashimi in thin cracker. It was our favourite. So beautifully prepared, fresh and tasty. We also had the Hellim (halloumi) with honey, rose petals and thyme. So good. Finally we had the chargrilled calamari with walnut tarator. So tender and tasty. It was a wonderful dining experience. Professional, seamless service and a lovely outdoor terrace.
Napha Hengst

The food is soooo good here, just love it, will definitely go back again soon. Yummy food, beautiful presentation.
Robert Howard

Booked in two weeks in advance. May not have needed that much advance booking, but had tried previously closer to the date and was missing out. The service was enough without being over bearing. As previously have commented. One waiter is a little begrudging with his service. It seemed to be hassle to wave him down as he passed to purchase another drink. But he assisted each time. The Halloumi with Honeycomb was absolutely the show stopper for me. Entree yes. But jeez it was a flavoursome paradise. We had mains and desert also. All meals were really well presented and flavoursome. The Bacalava was not served the traditional way and was also a welcoming surprise. The entree and desert was worth every cent. We also went through the entire signature menu of cocktails. They were all well presented and delicious. Two people with entree mains and desert, and six cocktails cost us $296.00. It’s the cocktails that you can go without if you wish to keep your price down.
Derek “Italian Foodie” Zorzit

We went there for a birthday dinner. What a fantastic meal! Superb food and wonderful service. Sensational location on the Kingston Foreshore. Such a wonderful host with his wife who made our special dinner memorable
Dean Thompson

We arrived early for our reservation and the managers were so accommodating. The food and drinks were so flavoursome, starting the night with the chief special cocktail called ‘Istanbul’ . We both had the 9 course meal and were completely satisfied with the quality and quantity of the meals,. We would definitely come back to Rakkas again.
Sheilon Star

Highly rate this place! We had lunch here recently and there was 10-12people in our group including 3 kids. We had the shared menu for 80pp. Every dish we had in our table was sublime 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 sooo delish so worth the $$$. They’re also great with kids which is a plus!
J Williams

Hands down best meal I’ve had in ages! Exceptional service and lovely atmosphere. Was not expecting the novel take on the baklava dessert (looked kinda like a troll doll) but it was still delicious 👌
Innocent Murmur

Enjoyed a very decent lunch. Bread and dips, scallops, asparagus, borek, beef kebab and prawns (recommend extra bread to soak up the sauce). Good strong cocktails from the house specials list. Too full to try a dessert.
ser sim

A super evening. We decided to try all their entrée selections. Apparently a first for the owner, Mert for such an order! Mert was very helpful and looked after us well. Definitely worth it and will return.
Troy Roughley

Food is incredible. Loved the 7 course menu! Beautiful flavours - Turkish cuisine at its absolute best. Book in advance as it’s a very popular restaurant.

In Print

What the papers say.

This is Canberra · December 2024

Discover Türkiye's diverse flavours at Rakkas, Kingston's new gem

By Michelle Taylor

“Rakkas is the Turkish word for dancer, and as I sit in Rakkas, eating my way around Türkiye, my tastebuds are certainly cavorting with delight.”

“This brand new restaurant is about to produce what has become my favourite meal of 2024.”

Read the full article →
AGFG · July 2026

Trending Dining: Australia's Must-Visit Restaurants Right Now

“Blending rich culinary traditions from Istanbul with contemporary Australian flair, Rakkas Restaurant on Eastlake Parade invites guests on an unforgettable gastronomic journey.”

“Highlights of the menu include the char-grilled lamb backstrap, perfectly complemented by smoked eggplant begendi and a touch of apricot marmalade.”

“The Ordek, featuring tender confit duck legs served on sweet potato and sage purée, is a revelation in flavour pairing.”

Read the full article →
The Canberra Times · June 2024

An elegant taste of Turkey at Rakkas: fine dining on the Foreshore

“Forget dodgy dips and bread - things are a bit fancy here.”

Read the full article →
AGFG · January 2025

6 New Chef Hat-winning Dining Destinations to Excite Taste Buds in 2025

“Blending the rich culinary traditions of Istanbul with the vibrant culture of Australia, head to Rakkas Restaurant on Eastlake Parade in Kingston for an unforgettable dining experience.”

“This Canberra hot spot takes diners on an enchanting journey through Turkish flavours, seasonal cocktails named after famous Turkish cities and delicious dishes, all served in moody surrounds of subdued lighting, sparkling glassware and intimate table settings.”

Read the full article →
The Canberra Times · April 2025

This is the best-looking entree I've ever seen. But is the flavour there?

By Amy Martin

“A trio of dips never looked so good.”

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Canberra CityNews · July 2024

Turkish food that seriously delights

By Wendy Johnson

“Rakkas invested time to change matters before greeting its first customer - comfy bench seating, soft features and lighting... But the food is the star of the show, writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON.”

Read the full article →
AGFG · October 2025

Culinary Gems: Discovering the Best Restaurants in the ACT

“Start your adventure with scallops wrapped in Turkish pastrami with XO butter, pickled daikon, caviar and black tahini hummus.”

Read the full article →
AGFG · June 2025

Menus Inspired by a Journey: Where Flavour Tells a Story

“The interior is sultry and intimate, with warm lighting, reflective surfaces and table settings that beg for long conversations and lingering meals.”

“From the char-grilled octopus with black-eyed pea salad to the exquisite lamb noisette dressed in apricot jam and red wine jus, Rakkas impresses without overreaching.”

Read the full article →

From the Feed

The room, in motion.

Chef Mert Toplu speaking in the Rakkas kitchen, from the venue's Instagram reel
Chef Mert, in the kitchen
A date-night dinner reel at Rakkas - plated courses arriving at a candlelit table
Date night at Rakkas
A diner's reel of the Rakkas dining experience - shared plates, interior and service
A dining experience like no other
Chef Mert at the pass in the Rakkas kitchen, preparing the bread course
The Rakkas atmosphere

What diners ask.

What are Rakkas' opening hours?

Rakkas is open Tuesday to Saturday - lunch from 12pm to 2pm and dinner from 5:30pm to 9pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday.

Do you cater for dietary requirements?

Yes - dietary requirements such as gluten free and halal are accommodated. Please tell our staff about any allergies or requirements when you book; some dishes can be adapted.

What is the Sound of Istanbul menu?

Our twelve-course signature tasting menu at $125 per person, available for two or more guests. It moves from mezze and entrées through chargrilled mains to dessert, with wine pairing options in our wine list.

What does dinner at Rakkas cost?

The twelve-course Sound of Istanbul tasting menu is $125 per person. À la carte, entrées are $25 to $29, mains $45 to $70, desserts $20, before drinks.

Can I book for a large group?

Yes. For groups of eight or more we serve our set menu so every guest eats well and together. Mention your group size when booking.

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes - Rakkas gift cards are available to buy online through our gift card portal.