Mietta's Review
Well located restaurant with good food and it's always very busy. You need to book. Service can be variable. Wines are not cheap, the acoustics make the place very loud when full - which is often. Wide ranging menu with good seafood - Eden mussels, chilli, garlic, parsley, white wine.

Other published opinions
Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2010 Score: 13/20

Sydney Eats 2009 minor "Kick off with the salty woodfired bread then try panfried sardine fillets on baby beetroot, ricotta and walnut salad with orange dressing"

Courier Mail Food and Wine Guide 2009 Queensland "Milanese elegance in a 1920s building, this one an old bank"

Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 13/20

Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide "Despite the competition in this neighbourhood, Mezzalira succeeds by holding fast to its southern Italian roots. Stylish surroundings - honeycoloured timber details, yellow walls and scarlet upholstery - create a sense of warmth and wellbeing"

Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 13/20

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "Carb -phobes be warned. Sure, you could construct a perfectly satisfying Italian meal at this relatively classy contemporary Canberra landmark without any of the evils of carbohydrate, but to do so would be to miss the point."

Sydney Eats 2008 "Whatever you do, be sure to order the woodfired bread to start"

Canberra Times Bryan Martin, 11-04-07 Score: 15/20

Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2007 Score: 13/20

Gourmet Traveller 2007 Restaurant Guide "Judging from the number of diners seated by 6.30pm, one would think there's an early-bird special on offer, but it's the crowd pleasing cucina itself rather than any happy-hour deal that's responsible."

Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2006 Italian Score 13/20

Gourmet Traveller Australian Restaurant Guide 2006 "Without Mezzalira, contemporary Italian cuisine would be an all-too-rare commodity in the national capital. Chef Bruce Chapman's move across the lake following the closure of Atlantic has injected new life into this inner-city ristorante."

Sydney Eats 2006 "Now arguably Canberra's best Italian, Mezzalira is a model of style and elegance with excellent food and comfortable surroundings, to say nothing of the terrific winelist."

Sydney Morning Herald GFG 2005 Score 13/20

Sydney Cheap Eats 2005 "A model of style and elegance, with decor, service and food to set it apart - not to mention an extensive wine list - Mezzalira offers the full dining experience."

Gourmet Restaurant Guide 2005 "With that woodfired oven cranking at the back of the restaurant, Mezzalira continues to satiasfy with its modern Italian offerings. ... The service merges that rare combination of personality and efficiency to keep up with this fast-paced, seasoned performer."

Sydney Morning Herald GFG 2004

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, Excellent wine list, Good vegetarian options,'The dining room exudes an easy elegance...Add a good wine list and proficient, friendly service, and you have one of Canberra's smartest and most reliable restaurants.'