canberra yacht club food

Southern Cross Yacht Club

The Southern Cross Yacht Club, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, offers beautiful views and a range of dining options.

Dine al fresco on the balcony or in the bar lounge or enjoy relaxed fine dining at the Yacht Club restaurant.

The Yacht Club is also home to the MV Southern Cross that departs for chartered tours of the lake, dinner cruises and special events.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

“great fine dining but a bit expensive”.

Our family group of four enjoyed meeting up over a special dinner at this fine dining restaurant. The food was fabulous ( I had fish) and the service was speedy and attentive. Lovely white...

“Dissapointing.”

5 adults and 3 children. Meals were served randomly, first came two kids meals, a long wait for the third. Then two entrees….soups and a long wait for the other entrees. Soups were eaten as they...

“Sophisticated Dining with Great View”

We celebrated a family members milestone birthday and were impressed by the service, food, and atmosphere of this restaurant. The set menu for lunch had many options - you can choose two or three...

• Cheese / Charcuterie / Platters
• Gluten Free Available
• Healthy Food
• Light Meals
• Modern Australian
• Seasonal Local Produce
• Coach Parking
• Family Friendly
• Suitable for Functions
• Lawn / Gardens
• Non Smoking
• Online Orders
• Outdoor Dining Area
• Private Dining Area
• Electric Vehicle Charging Point
• Waterside Dining
• Between $0 and $20
• Between $20 and $30
• Fully licensed

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Restaurant review: Snapper & Co at the Canberra Yacht Club is a family-friendly venue

Ok, I'll admit that it probably wasn't fair on Snapper & Co to review it on a chilly midweek night. Since the venue at the Southern Cross Yacht Club in Yarralumla was refurbished in late 2022 , it's been humming.

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Families gather on the grassy lawns; young people mingle in The Courtyard listening to live music; there's a la carte service on The Deck, an undercover outside area with a fabulous fireplace with breakfast on the weekends. It quickly became one of Canberra's top lakeside destinations.

But tonight we're the only ones here.

A few people are waiting to pick up takeaway when we first arrive at 7pm and an hour later some lads, who could be in their pyjamas, come in five minutes before the kitchen is about to close up for a late feed.

It's kind of a weird sensation but not quite as weird as you'd think. The staff are friendly but leave us alone; there's a great soundtrack playing and occasionally we find ourselves singing along; it's warm where we're tucked into a little corner table with some banquette seating along one wall.

I had actually booked a table outside on The Deck, thinking a night by the fire might be nice but my companions neglected to bring appropriate clothing so the waiter suggests we sit inside.

On The Deck our table was set with a tablecloth, with cutlery and wine glasses, and what looked like tealights, as we walk past. It looked rather pretty in the dark of night, with the fire flickering.

We're warned there's no a la carte service inside and we'll have to order via QR codes or at the bar. We're okay with that. More and more it seems to be the norm. But I'm unsure if I'm a fan of QR code ordering. I understand it, the logistics, the post-COVID applications of it, but hospitality is about people, and if ordering face-to-face can keep some young person in paid employment then I will continue to order at the counter for as long as I can.

It comes as no surprise seafood is the focus here. The only meat on the menu comes via a charcuterie board to share, some spicy salami on a pizza, and the burger selection offers options of wagyu, pulled pork and fried chicken.

But we're here for the seafood and decide to share a few things. And this is where the fact that it's empty becomes really hard to understand. The food was really good. OK, it's no fine-dining restaurant and the selection is somewhat limited, but why isn't the place full of families looking for an easy, and tasty, midweek dinner? Perhaps the rising cost of living is affecting people more than we'd like to think.

We start with some South Coast oysters ($23 for a half dozen) and they're plump and juicy, salty and fresh.

Next are a couple of little plates of crumbed calamari ($16.50 for five pieces) and crumbed prawns cutlets ($16.50 for four pieces) and these are a highlight. I reckon all restaurants should be judged on how they treat squid rings. How often have you bitten into a tough little rubber band surrounded by tasteless crumb? Too often for my liking. These ones are great. The panko crumb is golden and crisp and stays put on the thick tender rings.

The prawn cutlets too are full of meat and so retro. I could eat a whole basketful of these and indeed they are on the mains menu, with chips, for $20.

It's a bit hard to go past a pizza too. The gamberi is a great choice, the tomato sauce has a little chilli kick to it and the base itself is crispy around the edges and just the right thickness. There's only one garlicy prawn on each slice, but it's a nice balance.

The grilled tiger prawns with lemon butter ($34) aren't quite what I expected, served with chips and a little side salad. I kind of pictured them in a bowl with some pasta or something but nevertheless it's a generous portion (250g) and their delightfully buttery.

I wonder whether there's an economy of scale that would get some pasta dishes on the menu, or a prawn risotto or something, something that would elevate that lovely spot with a la carte service out near the fire. Still, it's a simple menu done very well.

Indeed the fish burger ($22) epitomises that. We declare it the best fish burger we've ever had. Rather than a processed patty, it's a battered piece of fish, angled edges sticking out of the soft bun, surrounded by lettuce and sliced tomato and a creamy tartare sauce.

And what is fish without chips? The ones on offer here are thick, fluffy on the inside and golden and crisp on the outside and there's plenty on every plate.

There are a few dessert choices. We share a vanilla panna cotta ($13.50) and a salted caramel and milk chocolate mousse ($13.50). While the mousse is a little heavy and rich, the panna cotta is fresh and a delightful consistency with a depth of vanilla that hits the spot.

I'm imagining how good a summer evening with a wine and a bowl of prawn cutlets and some chips might be. Such a night seems far away as we move into a Canberra winter. Perhaps Snapper & Co is just the place to go over the next few months for a little taste of summer.

Snapper & Co 

Address: Southern Cross Yacht Club, Mariner Pl, Yarralumla

Phone: 6273 1784

Website: https://snapperandco.com.au/

Hours: Seven days, 11am til 8pm. Weekend breakfasts, 8am-11am

Chef: Brad Howden

Noise: No problem

Dietary: A few options, notes on menu

Score: 13/20

Karen hardy.

Email: [email protected]

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New lakeside dining at ACT yacht club 

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A refreshed Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club opens on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin this week, with its much-loved fish and chip shop, Snapper & Co, set to reopen in October. Timed to coincide with the club’s 50th anniversary, the new club fitout features concertina folding doors that lead out onto the refurbished elevated dining area where diners can enjoy a refreshed menu with stunning lakeside views.

The new deck has an unimpeded view of the lake after a row of five melaleucas was removed and replaced with dryland grasses. Five new trees will be grown nearby.

“While we will retain the magic of that casual experience in our courtyard and on the lawns of the lake, the refurbishment will deliver more opportunities for varied audiences, occasions and celebrations,” CEO Ian Mackay said.

“I envision people coming for a long, lazy afternoon on The Deck where they can enjoy full a la carte service experience, sip on an Aperol Spritz and listen to live music, while families can still picnic and kick a ball beside the lake. 

“The addition of indoor dining also means cold, windy or rainy weather doesn’t need to spoil plans.”

Other plans include landscaping, new lighting, new waste and gas meter enclosures, and minor alterations to the building facade.

The plans for Snapper & Co include a new pop-up kiosk and gelato bar, external pergolas to the rear paved and decking areas and the installation of a new outdoor fireplace, outdoor furniture and shade umbrellas.

“Fresh fish and chips in a family-friendly environment at one of Canberra’s best locations; that’s our core promise, which we will absolutely continue to deliver,” Mackay said.

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Development Design Construction

Yacht Club scales up with plans for new-look Snapper

CSSC Yacht Club and Snapper cafe by Lake Burley Griffin: Michelle Kroll.

The Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club in Yarralumla is about to set sail on a redevelopment of its lakeside hospitality facilities, lodging a works application for stage 1 with the National Capital Authority.

The club plans to refurbish the ground floor including Snapper, its popular fish and chips outlet, and build a new Pop-Up Kiosk Bar and Gelato Café at one end.

Its plans include external pergolas to rear paved and decking areas and the installation of a new outdoor fireplace, outdoor furniture and shade umbrellas.

A new deck will have an unimpeded view of the lake after a row of five melaleucas is removed and replaced with dryland grasses.

The trees will be replaced by five new melaleucas planted nearby.

A drawing of the refurbished Canberra Yacht Club. Image: Munns Sly Moore.

New glazed concertina folding doors will secure an elevated dining area.

Other plans include landscaping, new lighting, new waste and gas meter enclosures, and minor alterations to the building facade.

The proposal will expand the ground floor’s gross floor area by 73 square metres but the upper level will be unchanged.

Demolition work will include the removal of the outside temporary marquee structure.

The club restaurant and Snapper and Co have closed for the refurbishments. The restaurant is expected to reopen in early September and Snapper in October.

The plans can be viewed at the NCA’s website and submissions can be made until 5:00 pm, Friday, 9 July.

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Who cares. Boycotted the CSCS for a few years now. Average club, average food. Go HELLENIC for a far better feed and variety.

Have you tried the large prawn cutlets at Hellenic…they are to die for…have them everytime..

Sick can’t wait to not go

Brilliant news, can’t wait to see the changes

They must have a lot of pull. Even people on Sydney’s upper North Shore who want to remove trees which are blocking the view of the harbour get knocked back by their local councils.

Margaret Hunt did you see this?

Wasn’t this the Club that was complaining last month about being broke and if someone put planes on the lake it would mean the end of the Club…

I think Snapper is run by the CSCC. The Yacht Club is another entity.

I hope that they are going to improve the carpark as well, it is not big enough!

Meredith Osborne nice place to have a meal

Tony Walters, yes it is lovely both the restaurant and the fish & chips, but the parking is terrible.

Those bins look full mate Tom Hunt

Joseph Rollings scissor paper rock in the rain for who has to stay back

Tom Hunt no thanks, I think you should do it, ur the best at it

Should start building a better carpark

Ric Stumpf they are doing some sort of carpark upgrade work at the moment.

Such potential!

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SCHOOL HOLIDAY SAILING COURSES

Cyc holiday courses.

Monday - Friday : 8:45am - 4pm

• Tackers: 7 - 11 years
• Out There Sailing: 12 - 17 years

We provide sailing courses for boys and girls from 7 to 17 years of age.

Our courses are designed for beginners through to the experienced junior wishing to improve and build on existing skills.

Holiday Program 30 Sept - 4 Oct (5 days)

Holiday Program 8 Oct - 11 Oct (4 days)

Holiday Program 9 Dec - 13 Dec (5 days)

Holiday Program 16 Dec to 20 Dec (5 days)

Holiday Program 6 Jan to 10 Jan (5 days)

Holiday Program 13 Jan to 17 Jan (5 days)

Holiday Program 20 Jan - 24 Jan (5 days)

Holiday Program 28 Jan to 31 Jan (4 Days)

Holiday Program 14 Apr - 17 Apr (4 days)

Holiday Program 22 Apr - 24 Apr (3 days)

Our sailing courses are extremely popular.

To secure you a place, and avoid disappointment, we require FULL payment at the time of booking. If the course dates you want are full, complete the contact form below to place your details on the waitlist.

Make sure to list any significant medical conditions and discuss with staff. Please provide an action plan or notes on the first day.

What does it cost, note: attending for a reduced number of days within a five day course is not generally available., 5 day courses.

$600 / CSCC Member

• 8.45am - 4.00pm
• Attending for a reduced number of days is not generally available

4 DAY COURSES

$530 / CSCC Member

• Only available on the specified weeks

3 DAY COURSES

$500 / CSCC Member

2023 - 2024 KIDS HOLIDAY SAILING PROGRAMS BROCHURE

What to bring.

Two pairs, one enclosed (no sandals or thongs) for the water (aqua booties or old sneakers are great) and one dry pair for on land.

Shorts or track pants are fine over swimmers.

T-shirts, woollen jumper, rain jacket, lycra rash vest.

Students are required to wear a hat at all times outside, baseball caps are the best. Sunscreen is provided. Glasses retainers are advised.

You will get wet!

Bring morning tea and lunch. The CSCC has a fish and chip shop and provides a basic lunch order service- details are provided on booking. Please bring cash for lunch orders or snack/soft drink machine.

Bring your own water bottle. Water bottles can be carried on the boats and can be refilled at any time.

YOUR SENSE OF ADVENTURE!

Find out more about Canberra Yacht Club's twilight racing series.

We find that it is good to bring two sets of clothes. There is definitely a reluctance to get back into wet clothing after lunch!

Please get in touch and let us know how we can help you out.