Naadam Restaurant Canberra Honest Review – Authentic Mongolian Food, Yurt Dining Experience

An authentic Mongolian feel at the restaurant entrance.

I was looking for something different from my usual meals, so I decided to try Mongolian food for the first time. Naadam had an amazing rating, so I went with quite high expectations. After visiting, I can understand why so many people love this place. ⭐ Rating: 4.9 / 458 reviews (as of Dec 2025).

Reservation & Free Parking Info

I made the booking through the official website [Here].

Close to the visit date, they sent me an email with a detailed map showing free parking areas. Also, you can check the details about parking on their website. 
It had clear red arrows, which were very kind and helpful for first-time visitors.

Canberra Yurt Dining Experience & Mongolian Restaurant Atmosphere

It was a bit chilly that day, so originally I was planning to sit inside.
But the staff told me the yurt (Mongolian ger) was not cold at all, so we decided to sit there.

The yurt was warm and cozy, and the interior was decorated with Mongolian photos and traditional items.
I felt like I was travelling somewhere rather than just eating dinner in Canberra.

Seating includes several two-person tables and one large table for about 10 people.

Naadam Mocktails & Drink Options

They have some mocktails, which is nice for people who don’t drink alcohol.
The drinks themselves were okay — not too special, not bad — but good enough to enjoy with the food.

Naadam Cocktail Menu

Mocktail Menu

My husband's pick - Queen's Kiss Mocktail

My pick- Mongolian Hills Cocktail - Ice-filled, requires careful mixing to balance flavours properly.

Naadam Restaurant Set Menu ($55/$85) for Mongolian Cuisine Beginners

They do have individual dishes, but since we are not familiar with Mongolian cuisine, we decided to choose the set menu. Naadam offers two sets:

• $55 set

• $85 set

We are not big eaters, and we planned to go for dessert after dinner, so we ordered the $55 set.
Interestingly, the other two groups inside the yurt also ordered the same $55 menu.
It seems like this is the most popular option for first-time visitors.

Naadam Restaurant Customer Service & Dining Experience

Service was excellent:

• Staff explained each dish when serving.

• They checked if we were enjoying the food while clearing plates.

• Staff were warm and attentive, making the experience very pleasant.

Naadam Restaurant Mongolian Food Review: Ox Tongue, Beef Pocket & Barbecue

1. Ox Tongue

• The texture was very soft and easy to slice.

• The mild sauce added flavour without being too strong.

• It was well-balanced and pleasant to eat.

The Ox Tongue is served in six slices, featuring soft and moist meat with pickled red cabbage and a subtle sauce that enhances the umami flavour

When cut, the Ox Tongue shows a perfectly cooked texture that is tender and delicious

2. Round Beef Pocket

• Crispy but also a bit fluffy on the outside, with beef inside.

• The chewy beef and crunchy carrot matched well.

• Even without extra sauce, the subtle umami flavour was nice.

The Round Beef Pocket initially looks like an ordinary wrap when served.

Cutting in open reveals the juicy beef inside the Round Beef Pocket

The combination of ingredients is best enjoyed wrapped, and it quickly became my husband’s favourite dish.

3. Covered Soup

• Spinach dough on top, break to reveal warm soup inside.

• Dough has a slightly jelly-like, sticky texture, a bit tricky to separate from the bowl.

• Dipping dough into soup makes it chewy and enjoyable.

• Unique flavour compared to other Asian soups, a novel experience.

The Covered Soup has a spinach dough on top that hides a warm and savoury soup underneath.

The soup contains meat and is hearty and warming, perfect for a chilly day

4. Mongolian Barbecue

• Sauce was poured on top when served, creating a sizzling sound.

• Aroma and sound immediately boost appetite.

• Rich and flavorful, though slightly oily and a bit salty for me.

The Mongolian Lamb is extremely tender and juicy, easy to tear apart and enjoy.

A close-up of the lamb shows its soft and moist texture in detail.

Extra Dish: Savoury Doughnuts

• Traditional Mongolian doughnuts, 5 pieces.

• Light and savoury, not sweet.

• Tastes even better when dipped lightly in barbecue sauce or soup.

The traditional Mongolian doughnuts are served as a side dish, light and savoury.

When cut open, the doughnuts show an airy texture that can be enjoyed without feeling too full 

Naadam Canberra Review: Food, Service, Atmosphere & Value

• Food: satisfying and unique experience

• Service: friendly, kind, and well-explained

• Atmosphere: The yurt experience was special

• Price: reasonable

• Would I return? Yes

They also update Instagram and Facebook quite frequently, so you can check recent photos and announcements there.

We originally planned to go for dessert afterward, but after the set menu and savoury doughnuts, we became too full.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable dinner and I fully understand why the reviews are so high.

Opening Hours and Surcharge Info

Lunch

Fri & Sat: 11:30am – 2:30pm

Dinner

• Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun: 5:15pm – 9:00pm

• Fri & Sat: 5:15pm – 10:00pm

Surcharge

• Sunday: 10% (We visited on Sunday, and the 10% surcharge was applied.)

• Public Holidays: 15%

👉Looking for more amazing Asian cuisine in Canberra? If you're interested in healthy, MSG-free dishes, [read my full review of The Q Dining’s Vietnamese Feed Me menu].

 

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.