Note: I was invited to dine in at Bicicletta, however all opinions are my own.
With a new chef on board and lots of buzz around Bicicletta’s updated menu, I was keen to head back for an early Saturday dinner — this time with our little one in tow. We had a 5:30pm reservation and passed by The Library bar (just across the corridor) where a few people were already enjoying a cheeky pre-dinner drink. Surprisingly, the restaurant was already filling up — not bad for that early! (Fun fact: it’s also part of the Peppers Hotel group.)
We kicked things off by ordering the kids’ ham and cheese pizza first — and honestly, it was such a nice surprise. The crust was beautifully puffy and the dough had a lovely texture. Super impressive for a kids’ pizza!
Then it was time to settle in and start with a round of drinks.
Next up, we try the garlic and herb pizzetta, served with whipped ricotta and chilli honey. We loved the pizzetta — it uses the same dough as the kids’ pizza, so it’s soft, pillowy, and just really satisfying to bite into. There’s a little knob of garlic butter slowly melting in the centre, adding that extra richness. Honestly, it’s so good on its own it doesn’t even need the whipped ricotta on the side, which felt a bit basic and didn’t have any spice.
The pastas are all housemade — and I always love seeing that. It just adds that extra touch of care and quality in every bite.
The first pasta to hit the table is the rigatoni alla vodka with ricotta salata and parsley ($30). It’s a simple dish, but done so well. The creamy tomato sauce is rich and comforting, with just the right balance, and that light sprinkling of cheese on top ties it all together. Classic, no-fuss, and delicious — exactly what you want from a good pasta.
Our second pasta dish is the cavatelli with broccolini and pork & fennel sausage ragu ($34). It’s a different vibe from the rigatoni — there’s no sauce, so it leans more rustic and dry (not too dry). The pasta itself is beautifully al dente, but the sausage ragu is way too salty. Otherwise, it’s a simple, hearty dish that has potential with a little more balance.
Served alongside the pastas, are some seasonal greens with roasted hazelnut ($15). Lightly charred and full of flavour, they’re a great way to balance out all the carbs.
I really want to try the other pastas on the menu – they all sound so good like the crab linguine, prawn and garlic ravioli or the oxtail beef ragu papparedelle.
The night ends with the Bicicletta pistachio tiramisu ($17), an affogato with frangelico, and chocolate gelato for the little one. The pistachio tiramisu is soft, luscious, and totally indulgent. I really appreciate that the pistachio flavour comes through clearly and naturally — no artificial taste here. While I’ll always be a fan of the classic version, this one is a pretty solid twist on the original.
I wouldn’t have thought to bring my 4-year-old here, but Bicicletta actually has a solid kids’ menu — with pastas, pizzas, and even some sweet treats. That said, the overall vibe isn’t the most kid-friendly. It’s quite dark inside, and it got a bit too loud for our little one. If you’re dining with younger kids, it might be better to come for lunch or sit outside during the warmer months where it’s quieter.
See reel of my experience below:
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Bicicletta
1/15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra ACT
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