First look: First Edition Bar and Dining at Novotel Canberra

Canberra's hotels have well and truly shown they know how to step things up in the restaurant department – think Monster at Hotel Hotel, Capitol Bar and Grill at QT Canberra, Buvette at Hotel Realm, Marble and Grain at Avenue Hotel, and Agostinis, Muse and Joe's Bar at East Hotel.

Now Novotel Canberra is hoping to join the ranks, launching its new restaurant, First Edition Bar and Dining on level one.

Formerly One Restaurant and Bar, the space has been given a makeover, with an "old world reading room" feel and a touch of glamour. It has bespoke woodwork, darker tones, a fireplace, share tables, and even a shelf of books to browse.

Executive chef Jennie Tressler is at the helm of the new seasonal menu, which she says has a bit of everything, "constructed from memories from times and places in my life".

There's entrees, healthy mains, heartier dishes, a 'write your own adventure' build-it-yourself salad menu, and house-made desserts.

The biggest change for the restaurant is the move to using local suppliers and smaller boutique producers, with plans to increase this in the future.

Taking the focus on local produce further, the bar serves up three share boards each dedicated to a local supplier: an olive board from Fedra Olive Grove, a cheese board from Tilba dairy, and a charcuterie board from Balzanelli Smallgoods.

Open daily from 11am; dinner 5.30pm-9.30pm.

Level one, Novotel Canberra, 65 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, novotelcanberra.com.au/dining