The quality of the meat ingredients you use can make all the difference. This is what determines the taste, ethical impact, and nutritional quality of the dishes you create, as well as the standard of living for local meat producers, and the security of the local environment. It’s no wonder so many Canberra residents are going the extra mile to ensure the meat they buy and eat is of the highest quality possible.
To help you on your journey to consuming meat in a more conscious manner, we’ve put together a list of the best local butchers in Canberra. We’ve consulted local feedback, and these butcher shops were the crème de la crème, time and time again. So let’s get started.
What makes a fantastic butcher?
Why make the switch to a local butcher? Here are just some of the incredible features that the best butcher shops in Canberra boast.
- A commitment to quality. If you want to access the best meat on the market, there truly is no substitute for a top-quality butcher shop. Step out of the supermarket and into your local specialist meat store for a range of meats and poultry that taste far superior to anything you’ll find at a national chain.
- Support for local farmers. Local farmers need our support, and there’s no better way to do this than to shop with a butcher that stocks regional produce.
- Hormone-free meats.Looking to avoid meat pumped full of artificial growth hormones and antibiotics? Great choice. Your local butcher should share your commitment.
- Environmentally friendly production. When you shop local, you are drastically reducing the environmental impact of your meat consumption. This is particularly important in the modern world, as the food we eat has more of an environmental footprint than all transport and household energy combined.
- Speciality products. Looking for a speciality product to cook to a particular recipe? Chances are, the best butchers in Canberra can help you get your hands on it.
The top butchers in Canberra according to you
RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 19 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Without further ado, here are your picks for the top three butchers in Canberra and its surrounds.
Lost River Meats
A family owned and run business, Lost River Meats delivers farm fresh chicken, lamb, pork, and beef direct from the producers to your plates. All animals are grass-fed and hormone and antibiotics-free.
Jordo’s Chop Shop
For meat that is free-range, grass-fed, and extremely convenient, check out Jordo’s Chop Shop, Canberra’s premier online butcher. All meat is sourced from the rolling pastures of Bergalia Farm and the fields surrounding the Breakout River abattoirs. Your meat is cut to order and comes with an unbeatable money-back guarantee.
ECO Meats Organic Butcher
Take your meat-eating a step further and experience the taste sensation of organic, free-range meats. Located in the Belconnen Markets, ECO Meats Organic Butcher specialises in unique, high-quality sausages including a wildly popular grain-free paleo sausage.
Who did you pick?
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback on the best and worst Canberra Butchers.
If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Where do you buy your meat and poultry in Canberra and surrounds? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.
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One in Yarralumla shops is too good guys
I for one am glad to see the return of the butcher's shop as a specialty store. Supermarkets may be 'convenient' but they cannot beat the variety of interesting, quality, delicious Australian produce at the butcher's.
Hi Sophia,
Found this butcher at dickson which is near the servo, Apparently they have a local farm as well.
www.lostriverproduce.com.au +1 Would surely recommend them.
My 2 cents.
Jordos for the smokehouse and offal, as well as online delivery. Spence and Melba are good neighbourhood butcher shops.
[quote comment="537869"]I haven't visited a butcher for about 6 years since I went with my mum when I lived at home. Do any of these butchers have smoked chicken? There used to be this stuff that was kind of like chicken loaf and they'd slice/shave it for you, but it was smoked and it was amazing.[/quote]
I think you might find smoked chicken in the fridges at woollies - the stuff you slice yourself. Any deli, such as those at fyshwick would probably also have it.
[quote comment="537869"]I haven't visited a butcher for about 6 years since I went with my mum when I lived at home. Do any of these butchers have smoked chicken? There used to be this stuff that was kind of like chicken loaf and they'd slice/shave it for you, but it was smoked and it was amazing.[/quote]
My local butcher at Melba shops smokes a range of meats including chicken and bacon. Bacon is sliced on the spot. Always good quality meat, and keep an eye out for his Argentinian Chorizos.
I also recommend Gino at Ecomeats at Belconnen markets for a good range of organic meats.
[quote comment="537904"]I don't get the hype of The butcher shop at Dickson
I have tried a few of the pre-prepared items from them and was disappointed in them all.
I can't remember what they called it but one was a duck pastry thing, it was half filled with a dry grey mince you couldn't really tell if it was duck or not.
The others were chicken items were sort of ok , one had long strips of dried out spring onion in it and was almost like trying to eat straw.
In their defence I never complained to them, and when I was in there the service was good so they probably would of sorted it, but instead I have voted with my $ and probably would not bother go back.[/quote]
the hype is about the meat itself and their capacity to do 'real' butchering, not for the pre-prepared stuff. good quality meat, gets a recommend from me. as does dickson's other butcher, lost rivers.
depends where you are. meat from any decent butcher, well prepared, is the key to your feast. hope it goes well...
Meatways at Kambah Village has smoked chicken breasts
[quote comment="537869"]I haven't visited a butcher for about 6 years since I went with my mum when I lived at home. Do any of these butchers have smoked chicken? There used to be this stuff that was kind of like chicken loaf and they'd slice/shave it for you, but it was smoked and it was amazing.[/quote]
On my travels I have not particularly seen smoked chicken however, I did notice that the Griffith Butcher shop has sliced ham in packets. It wasn't smoked though.
Another vote for Meatways at the Kambah Village. Excellent quality and Cameron knows his pork! I'm surprised by the votes for Jordos Chop Shop. While it's more convenient for me to shop there I don't. Even if the look of the meat didn't put me off the smell certainly would.
Bruce the Butcher, near woollies in the Hyperdome. Excellent Quality.
I don't get the hype of The butcher shop at Dickson
I have tried a few of the pre-prepared items from them and was disappointed in them all.
I can't remember what they called it but one was a duck pastry thing, it was half filled with a dry grey mince you couldn't really tell if it was duck or not.
The others were chicken items were sort of ok , one had long strips of dried out spring onion in it and was almost like trying to eat straw.
In their defence I never complained to them, and when I was in there the service was good so they probably would of sorted it, but instead I have voted with my $ and probably would not bother go back.
[quote comment="537887"]My vote goes to The Butcher Shop at Dickson and near Woollies in Gungahlin. Not only awesome meat (especially their sausages), but they are very generous in giving back to the community by supporting local junior sporting clubs.[/quote]
I've gone to the butcher in gungahlin and felt pretty meh about it. Last time was for some rissoles that sounded/looked amazing but were incredibly bland in taste.
My vote goes to The Butcher Shop at Dickson and near Woollies in Gungahlin. Not only awesome meat (especially their sausages), but they are very generous in giving back to the community by supporting local junior sporting clubs.
My vote would go to Griffith Butchers if I still went there. Used to go religiously despite the cost. Got to know Richard reasonably well (as a butcher, not a friend), but stopped going as it was out of the way a bit and the vibe seemed to change a bit, don't know why. The good thing about Griffith Butchery is that he buys the bulk of his produce from one farmer only in Cootamundra. I met the farmer once. The lamb is exceptional. I also like the fact taht he didn't always have exactly what you wanted - he was not supplying just anything to make a sale.
We now go to the organic place at Fyshwick markets. I wouldn't recommend it over anything else - it's just convenient, but is good quality.
I have to say that I find myself more and more frequently being put off by the amount of meat displayed in any butchers....I know it's a butchers and meat in the window is going to be the expectation, but most butchers windows are absolutely packed. There's probably way to much choice.
I find that buying meat from a place that is more expensive than other butchers makes you think a bit about how you spend your money and how much meat you buy. It has prompted us to have vego meals a few times a week as well as the usual fish or seafood.
[quote comment="537869"]I haven't visited a butcher for about 6 years since I went with my mum when I lived at home. Do any of these butchers have smoked chicken? There used to be this stuff that was kind of like chicken loaf and they'd slice/shave it for you, but it was smoked and it was amazing.[/quote]
Cameron at meatways. He's an ex-chef and smakes his own chicken, salmon, bacon, ham etc.
It's pretty much our xmas lunch. Cameron's ham, Samon, and some sort of seasoned polutry along with all the seafood (got from not a butcher)
I haven't visited a butcher for about 6 years since I went with my mum when I lived at home. Do any of these butchers have smoked chicken? There used to be this stuff that was kind of like chicken loaf and they'd slice/shave it for you, but it was smoked and it was amazing.
I used to like Lost River in Dickson when I lived in the area.. you can also order online and get it delivered, with COD, if you need that.
When I last went there they'd just upgraded the store to include a bit of fruit too and I found the variety of the meat did decrease a little but they are always happy to do things for you if you ask.
- Cameron's Meatways in Kambah
- Whatever that one up the back of the Dickson shops is (with the "miracle bacon")
- I hear Lindbeck is good, but I've never been
- Probably others, but I'm based in the Woden/Tugg/Weston region, so don't try much further.
I'm a big fan of Garran-teed Meats at Garran. Darryl smokes his own bacon and ham, the pork Cumberland sausages are delicious - every cut of meat I've purchased there keeps well and has a fantastic flavour