14 April 2018

Vapiano: A slice of Italy now at the Canberra Centre

| Sophia Brady
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Fresh, fast Italian food. Photos: Sophia Brady.

Fresh, fast Italian food is now available at the Canberra Centre in the form of newly opened restaurant Vapiano!

An international Italian restaurant chain synonymous with fresh, handcrafted pizza, pasta and salad along with an extensive drinks list – serving craft beers, wines and cocktails – opened its doors in time for the Easter long weekend. Vapiano Canberra is the seventh restaurant to open in Australia since 2009. Today, there are more than 200 Vapiano restaurants in more than 33 countries on 5 continents.

Commanding a beautiful corner on Bunda Street, Monaro Mall at the Canberra Centre, the new restaurant has both ample outdoor and indoor seating options. Outside, there are long share tables with chairs in a fun black and white colour scheme. Inside features large oak tables, an olive tree, fresh herbs and a light-coloured interior decoration characterising the relaxed and casual Mediterranean dining atmosphere guests can expect to enjoy. Diners are also encouraged to make use of the cute pots of fresh herbs on the tables and the other oils and condiments provided to enhance their meals.

Fresh, fast Italian food. Photos: Sophia Brady.

In each Vapiano restaurant, pasta, pizza dough, sauces, salad dressing, and dolci (sweets) are created fresh in-house daily. Where possible, all fresh ingredients are sourced within a 150km radius from each restaurant – and Canberra will be no different. One key bonus of a meal at the restaurant is the flavours are tailored to the individual tastes and dietary preferences of all guests as you specify what additions or subtractions you want to make to your meal upon ordering.

Owner and family man, Will Cooke, couldn’t be more thrilled, “We are very excited to take the fresh flavours of Vapiano to the nation’s capital for the first time,” he said. “Canberra is a dynamic and diverse city with an excellent food and wine culture,” Mr Cooke said.

Fresh, fast Italian food. Photos: Sophia Brady.

The new restaurant is also at the forefront of Vapiano’s dining innovations, including a cashless payment system, a new Vapiano ordering app for takeaway and home delivery, and an enhancement of the Vapiano ordering system.

Canberra will be the second Vapiano restaurant to go completely cashless. Guests can pay using their choice of debit card, credit card or their phone via Apple Pay once they place their order at the central order point inside the restaurant.

Will believes Canberra is ready for the new initiative, saying The decision to go cashless in Canberra was easy. Canberra is a modern, progressive city where change, forward thinking and innovation are what have made the city the success it is today.”

The new Vapiano Takeaway App, which is still under development, aims to create an easy digital journey from online ordering to collecting a takeaway order in store. Guests will be able to order their Vapiano favourites via the app and collect their order in store. The restaurant is also looking to work with third-party food delivery companies to make their food available at your door.

The world is moving online, but eating food remains a physical experience. Our app aims to bridge the customer’s online journey from ordering their meal online to collecting their meal in store or by delivery,” Mr Cooke said.

Vapiano Canberra will also change how guests order and enjoy their experience. Diners will now order at a central point inside the restaurant and be seated immediately to relax and enjoy their time with friends or family, rather than stand in line to directly order from the chef as they currently do in other Vapiano restaurants. Staff will deliver food, drinks and desserts to the table.

‘We are always looking to improve and deliver the best possible dining experience for our guests. We believe the combination of our new initiatives, our open kitchen, and fresh, high-quality ingredients is just right for Canberra.’ Mr Cooke said.

Vapiano Canberra
Canberra Centre, Monaro Mall

Bookings can be made online via the website, or by calling (02) 61130680 (For same day or immediate reservations or for groups larger than 35)

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