Canberrans walk, run and ride around the city's central lake in droves, but finding somewhere to eat and drink? That's a very different story.

Resident Joan Beaumont asked Curious Canberra: "Why do city planners allow so few cafes or wine bars on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, which means Canberrans can't enjoy the view?"

Ms Beaumont belives the lake — particularly in the Parliamentary Triangle — is underutilised.

"We just can't enjoy the lake to the full, unless of course we're fitness fanatics," she said.

"Every other city I've visited or lived in, I've found one of the most enjoyable things was sitting right close to the water and enjoying the sunshine and a good glass of wine."

It's a timely question as the city finally warms up.

So, who calls the shots?

When it comes to Lake Burley Griffin, the National Capital Authority (NCA) is in charge.

It has planning control of the entire the lake, and the final say on proposed commercial ventures on the water's edge.

The NCA is responsible for planning and works approval in the areas highlighted in pink. ( Supplied: National Capital Authority )

Their decisions are guided by a massive document known as the National Capital Plan.

"Most of the parks and the land surrounding the lake is meant to be for free, public access," Rebecca Sorenson, the NCA's director of strategic planning said.

That doesn't mean that cafes and licensed venues aren't allowed — there are a few dotted around the lake.

But as to whether there could be more...

"We hear it quite often," Ms Sorenson said. "Obviously, there are different views out there about what should happen around the lake."

A well-developed waterfront anomaly

Cafes, burger joints and bars can be found by the water in Kingston. ( ABC News: Tom Lowrey )

There is one glaring exception to the quiet parkland around Lake Burley Griffin.

It's the Kingston Foreshore on the lake's eastern side. Aside from high-end apartments, the foreshore is also home to numerous cafes, bars and restaurants.

It's also the only part of the lake that the NCA has limited control over — the ACT Government's the primary authority of the precinct.

While it is not universally loved, it is well-trafficked, and cafe owner Nick Jennings said it's exactly what Canberrans are after.

"Being able to sit by the water, have a beer, have a coffee, have some dinner - everybody wants that," he said.

Across the lake, near Grevillea Park, sits The Boat House — one of Canberra's only lakeside restaurants.

Its owner, James Souter, knows that its location is a drawcard but doesn't believe that development along the lake should be rushed through.

"I actually quite like the fact that we've kept it preserved as the garden city, and there's a lot of access to the lake that anybody can have at any time," he said.

Change is coming... to West Basin

The Westside container village temporarily housed cafes and bars near the lake before it was closed in 2017. ( ABC News: Clarissa Thorpe )

The good news for our questioner, Joan Beaumont, is that some change is already underway.

The ACT Government is spending nearly $40 million over the next few years on works down at West Basin, on the northern shoreline of Lake Burley Griffin, starting with a new boardwalk.

Future plans include a range of mixed-use development around the waterfront area, including commercial development.

Artist impression of West Basin under the proposed City to Lake plans. ( Supplied: ACT Government )

Not everyone is behind what's planned, including the Lake Burley Griffin Guardians, a group of residents committed to safeguarding the lake and its shoreline.

But Guardians convenor, Juliet Ramsay, said while the group opposes the scale of what is being considered, they agree that West Basin is an ideal site for cafes and bars.

"People like them ... fairly close to the centre of the city," she said.

"That's why West Basin would be ideal to have a restaurant and some cafes there, rather than the buildings that are proposed."

A few more options 'popping' up

Some temporary venues are helping to boost the numbers of licensed venues around Lake Burley Griffin.

A pop-up wine bar has begun operating in lakeside spots like Bowen Park, while another business will soon offer European-style picnic boat rentals.

A roving wine bar sets up near the lake on land controlled by the ACT Government. ( Supplied: The Pop Inn )

Owner of The Pop Inn wine bar, Kimberley Ohayon, said they have approval to set up on ACT Government-owned land around the lake.

"We have these amazing spaces, and it's not about crowding them out with all sorts of businesses that are there every day," she said.

"But you know, every now and then popping up gives people a lovely experience by the lake."

For now, they're not allowed to operate on NCA-owned land, which includes some of the more central lakeside areas.

Ms Ohayon said they are still in negotiations with the NCA and hope things might change.

"They've demonstrated recently with events like Oktoberfest and Spilt Milk, where they've allowed big festivals [on NCA controlled land] ... so we're hopeful that they'll allow us to open up," she said

Our questioner Joan Beaumont supports pop-up venues but can also see the appeal of something a little more permanent.

"I think we need a lot more places, not just temporary ones ... where we can sit and enjoy the lake."