We all love a good coffee, a scrumptious breakfast or a social brunch out at a café. If you’re visiting Canberra, you certainly aren’t going to have any trouble finding a good spot for a coffee or a bite to eat. The café scene is thriving in Australia’s capital, with favourite breakfast spots to quick espresso stops and independent roasters where you can get your coffee fix. Enjoy dining in a range of locations, from busy city hole in the walls to relaxing spots on the water where you can spend a couple of hours with conversation or a good book. If you’re on holiday to see the city’s sights, a café is a good place to start your day or stop in for a nice lunch, and there is sure to be one not too far from your hotel in Canberra. Here are some of the best cafes to try out in Australia’s capital.
The Cupping Room
The Cupping Room usually takes the top spot on any list of Canberra’s best coffee spots, but that is for a very good reason – their coffee is amazing. The café’s founder, Sasa Sestic, is also the founder of Ona Coffee, so the coffee here is independently roasted, right here in Canberra. Sasa won the World Barista Championship in 2015 and his employed barista here at the Cupping Room won the same title for the past two years in a row, so technically these guys could rightly argue that they have the best coffee in Australia. Canberrans certainly think so and they flock here for their daily coffee fix.
For their excellent coffee they also have some delightful food to match – with a breakfast and lunch menu that changes with the seasons. Try a Chia Pudding or Smashed Avo on sourdough with poached eggs, smoked goats cheese, pomegranate and shichimi for breakfast; or indulge in a mushroom burger for lunch – crumbed with chilli jam, smoked goats cheese, cabbage slaw and beetroot mayo, served on a brioche.
Penny University
Another coffee roaster to check out in Canberra, located in Kingston, is Penny University. These guys have an “everybody is welcome” attitude and that reflects in their service and food.
The coffee at Penny University is excellent and their menu interesting and exciting. Try a ‘Pialligo’ Hash – pork, fennel and chilli sausage, with confit potatoes and a medley of vegetables, pan tossed with a house made Szechuan chilli sauce and topped with a fried egg; or if you want something sweet, how about their Banoffee Croissant French Toast, with banana, crushed peanuts, vanilla whipped mascarpone, caramel popcorn, salted caramel and shaved chocolate.
Silo Bakery
Another popular spot to check out in Kingston is Silo Bakery. This place would have to be one of the best bakery cafes in Canberra, with a French patisserie kind of feel to it. Sit down with a coffee and a tart or pastry from their amazing bakery, or enjoy something from their short breakfast or lunch menu, such as their chilli jam and tomato eggs.
Lonsdale Street Roasters
Independent coffee roasters are thriving in Canberra and one that is doing exceptionally well is Lonsdale Street Roasters, aptly named after the street they are located on in Braddon.
Their coffee is actually available in a few places but their coffee shop on Lonsdale Street is the place to go for a great cappuccino and breakfast from their simple menu. They also have plans to open up another coffee shop and eatery down a laneway off Lonsdale Street – something to look out for when you’re next in Canberra.
Mocan and Green Grout
Another one of Canberra’s most popular go to cafes and restaurants is Mocan and Green Grout, located in its idyllic location in New Acton. This is the sort of place where it is impossible not to feel comfortable, with its warming interior and its pleasant alfresco filled with natural greenery. Mocan and Green Grout is all about using fresh local produce, and keeping their menu short but intriguing. Breakfast is a favourite time here, with their baked eggs with charred eggplant and harissa getting rave reviews.
Two Before Ten
Two Before Ten is another independent Canberra coffee roaster and they have two locations. Their main location is in Aranda, where they also roast their coffee, however they also have a café in the city where you can enjoy a cup of their finest and enjoy a nice breakfast or brunch.
Enjoy some breakfast classics such as simple poached eggs with bacon and tomato chutney, or try something a little different such as their spiced eggs with avocado, Persian fetta and espelette spice.
Jones & Co.
Kingston certainly is a café hotspot in Canberra. Another one of Kingston’s popular cafes is Jones & Co., particularly with weekend breakfast crowds. Try classic Eggs Benedict or their delightful Ricotta Hotcakes. Jones & Co. is also open for lunch and dinner and boasts a solid menu with a little something for everyone.
The Coffee Lab
Popular with local workers getting their morning coffee fix, The Coffee Lab has a lot more to offer if you venture further. Starting off primarily as a coffee spot, this place has expanded to become a fully-fledged café with an exciting breakfast menu. Best of all, they do all day breakfasts here, which is reason enough to visit. Interesting options include their breakfast stack consisting of a corn meal hash brown with bacon, poached eggs and kale smothered in hollandaise; or their orange and poppy seed pancake with passionfruit, kiwi fruit, strawberries, nuts and mascarpone cream.
Museum Café
If you’re visiting the National Museum of Australia, it makes sense to stop in for a coffee or a bite to eat at the attached Museum Café; however, this café is worth visiting for the location alone.
This café sits right on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin which provides the opportunity to enjoy a coffee or brunch with stunning views across the lake. The usual favourites are on offer, or try one of their more unique dishes such as their sumac spiced poached eggs with kale, snow peas and preserved lemon yoghurt.
Sweet Bones
If you’re looking for a vegan friendly café, or just want a coffee with something sweet, the vegan bakery and café of Sweet Bones is a good choice. This place serves up delightful coffee with vegan friendly cakes and baked goods, as well as a good vegan breakfast menu. It is hard to look past their eloquently presented cakes.
Canberra has an excellent café scene with lots of trendy new spots opening up all the time, along with long time local favourites. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breaky, a quick lunch or are a coffee connoisseur looking to sample city’s best brews, you are going to love the Canberra’s excellent cafes.
