Get your caffeine fix with iconic views. Image: Tourism Australia
12 November 2024
In Brief:
- Canberra has plenty of bushland and waterways and is surrounded by mountains.
- This story includes a list of cafés in Canberra that offer beautiful views.
Everyone knows that a delicious meal or coffee is best served with a side of beautiful views. Make the most of our bushland, waterways and surrounding mountains with these local spots:
Café Sosta, Acton
If you were any closer to the water, you’d find yourself soaking wet. Café Sosta is the café at The Red Shed on Black Mountain Peninsula. It has a huge window and outdoor seating area overlooking the water. It’s an Italian café with a menu that includes breakfast risotto, paninis, pasta, and pistachio crème-filled croissants.
Café at the Arboretum, Molonglo Valley
You can’t go past the Arboretum for postcard-perfect views of Canberra. Choose to enjoy your coffee or meal from the Village Centre indoors or eat picnic-style outside. Either way, panoramic views of the city await. The menu features locally grown produce, cementing a visit here as a uniquely Canberran experience.
Wildbark Kitchen, Throsby
The stunning bushland of Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve is the backdrop for this café. Enjoy the view through floor-to-ceiling windows as you enjoy our coffee or meal.
Bookplate, Parkes
No visit to the National Library of Australia is complete without a stop in at Bookplate. Inside, there are beautiful stained-glass windows. Venture outside to enjoy views over Patrick White Terrace and Lake Burley Griffin.
The Museum Café, Acton
While the National Museum of Australia will satisfy your craving for culture, the Museum Café will ensure that you’re well fed. Soak up views of Lake Burley Griffin through the floor-to-ceiling windows or grab a seat out on the deck.
Handlebar, Stromlo Forest Park
You’ll love the family-friendly atmosphere of Handlebar whether you’re into cycling, running, or just eating. Its elevated position means that visitors are treated to views across Molonglo Valley across to the city.
Think you have to venture to the Kingston Foreshore for water views with your coffee? Think again. Two Before Ten on Cynthea Teague Crescent is right on the edge of Tuggeranong Creek. There’s plenty of outdoor seating and a playground nearby.
The Barracks, Lanyon Homestead
History, views and local produce – The Barracks at Lanyon Homestead has it all. Order breakfast, lunch, coffee or high tea and look out over the Murrumbidgee River and Brindabella Ranges.
Stella’s By The Lake, Belconnen
This café is right across the road from Lake Ginninderra. It’s a dog friendly café, so you can sit outside with your pooch. Choose something from the all-day brunch menu and enjoy the meal and view.
Margot Wine & Espresso Bar, Parkes
This café, wine and cheese bar feels distinctly European. You’ll find it between the International Flag Display and Lake Burley Griffin, with gorgeous water views.
The Griff Coffee Bar, Parkes
Visiting the National Carillon or taking the kids to Boundless Playground? The Griff Coffee Bar is the perfect spot to stop and refuel. The coffee cart has a selection of hot and cold drinks, as well as ice cream.
Curio Press Espresso Bar, Parkes
This café is next to Blundell’s Cottage and features plenty of outdoor seating under shady trees. The water views are lovely, and so is the selection of fresh food available. You’ll also find coffee and cold drinks on the menu.
Walter Café, Parkes
With an elevated position on Regatta Point, it’s hard to beat the view at Walter Café. Take a seat on the deck for the best views of Lake Burley Griffin while you enjoy your breakfast or lunch.
Birrigai Café, Belconnen
Birrigai Café is located alongside a retirement village but is also open to the public. There is plenty of outdoor seating overlooking Lake Ginninderra.
Walt & Burley, Kingston
This Kingston Foreshore pub offers hearty food with beautiful views from inside or outside. They also host trivia, live music and special events throughout the year.
Bean & Table, Kingston
Great coffee, tasty seasonal food and views of Lake Burley Griffin are just some of the things locals love about this café on the Kingston Foreshore.
Lil Mama’s Studio, Kingston
Part photography studio, part events space and part café, Lil Mama’s calls itself “the capital’s crib for creatives”. You can also grab yourself a toastie, bagel, coffee or matcha.
Early Edition, Kingston
Early Edition is a new addition to the Kingston Foreshore. Take a seat on the outdoor tables for breakfast or lunch, or grab some takeaway and sit on the promenade.
7th & Bake Patisserie Café, Kingston
7th & Bake is tucked away a little further down Eastlake Parade, towards Norgrove Park. There’s a number of outdoor tables, and a menu that mixes classic and inventive café dishes.
Local Press Café, Kingston
For healthy food with a stunning view, you can’t go wrong with Local Press Café. Their menu includes options for vegans and vegetarians, and is packed with veggies, wholegrains and health foods.
Rosa’s, Parkes
Rosa’s is located on the sprawling lawns of the National Rose Garden. Sit on the deck under the festoon lighting or eat picnic-style on the lawns. Choose from small plates, Italian sandwiches and pizzas.
Dockside Café, Kingston
Get stunning views around the clock – Dockside are open for breakfast and lunch 7 days a week, plus dinner Thursday to Sunday. In addition to views of Lake Burley Griffin, they offer a large menu with seasonal specials (iced strawberry matcha latte, anyone?).
This vintage-style coffee van is open weekends opposite the Yarralumla Dog Park. Grab a coffee with a cookie or slice of cake and watch the boats float across the lake.
Caffé al Lago, Gungahlin
Gungahlin locals no longer need to travel for dining by the water. This new deli caffe and bakery is right by the waters of Yerrabi Pond. The pistachio mortadella with stracciatella and pesto on schiacciata bread is a must-try.
Pollen Café, the Australian National Botanic Gardens
If you have the urge to spend some time amongst nature Pollen Café is ideally positioned with the Botanic Gardens. The outdoor seating on the deck isa adjacent to the Tasmanian Rainforest.
Café Stepping Stone, Strathnairn
Get a taste of the country at this semi-rural spot just 15 minutes from the city. Café Stepping Stone has views of the mountains and bushland. Dishes are fresh and locally sourced, and the café employs refugee and migrant women.
Mimi’s Pit Stop, Greenway
On weekends Mimi’s Pit Stop fuels Tuggeranong residents with good coffee and tasty treats. It’s located on the edge of Lake Tuggeranong, adjacent to a playground and near the Learn To Ride Centre.
On Lake Café, Barton
This café is in the picturesque Bowen Park. Shady trees, lush grass and the shores of Lake Burley Griffin make for a pretty backdrop. Offerings include breakfast, lunch and coffee.
The Jetty Café, Parkes
This waterfront café offers some of Canberra’s most iconic views. Black Mountain Tower, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet and the National Carillon can all be seen as you grab a coffee, pastry or takeaway food.
Yarralumla Gallery and The Oaks Brasserie, Yarralumla
Visit this café 7 days a week for all day breakfast, lunch and cakes. Take a seat outside and enjoy pretty garden views that extend to Weston Park.
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