• Canberra has lots of great cafes in suburban areas.
• Visiting the local shops in other areas helps you discover great new places to eat.
• This article covers some of the city’s best local cafes.

Whether you’re after a relaxed brekkie or a coffee that packs a punch, Canberra is full of tasty hidden gems.

Venture beyond the larger centres to sample the tastes and community of neighbourhood cafes.

Baristas who know your name (and your order), easier parking and undiscovered suburbs – you’ll find all this and more when you visit some of Canberra’s best local cafes.

SOUTHSIDE

A Bite to Eat, Chifley

This eclectic café is a long-time local favourite. Relax in one of the cosy armchairs or in the sunny courtyard. You’ll find everything from Zucchini and Corn Fritters to Pulled Pork Bao Buns on the all-day menu. You can even toast the weekend with a mimosa.

Niugini Arabica, Duffy

The team here roast their own signature beans from Papua New Guinea. You can pick some up next time you buy a latte or tasty treat – ideal for savouring as the kids use the playground next door. There’s also a sister café at Curtin shops.

Fox and Bow, Farrer

Fox and Bow’s original café brings a bustling vibe to this quiet centre. If the Goldilocks Porridge doesn’t grab your attention, there’s always the Brûlée French Toast or the vitamin-packed Greta Roll. Kids will love the Cubs menu.

Little Luxton, Gordon

This social enterprise cafe is based at the Gordon Community Centre. It operates to build community connections in Lanyon and raises money for the centre while offering training opportunities for local young people. It also serves a mean chai latte.

Recess Coffee, Griffith

From the great minds behind Terra and Barrio comes this suburban all-day dining destination. Recess roast their own beans, so you know the coffee is excellent. With sandwiches, pancakes, pasta dishes and sweet treats on the menu, your every craving is sorted.

Home Ground Café, Hughes

This local meeting place offers a range of classic breakfast and lunch options, including sandwiches, salads, pastries and sweet treats. A slice of the Sweet Potato Date Loaf pairs wonderfully with the Ona coffee served.

Maple and Pine Café, Isaacs

Maple and Pine gets its name from the trees found in nearby Isaacs Ridge. The café serves Veneziano coffee, along with a cracking breakfast and lunch menu. From Masala Chilli Scrambled to the SLAT sandwich (with smoked salmon) there’s something here for everyone.

Café Blanco, Kambah

Tucked away in the quiet Carleton Street Shops, Café Blanco delivers plenty of Latin American flavour to Tuggeranong. Tacos and tostadas feature on the seasonal breakfast and lunch menu alongside local Red Brick coffee.

Stand By Me, Lyons

Fully vegetarian, Stand By Me nails its breakfast game with Rosti, Okonomiyaki and French Toast that changes weekly. Dogs are welcome (with special puppy blankets and puppuccinos on the menu). It’s handily located across the road from Lyons Oval Playground.

Pitch Black Café, Rivett

Pitch Black serves up a popular menu of breakfast and lunch classics. There’s also Seven Miles coffee and no matter when you visit, you’ll also find a range of delicious baked goods made in-house. The walls are adorned with local artwork for sale.

St. Elmo, Torrens

Torrens shops is quickly becoming a foodie haven. St. Elmo is a deli and coffee shop that sells great coffee, freshly baked goods and a curated selection of meats and cheeses. Pick up some dinner while you’re there with daily-made pasta and fresh sauces.

Village Café & Dining, Waramanga

Locals flock to this neighbourhood favourite for its Red Brick coffee, daily specials and tasty breakfast and lunch menu. Kids are welcomed with story books and colouring materials, and the nearby playground makes this a popular community hub.

NORTHSIDE

Two Before Ten, Aranda

Two Before Ten’s flagship café sits among thriving veggie patches and fruit trees. Produce from this ‘urban farm’ supplies Two Before Ten’s numerous locations and the space is packed with locals sipping coffees from signature beans roasted nearby.

Café Momo, Bruce

Located in the Fern Hill precinct, this is a great option for a grab-and-go lunch or a leisurely meal. You’ll find plenty of breakfast options, salads, burgers and more. Whatever your order, be sure to add some chips with aioli to it. They’re hard to beat.

Little Oink, Cook

Canberra’s one and only pig-themed café, Little Oink has real character. The brunch menu is packed with puns and delicious-sounding options, and the coffee is so good it’ll make your tail curl. Kids are welcome.

Gang Gang, Downer

An inner-north favourite, Gang Gang is more than your average café. It’s big on community events, with gigs, trivia and comedy held regularly. As well as breakfast and lunch, Gang Gang is open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday.

The Irvine Café and Bar, Florey

From the team behind The Knox Made in Watson, The Irvine is a welcome addition to Florey shops. Weekend brunch gets its own menu and encompasses everything from a Sweet Potato Hotcake to the Florey Sambo (pork belly, bechamel, sriracha – how could you go wrong?).

Frankies at Forde, Forde

Café by day, restaurant/bar by night, Frankies is renowned for its vibrant menu, regular specials and friendly vibe. Its location just a hop, skip and jump from Forde playground makes it a parents’ favourite. Fun fact: this was one of the first ACT venues to ditch disposable coffee cups.

al Lago Caffe, Gungahlin

The place to go for truly next-level sandwiches, al Lago brings a taste of Tuscany to Yerrabi Pond. Their bread is baked to order in house – inspired by the schiacciata bread the owners discovered in Florence. There’s Ona coffee too. Walk-ins only.

SV Coffee and Bakery, Lawson

Operating from the owner’s front yard, this eponymous café is the essence of community. Events are held regularly. Locals wander over for their short black or bacon and egg wrap, while others drive across town to check out SV’s award-winning latte art.

Blossom Café, Ngunnawal

Ever tried a croffle? Blossom Café, in Ngunnawal’s Platypus Centre, is the place to do it. This croissant/waffle combo will have you hooked. And if you’re more in the mood for savoury, there are plenty of brunch options to satisfy. There’s also a play area for kids.

Northside Garden Café, Nicholls

As well as Ona coffee, you’ll find a mix of Filipino and western dishes. Sit indoors or out as you try Ube Waffles or Whipped Feta Toast for breakfast, Kare-Kare or Fish Escabeche for lunch or dinner. And there’s always the Biscoff Skewer dessert for whenever the mood takes you.

Hide and Seek Café, North Lyneham

Located in the smaller of Lyneham’s two sets of shops – on Montford Crescent – Hide and Seek Café is ideal for catching up with family and friends. The menu changes regularly, with the Wild Mushroom Medley always popular.

Grocer and Grind Eatery, Spence

Don’t be fooled by the café’s location within The Spence Grocer supermarket – the coffee here is excellent. In addition to a tasty selection of gourmet pies, pastries and sweet treats, Grocer and Grind serves hot specials like Turkish Eggs, Breakfast Burritos and Grilled Salmon.

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