A Locals Guide To The Best Coffee In Canberra
Coffee is the cornerstone of Canberra's culture, with many exquisite cafes dotted throughout the nation’s capital. Whether you're visiting some of the city’s more frequented coffee spots to the more hidden suburban gems, Canberra has no shortage of original and unique coffee blends. If you're a coffee-enthusiast, it is absolutely crucial that you experience the best this city has to offer. With so many coffee shops to choose from it can be overwhelming. That’s why we have thoughtfully curated a list of some of Canberra’s best coffee spots so you can enjoy the perfect blend.
Braddon's The Barrio Collective
Images via The Barrio Collective | Good Food
Any Australian coffee lover MUST know about The Barrio Collective. Frequented by Braddon locals, the Barrio Collective is home to some of the most divine coffee blends in the country. This includes their brown sugar and peach noted Guatemalan Jose David Guerra blend and their orange blossom and oolong noted Tome Uraga Ethiopian blend. If there’s one thing that can be guaranteed, Barrio Collective serves up coffee that is far from boring. Once you sample some of their exquisite blends, you will be left wanting more. But no need to worry, this buzzing little hubspot sells their delicious blends online so you will never have to go without. Offering a small menu with only the tastiest pastries and light breakfast options all sourced from the freshest local produce.
Located on 59/30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon
Open Monday to Friday 7am-2:30pm, Saturday to Sunday from 8am-2:30pm
More info at http://www.barriocollective.com/
ONA Coffee House
Images via Ona Coffee
ONA Coffee House is a standout brand among Australian specialty roasters, which is in part due to their focus on sustainability, community, and most importantly their unforgettable coffee blends. ONA produces locally-roasted coffee across multiple locations, always emphasizing their sustainable and ethical trading. If you want to try ONA Coffee, you can visit their flagship cafe in Fyshwick or any of their other locations that are next up on this list. Be sure to try their award-winning espresso. It's definitely the crowd favourite.
Located on 68 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick
Open from Monday-Friday 7am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-3pm
More info at https://www.onacoffeehouse.com.au/
The Cupping Room
Images via The Cupping Room
One of ONA's locations in Canberra is The Cupping Room, situated on University Avenue. This charming, artistic cafe is known for its multiple coffee blends, single origins, filtered coffee, batch brew and most of all their comforting hot chocolates. As word of their scrumptious coffee and lunch options spreads across the city, this buzzing little hubspot is attracting new and regular customers alike on a daily basis. They're also dog-friendly so you can enjoy being surrounded by many cute dogs whilst sipping some of Canberra’s finest coffee.
Located on 1/1-13 University Avenue, Canberra ACT 2601
Open Monday to Friday 7am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am-3pm
More info at https://www.thecuppingroom.com.au/
Highroad
Images via Highroad
Located in Dickson, Highroad is another of ONA's inviting cafes. Highroad is always bustling with local crowds, providing the perfect spot for visitors to get a real taste of the Canberra vibe. While Highroad offers their tasty ONA coffee, it would be unfair not to compliment them on their milkshakes, hot chocolates, and teas. So even if you’re not a fan of coffee, you'll have no problem finding a beverage that you’ll love at Highroad. Pair the perfect drink with some of their simple breakfast favourites. Try their fruit toast with ONA coffee’s original cream cheese recipe, a go-to breakfast favourite for locals.
Located on 1 Woolley St, Dickson ACT 2602
Open Monday to Friday 7am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am-3pm
More info at https://highrd.com.au/
Typica Manuka
Images via Typica Manuka
Typica, ONA Coffee's first cafe, is located in the suburb of Manuka. Their welcoming outdoor setting has made them a popular spot for any tourist or local wandering the vibrant precinct of Manuka. Enjoy a cup of coffee with your friends while sitting outside on their comfortable veranda. They open nice and early during the week at 7am, so feel free to get there early and claim your spot on their beautiful grounds.
If you're craving a sweet treat to pair with your hot coffee, Typica serves one of the best desserts in Canberra. It's essentially a milkshake made with raspberry jam, chocolate, cookies, and port wine jelly. There is plenty to do in Manuka itself, so Typica will definitely not be a trip wasted.
Located at 4 Palmerston Lane, Manuka ACT 2603
Open Monday to Friday 7am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30am-3pm
More info at http://typica.com.au/
Red Brick Coffee
Images via Red Brick Espresso
Red Brick Coffee makes some of the most popular coffee blends in Australia. Their presence across the country, and especially in their home town of Canberra, has made them well known for their innovative and high-quality creations. It’s no surprise why many of the coffee shops that source this exquisite blend become standout fixtures in Canberra’s coffee scene. Their flagship store is in Fyshwick, and definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and want to try one of Australia's most beloved brands.
Located on 6 / 161 Newcastle Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609
Open Monday to Friday 6:30am-3pm, Saturday 8am-1pm
More info at https://redbrickcoffee.com.au/
Red Brick Espresso
Images via Red Brick Espresso
One of Red Brick Coffee's first and most beloved locations is the Red Brick Espresso cafe in Curtin. In comparison to other cafes on this list, Red Brick Espresso offers a more relaxed and casual vibe for those who prefer to avoid the blaring radio music and hectic morning rush. Order yourself an amazing coffee to pair with one of their delectable dishes and enjoy a quiet morning at Red Brick’s Curtin location. We recommend pairing your coffee with the house favourite - the one of a kind mushroom burger.
Located at 4/35 Curtin Place, Curtin ACT 2605
Open Monday to Friday 7:30am-4pm, Saturday 7:30am-3pm, Sunday 8am-3pm
More info at https://redbrickcoffee.com.au/redbrick/
Tinker Tailor
Images via Red Brick Espresso
Tinker Tailor has earned the title as one of Canberra’s best cafes not only because of the outstanding Red Brick coffee blend but their famously good pastries. Tinker Tailor, located in Casey, is just as much a bakery as they are a coffee shop. So all coffee-enthusiasts and sweet-tooths alike, you will not be disappointed by what Tinker Tailor has to offer. You simply can’t complete your visit without trying one of their danishes, croissants or any of their other decadent treats.
Located on Shop 18a, Casey Market Town, Kingsland Parade, Casey ACT
Open Monday to Friday 7:30am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 7:30am-4pm
More info at https://redbrickcoffee.com.au/redbrick/
Makeshift
Images via Red Brick Espresso
A local favourite in New Acton, Makeshift is a cafe with its own unique and original style. Makeshift's attractive interior expertly pairs modern and retro design, creating a comfortable and welcoming vibe for locals and travellers alike. Guests can enjoy their Red Brick coffee from Makeshift's talented baristas and pair it with Fekerte's Ethiopian cuisine for breakfast or lunch. Makeshift isn't open over the weekend, so if you're going to stop by, be sure to choose a weekday. They host private events at night, but during the day, they're capable of seating and serving yourself, family and friends for a coffee catch-up.
Located on 2 Phillip Law Street, New Acton ACT
Open Monday to Friday 7:30am-4pm
More info at https://redbrickcoffee.com.au/redbrick/
Kubrick at the ANU Pop Up Village
Images via Red Brick Espresso
Kubrick is a little coffee shop located at Kambri, a pop-up village at the Australian National University. Kambri is now a cultural precinct where people from all over Australia can come and enjoy unique dining, creative, and social experiences. Red Brick Coffee has had their own shop, Kubrick, at Kambri for over two years now. This popular spot is perfect for coffee-enthusiasts and busy students, with delicious house-roasted coffee and amazing Knead Patisserie pastries available daily. Not to mention, a visit to Kubrick means a visit to Kambri, and that's a fantastic way to spend any afternoon.
Located on University Ave, Acton
Open Monday-Sunday 6:30am-12pm
More info at https://kambri.anu.edu.au/lane-and-lawn
Thirty8 Espresso
Images via 38-Espresso
Thirty8 Espresso is the coffee shop to visit for anyone looking to enjoy Kingston's waterside views. Thirty8 Espresso has a lovely outdoor eating area perfect for accommodating friends and families looking to soak up the Canberra sunshine while indulging in some of Thirty8 Espresso’s quality blends. If you're stopping by for breakfast or lunch, their toasted sandwiches are a must-try! Thirty8 is a favourite for locals at lunch-time in part due to their expert preparation (and their better tasting coffee too!).
Located on 4/2 Trevillian Quay, Kingston Foreshore
Open Monday to Saturday 7am-3pm, Sunday 8am-3pm
More info at https://www.facebook.com/38espresso/
Lonsdale Street Roasters
Images via Lonsdale Street Roasters
Open every day of the week in Braddon, Lonsdale Street Roasters is a trendy spot, serving up food just as impressive as their impressive architecture. Their modern yet futuristic interior design keeps guests coming back for more, and makes them a popular fixture on Instagram. Try pairing your dark roast coffee with a slice of toast with avocado, egg, truffle oil, and nuts, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Located on 23 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT
Open Monday to Sunday 7am-4pm
More info at https://www.facebook.com/pg/lonsdalestroasters/photos/?ref=page_internal
Chatterbox Espresso Bar
Images via Chatterbox Espresso Bar
The Chatterbox Espresso Bar in Belconnen is one of the most aesthetically pleasing spots to enjoy a coffee and a high-quality meal. Their atmosphere is warm and elegant, with bright lighting, tasteful bursts of colour against their wooden interior, and a beautiful mural, Chatterbox has become a favourite for students and anyone else looking for a peaceful place to enjoy a drink and finish some work. This popular and kid-friendly spot should be on every coffee lovers list if they're coming to Canberra.
Located on 40 Cameron Ave, Belconnen
Open Monday to Friday 6:30am-3:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 7am-1:30pm
More info at https://www.facebook.com/pg/Chatterbox-Espresso-Bar-270349659756468/photos/?ref=page_internal
Kickstart Espresso
Images via Kickstart Espresso
Kickstart Expresso is a convenient coffee shop in the Good Guys car park in Fyshwick. Known in part for their convenient drive-thru, you can finally get your cafe-quality coffee when you're on the go. This feature alone makes Kickstart Expresso a necessary addition to this list. Founded by young parents who found it difficult to enjoy a quality cafe experience with four children, they've created a new kind of coffee shop that can serve people of all lifestyles, without sacrificing an ounce of quality. You can get your food on the go as well, including soup which they conveniently keep in coffee cups! Getting coffee and food on the road has never been better.
Located on 1 Barrier Street Canberra, Fyshwick
Open Monday to Friday 6am-2pm, Saturday 7am-12pm
More info at https://www.kickstartexpresso.com/
Laneway Espresso Dickson
Images via Laneway Espresso Dickson
Owned by the innovative founders of Kickstart Expresso, Laneway Espresso Dickson is a homey coffee spot in the vibrant suburb of Dickson! What separates Laneway from the other shops on this list is that it has a green and earthy vibe. Stopping by Laneway for a freshly brewed coffee and/or one of their popular smoothies will give you the energy you need to take on everything the day has in store. Thankfully, they open early, so if you need a coffee at 6 am, Laneway is the ideal spot for you. Their natural environment and friendly staff will make you want to head there every morning.
Located on 71-81 Woolley St, Dickson
Open Monday to Friday 6 am-2 pm, Saturday 7 am-12 pm
More info at https://www.facebook.com/lanewayespressodickson/
