A string of top-notch eateries in Canberra are serving up the most important meal of the day.

It took multiple weekends away, travelling the beach-to-country corridor from Sydney, to find the best places for breakfast in Canberra. And, in doing so, we’ve narrowed it down to a top-quality list.

Think cute corner cafes, places doing pancakes by the stack and sunny foreshore spots with stunning views – plus so much more!

1. Café Sosta

Sosta means ‘stopover’ in Italian which is what the location of this Canberra cafe calls for. Housed within the Red Shed, the brand-new state-of-the-art rowing facility on Black Mountain Peninsula, the venture is led by Bisa Hospitality, the group behind Joe’s Bar, Agostinis and Occasioni by Agostinis at the East Hotel. Canberra’s evolving culinary scene can be best felt here over dishes such as a breakfast risotto with poached pear and cinnamon, or pane della casa (open sandwich) with classic toppings such as pork and fennel meatballs.

Must-try menu item: Breakfast Risotto with arborio, cow milk, cinnamon, honey, poached orange, and poached pears.

Address: Red Shed, John Cardiff Cl, Acton

2. Monster Kitchen & Bar

You don’t need to be staying at Ovolo Nishi to enjoy the breakfast buffet at Monster Kitchen & Bar . But if you were to zero in on it from your suite at the arty hotel, you’d best wear something fashionably outlandish for the occasion.

As the name suggests, Monster is a behemoth of a venue. It’s also cosy, colourful and quirky. The fact it’s perpetually packed to the rafters is also down to the plant-based menu, which is popular with non-vegetarians too.

Must-try menu item: Spelt and Maple Granola with roasted rhubarb, berries and whipped ricotta.

Address: 25 Edinburgh Avenue, Canberra

3. Wildflour

This industrial-chic cafe is one of the best places to eat with kids in Canberra. The artisan bakery and cafe has an undercover courtyard adjacent to a seriously good playground, which will keep the kids (and parents) from going cray-cray while waiting for their food.

Take your pick between bread with spreads, fritters with paprika dukkah or an impressive selection of pancakes – from classic caramel to knafeh and ube. Doors open at 7:30 am throughout the week and at 8 am on weekends. Line up early to get your caffeine fix with a cup of ONA coffee and pick up some bread to go.

Must-try menu item: Banana and peanut butter smoothie with honey and almond milk.

Address: 8 Townsville Street, Fyshwick

4. Little Oink

This little place in Cook is truly hot to trot. A quick browse of the Little Oink menu gives us permission to be as perfectly pun-tastic as we can. Choose between the Oinko Burger, You’re all I Avo Wanted, Shroom With A View or A Waffle Lot of Love – just to name a few. You can also opt for the Pimp my Meal option, where you can pick and choose additions such as halloumi and gluten-free toast.

The hum of conversation at Little Oink is pleasant and comfortable; it’s the sort of lovely light-filled cafe that you wish existed in your neighbourhood. Fun. Fun. Fun.

Must-try menu items: Sweet Spud O’mine, with spiced sweet potato cakes, chipotle aioli, avocado, poached eggs and rocket.

Address: 22 Cook Place, Cook

5. Space Kitchen

Most of the best places for breakfast and brunch in Canberra include French toast on the menu. Space Kitchen in Phillip levels up with its own version, layering it with sticky date pudding cheesecake, miso caramel and coconut ice cream. And if that doesn’t sell you, we don’t know what will.

You will find space cadets struck dumb with indecision when trying to choose between the Banh Mi benedict, breakfast fritters and the full service with free-range eggs, bacon, mushrooms, roast tomato and hash browns. There’s also an extensive coffee and tea menu to scour, plus a jam-packed display fridge full of goodies.

Must-try menu item: The blueberry souffle hotcakes with warm blueberry compote, crispy maple crumble and warm vanilla custard.

Address: 12 Furzer Street, Phillip

6. Lonsdale Street Roasters

If you’re trying the 16:8 fasting regime, forgo the big breakfast and fuel up on coffee at Lonsdale Roasters . Locals obsessed with caffeine peg Lonsdale Street Roasters to be one of the best places for coffee in Canberra and we’re all about it.

If you’re in Canberra for business for at least 72 hours, you might want to return for the all-day breakfast, which includes a hot breakfast apple crumble and toasted panini with a rotating roster of fillings. You can also buy a bag of coffee beans and then order them online when you need to replenish. This is tipped as one of the best cafes in Canberra for a multitude of reasons. Do check it out.

Must-try menu item: The coffee, of course!

Address: 5 Dairy Road, Fyshwick

7. Sonoma

Canberrans love a bakery. And this Braddon outlet of the Sonoma chain is a place for breadheads to unite. You’ll see them bonding over their teacup poodles while standing in line at this artisanal bakery located on Lonsdale Street.

You’ll find all the usual suspects on the menu: cultured butter croissants, pain au chocolat, banana bread and Portuguese tarts. Grab a kalamata olive sourdough to go before exploring the national capital. Each handcrafted loaf of artisanal sourdough takes 36 hours to make, so do order a few.

Must-try menu item: Mushroom Croque Forno with sourdough, mushroom, swiss cheese, dijon and bechamel.

Address: 1/21 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

8. Mocan and Green Grout

As you press into the New Acton precinct, you will find heritage buildings sitting alongside modern hotels draped in greenery, and some of the city’s hippest bars, cafes and restaurants. Mocan and Green Grout is one of them.

The cafe doesn’t just walk a line between grungy and cool, it positively struts. Everything from the bare wood tiles to the concrete countertop is totally tactile. But don’t go weird and start stroking stuff. Just focus on the food under favourites such as the apple bircher with mango, berries and lemon balm.

Must-try menu item: The baked eggs with chickpeas, tomato, chèvre and sourdough.

Address: 19 Marcus Clarke Street, New Acton

9. Cup and Coaster

Fyshwick is having a moment. Located in the quasi-industrial fringes of Canberra, it’s where you will find places like Capital Brewing Co, and Cup and Coaster, an industrial-chic cafe with loads of charm.

The French toast here is very pretty on the plate, and even tastier. Served on seared brioche, it’s topped with biscotti crumbs, caramel sauce, seasonal fruit, vanilla ice cream and fairy floss. It’s a Herculean effort to get through, but it’s worth every bite. Burn off the calories with a lap around nearby Lake Burley Griffin.

Must-try menu item: The pork benedict with slow-cooked pulled pork, sourdough, poached eggs, beetroot hollandaise and apple slaw.

Address: 2/64 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick

10. The Cupping Room

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better brew in the morning than at The Cupping Room . Arrive early to claim a spot among the bearded, nose-ringed crowd at this concept cafe, designed by the team from ONA Coffee specialty roasters.

Geek out over an ONA education, then cap it off with a breakfast roll, with fried egg, bacon, cheese, pickled cucumber and a hash brown. The meals here are so celebrated that the team crafted The Cupping Room Cook Book so customers can try to replicate the experience at home.

Must-try menu items: The chorizo bowl with rice, fajita veggies, salsa, lettuce, cheese, avocado, jalapeños, sour cream and corn chips.

Address: 1/1-13 University Ave, Canberra

11. Double Shot

Locate Double Shot by looking for its ivy-clad walls, which have dressed up Deakin Court with its stylish ambience. It’s a lovely place to brunch before or after visiting the National Gallery of Australia, one of the most popular attractions in Canberra.

There’s so much to love on the mod-Oz menu. And yes of course, they have smashed avo, levelled up with Meredith feta, turmeric and mustard vinaigrette, herbs and almond dukkah. The menu here is so mouth-watering, you almost forget how healthy it is.

Must-try menu items: Organic peanut butter acai with paleo granola, banana and acai berries.

Address: 7 Hopetoun Circuit, Deakin

12. Sweet Bones

Vegans don’t always want to be virtuous. Enter Sweet Bones , one of the OGs on Lonsdale Street, which hits the spot with its vegan treats. The food here really does have a cult following. Expect a playful vibe, with its wall of street art, canteen-style tables and great energy, thanks to the artfully dishevelled customers.

Try the towering nacho mountain, which is dolloped with smokey beans, queso, chipotle kale, cilantro sour cream, coconut bacon, corn salsa and jalapeños. Whatever you try, you’ll vow to return to work your way through the menu, which does right by local ingredients. Sister cafe Scullin Bones also has a similarly fab brunch menu.

Must-try menu item: The Big Ol’ Breakfast with tofu scramble, sautéed mushrooms, smokey beans, coconut bacon, smashed avocado, spinach, tomato and sourdough.

Address: 8/18 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

13. Silo Bakery

Head east to Silo Bakery in Kingston for a delightful brunch experience. The best part of enjoying breakfast at a bakery is that all the bread and pastries are freshly made onsite and can be taken home!

Described as “part Brooklyn, part wartime Parisian bakery…" by the New York Times – it’s certainly one of the best bakeries in the capital. Sidle up to the counter to ogle a little of what you fancy before placing your order. The question is: how are you going to decide what to indulge in?

Must-try menu item: The chilli jam poached eggs with roasted cherry tomatoes and chilli oil on a toasted baguette.

Address: 36 Giles Street, Kingston

14. Edgar’s Inn

A lot of Ainslie locals treat Edgar’s Inn as an extension of their living room. That’s because it’s part of a sprawling multi-venue space that is all things to all people. There’s Wakefield’s Bar & Wine, considered one of the best bars in Canberra; The Inn, where you can join arty locals for afters; and Mama Dough, celebrated for their freshly made woodfired pizza.

But for brunching purposes, head to Edgar’s – Canberra’s most under-the-radar cafe – for seriously good B&E’s and even better coffee. Open from 7 am daily, the line quickly grows with hungry locals. From classics like the big breakfast to delicious delights like salmon benedict and cinnamon toast, there’s something for all tastebuds and budgets.

Must-try menu item: Spiced potato pakora with poached eggs, tomato achar and spinach.

Address: 1 Edgar Street, Ainslie

15. Ricardo’s Cafe

It’s easy to fall into a scroll hole while admiring Ricardo Cafe’s Instagram page. It’s seasoned with eye-popping colours and a big dash of deliciousness. But the act of visiting here for a lazy breakfast or brunch is far superior to the virtual experience.

Ricardo’s is a fun, loud place for a gatho with gusto. You’ll be drooling over the pancakes with lemon creme fraiche, berry compote, candied pecan and vanilla ice cream. Simple, but a work of art. The savoury options are also memorable, like the breakfast wrap with lashings of bacon, fried egg and hash browns.

Must-try menu item: The potato rosti with chorizo, spinach, poached eggs, tomato relish and chives.

Address: Jamison Plaza, Bowman Street, Macquarie 

16. Patissez

This place was launched into the stratosphere through social media thanks to its delicious creations. Patissez is best known for its divine Freak Shakes, which managed to break the internet and kickstart the over-the-top trend around the world.

While the cafe and bakehaus defo deserve kudos for bonkers creations such as the Super Chocolate Fudge freak shake, it also causes chaos with its tried-and-tested Tijuana tacos. Patissez is also popular for its classic brunch menu with low-key options like smashed avo and eggs on toast.

Must-try menu item: The Italian Stallion freak shake with Nutella and salted pretzels.

Address: 2/21 Bougainville Street, Griffith

17. Urban Pantry

You will always find a happy mix of families, couples and groups of friends spilling out over the tables under the trees that border Manuka Lawns at popular brunch spot Urban Pantry . And it’s no wonder. The fresh, light-filled space offers up modern cuisine in a comfortable, stylish location.

The menu at this Canberra institution is more Melbourne than Manuka and updates with the seasons. And you’d do well to give it a whirl. Special shout-out to Urban Pantry’s special all-day menu dedicated to staples like baked eggs and blueberry hotcakes. Oh, and you can say bye-bye to your hangover with an Urban Burger stuffed with double-smoked bacon, egg, cheese and hash browns.

Must-try menu item: The caprese with vine tomatoes, Meredith goats cheese, basil, Fedra EVOO and olive sourdough.

Address: 5 Bougainville Street, Griffith

18. Penny University

Continue your crawl around the Kingston precinct in Canberra at Penny University , which serves an all-day menu of righteous brekkie options. As well as smoothies and freshly squeezed juices, you can order brunch cocktails to take the edge off the morning’s mayhem.

The cafe is kitted out in vintage and recycled objects and is well-frequented for brunch. Think savoury pancakes, veggie burgers, bircher muesli and smashed avo with tabouli. This Canberra incarnation considers itself to be a modern-day Penny University. But it’s not just for beardy hipsters. Everyone is welcome.

Must-try menu item: The Miso Huon Salmon with smoked chorizo, seasonal greens, citrus herb dressing and bois bourban.

Address: 15 Kennedy Street, Kingston

19. Local Press

One of the best things to do in Canberra is to hire an electric GoBoat. Local Press opens at 8 am, so you have ample time to pootle about in the water before arriving in style on the Kingston Foreshore.

Mingle with pet owners who are here with their pooches on the deck overlooking the water. It’s mid-city tranquillity at its finest. The rustic cafe is all about wholefoods that are unrefined, unprocessed and free of unnecessary additives and preservatives, made with seasonal and local produce.

Must-try menu item: The jackfruit tacos with tomato salsa, avocado, tomatillo sauce, apple, fresh herbs and pickled onion.

Address: Cnr Eastlake Parade & Giles Street, Kingston