Where To Find The Best Coffee In Canberra

Whether you’re after the perfect piccolo or cold brew, we’ve found the best coffee in Canberra.

Wondering where to find the best coffee in Canberra?   There are so many talented baristas in the nation’s capital that it’s difficult to narrow down who’s the best at pulling shots. The good news is that means you can find a great brew no matter which neighbourhood you stay in when visiting Canberra.

The city known for its vibrant restaurants and cosy cafes is also peppered with a plethora of purveyors of specialty coffee. I’ve been drinking coffee in Canberra long enough to know that consistency matters as much as creativity. What sets this city apart isn’t just one standout cafe, but an army of baristas and roasters who treat coffee as a craft. Here are the cafes that serve the best coffee in Canberra.

In Short

If you only visit one coffee shop in Canberra, make it ONA Coffee House . You can taste the full range of blends and single origins that shape a lot of cafes across the capital, all brewed by baristas at the top of their game. It’s where Canberra’s reputation as a serious coffee city truly began.

1. Redbrick Coffee

a look inside Redbrick Coffee, Canberra — The Redbrick Coffee brand’s flagship venue is popular in the CBD. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Caff-fiends who have been downright villainous about keeping this place a secret can complete their redemption arc by deploying the #bestcoffeeinCanberra hashtag. For starters, the Redbrick Coffee brand’s flagship venue is popular due to its proximity to Canberra’s CBD at the A by Adina Hotel. Redbrick Coffee also does a fine breakfast. On the coffee front, you can pick up bags to take away, too. This cafe is hugely popular with office workers so my hot tip is to arrive early and avoid rush hour.

Address: 1 Constitution Ave, Canberra

2. Recess Coffee

coffee and pancakes at Recess Coffee — Enjoy your pancakes with maple syrup. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Recess Coffee is brought to you by the talented team behind the acclaimed cafe Barrio Collective and hatted restaurant Terra. Join the steady trickle of caffeine-obsessed locals at the cafe and vinyl bar for their morning espresso. Recess is one of the best cafes in Canberra for coffee as it roasts its own beans. There are also a range of all-day dining options including avo on sourdough and eggs benedict with saffron hollandaise, pancakes with maple butter and B&E brekkie muffins.

Address: 6B Barker St, Griffith

3. Barrio Espresso

Barrio Collective Coffee has expanded its presence in Canberra with this compact espresso bar on Dairy Road. And if you want to understand Canberra’s coffee scene, this is where to start. This calm, no-nonsense spot has some of the best coffee in Canberra, brewed by people who know their way around a bag of beans. The atmosphere is cosy and unpretentious, and there’s a small, considered selection of pastries on offer – exactly what’s required when coffee is the main event.

Address: 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick

4. Intra

the storefront of Intra Specialty Coffee — The cafe is designed with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. (Image: VisitCanberra)

If we could, we’d enjoy Intra coffee intravenously. The cosy cafe in leafy Campbell is one of the best places for coffee in Canberra due to the quality beans it sources from Barrio Collective . The blends change seasonally depending on which beans are best. The specialty coffee and food venue also stocks rare single-origin beans from Edition Coffee Roasters in Sydney. Its breakfast menu includes the Chashu bacon and egg roll, which has a cult following. Check out Intra’s buzzy Braddon venue, B-Side ; both are top spots for brunch in Canberra.

Address: 30/12 Provan St, Campbell

5. Lava

There are three iterations of Lava across Canberra – in Kingston, Weston and Phillip. And the driving principle behind this trifecta of popular places is for highly trained baristas to brew coffees with specially selected top-quality beans. A hot tip: check out @Lava_Coffee on Instagram so you can find out more about your friendly baristas. Oh and do check the specials board for brekkie staples such as BLATs and avo on toast. I follow Lava as much for the people as the coffee; few cafes in Canberra celebrate the baristas as much as the batch brews.

Address: Various in Kingston, Weston and Phillip

6. Barrio Collective

Alfresco dining at Barrio Collective — Snag an alfresco spot at Barrio Collective. (Image: VisitCanberra)

The Barrio Collective acts as a bit of an incubator for a lot of Canberra’s top baristas. And while you’ll find some of the best cafes in Canberra use Barrio Collective’s beans, the OG cafe has ample outdoor seating and is dog friendly. If you’re hungry, it’s worth trying its stacked toasties. Sip your chosen brew alongside a piece of toast spread with ‘mushymite’, a fermented mushroom product with a similar taste to Australia’s favourite spread.

Address: 59/30 Lonsdale St, Braddon

7. ONA Coffee House

swan latte art at ONA Coffee House — An expertly crafted specialty cup at ONA Coffee House. (Image: VisitCanberra)

You’ll find ONA Coffee beans in cafes across Australia. The company was founded in a garage in 2008 by ex-Olympic handball player and world champion barista Saša Šestić. Fast forward to today and the brand is now known around the world for its premium blends. Visit ONA Coffee House in Fyshwick to explore the entire signature range of house blends and single-origin coffees. Enjoy a latte with breakfast on the deck, then take home some specialty beans for your espresso machine.

Address: 68 Wollongong St, Fyshwick

8. The Cupping Room

making latte art at The Cupping Room, Canberra — Every cup is a work of art. (Image: VisitCanberra)

One of ONA Coffee’s first forays into Canberra’s cafe scene was with The Cupping Room . And it remains one of the places I always return to when I’m after a decent brew. The baristas treat coffee like an art form here: you’ll find ONA Coffee’s great roasts, plus an extensive and Instagram-worthy array of brunch dishes like Bircher muesli with apple-ginger gel, chorizo skillet and stracciatella toast.

Address: 1/1-13 University Ave, Canberra

9. Highroad

As Canberra’s biggest roastery, ONA Coffee has its hand in many of Canberra’s best cafes for getting a morning fix of coffee. Highroad was the first ONA outlet and it remains one of the most popular in Canberra’s northern suburb of Dickson. The focus at the industrial-chic cafe is on community. Take the time to order brunch if your schedule is looking leisurely. The modern, airy space is designed to make you linger and one of the best places in Canberra for breakfast and brunch.

Address: Cnr Cape & Woolley St, Dickson

10. Gather

brunch at Gather, Braddon — Gather around for a healthy brunch. (Image: Gather)

Have a gatho at Gather if you’re staying in Braddon. In addition to serving what many consider to be the best coffee in Canberra, the cafe should be your go-to for its sustainable approach to sourcing produce from local suppliers across the ACT and NSW. Free-range eggs are from Hilltop in Boorowa. Milk is from Country Valley in Picton. And Gather’s house blend of Ethiopian, Brazilian and Colombian beans is roasted in Braddon. The cafe also has breakfast classics like smashed avo and corn fritters.

Address: 4/24 Mort St, Braddon

11. Maple + Clove

There’s a coffee order for every coffee geek at Maple + Clove at the ground floor at the Little National Hotel. Coffee is the No. 1 attraction at the hip, inner-city cafe in the Realm Precinct. But don’t forget to order a few pastries, too, which pair perfectly with a rich, aromatic latte. Maple + Clove is also considered one of the best cafes in Canberra for its sweet potato hash brown served with smoked ham and scrambled eggs, and its pesto eggs and goat’s cheese on seeded rye.

Address: 21 National Circuit, Barton

12. Two Before Ten

coffee at Two Before Ten — Two Before Ten is arguably one of the coolest coffee spots in Canberra. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Two Before Ten cafes have sprouted all over the nation’s capital, from Barton to Brindabella, Majura to Murrumbateman. Known for its excellent tree-to-cup coffee and commitment to sustainability, Two Before Ten is as much about building community as it is about serving great coffee. The bustling community cafe in Aranda also includes a roastery, yoga studio and expansive urban farm with fruit trees and beehives.

Address: 68 Bandjalong Cres, Aranda

13. The Front Cafe & Gallery

coffee and porridge at The Front Cafe & Gallery — Enjoy a mouth-watering breakfast at this neighbourhood cafe and art gallery in Lyneham. (Image: Andrew Ly/Supercurious)

The Front cafe & Gallery is another offshoot of Two Before Ten. It’s both a cafe and gallery that supports Canberra creatives with a roster of exhibitions held throughout the year. The Two by Ten spin-off is also worthy of our support for its dedication to supporting suppliers that are environmentally and socially sustainable. In addition to excellent espressos, expect sweet concoctions such as cinnamon French toast with seasonal fruits, strawberry mascarpone cream and pistachio crumb.

Address: 1 Wattle Place, Lyneham

14. Little Oink

Swinophobes should avoid Little Oink at all costs. The cute and quirky cafe is all about little piggies with a collection of pig figurines and enduring oink theme throughout. Owner Natalie has a penchant for all things pig-related which extends to menu items such as the Wild Boar with bacon, chorizo, mushrooms and spinach on sourdough. You can also get your snout into an Oinko Burger with eggs, bacon, avo, relish and cheese. The Cook-based business uses Two Before Ten to serve some of the best coffee in Canberra.

Address: 22 Cook Place

15. Urban Pantry

a look inside Urban Pantry cafe and restaurant, Canberra — Urban Pantry is a stalwart of the Canberra coffee scene. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Urban Pantry is a mainstay in Manuka (pronounced Marnika, not Manooka). The hip, happening Canberra neighbourhood has no shortage of wonderful places to eat and drink. But the lively, light-filled venue in the heart of the leafy landmark Manuka Lawns is one of our absolute favourite cafes in Canberra for its culture. Start with buttermilk pancakes or mushroom bruschetta in the cafe’s white, bright interior overlooking the sun-splashed park. Linger on the Lawns with a rich and flavourful coffee.

Address: 5 Bougainville St, Griffith

16. Cafe June

Lonsdale Street is one of Canberra’s epicentres for creativity and is emblematic of life in buzzy Braddon. The rustic cafe favours ONA Coffee, which the baristas brew into consistently good cups of Joe. Order the brekkie beans served with haloumi and two poached eggs or the fluffy buttermilk pancakes and a latte. The action at the cafe spills onto the street, so order an iced coffee to go so you can watch the crowds promenading past on the footpath.

Address: 54/30 Lonsdale St, Braddon

17. Teddy Picker’s

Teddy Picker’s is known for being one of the best places for coffee in Canberra. But you’ll find locals throwing spicy chai lattes and Teddy’s hot chocs down their gullets too because they’re delish. This contemporary Campbell cafe on Constitution Avenue attracts a lot of active types looking to refuel after hiking up Mt Ainslie. Pair your coffee with culinary offerings such as a Mexi Bowl with chicken, black beans, rice, avo, tomato, cucumber and lime sour cream and Teddy’s famed pressed French toast.

Address: 53/65 Constitution Avenue, Campbell

18. Mocan & Green Grout

poached eggs on toast with coffee and water at Mocan & Green Grout — Consume healthy plates at Mocan & Green Grout. (Image: VisitCanberra)

This sunny corner cafe in NewActon is hugely popular with guests staying in nearby hotels such as the quirky QT Canberra. The cosy open-all-day cafe looks like it’s been fitted out by an eccentric collector. Think wooden shelving, brass-topped tables, jars of house-made pickles and flower-filled vases. The name Mocan means ‘strong and reliable’ in a dialect spoken in Trieste, where one of the owners’ families is from and you’ll find the green grout between the beautiful hand-painted tiles in one section. It’s a super-cool environment to enjoy a house coffee blend or pot of Real Chai.

Address: 1/19 Marcus Clarke St, NewActon

19. Cafe Sosta

The must-try Breakfast Frico at Cafe Sosta. (Image: Adam McGrath)

You’ll find a lot of locals wearing soft, stretchy clothing at Cafe Sosta as they’ve either walked or ridden here. The Italian-inspired riverfront cafe is at the Red Shed rowing facility on Black Mountain Peninsula.  Sosta means ‘stopover’ in Italian which is what the location calls for. The venture is led by Bisa Hospitality, the Italian-Australian group behind the East Hotel. Pair your perfect piccolo with breakfast risotto with poached pear or pane della casa topped with pork and fennel meatballs.

Address: John Cardiff Close, Black Mountain Peninsula

20. & Sando

coffe and sandwich at & Sando — Tuck into hearty sandwiches. (Image: Buffet Digital/&Sando)

It’s no surprise restaurateur Matt Moran’s deli-style sandwich shop makes some of the best sandos in the ACT. But it’s also one of the best places for coffee in Canberra. Those in search of the perfect flavour-layered sando will find it here at & Sando , an offshoot of Moran’s Compa Ristorante next door. Expect your coffee and every element of your sandwich to be put together with care. You’ll need two hands to enjoy the Godfoccacia of mortadella, salami, prosciutto and Caesar dressing on focaccia. Coffee is by Sydney’s Single O.

Address: 148 Bunda St

21. Three Mills Bakery

croissants at Three Mills Bakery — Three Mills Bakery whips up freshly baked goods to enjoy with your coffee. (Image: Richard Poulton/ VisitCanberra)

Three Mills Bakery is one of the best purveyors of specialty coffee in Canberra. But the casual spot, which has outlets all over the city, also offers customers pastries to take home and bake in their home oven. It’s worth a trip to the underrated suburb of Fyshwick, where it all began, to sip on an espresso that will be one of the best cups of coffee you enjoy in Canberra.

Address: Leeton Street, Fyshwick

22. Cafe Stepping Stone

breakfast with tea at Cafe Stepping Stone — The breakfast menu is as wholesome as the cafe’s social purpose. (Image: Cafe Stepping Stone)

Cafe Stepping Stone is the kind of place that stays with you long after your last slurp of coffee. The vegetarian cafe has a social purpose, supporting migrant and refugee women through employment and training. The food leans wholesome and generous, drawing on Asian, Middle Eastern and South American flavours. My personal favourites are the potato masala toastie and mushroom medley pie. Leave well fed and feeling good about it.

Address: Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Drive, Gullifer St

23. Silo Bakery

coffee and pastries with water at Silo Bakery — The bakery cafe is all about carb-forward comfort food. (Image: Kara Rosenlund/VisitCanberra)

Silo Bakery + Café is serious about brewing excellent coffee from responsibly sourced, sustainable, fair-trade suppliers.  The baristas here are like gods, with the habitual observance of a morning brew an exalted daily ritual.

This cafe is not for your keto friends. It’s for those coffee connoisseurs who agree that there are few better ways to start the day than with an espresso and fresh-baked croissant. The bakery cafe is all about carb-forward comfort food and one of my go-to stops for some of the best coffee in Canberra.

Address: 36 Giles St, Kingston

The Northern Territory is made for road trips, and this one hits all the highlights.

Craggy mountain ranges, inviting waterholes, ochre soil: the landscape of the Northern Territory is asking to be explored by road and foot. There are many iconic road trips to choose from here, but none so all-encompassing than the roughly 3000 kilometres of sealed road that make up Explorer’s Way.

Spend 14 days (or more, to really make the most of it) driving this route from Adelaide, hitting the NT near the small settlement of Kulgera before later finishing in Darwin. Along the way, you’ll find nearly all the territory’s most iconic sights.

Discover some of the top highlights that make Explorer’s Way one of Australia’s most incredible road trips.

1. Alice Springs

echidna at Alice Springs Desert Park — See the locals at Alice Springs Desert Park. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

Recently hitting the big screen again with the story of The Kanagroo Sanctuary , there’s a lot to surprise you in Alice Springs.

Three distinct desert habitats – desert rivers, sand country and woodland – are recreated over 1300 hectares at Alice Springs Desert Park . Time your visit for a presentation or a free bird show.

Later, turn your attention to the skies above, taking a dive into local astronomy at Earth Sanctuary . You’ll find a range of experiences, from a 90-minute toe-dip into the stars through to an overnight adventure.

Alice Springs packs a surprising punch with its tasty dining options, including pub grub and unique brews at Alice Springs Brewing Co , tapas and pizza at Epilogue Lounge and tasty cafe fare at the quirky Page 27 .

2. Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park

woman standing at Ormiston Gorge — Dive into Ormiston Gorge. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Dom and Jesso)

Beginning 15 minutes from Alice Springs and stretching across 161 kilometres, Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park is packed with striking ancient landscapes and inviting water holes.

Visit Standley Chasm – traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning ‘Gap of Water’ – to take in its bold red and orange hues, and to observe the diverse bird species, lizards and wallabies that call it home.

Cool off in one of several picturesque natural swimming holes, like Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge.

3. Uluru & Kata Tjuta

three women looking at Kata Tjuta at sunset — Explore Kata Tjuta. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

Visiting the Cultural Heart of Australia is something everybody should experience. There are so many side trips in the Red Centre you could easily spend a week here, but to get the most out of a short time, park the car then get out on foot.

Take the 10-kilometre Base Walk around the entirety of Uluru or join a free, ranger-guided Mala Walk along part of the base, learning about Tjukurpa (creation stories) and geology as you go.

For a change of pace, wait until nightfall and wander through the iconic Field of Light display by celebrated artist Bruce Munro, or see the Wintjiri Wiru lightshow that shares the ancient Mala story using drones, lasers and projections.

4. Tennant Creek

pson looking at Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) northern territory — See the ancient granite boulders of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Dom And Jesso)

Tennant Creek was Australia’s third-largest gold mining town in the 1930s, and visitors can discover that history at Battery Hill Mining Centre – and even try their own hand at gold fossicking.

For a completely different side of history, pop into Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre , which preserves and shares Warumungu culture through art, performance, a museum and more.

Just outside town, find the ancient granite boulders of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). A site integral to important stories held by the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Warlpiri and Alyawarra peoples, the boulders appear to almost have dropped out of the sky and seemingly continue to defy gravity.

5. Mataranka

aerial of people swimming in bitter springs northern territory — Dive into Bitter Springs. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Ben Savage)

A town made famous by the novel We of the Never Never by Jeannie Gunn (and a movie of the same name), Mataranka is also known for its sandy-bottomed thermal pool, Bitter Springs , within Elsey National Park. Follow a 500-metre loop track around these spring-fed pools that stay a toasty 34°C year-round, before choosing your favourite spot to dive into. Enjoy the local birdlife while you relax.

Elsewhere in the park, find historical sites, several scenic walks and Roper River, which is perfect for boating and fishing.

6. Nitmiluk National Park

Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise — Join a sunset cruise with Nabilil Dreaming. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Lachlan Gardiner)

Nitmiluk National Park is sandstone country, with 13 stunning gorges and plenty of waterfalls waiting to be explored.

One of the most beautiful spots can be found along the 62-kilometre Jatbula Trail, a five-to-six day bushwalk that follows an ancient Jawoyn songline from Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). Numbers are restricted and book out quickly, so be sure to plan well ahead. Not up for the hike? Drive right up to the falls and enjoy a dip without the challenge.

Elsewhere, explore Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Paddle a kayak through the river running through the canyon, or save your energy on a Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise , discovering the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people while enjoying a candlelit dinner as the cliffs around you shift colour and glow with the changing daylight.

Continue your cultural journey at local art centres like Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Art & Culture Centre or Mimi Aboriginal Art & Craft .

7. Litchfield National Park

cathedral termite mounds in Litchfield national park — Be awed by giant cathedral termite mounds. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ As We Wander)

Just over an hour’s drive from Darwin lies the beautiful Litchfield National Park. It’s famous for stunning waterfalls and swimming holes, including Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Tjaynera Falls.

Here you’ll also find hundreds of giant – and magnetic – cathedral termite mounds that are truly a sight to see. Ageing up to 100 years old, you won’t find mounds like these outside the northern parts of Australia. Stroll along the accessible boardwalk to see them up close.

8. Darwin

darwin street art — Darwin art is streets ahead. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Mark Fitzpatrick)

This list wouldn’t be complete without the territory’s capital city: Darwin. Situate yourself upon arrival with a stroll through the main streets, admiring the many art murals by local, interstate and international artists. They’re all remnants of the annual Darwin Street Art Festival , one of Australia’s longest running street art festivals.

Stop to recharge along Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct , an area of delectable restaurants, public swimming pools and free events. And, of course, it would be wrong to leave the city without enjoying a bowl of laksa at Mindil Beach Sunset Market as the sun goes down.

Learn more and start planning your Explorer’s Way road trip at northernterritory.com/drive.

Here’s where to get the best coffee in Canberra