Canberra's best coffee shops

By Lana Bogunovich

Beyond the parliament buildings, museums, galleries and numerous roundabouts, Canberra has a serious coffee scene that keeps its city of politicians, students, visitors and regular folk well fuelled. 

Get your caffeine fix at one of these exceptional Canberra coffee shops.

The cupping room

Where: 1/1-13 University Ave, Canberra

Designed by award-winning Australian coffee company Ona Coffee, this concept café is a must for any coffee lover visiting Canberra. Helmed by Ona Coffee owner and world champion barista Saša Šestić, the team here is seriously passionate about coffee, offering a range of blends made from their high-quality, sustainably produced coffee beans. Join an educational cupping session and learn all you’ve ever wanted to know about coffee.

Coffee lab

Where: Canberra Centre 26 Narellan Place, Canberra

If you’ve ever wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the coffee-making process, you’ve come to the right place at Coffee Lab. Just as the name suggests, this place is part café, part lab. Ask about the experimental approach to new and specialty brews, where Coffee Lab staff explores the process from bean to brew by trialling and testing along the way to offer an ever-changing range of coffees. This one is for the die-hard coffee nerds among us.

Kyo Coffee Project

Where: 5/27 Lonsdale St, Braddon

Just a few minutes’ walk from the city, KYO Coffee Project has garnered a loyal following thanks to its excellent menu featuring Asian-inspired bites like udon noodles and kimchi toasties alongside classics like bacon and egg rolls. Owner Michael Phelan is serious about his coffee, sourcing the beans from Sydney then roasting and blending them himself to offer batch and pour-over brews as well as milk coffees.

Highroad

Where: 1 Woolley Street, Dickson 

Another passion project by Ona Coffee, Highroad draws inspiration from the surrounding landscapes and natural elements of Canberra to offer a beautifully designed and welcoming space where you can easily while away the hours. The focus remains on the specialty coffees, while the food menu features local Australian ingredients throughout.

Barrio collective

Where: 59/30 Lonsdale St, Braddon

Barrio believes that good quality coffee and food should be kept simple and accessible – so they do just that. This little neighbourhood café sources its coffee from Canberra-based Project Origin, and then roasts it themselves at their roastery in Fyshwick. The varied coffee menu reflects the café’s traditional and contemporary brew methods, with the small-batch roasted coffees especially impressive.

Local Press CAFÉ

Where: 35 Eastlake Parade, Kingston

Located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Local Press Café offers an idyllic spot for soaking up the views while you enjoy a hot cup of coffee. The café’s concept is centred around fresh, natural, whole foods and in addition to your classic long black and milk coffees, you’ll also find the likes of organic chai, matcha, turmeric and even beetroot lattes.

Greenhouse coffee and co.

Where: Canberra Centre London Circuit, Canberra

Located on the top level of Canberra Centre shopping mall, this greenhouse-inspired café offers shoppers a respite from the bustling shops. Featuring a Hamptons-influenced greenhouse design with arched French windows, lush pot plants and a spacious outdoor terrace overlooking Bunda Street, GreenHouse Coffee and Co makes it well worth skipping the usual mall food court in place of coffee and brunch.

ONA coffee house

Where: 68 Wollongong St, Fyshwick

The brainchild of award-winning coffee master Saša Šestić, Ona Coffee is driven by a deep passion for exceptional, sustainably sourced coffee and has made waves across the coffee world since launching in 2008. The café is attached to its own roastery and sustainable coffee sourcing company Project Origin, which sources green coffee beans directly from producers and works to a strong set of community and sustainability focused ethics. Stop by for one of the city's best coffees, and be sure to buy a pack to take home.

Harvest

Where: 40 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra

A long-time favourite among the coffee enthusiasts of Canberra, Harvest serves up a range of high-quality coffees, and sells the beans so you can continue the love affair at home. Coffee is taken seriously here, with meticulous tasting and testing of new brews striving for that perfect taste. Working with a blend of beans from various South and Central American, Asian and Australian regions, the café offers a range of coffee options including syphon, cold drip, pour-over and AeroPress.

Lonsdale street roasters

Where: 4/23 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Located just metres away from its sister warehouse, Lonsdale Street Roasters is a funky café that attracts an eclectic crowd on any given day. Coffee is roasted onsite, so expect that intoxicating aroma to hit you well before you’ve even stepped inside. Watch the roasting process, talk to the roaster, try a range of house blends and buy a pack or two to take home. The food deserves a mention too, with a barbecue out back churning out beef brisket, chicken, pork shoulder and more.