Five Canberra cafes worth falling back in love with
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These five cafes have been on our radar for over a decade – may they stay there for (at least) a decade more.
Canberra certainly knows how to celebrate a shiny new opening. But as our social calendars fill up with fresh venues and events, there’s something incredibly enticing about revisiting an old favourite.
Maybe it’s pure nostalgia, or maybe it’s because years down the track, these staples still come out on top when it comes to choosing a weekend brunch spot. Either way, they’re well worth falling back in love with.
We dug through our archives to revisit five classic Canberra coffee spots that still clear the bar.
Penny University (Kingston)
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We first wrote about Penny University in 2013 when it opened in Kingston, to bring to life the idea of “a cafe as a place for a community to come together”. Inspired by the coffeehouses that originated in London in the 17th century, Canberra’s own Penny University started with simple, homestyle, honest food inspired by different cultures.
Celebrating 13 years on Kennedy Street, the menu has been updated, but the ethos (and the eclectic décor) remains the same.
15 Kennedy Street, Kingston | pennyscbr.com.au
ONA Coffee House (Fyshwick)
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“ONA has some of the best baristas in town” is what we wrote about ONA Coffee House in 2013, and we still stand by it. First opening on Wollongong Street in 2011, for 15 years ONA Coffee House has been a haven for coffee lovers seeking somewhere that roasts their own coffee and has a café that’s “hip and trendy, without being pretentious”.
Changing their brunch menu with the seasons, one thing we hope never disappears is their barista training course. It’s been responsible for many an excellent cuppa.
68 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick | onacoffeehouse.com.au
Močan & Green Grout (NewActon)
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Conceived and built in 2011 by Molonglo alongside Myles Chandler, Rebecca Chandler and David Alcorn, Močan & Green Grout has long been a favourite of the HerCanberra team (and not just because it’s close to our current office).
In fact, in our 2013 article The 5 Canberra Coffee Experiences You Must Savour! author Angela Mason wrote, “Yes, you could grab a takeaway coffee, but sit inside and you will quickly realise how comfortable and inviting (perfect in this weather) the area inside is.”
Using Fairtrade beans for 15 years, it’s been a fave for years because of its delicious coffee and seasonal menu that highlights local ingredients.
1/19 Marcus Clarke Street, NewActon | mocanandgreengrout.net
Ricardo’s Café (Macquarie)
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Located in the heart of Macquarie, Ricardo’s was established in 2005 and is known for its creative pastries and all-day breakfast. Who can resist their Cookie Monster cake?
When searching the HerCanberra archives, we’ve talked about Ricardo’s many times before – from listing it in 2013’s “Five favourite gluten-free friendly places to eat” to our recent hot chocolate crawl. It turns out that sweetness only gets stronger over time.
Jamison Plaza, 1 Bowman Street, Macquarie | ricardoscafe.com.au
Sweet Bones Bakery (Scullin)
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Sweet Bones has a long history that’s worth knowing. Started by Emily and Russell Brindley in 2011 as a cake delivery service, Sweet Bones opened its first brick-and-mortar store the next year in the former Lonsdale Street Traders in Braddon. October 2014 saw the birth of its Braddon cafe, and 2022 its second location in Scullin. In 2025, they bid goodbye to Braddon, but the Belconnen store is still going strong – and it’s no surprise why.
Completely vegan, Sweet Bones gained its reputation thanks to its cakes and treats, including the famous cinnamon scrolls (if you know, you know). Ironically, our first mention of Sweet Bones was in 2015 in an article titled “15 healthy places to eat in Canberra”. And it is a healthy place to eat – when you consume the treats as part of a balanced diet. Pass the sinnerbuns please.
Scullin Shops, 3 Scullin Place, Scullin | sweetbonescompany.com
