10 of Canberra’s healthiest cafés
Posted on
The times, they are a ‘changing.
You don’t need to be a health nut to appreciate wholesome delicious food. Nor do you need to bring your own Tupperware when meeting up with friends—it’s become a lot easier to find fresh, quality, healthy food in Canberra’s cafes and dining destinations.
Here are 10 of our healthy favourites.
Bitten Goodfoods
It’s been almost a year since Bitten Goodfoods opened their doors on Londsdale Street, and since then the café and supermarket has cemented a reputation for their nutritious and delicious organic offerings.
While many health food destinations focus on what a food doesn’t have (carbs, sugar, preservatives, etc.) Bitten celebrates what food does have. They have a strong focus on functional food, consciously selected to make you feel good, from the inside out – like their new signature dish, the Super Mushroom Ragu Bowl with adaptogenic cordyceps and chaga mushrooms, black garlic oil, chili and cashew parmesan on black rice noodles.
Whether you decide to peruse their aisles to stock up on their selection of health foods and fresh produce, or sit to enjoy their All Day Bites, their legendary superfood desserts or a functional smoothie, you’re bound to enjoy good food and a good time.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoflbsVjnFJ/?hl=en&taken-by=bittengoodfoods
Unit G17, Palko Building, 27 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | bittengoodfoods.com | facebook.com/bittengoodfoods
Maple + Clove
Nestled in the heart of Barton’s leafy Realm Precinct, Maple + Clove places an emphasis on wholefoods. Their menu has a selection of nourishing smoothies and juices, all day breakfast options, lunches (including takeaway wraps and salads) and even beer and wine (if you’re that way inclined).
Grab a table and enjoy the relaxed, casual café atmosphere or sit outside in the sunshine overlooking the lawns.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjs1p2tFb9q/?hl=en&taken-by=mapleandclove_canberra
Realm Park, 7 Burbury Close, Barton | mapleandclove.com.au | facebook.com/mapleandclove
Local Press Café
Perched on the picturesque Kingston Foreshore, Local Press has a wholefoods-based menu that’s big on flavour and bursting with fresh, seasonal produce. There are vegan and vegetarian options available, and carnivores can rest easy knowing that their proteins are free range, pasture fed, chemical and hormone free.
Generous portion sizes and wholefood ingredients mean that you leave feeling satisfied and energised, as opposed to stuffed or heavy.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BokMhVsFNxd/?hl=en&taken-by=localpresscafe
Eastlake Parade, Kingston | local-press.com.au/cafe | facebook.com/localpresscafe
Double Shot
Double Shot is a healthy foodie’s dream, with a menu that’s chock full of acai bowls, smoothies, salads, porridge, nourish bowls and more. Check out the cake display for a range of organic, raw, vegan-friendly delights or choose something a little heartier.
Located at Deakin shops, Double Shot has the ultimate Insta-worthy interior, with dishes that satisfy both the palate and eyes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bok9i5TFFge/?hl=en&taken-by=ds_doubleshotdeakin
Shop7, Hopetoun Circuit, Deakin | doubleshotdeakin.com.au | facebook.com/doubleshotdeakin
Eighty/Twenty Food
Life’s all about balance—and that’s something that Eighty/Twenty has in spades. The popular eatery works on the philosophy of eighty percent of the menu being healthy and nutritious, with a cheeky twenty percent catering to your sweet, indulgent cravings.
With smoothies, salads, healthy bowls and more, everything is seasonal and made in-house from fresh ingredients. The full menu is available to takeaway, so you can stay healthy on the run.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoH85uBhy4Q/?hl=en&taken-by=eightytwentyfood
1/18 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | eightytwentyfood.com.au | facebook.com/eightytwentyfood
Penny University
The menu at Penny University is inventive, surprising and strikes a balance between healthier fare and decadent dishes. Their savoury dishes tend to come with generous servings of vegetables and proteins like chicken, salmon and farm fresh eggs, as well as plenty of vegetarian and vegan offerings.
Their drinks menu is equally delightful, with smoothies, shakes, kombucha, matcha and some of the best coffee south of Lake Burley Griffin.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmmGtKslsNj/?hl=en&taken-by=pennyuniversityroasters
15 Kennedy Street, Kingston | pennyuniversitycafe.com | facebook.com/pennyuniversitycoffeeroasters
Teddy Picker’s
They might be famous for their decadent French toast, but when it comes to healthy eating, Teddy Picker’s have some excellent offerings. Think a ‘make your own’ all-day breakfast special for those who have dietary requirements or are “just shredding” (their words, not ours) and a range of salads and healthy plates on offer for lunch.
There’s also cold-pressed juices, smoothies with ingredients like maca powder, spirulina and chlorella, and—of course—great coffee.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoANXC5Ffew/?hl=en&taken-by=teddypickerscafe
67 Constitution Avenue, Campbell | teddypickers.com.au | facebook.com/teddypickersest2016
The Goods Wholefoods
The team at The Goods are all about providing good food for a good life, with a focus on wholefoods. If you’re visiting in the morning, you’ll be treated to a choice of smoothies, toast with healthy toppings, breakfast bowls like chia pudding, bircher muesli, and house made granola.
Come afternoon, choose from more than 10 salads on offer each day—simply select a vegie base and top it with your choice of protein and dressing. Never has a quick healthy lunch been so easy or delicious.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Boca2SyFia4/?hl=en&taken-by=itsthegoods
No Name Lane, 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City | itsthegoods.com.au | facebook.com/itsthegoods
Soul Origin
Just because you’ll find it in the food court doesn’t mean that it’s unhealthy. Soul Origin is bringing health food to the masses with an enormous range of healthy salads, wraps, rolls, soups and more. With inventive combinations that mix legumes, proteins, nuts, seeds and plenty of vegetables, there really is something for everyone.
Best of all, there are six locations across the ACT: Gungahlin, Tuggeranong, Canberra Outlet Centre, Belconnen, Woden and the Canberra Centre—so no matter which corner of Canberra you find yourself in, you’re never far from a quick, healthy and affordable lunch.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BofoPi_g25Q/?hl=en&taken-by=soulorigin
Locations across Canberra | soulorigin.com.au | facebook.com/soulorigin
Terra
Grabbing lunch at Terra is a bit like visiting a healthy cafeteria—except the dishes are all made by chefs. Fresh produce is the foundation of their menu: think roasted vegetables, salads, and high quality proteins accented with house made pickled vegetables, jams and sauces. There are also smoothies and fresh juices plus grab and go options for takeaway.
Terra strikes that rare balance between food that’s healthy enough to eat a few times a week, and delicious enough to want to.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmzIR2SFSmB/?hl=en&taken-by=terracanberra
Shop G2, No Name Lane, 40 Marcus Clarke Street, City West | terracanberra.com.au | facebook.com/terracanberra
We’re working on part two – comment below with your favourite healthy café so they don’t miss out!
Feature image of Bitten Goodfoods by Lean Timms
Leave a Reply