Bad Bunny Eatery bounces into Civic

Posted on 22 April, 2023

We can finally confirm what’s been hiding behind the hoarding that once housed cult burger joint Mookie on Genge Street—and foodies won’t be disappointed.

Because even though Japanese fusion burgers are off the menu, the mind behind Mookie, Jaye Min, is back at it with a new food offering that promises to tantalise your tastebuds. Stating to be so good it’s almost criminal, Bad Bunny Eatery is now open to bring something new to the Canberra café scene.

From neon pink interiors to a sandwich bar featuring house-smoked and cured meats, and an ever-evolving sit-down menu inspired by both Australian and Italian cuisine—as well as baked goods including brownies and muffins—Jaye says Bad Bunny has been years in the making.

“Bad Bunny has been an idea in the back of my head for a few years during COVID and I felt like Mookie was coming to an end…I couldn’t really find a location suitable for a café so I thought I would use the space to bring something new to the city.”

Described as “ridiculous” and something that “needs to be seen to be believed”, according to Bad Bunny managers Eli Taylor (of Coffee Lab and Society Coffee Co) and Madi Manning (of Mookie and previous Head Chef of The Deck at Regatta Point), there’s nothing else like the venue in Canberra.

Because Bad Bunny isn’t only an experience for your tastebuds. Carrying on the theme of a brightly coloured fit-out (who else remembers the striking branding and the unique design feature above the counter at Mookie?) instead of red and purple, Bad Bunny will see red and pink take centre stage—along with plenty of spots to turn your meal into a ‘gram-worthy moment.

From feature walls where you can have your very own headshot taken to gaol-cell-bars that line the walls, and pink neon lights, it’s the attention to detail that makes Jaye’s newest venue so uniquely different.

“It’s pretty vibrant and fun—it’s a bit of a themed café,” says Jaye.

“Around Canberra dining is pretty serious and we want to bring a fun atmosphere. Hopefully in turn it’ll make people feel comfortable because it can be a bit ridiculous in there,” adds Eli.

It’s no wonder it’s referred to as a “correctional café”. But, onto the menu.

Serving all-day breakfast and lunch, customers will be able to try everything from Italian-inspired sandwiches to notoriously good coffee, arancini balls, beetroot pesto and Persian feta rigatoni, a vegan smoothie bowl featuring blue banana and chocolate, and an 18-hour pulled beef brisket sandwich that’s made completely in-house.

So basically, it’s everything you could ever want from a standard café, but with a twist.

“I think the showstopper will be a sandwich called The Squealer—it’s a massive roll with slow-cooked, braised and glazed pork belly,” says Madi.

“It’s really an experience as a whole and that goes across the menu as well with all of the bright-coloured food and whack drinks we’re doing—like in house-flavoured lemonade,” says Eli.

“For example, we have a cherry blossom lemonade, and then a blue-orange lemonade.”

And if that’s not enough, you’ll also be able to order speciality shakes a la Mookie (so forget classic chocolate or vanilla) and a tea that changes colour.

Just as cheeky as the bunny-themed branding, they hope customers will happily hop along to the venue to eat (and play) in something totally new and unique—the likes of which Jaye, Eli and Madi all swear they’ve never seen before, especially in Canberra.

But why a bad bunny? According to Jaye, the idea is as simple.

“Because bunnies are pretty badass. It’s cute and it’s naughty sometimes, but it’s fun!”

Sounds like our kind of place.

Images supplied.