Nine Canberra cafés worth visiting this International Coffee Day
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Every year without fail, International Coffee Day rolls around on 1 October to remind us just how much we love a good cup of coffee.
The day is celebrated globally to promote fair trade, support coffee farmers, and the beverage in general, and this year we thought we would highlight nine local cafés in Canberra that do coffee very, very well.
From three of the original leaders in Canberra’s café culture, to three of the most inventive, and three newbies that know a thing or two about pouring a good brew, read on for all the caffeination inspiration you need.
Editor’s note: There are so many amazing cafés in Canberra serving good coffee that it’s hard to include them all. This is just a guide to some worth knowing about, but there are many that we haven’t mentioned! Visit our Food + Drink section to discover more local favourites.
The OGs
ONA Coffee House (Fyshwick)
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The history of ONA is the stuff of legends – it began in Saša Šestic’s garage in 2007 and led to him winning the World Barista Championship in 2015. ONA’s first roastery opened in Fyshwick in 2009, part of Saša’s mission to create some of the best coffee in the world.
With freshly roasted coffee coming straight through the doors, having a coffee at ONA is a rite of passage for any Canberran. And with highly skilled cafe baristas who can talk you through their extensive blends, consider a stop here an important step in your Canberra coffee education.
68 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick | onacoffeehouse.com.au
Redbrick (City, Curtin or Fyshwick)
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What started as a small suburban café lined with Canberra red bricks and a coffee roaster squeezed into the corner has grown into a thriving local business.
Redbrick has been roasting beans five days a week since 2011, and remains committed to building direct relationships with farmers and producers worldwide. While you can take their signature blends home, nothing beats that very first sip served fresh at one of their three locations across town.
Various locations | redbrick.coffee
Lonsdale Street Roasters (Fyshwick)
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Beginning its life on Braddon’s Lonsdale Street in 2009, Lonsdale Street Roasters moved to Fyshwick in 2022 to pour infrared-roasted coffee.
Using a Diedrich roaster with infrared burners – which deliver precise, even heat and airflow when roasting – the result is beans that are true to the flavour and character of each origin.
It’s open Monday to Friday – a weekday pit-stop every coffee lover should make.
Building 2, Unit 5, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick | lonsdalestreetroasters.com
Three of the most inventive
Highroad (Dickson)
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This bespoke all-day café has a focus on specialty coffee, pouring classics made with ONA beans. But for those who like something a little bit different, their seasonal and signature drinks offer some unique twists on coffee.
From the yuzu espresso tonic to the Biscoff cold foam, the crème brûlée iced latte and the taro cloud cold brew, there’s guaranteed to be something on the menu to cure your 3 pm slump.
1 Woolley Street, Dickson | homeallday.au/highroad/
Mayfair Espresso (City)
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They’re known for their matcha, but Mayfair is also home to some unique coffee options (all made with ONA) for those who like their drink to feel a little bit like dessert.
Take the tiramisu latte made with house-made coffee mousse, ladyfinger, and cocoa dust and the Biscoff latte topped with Biscoff cold foam and Biscoff crumb. A must-try is the Cà Phê Cốt Dừa – otherwise known as iced Vietnamese coconut coffee.
G20/40 Marcus Clarke Street, City | mayfairespresso.com
Good Neighbour (Kingston)
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When it comes to unique drinks, Good Neighbour will always be at the top of the list. Another café that’s known for its matcha offering, Good Neighbour also has plenty for coffee lovers.
The Mont Blancs always hit the spot (think classic orange zest or subtle pistachio), while the Biscoff iced latte offers something sweet and creamy. The hardest choice is choosing what to try.
1/55 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | @goodneighbour.cafe
Three of the newest
Easy Oar (Acton)
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Also home to some very inventive sips – like a cinnamon scroll iced latte with cold foam – Easy Oar is a newbie that’s all about slow mornings, good coffee and food that’s made to be grabbed and shared.
They use coffee from Sydney’s The Grounds Roastery, and you can pop in from 7 am daily.
45 John Cardiff Close, Acton | @easyoarcafe
Lava Coffee (Campbell)
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While Lava isn’t new (its original Weston venue opened in 2009), its Campbell outlet is. This is a destination for serious coffee lovers, including purists and experimental drinkers alike.
Along with offering a solid coffee list, here you’ll find some “Surprising Sips” including Espresso Tonic (yuzu and fresh citrus, elderflower, strawberry and lime) A Bulletproof Vegan (double espresso, MCT oil, cacao butter, maple syrup and almond milk) and the Hoffman Shakerato (double espresso, Angostura bitters, Earl Grey syrup, shaken over ice).
62 Constitution Avenue, Campbell | lava.coffee
Eddie’s Organics (Pearce)
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If you’re looking for a neighbourhood venue that serves organic, ethically sourced coffee, look no further than Eddie’s Organics.
Pair your cup with one of their organic house-made pastries or cakes, or stay for breakfast and lunch – every sip and bite will leave you feeling nourished and good to go.
Shop 1A, 70 Hodgson Crescent, Pearce | @eddiesorganics.cbr
Feature image: Mayfair Espresso.
