Canberra cafés to write in
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Whether you’re filling out affirmations in your Five Minute Journal, planning your 2024 goals or writing a novel on your laptop, we understand writing is always easier in the presence of good coffee.
But what makes a good writing spot? For us, it’s accommodating wait staff, access to power points, a fun and friendly atmosphere, natural light, and free WIFI. And the coffee of course.
Just remember, if you’re planning to set up camp for an hour or two, be nice to the staff, respect others using the space, and at least order a drink (trust us, it’s worth it).
Kita (Narrabundah)
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Perfect for the night owls, Kita is Canberra’s only late night café – and yes, it has WIFI.
Incredibly cosy (with plenty of big comfy chairs to curl up in), from 6 pm until 6 am, you can spend an hour or so – depending how busy they are – enjoying the welcoming atmosphere, a big cup of coffee and a menu packed with delicious Indonesian-inspired food while setting your pen to paper.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 6 pm – 6 am | 59 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah | kitakafe.com.au
Muse (Griffith)
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For those who love cappuccinos and Charles Dickens, Muse combines food, wine and the magic of the written word, making it the perfect place to settle down and put pen to paper.
Nestled between Kingston and Manuka the venue was built on the values of conversation, ideas and indulgence, both literary and epicurean.
Open Sunday to Tuesday 7am – 12pm and Wednesday to Saturday 7am – 2pm | Ground Floor, East Hotel 69 Canberra Avenue, Griffith | musecanberra.com
TYPICA Café (Griffith)
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Previously known as ONA on the Lawns, Typica Manuka has always been the go-to brunch spot. But with views of Manuka Lawns and free WIFI, why not head out to spend a few hours writing?
Sit along the window or in the sunshine outside while enjoying a coffee and watch as your writing comes to life before you.
Open Monday to Friday 7 am – 2 pm and Saturday to Sunday, 7:30 am – 2 pm | 4 Palmerston Lane, Griffith | typica.com.au
Bittersweet (Kingston)
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Bittersweet in Kingston may get busy but with great coffee (roasted on site by their counterpart Highgate Lane Coffee Roasters) and food options, it’s no surprise.
But with more secluded tables hidden around the back of the café, it also makes a great spot to get some work done. Conveniently located in the relaxing ambiance of Green Square Kingston, for days when the weather is warmer, they even have rugs so you can enjoy a coffee and relax on the grass while writing.
Open Monday and Sunday, 7am – 3pm and Tuesday to Saturday 7 am – 9:30 pm | Cusack Center, 27 Eyre Street, Green Square Kingston | bsc.cafe
The Museum Café (Acton)
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With sweeping views of Lake Burley Griffin, the atmosphere at the Museum Café is relaxed, full of light and it even has free WIFI for a day on your laptop. Choose from window seating or head outdoors to enjoy the sun.
The best part? After a few hours, you can take a break by exploring the free exhibitions.
Open Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 4:30pm | Lawson Crescent Acton Peninsula | nma.gov.au
Tilley’s Devine Café Gallery (Lyneham)
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This old jazz café is the perfect combination of nostalgia and atmosphere. It may be a little busy but for those who love to work with a bit of background noise, the ‘American songbook’ style ambiance can’t be beat.
It’s worth noting that there’s no WIFI available, so it’s a great opportunity to go technology free, take a notebook and tuck yourself into a booth.
Open Monday to Wednesday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, Thursday and Friday 7:30 am – 9 pm, Saturday 8 am – 9 pm and Sunday 8 am – 3 pm | Brigalow Street &, Wattle Street, Lyneham | tilleys.com.au
Highroad (Dickson)
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This light-filled café is a hot spot on the weekends, but during the week it’s an oasis for people looking to put pen to paper. Highroad is a project by the team from ONA Coffee, designed for the community to gather. Go for a coffee, stay for the atmosphere and enjoy the powerpoints…there’s no excuse for not getting any work done.
Open Monday to Sunday 8am – 3pm | Corner Cape & Woolley Street, Dickson | highrd.com.au
Café Stepping Stone (Dickson)
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Offering up more than just good coffee, and a relaxed ambience in Dickson, Café Stepping Stone has plenty of seats and a menu that’s all about fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Order yourself a coffee and a freshly baked treat – and make sure to talk to the amazing women behind the counter. Providing employment and training opportunities for refugee and migrant women, everyone working at this café has an inspirational story to tell. The space is also fully wheelchair and pram accessible!
Open Tuesday to Saturday 8.30 am – 3 pm |8 Hawdon Place, Dickson | cafesteppingstone.com
Teddy Picker’s (Campbell)
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With minimalist vibes, vintage vinyl and comfy cushions, you can’t go past Teddy Picker’s for an energised writing atmosphere.
It’s no surprise this café is popular among the locals but that means it can get busy, so make sure to pack some headphones if you need to knuckle down.
Open Monday to Friday 6:30am – 2pm and Saturday to Sunday 8am – 2pm | 53/65 Constitution Avenue, Campbell | teddypickers.com.au
East Row Specialty Coffee (City)
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Looking for a large and luxurious place to work in (that also has good food and coffee)? Perfect for early risers, light-filled East Row has plenty of tables and pours coffee from 7:30 am during the week.
Open Monday to Saturday, 7:30 am – 3 pm and Sunday 8 am – 3 pm | Corner London Circuit & East Row, City | east-row-specialty-coffee.square.site
Roy Jnr (City)
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This might just be Canberra’s coolest co-working space. Why? With elegant lounge chairs, large communal round tables, sofas and benches all arranged like a business lounge setting, at Roy Jnr you’ll find charging ports, WIFI, and coffee straight from the custom Italian hand made custom La Marzocco machine.
You’re welcome.
Open Monday to Friday, 7 am – 3:30 pm and Saturday to Sunday, 8 am – 2 pm | 7 London Circuit, City | royjr.com.au
Harvest (City)
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A cosy spot for a bit of quick work or reading, Harvest is a little hideaway. We admit it’s pretty hectic in the morning but come 11 am it’s a great spot to complete your new year’s resolution.
Also, their coffee and toasties never disappoint.
Open Monday to Friday 7:30am – 4pm | 40 Marcus Clarke St, City | harvestcoffee.com.au
Doubleshot Deakin (Deakin)
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With a welcoming and fun atmosphere, Doubleshot Deakin is the place to go if you’re an early bird.
Pack your journal and rise with the sun to enjoy the indoor and outdoor areas, delicious smoothies and meet your goals. Doubleshot is even dog friendly so you can bring your four legged friend!
Open Monday to Sunday 6 am – 2:30 pm | Shop/7 Hopetoun Circuit, Deakin | doubleshotdeakin.com.au
Deakin & Me (Deakin)
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Developed by Canberra interior designers Studio & You, at Deakin & Me you’ll find contemporary, stylish and inviting, interiors that feature the building’s original 1980s terracotta tiles.
Mixed with industrial elements like exposed high ceilings and beams, sage green panelled walls, hanging greenery and an abundance of natural light, watch your words flow at this café (and we haven’t even mentioned the food yet…)
Open Monday to Friday, 6:30 am – 3 pm and Saturday to Sunday, 7:30 am – 3 pm | 7 Geils Court, Deakin | deakinandme.com.au
A Bite to Eat (Chifley)
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Located in the heart of Chifley, A Bite to Eat has been proudly open for 16 years – and they know what locals love when it comes to food and drink.
With top-notch service and plenty of seating (you can grab a spot in their sunny courtyard, the shaded footpath, the lounge area inside or the dining tables), pack some headphone because it might get noisy, but it’s well worth working here.
Open Monday to Friday, 7 am – 2:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 am – 2:30 pm | 8 Chifley Place, Chifley | abitetoeat.net.au
Heartbeat Café (Whitlam)
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An initiative between Woden Community Services and the Suburban Land Agency, to provide young and vulnerable Canberrans a safe place to bridge this skills gap and offer genuine entry-level opportunities, this café is full of ‘feel-good’ vibes.
Serving delicious food and drinks in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect excuse to pack your notebook and help out with a good cause.
Open Monday 7 am – 3 pm, Tuesday 7 am – 1 pm, Wednesday to Thursday, 7 am – 3 pm, Friday 7 am – 3 pm, Saturday 7 am – 4 pm and Sunday 9 am – 4 pm | 3 Klaus Moje Street, inside the Whitlam Display Village | @suburbanlandagency
Red Barron (Symonston)
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Serving Mother Sky Coffee, and plenty of delicious (and photogenic) food options, at Red Baron there’s plenty of space inside and out to pull out your laptop for a few hours.
We recommend grabbing yourself a donut before donning your headphones – after all, sugar makes your write faster, right?
Open Monday to Friday, 6:30 am – 3 pm | 2 Faulding Street, Symonston | redbaroncanberra.com.au
EQ Bakehouse and Café (Gungahlin)
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Conveniently located near the Light Rail, this EQ Café is spacious, has plenty of natural light and has great coffee.
Make sure to get in early to pick up some baked goods as an extra a special treat– including bread, pies, cakes, pastries, cakes, sandwiches, and more. See you there?
Open Sunday to Thursday, 8 am – 8 pm, and Friday to Saturday 8 am – 8:30 pm |Shop 1/35 Hinder Street, Gungahlin | eqcafe.com.au
Sunday In Canberra (Gungahlin)
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With a relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff, the vibe of this café is easy like a Sunday morning (sorry).
Perfect for a few hours of a digital detox, pack your journal or notebook and stay for the food.
Open Monday to Sunday 8 am – 2:30 pm | 54 Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin | sundayincanberra.com.au
Pulp Bookcafe (Nicholls)
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A great location for literary lovers, you can’t go past this book café if you’re looking for some inspiration.
With plenty of books for sale, comfy, squishy leather chairs and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, it can get busy here so make sure to go prepared! But luckily you won’t have to worry about snacks – there are always house-made Portugese tarts available.
Open Monday to Sunday, 8:45 am – 4 pm | 6/18 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | pulpbookcafe.com.au
Two Before Ten (Various locations)
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Located all over Canberra, Two Before Ten welcomes you and your laptop. Head to Tuggeranong to look over the lake, to Aranda for a relaxed atmosphere or to Hobart Place for a light filled space that will leave you feeling inspired.
Feature image: Pew Pew Studio.
