Even more of Canberra’s character filled cafés
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We can’t resist a café with a heavy side of quirky charm, and it seems neither can our readers.
Because our first round-up of character-filled cafés was such a hit with recommendations, we deemed a part two necessary.
We’re not just talking good coffee – these are the kind of spaces that feel as if you’re pulling up a chair at a close friend’s house. Think mismatched chairs, walls lined with vintage books and quaint details.
So grab a cosy corner, order your favourite brew and soak in the atmosphere at these personality-packed gems.
Pollen Café (Acton)
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Perhaps Canberra’s answer to the Grounds of Alexandria, a large part of Pollen’s charm is that it feels as if you’re dining within a secret garden. Nestled right in the middle of lush flora at the National Botanical Gardens, it’s the perfect spot for tranquil outdoor dining under the trees, or opt to dine indoors to take in the beautiful artisanal crockery and hanging native plants. The experience feels entirely special, whether you’re stopping by for a coffee or lingering over a dish from their seasonal menu.
Clunies Ross Street, Acton | pollencafe.com.au
Rose N’ Brew (Greenway)
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Found at Lakeview House, Rose N’ Brew is easy on the eye with its photogenic pastel decor. Evoking the look and feel of a high-end floral lounge, the ultra-aesthetic pink interior is practically tailor-made for your Instagram feed. The menu is just as vibrant as the surroundings, loaded with colourful specialty iced drinks and beautiful açai bowls (try their popular Lotus Biscoff or Dubai Crunch).
Suite 16/236 Cowlishaw Street, Greenway | @rosenbrew.cbr
Penny University (Kingston)
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A bustling cornerstone of the inner-south, Penny University is a neighbourhood staple on the Kennedy Street strip, well-loved for its cosy booths, comfort dishes and character-filled ceramic mugs that keep regulars returning week after week. The rustic interiors perfectly capture that moody, hidden-gem coffee culture vibe often found in Melbourne’s famous laneways.
15 Kennedy Street, Kingston | pennyscbr.com.au
Pulp Book Café (Gold Creek)
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Tucked away in the historic Federation Square, Pulp is a dream come true for anyone who loves the combination of part-bookstore, part-café bliss. The space carries a subtle Alice in Wonderland theme with card-suited tables, cosy couches and a dedicated children’s nook packed with toys and books. It’s particularly magical during the cooler months, when you can order from the all-day breakfast menu, claim a spot by the crackling open fireplace and flip through a book.
6/18 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | pulpbookcafe.com.au
Purple Rain Café (Campbell)
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Located on bustling Constitution Avenue, Purple Rain is a dedicated music and vinyl café perfect for slow, soulful afternoons. The café hosts themed listening sessions that range from cosy Jazz Evenings to upbeat Pop Girls Vinyl Nights. For solo diners looking to escape into their own world, a highlight is the “Private Vinyl Corner,” which comes fully equipped with an Audio-Technica Sound Burger turntable and headphones so you can spin a record while sipping one of their matcha lattes or a smooth nitro cold brew.
C03/51 Constitution Avenue, Campbell | purpleraincafe.com.au
Wonder by Alice (Tuggeranong)
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Hidden inside South.Point, Wonder by Alice is a whimsical and cosy hideaway for those needing a break from the retail hustle. Its interiors bring a touch of playful magic, complete with colourful flowers, cheeky rabbits and crochet creations. It’s an ideal kid-friendly sanctuary to order a delicious coffee alongside one of their sweet artisanal treats.
76 Athllon Drive, Greenway | @wonder_by_alice
Little Oink (Cook)
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Stationed at the Cook shops, Little Oink boasts a nostalgic retro colour scheme, mismatched vintage furniture and a playful mural spanning the wall. Look closer and you’ll also spot an extensive collection of pig figurines, which have been lovingly gifted by loyal patrons over the years. The food perfectly matches the cheeky aesthetic, featuring humorously named menu staples like the “Oinko burger” and “Don’t be chicken curry.”
22 Cook Place, Cook | littleoink.com.au
Café Stepping Stone (Strathnairn)
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Café Stepping Stone is a beautiful social enterprise with heart. Functioning as a warm, community-focused hub, the café actively trains and employs migrant and refugee women. Integrated into the historic 1920s Strathnairn Homestead, the space features thick rustic walls, high ceilings and country-style multi-pane timber windows. It’s the kind of welcoming space where pulling up a chair feels like a big community hug, allowing you to enjoy a coffee while supporting a truly meaningful local cause.
8 Hawdon Place, Dickson | cafesteppingstone.com/Dickson
Sweet Bones (Scullin)
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Boasting an edgy, rock-inspired aesthetic, Sweet Bones has become a staple for plant-based foodies. Despite its rock-and-roll energy, the space feels deeply warm and communal, having fostered a fiercely loyal local following over the years. The kitchen is famous for its scratch-made Tex-Mex breakfast dishes, vegan cinnamon scrolls, and organic, custom-designed vegan cakes that prove you needn’t compromise on flavour to eat plant-based.
Scullin Shops, 3 Scullin Place | sweetbonescompany.com
