First Look: EQ Café and Bakehouse Gungahlin

Posted on 4 May, 2023

Live in Gungahlin and looking for your next culinary adventure? No need to set out further than down the road—a brand new venue is now open that will leave you feeling very full (and happy).

After all, EQ Café and Bakehouse has always been a favourite of Inner South locals, so it’s only fair that those living on the Northside can finally have a taste of their mouth-watering food, decadent desserts, and delicious coffee.

That’s exactly why owner and operator Vim Soneri choose the growing foodie hot spot of Hinder Street as EQ’s newest location—and why the venue will also be serving pizza, pasta, and a cheeky glass of wine for dinner (as well as the usual café offerings).

“I can see a big demand here…A lot of people from Gungahlin go for breakfast or brunch in the city, they go to Dickson or sometimes they go to Belconnen because that’s where most of the good cafes are,” he says.

“But this will be something unique in Gungahlin…we will have the café menu and on top of that we will have a dinner menu which will lean more towards the Italian style of food with gourmet pizza, pasta, and other stuff as well.”

With savory starters to mouth-watering mains and decadent desserts (as well as the coffee that’s made them a go-to-stop for caffiends in both Deakin and Fyshwick), what’s not to love?

“The product range is something new, but we will still have the same coffee, the same cakes, and baked goods. We will still have the same breakfast menu as well,” Vim says.

“I don’t think there are many options [in Gungahlin] in terms of good Italian pizza and pasta—people go to Kingston or Manuka or other places to get it. So, I think this will be something really unique.”

As well as enjoying some Italian classics (think artisan stone baked pizzas, Porcini Arancini, and Fettuccine Alla Carbonara) you’ll be able to choose from healthy and comfort food for brunch (hello Italian baked eggs), pick up some baked goods—including bread, pies, cakes, pastries, cakes, sandwiches, and more—as well as sip on fresh juices, smoothies, and protein shakes.

But the best part is the 300 square meter venue (which, like its sister in Fyshwick, is the perfect blend of modern yet cosy) is located just a two-minute walk from the light rail. A pizza, and prosecco pairing for dinner or a yummy grab-and-go smoothie for brekkie before work has never sounded so good—or convenient.

And with Mother’s Day just around the corner (and the chance to book in for a yummy last-minute brunch that will leave her feeling very spoiled), having a new eatery in North Canberra has never been so exciting for foodies.

Eventually wanting to “reach every suburb in Canberra” Vim has many more plans for the future, including three new locations he’s hoping to open (including one in Brindabella and two in the city—did someone say work lunch date?) because of one simple reason:

“We love what we do…we want to become the number one meeting place for local people.”

Now open for business , all we can say about the Gungahlin location is to make sure to head along hungry.

Images supplied.