Where to find that elusive post-lake walk brekky
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Love a 5km bridge-to-bridge morning loop around Lake Burley Griffin but struggle to find inspo for brekky afterwards?
Leave the recommendations to us. Whether you’re looking for an early morning caffeine hit or a leisurely weekend brunch, here are our favourite cafes within a stone’s throw* of the lake.
* You know what we mean.
LOCAL PRESS (KINGSTON FORESHORE)
One of the original and best places for a post-walk breakfast on the Kingston Foreshore has to be Local Press.
Serving wholesome feeds with exceptional coffee and a vibrant array of juices and smoothies, it’s a surefire winner.
LAVA COFFEE (KINGSTON)
Kingston is the latest suburb to be conquered by Lava Coffee’s expanding empire.
High-quality speciality coffee and light eats—think toasties and local pastries—are served up in a light-filled space with nods to Scandinavia and Japan.
DOCKSIDE CAFE (KINGSTON FORESHORE)
One of the Foreshore’s newest eateries, Dockside serves up Instagrammable brunch favourites in pastel pink surrounds.
Grab a table outside for maximum people-watching potential to go with your ONA Coffee latte.
THIRTY8 ESPRESSO (KINGSTON FORESHORE)
If you like your coffee with a view, this is the place.
A bustling café by the water’s edge on Kingston Foreshore, Thirty8 Espresso serves Axis Roasters brews and is a popular choice with locals. A fresh and flavourful breakfast and lunch menu makes it more than just a coffee spot.
HIGHGATE LANE (KINGSTON)
Tucked away in a quiet arcade behind bustling Green Square, you’ll find Highgate Lane Coffee Roasters—the Canberra coffee brand that began in 2012 with a homemade roaster cobbled together from a heat gun, bread maker and digital thermometer.
Grab breakfast from their sister café Bittersweet and settle in with a cup of house- roasted goodness.
WALTER CAFÉ (PARKES)
Water views, mid-century architecture, and a delicious menu to match: located on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, this 120-seater is serving up contemporary Australian cuisine with a relaxed yet luxurious café vibe.
Perfect for a scrumptious breakfast by Lake Burley Griffin or a leisurely lunch with a wine in hand, Walter looks set to be your new lakeside destination. Pre-or-post walk optional.
Read more here.
KITA (NARRABUNDAH)
A café for night owls, Kita keeps nocturnal hours Wednesday through to Sunday morning, catering for those hankering for good food, coffee and company in the wee hours.
Day-dwellers don’t miss out, though—on weekends it extends its hours until midday, serving up breakfast staples alongside Indonesian classics.
WILDFLOUR (KINGSTON)
Head here for a great cup of coffee, but don’t leave without a loaf of crusty bread or a delicate pastry.
At Wildflour you’ll find a counter laden with fresh patisserie, pies, salads and ready-made-sandwiches—all prepared fresh each day by French chef Romain Remy and his team.
PENNY UNIVERSITY (KINGSTON)
London’s first 17th Century coffeehouses were called penny universities. People would pay a penny to enter, and once inside, had access to coffee, company, and the latest news.
That welcoming vibe is what Penny University seeks to emulate. Instagram- worthy interiors and an eclectic menu make this a popular spot for all-day dining.
SILO (KINGSTON)
Silo has been a Canberra bread institution since its opening in 1998 and still boasts queues for its chewy, crusty loaves. Grab a seat for an elegant breakfast or lunch (closed Sundays), but save room for a sweet tart as good as you’ll find at any Parisian pâtisserie.
PATISSEZ (MANUKA)
In 2015 Patissez shot to viral fame with its Freakshake and has done it again with its loaded Tijuana tacos. From decadent brunches to overflowing tacos, handmade desserts and a bespoke French Toast menu, head here if you’re after something out of the ordinary. Nab a seat on the sunny Manuka Lawns and watch the world go by.
URBAN PANTRY (MANUKA)
It’s Hamptons meets French Provincial chic. This breezy daytime destination serves up old favourites with a twist—the menu changing with the seasons. Brunchers will be sated by tempting sweet and savoury options (we’ve never met a pancake here we didn’t like), and long lunchers will appreciate the wine selection.
BOOKPLATE (BARTON)
You can’t get much closer to the bridges than Bookplate. Claiming one of the most stunning views of the lake, this cafe sits on the ground floor of the National Library of Australia, with a massive terrace and plenty of seating.
If the weather isn’t great, head inside to admire stunning stained window art by Leonard French, who also designed the roof of the NGV.
ON-LAKE CAFE (BARTON)
With stunning lakeside views and a picture-perfect location in Bowen Park, it’s no wonder On-Lake Cafe is always busy.
Perfect for when you want to grab a quick coffee on a walk around the lake or stop for a bite to eat when picnicking in Bowen Park, On-Lake Cafe also has classic breakfast and lunch offerings all day.
facebook.com/onlakecafe.barton
TYPICA (MANUKA)
Service at Typica’s coffee window rarely slows, such is this café’s reputation for a quality cup.
The first café in the ONA Coffee empire (the specialty coffee company founded by 2015 World Barista Champion, Sasa Sestic), Typica is also a dining destination—the menu reflecting the South American origin of its coffee culture.
Want even more inspiration?
Check out VisitCanberra’s Neighbourhood Guide to the Inner South here.
Feature image: Walter Café by Pew Pew Studios.
