With its eclectic interiors and vintage pop-ups, is Lil Mama’s Studio the Foreshore’s coolest café?

Posted on 14 August, 2024

This café is for Gen Z by Gen Z – and it’s bringing some rizz to the Foreshore.

Opening in the space that once housed Humpty Doo, C Dine, Fisherman’s Hook and Prego Pasta, Lil Mama’s Studio is Kingston’s newest coffee stop with a difference.

Owned and operated by 20-year-old Danica Martin, her partner Jackson Yow, and his mum Amanda Yow, the concept is simple: a muti-hyphenate venue to act as the capital’s crib for creatives.

Because (in the most GenZ move ever), Lil Mama’s Studio is much more than a café. It’s also a studio space for vintage clothing pop-ups, art nights, live music, and a place for creatives to chill and connect.

“I used to be a model, but I feel like to be creative it’s hard to find a place where you can just be ‘you’ without having to do what everyone else tells you to do. So we got this space where we can support other creatives,” says Danica.

“I think there is a lot of creatives in Canberra but none of them want to come out.”

Moving to Canberra from the Gold Coast in 2023 to support Jackson as he plays for the Raiders’ Under 21 side, the trio decided to open Lil Mama’s Studio to bring a taste of the Goldie to Canberra.

Inspired by the community in Queensland, the trio wants to draw out Canberra’s creative community and offer a safe space for them to be themselves.

“I just want people to feel at home. Being a creative can be hard because you’re trying to put yourself out there all the time. That’s why I thought this space is cool, so you can easily meet other people and other creatives,” says Danica.

“That was the whole purpose of Lil Mama’s.”

Curating an eclectic space with pre-loved furniture (and plans to decorate the walls with local art), Lil Mama’s Studio hosts clothing pop-ups to support local designers and vintage clothing collectors – like Dels Locker – who are looking to sell their wares in the community.

Keeping the space airy and light, Danica says the plan is to eventually use the studio and alfresco area for events (including live music) and make it available for hire for the public.

They will also be hosting fortnightly networking events, including Art Club Nights where Lil Mama’s will provide art supplies and keep the coffee machine running until late so people can go by to enjoy the space as they come together to create.

Leaning into Amanda’s hospitality background as a café operator and Danica’s experience as a barista, the trio are unphased by the list of closures linked to their location. Do they think Lil Mama’s offers something different to Canberra’s café scene? Bet.

Open for breakfast and lunch Lil Mama’s has a range of fresh, daily-made goodies – including muffins, banana bread, cakes, and scones with jam and cream – available until close.

As for the main menu? It sounds bussin’, with loaded with toasties and bagels; perfect for munching on while enjoying the lake views or grabbing to go.

“On the Gold Coast, it’s very popular to have toasties and bagels and I feel like – especially in Canberra – everyone likes things to go. And there are enough places on the Foreshore serving sit-in style food, so we thought we would keep it simple but different,” says Danica.

Open seven days a week, they will also be serving Ruben Hills Coffee, matcha lattes, milkshakes, and more.

Planning on eventually obtaining their liquor license and with plenty of plans for the future, Lil Mama’s wants to be the ultimate hub for Canberra’s creatives to keep the community growing.

“That’s our only big goal,” says Danica.

You heard it here first: this café thinks Canberra is anything but cheugy.

THE ESSENTIALS