First look at Greenhouse’s big reveal

Posted on 11 April, 2025

Canberra Centre’s new high-end fashion precinct needs a new, high-end café and bistro to fuel those shopping energy slumps.

So say hello to Greenhouse Coffee and Food Co., the much-loved first-floor Canberra Centre café which, like the retail offerings of Canberra Centre’s Ainslie Mall, is getting a major facelift.

Greenhouse owners April Liu and Eason Guo are leading the next chapter of the much-loved café, with support from Michael Rose – who co-founded the original Greenhouse with Sasa Sestic – as the venue enters a luxe new phase within Canberra Centre’s high-end fashion precinct.

Let’s be clear, the multi-million-dollar fit-out for Greenhouse will give it its own distinct look and feel and will ensure that it is just as glamorous as the new fashion retailers opening up alongside it on the strip – including Scanlan Theodore, Rebecca Vallance and Kookai, not to mention Chanel’s fragrance and beauty boutique.

Designed by Sydney firm Giant Design, built by Tomi Cavic, and featuring lots of blonde brick, stone floors and that indoor/outdoor garden aesthetic with hanging plants which Greenhouse is known for, the new café will make best use of the large outdoor terrace facing Mount Ainslie.

Construction is underway at the new Greenhouse Coffee and Food Co.

According to Michael, the space is perfect for a break in shopping, and an expertly-brewed ONA coffee.

“It’s a little bit of an oasis, a café that has a great café vibe rather than feeling you are in a shopping center. The terrace overlooking Mount Ainslie is a great addition and we are taking advantage of that space and making it shady in summer with a giant awning and with heaters in winter where you can soak up the winter sun.”

And while Greenhouse already does a brisk trade in brunch and lunch dishes such as its big breakfast, burgers and pancakes, the new establishment will come with a new menu from head chef David Song and will be slightly elevated in line with the new digs.

Think bistro food such as Sous-Vide Lamb Rump, with duck fat potato gratin, parsnip puree, goat’s cheese mousse, gremolata, and fried enoki, or Pancakes with guava maple syrup, strawberries, strawberry sorbet, rose mascarpone and marshmallow. Of course, the old favourites will also remain for those wanting something a bit simpler.

April said she hoped the new Greenhouse would continue to attract its loyal clientele but would also draw new shoppers to enjoy a good meal and good coffee within Canberra Centre.

“We have a good name already, particularly for our coffee, but we have put a lot of time and money into making this space beautiful and we want people to stop in and spend some quality time eating and drinking with us.”

Michael said the team had decided to invest significantly in the project given Greenhouse’s strong popularity and the new designers elevating that end of the shopping centre.

“It is definitely a new thing for Canberra and should be supported. We know people appreciate the ONA coffee and sitting down somewhere nice for a meal instead of just grabbing something at the food court. We hope this will add to the Canberra Centre experience.”