Where to get your caffeine fix: my top Canberra Cafés

For many people coffee is a key part of their morning routine, if not the very first step. But here in Canberra, coffee isn’t just a habit – it’s a culture.

Cafés are more than places to grab a quick cup, they’re meeting spots for early workers, a chance for colleagues to escape the office for 15 minutes, and a great way to host an informal meeting. Picking the right café for your needs is important, and that’s where I come in.

Now, while you might know me for my data recruitment expertise, I am also a (self-confessed) coffee expert. My day starts with a single-origin double espresso, followed by a few more doses throughout the day. As you can see, I take my caffeine seriously.

But beyond my love for coffee, cafés are essential to my work. As a recruiter, I often meet candidates and clients over a good brew, and just like a well-pressed shirt, the café you choose sets the tone.

What makes a good Café?

Now I know that coffee and Café preferences are subjective, but here are how I measure the quality of a Café:

Location: How hard is it to get to? What is around the café? No point having the most amazing coffee if it is a 3-day hike to get there.

Consistency: When you go in, can you expect a certain level of quality? For me I’d rather have an average coffee consistently, rather than one that flip-flops between terrible and exceptional.

Ambience: Although good coffee is important it’s nice to have a nice place to enjoy it, especially if you’re going to be having a chat.

The baristas: Can they remember your name and order as soon as you walk in? Do they look like they want to be there? What is their banter like? People are at cafés early in the morning chasing a liquid wakeup; the baristas should be a human shot of espresso too!

Value for money: Is it an average, but cheap coffee? Or is it an expensive coffee that really blows your socks off? Both are fine, but a mix of both is a disaster.

Wait times: How long does it take from when you order until you have the coffee in your hand? If you’re just swinging by for a quick coffee in between meetings, it’s important to be able to get in and out swiftly.

My top five Canberra café picks

Best chain – Espresso Room

If you’re out and about anywhere in Canberra, you’re never going to be too far away from an Espresso Room.

With 9 locations across Canberra, from Gungahlin to Tuggeranong this is your perfect choice for a great all-rounder if you’re out and about, away from your local picks. All branches serve the desired Ona Coffee brand and tick all of the above boxes for what makes a good Café.

The ever-expanding range of locations is sure to be either close enough for a quick trip or will be in the future.

Best café experience – Supersweet

Searching for the best Café experience? Supersweet has you covered.

Located in Braddon just one block over from our office, this is one that I have frequented a lot over the years and the happy and vibrant staff always make you feel welcome. Adding to the fun vibe is the bright space, with cartoon themed menus and décor.  

This has got to be one of Canberra’s underrated gems.

Come for the coffee – Barrio

Now I know every list of “Canberra’s Top Cafés” has Barrio on it, but it really has earned its spot.

Not only is Barrio a café (or coffee bar as they describe themselves) but they roast their own coffee. As you’d expect with this level of dedication, from a pure coffee perspective they are the best in Canberra. The “hole in the wall” style layout, with intimate dining space further reinforces the coffee aficionado aura that Barrio radiates.

Something different – Sugar Plum Fairy

Is a sweet treat the main reason you choose a café, while the coffee is important but most definitely secondary?

If that is the case, then Sugar Plum Fairy is somewhere you should check out.

With an eclectic almost “Alice in Wonderland” styling, this is one of the most unique hospitality spaces in Canberra. The incredible cake and cupcake range which fills the front display case not only looks amazing but has got to be the some of the most delicious in Canberra, Oh and the coffee is pretty great too!

Something new – Caffé al Lago

Recently opened, Caffé al Lago is a spot most Canberrans may not have heard of.

Nestled next to Yerrabi Pond but with a New York Bodega feel, they’re quickly making a name for themselves. With delicious Italian sandwiches on freshly basked focaccia (which are great value for money by the way) a great location and quality coffee, I have no doubt they will be a Canberra staple soon.  

Final thoughts

With so many great cafés in Canberra, my list of favs is ever evolving and I am always on the lookout for new options. Please reach out and let me know if your favourite is not on this list, I’d love to catch up for coffee and review places for my next list!