Canberra

Assembly

Located on the buzzing Lonsdale Street strip in Braddon, this massive and highly popular venue functions as a bustling neighbourhood hotspot from early morning until late at night. Boasting a beautiful, tree-shaded beer garden that is exceptionally popular for weekend drinks, the bar features a great list of local wines, seasonal cocktails, and craft beers. Serving a double duty as a popular breakfast cafe in the morning, the kitchen transitions into serving elevated pub classics, gourmet burgers, and sharing plates by lunch and dinner.

Mon–Thu 7AM–11PM, Fri 7AM–2AM, Sat Sun 7:30AM–2AM

Australian Institute of Sport (Precinct & Visitor Centre)

AIS

The sprawling elite sports training campus where many of Australia’s Olympic and national champions are forged. Visitors can explore the public areas of the leafy precinct, browse the official AIS Shop, and grab a bite at the onsite cafe. The complex features 'Sportex', one of the country's leading interactive sports exhibits packed with elite athletic memorabilia and virtual simulators.

Visitor Centre & Sportex: Mon–Fri 8AM–5PM, Sat Sun 9:30AM–4PM·Precinct entry free; Sportex & guided tours: adults $21.50, children $14

Australian War Memorial

AWM

Not just a memorial, this is one of Australia's premier museums, covering Australian military history from the Federation to the present day and including fascinating exhibits of equipment, memorabilia, and battle dioramas. You could easily spend a full day here (it has a cafe, or bring a picnic lunch if the weather is nice and sit on the lawns at the front). Anzac Parade, leading up to the War Memorial has several memorials to different wars and those involved in wars. Free entry, allow 4–7 hours. The AWM opens its large storage warehouse in the industrial suburb of Mitchell to the public once every few years (usually in September or October), and this is a must-see event for people interested in military history. A Last Post Ceremony paying tribute to one of the soldiers on the Roll of Honour is held at 4:45PM every day, just before the memorial closes to the public for the day. Attendance at the ceremony is free but must be booked in advance due to the limited number of spaces. Every first and third Wednesday of the month from February to November, Australia's Federation Guard mounts a catafalque party at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier and performs a precision military drill as the catafalque party is dismounted as part of the Last Post Ceremony. The AWM is mid-way through a major expansion, and many of its galleries are closed.

Daily: museum 10AM-5PM, shop 10AM-4:30PM, café 9AM-4PM·Free

Blue Olive Cafe

Famous for their delicious New York-style sandwiches. Great coffee and breakfast menu, wonderful service.

Mon–Fri

Brew and Brew Cafe

A cafe and a bar with lots of savoury treats and a wide range of meat and bread. À la carte breakfast and lunch are available and have an excellent, fine-picked wine selection, with a strong local emphasis. Wine is picked and only wines from the Canberra region (i.e., the ACT and the wineries in NSW near the ACT) are served.

Cafe: Mon–Fri; espresso bar: Mon–Fri

Bruno's Truffels

Nice cafe and shop for locally made chocolates and pastries. The building might look a bit dated though.

Mon–Fri, Sat Sun

Cafe Alibi

Just another ordinary, Australian cafe but with a wide selection of toasties.

Mon–Fri

Cafe D'Lish

Swiss owner, nice pastries made on premises. Includes a reasonably sized and decorative indoor and outdoor seating area.

Mon–Fri 6AM–5PM, Sat 6:30AM–2PM

Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (often called the "Tidbinbilla Tracking Station") is part of a network of three NASA facilities worldwide used to maintain contacts with probes launched from Earth. The facility is visually impressive, and claims to have "the largest antenna complex in the southern hemisphere". It also has an interesting visitors centre. The complex is about a 45-minute drive from Civic. The visitor centre is open on weekends and features exhibits on space exploration, though the on-site cafe and gift shop remain closed..

Sat Sun 10AM-4PM; check the website for additional opening hours during School Holidays. Closed on Public Holidays·Free

Capital Region Farmers Market

An exceptional fresh food market with products being sold direct from the producer. Stalls sell fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, honey, preserves, cakes, wine and plenty more. Be sure to come early for the freshest produce and grab a coffee or something to eat from one of the pop up stalls. It is a fair distance from Civic, but the trip is well worth it if you can make it.

Sat

Chapman Cafe

A fish and chip takeaway cafe with some great hot dogs, burgers (be aware that it comes with beetroot), pizza, seafood or any classic Australian hot food.

Cityhill Coffee

A highly inviting terminal centrepiece that serves genuinely outstanding coffee. Partnering directly with Canberra’s world-renowned ONA Coffee roasters, every espresso pull is dialed to perfection. Their food menus actively showcase regional produce, utilizing local free-range eggs, artisan sourdoughs, smallgoods, and neighbourhood honeys. It offers comfortable seating configurations with power hubs, catering equally well to travelers on the move or those wanting to linger with a laptop.

Daily 5AM til last departure·Standard cafe pricing

Da Nunzio Caffe Bar Ristorante

A waterfront restaurant by Yerrabi Pond with many great Italian specialties and an extensive menu of pasta, pizza and Italian wine. However, their coffee is a little bit below standard if you compare it to the average Australian coffee.

Wed–Sun 9:30AM–2PM, 5–9PM (closed Mon Tue)

Daughters at Hall

A classic rural Australian cafe, best known for its Yes Mumma, that is, creamy oats with apples, cream, and crumbles. Other than that, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are also available.

Mon–Fri; Sat Sun·Mains $15-21

Dendy Cinemas Canberra

A major multi-screen commercial cinema complex located within the Canberra Centre shopping mall. It screens a mix of mainstream Hollywood blockbusters, independent films, and foreign releases. Facilities include premium dining cinemas, a lounge bar, and a cafe.

East Row Specialty Coffee

It's best known for its specialty coffee (well, it's in its name) with an all-day breakfast and has a decent variety for lunch — halloumi burgers, gnocchi, or barramundi. If you're just popping in for a quick drink on a hot summer day, there are some good smoothies and shakes, but the smoothies and shakes might not be as good as their coffee.

Mon–Sat; Sun·Breakfast: AUD 16-22; lunch: AUD 19-25; sides: AUD 3-8.50

Erindale Vikings

This massive local community club is a southside institution. It features the dedicated Sideline Bar—a sports fanatic’s dream with giant screens, TAB facilities, and multiple pool tables—alongside a spacious beer garden. If you're hungry, head to "The Cookery" for excellent wood-fired pizzas, high-quality steaks, and classic pub fare. On-site amenities also include a kid's indoor play area and the Moo+Brew Cafe.

Forrest Specialty Coffee

An upscale, design-forward shopping mall refuge serving premium specialty beans from Canberra's legendary Ona Coffee roasters. The highly creative all-day menu is curated by a former hatted-restaurant executive chef, featuring seasonal brunch options like loaded chili eggs, artisanal breakfast pastries, and vibrant salad bowls.

Mon–Thu 8AM–4PM, Fri–Sat 8AM–4:30PM, Sun 8:30AM–3:30PM·Brunch dishes $16–26

Frankies at Forde

This warm, charming local hub seamlessly blends a cozy suburban cafe with a vibrant, modern restaurant and bar. Highly popular among local families and small groups, the venue offers a fantastic, relaxed outdoor dining area perfect for evening drinks. The bar list is highly impressive, featuring a great range of craft beers, Australian wines, and beautifully prepared seasonal cocktails, while the kitchen specializes in gourmet sharing plates and hearty classic meals.

Tue 8:00AM–2:00PM, Wed–Sat 8:00AM–8:00PM, Sun 8:00AM–3:00PM; closed Mon·Cocktails from $16

Gang Gang Cafe and Bar

This friendly, community-run suburban bar and cafe is a hidden gem of the outer suburbs. Spilling out onto a wide, paved plaza, it functions as a relaxed local coffee house during the day before transforming into a vibrant music hub by night. Known for its warm, inclusive atmosphere, the venue hosts regular local bands, open-mic nights, and trivia, while the bar serves up local cold beers, Australian wines, and simple, delicious comfort meals.

Mon Tue 7:30AM–3PM, Wed–Sat 7:30AM–late, Sun 7:30AM–5PM

Glasshouse Cafe

A mid-range cafe mostly known for their $17 weekday lunch specials (varies by day). Otherwise, they have a decent selection of burgers and salads, but those can be a bit more expensive than what you'd find elsewhere.

Mon–Fri 7AM–4PM (closed Sat Sun and public holidays)

Hansel & Gretel

Great European-style shop and cafe. Has a couple of easter bunnies during the easter season.

Mon–Fri 7AM–4PM, Sat 8AM–4PM

IKEA Canberra

A massive, state-of-the-art flat-pack furniture and home accessories showroom. Extremely useful for regional visitors looking to furnish accommodation or travelers looking for smart, compact storage containers and travel utilities. Features a large on-site Swedish restaurant serving budget-friendly meatballs, salmon dishes, and cheap filter coffee.

Mon-Thu 10AM–6PM, Fri 10AM-8PM, Sat Sun 9AM–6PM

Indo Cafe

Though it's called a cafe, it's not really a cafe but just a good place to have some cheap traditional Indonesian eats with takeaway lunch specials priced at AUD 8.

Mon–Fri (closed Sat Sun)

Kambah Inn

This local favorite offers a highly authentic, old-school neighbourhood pub vibe. It features a fully stocked, lively front bar boasting 25 beers on tap, a pool table, and regular Wednesday night trivia. Downstairs is the warmly lit Prospect Eatery, a cozy bistro and cafe serving up fantastic chicken schnitzels, burgers, and hearty steaks. There is also a drive-through bottle shop on-site.

Bar open daily from 11AM; closing times vary (late on Fri Sat)·Schooner of beer $8.50; mains $15–28

Kiln at Belco Arts

A stunning waterfront café nestled inside the glass-fronted gallery building. It features expansive morning views across Lake Ginninderra, offering a relaxed environment for specialty coffee and fresh, modern breakfast staples. From Thursday to Saturday, it remains open into the evening for sunset drinks, grazing boards, and casual dinner plates paired with local wines and craft beers.

Sun–Wed 7AM–4PM, Thu–Sat 7AM–9PM·Mains $18–32

Kynefin Cafe

A small cafe with lots of tasty British pastries. The name of the cafe is inspired by the Welsh word cynefin, meaning "habitat", reflecting the quaint, familiar feeling of both the cafe and Hall.

Wed–Fri; Sat Sun, last orders

La Sable Patisserie

Not so much a cafe, but is a mix of a patisserie and a bakery found in a shopping centre (Canberra Ctr) with an extensive variety of French or French-inspired desserts. It's a bit more expensive than a usual bakery, though.

Mon–Thu; Sat; Sun (closed Fri)

Lab at ANU

Located on University Avenue inside the Di Riddell Student Centre. This unique day-to-night hybrid venue serves as a cozy specialty café and a full-service bar rolled into one. Famous for brewing world-class ONA coffee and plating up honest, wholefoods brunch plates during the day, the space transforms effortlessly as the sun sets. The bar features an impressive, diverse collection of draught craft varieties spanning from light lagers to dark stouts, alongside a spacious outdoor area to unwind.

Mon–Wed 7AM–6PM, Thu-Fri 7AM-7:30PM, Sat–Sun 8AM–5PM·Drinks from $7

Lanyon Homestead

Historic homestead of early Canberra settlers, guided tours, walks and a maintained garden. Cafe for lunch, coffee and cake. A three-house pass for $15/10/30 covers Lanyon, Calthorpe's House and Mugga Mugga house in Symanston.

10AM-4PM (closed Mondays)·$7 adult, $5 concession, $15 family