There’s no doubt that Braddon, Kingston Foreshore and surrounding areas are sexy, trendy dining hubs with an array of incredible foodie hot spots to choose from.
But we’re seeing more and more cafes and restaurants popping up in the suburbs. They’re injecting some life back into the old suburban shops and these friendly suburban cafes are worth crossing town for.
Little Oink is a funky little café hidden in the suburb of Cook. It’s funky and colourful décor is matched with quirky ornaments and friendly staff. The cafe is child friendly with a special area to keep the kidlets entertained. There’s a good selection of delicious food on the menu including, you guessed it, pork. I hadn’t heard of a bacon schnitzel until I visited Little Oink and it’s definitely worth a try! If pork isn’t your thing then don’t worry because there are other menu options including amazing pancakes. They make a good coffee, have a selection of sweets on offer, fresh juice, a selection of specials, and tapas and cocktails on Friday afternoons. The team at Little Oink have creatively named their dishes to match the fun atmosphere of the café. It’s lots of fun so put this one your list!
Tucked away on the Southside, you’ll find Fox and Bow Café at the Farrer Shops. I haven’t been for a while but when I did it was definitely worth the trip from the Northside. The all day brunch menu is available from 7am on weekdays and 8am on weekends until 2:30pm. I love the vibe of this cool café and the outdoor setting with hopscotch, a basketball hoop and play area is a fun touch! The breakfast options are delicious, the coffee gets our tick of approval and there’s also a range of pasties, milkshakes, smoothies and juices to choose from. The names of the dishes will give you a laugh too! You can choose from a Princess Fiona or maybe you’re feeling a little more like a Chewbacca? If they don’t tickle your fancy then maybe a bit of James Bond with some octopussy will.
This warm, modern and inviting café/restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is a great addition to one of the newer suburbs, Crace. They open from 7am on weekdays and 8am on the weekends and have a good range of breakfast options to choose from. They also have a Play Room that’s decked out with Sony PlayStations, a television, puzzles, games and, of course, pencils and paper for drawing to keep the kiddies entertained! The breakfast menu is small but satisfying with a good range of healthy eats and yummy treats. This breakfast burger is on my list!
This café is located at Lyons Shops and has a fresh, funky vibe. They deliver unique dishes that are full of flavor. The team at Stand by Me have a passion for music as you’ll see when you have a look at their social media feeds! They incorporate flavours from around the world in their dishes with lots of vegetarian options on offer. They also get creative with their French toast and often have different options of the sweet breakfast available!
Casey Jones is still the new kid on the block. The owners of George Harcourt opened this beautifully designed Gastropub in the heart of Casey in July. There is nothing like it in Casey and it adds charm and uniqueness to the Casey shops. Actually it might be the only one of it’s kind in the entire Canberra area! They’re passionate about supporting local businesses and use lots of local produce. They also change their menu with the seasons and have a variety of options available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I have been going to Ricardos Café for years and it’s been amazing seeing the popularity of this café grow! It can get very busy so best to book a table if you can. The café is located at the bustling Jamison Plaza and you’ll find a delicious range of Zumbo-like cakes on offer as well as baked goods including the indulgent cronut! The menu changes with the season and the team at Ricardo’s deliver food and coffee that never disappoints. The food is always plated beautifully and they use fresh, local produce. I love visiting Ricardo’s!
Where’s your favourite spot for breakfast? There’s also other great eats in the suburbs so watch this space and we’ll reveal more soon…
Amelia Bidgood
Amelia is the Founder and Editor of Eat Canberra and the Founder and Managing Director of Eat Canberra Food Tours. She's a qualified journalist, presenter, freelance writer and also runs a boutique communications agency working with small business owners on all things social media, content creation and marketing. She's taught cheesemaking classes, judged hospitality and tourism awards, completed the WSET Level 1 Award In Wines, loves to cook and has travelled to 23 countries. She's also passionate about mental health and has recently started studying to become a Counsellor.