Canberra and cafes go hand in hand, and that means an excellent brunch is always just around the corner. Housed in hotels, galleries and revitalised abandoned buildings, the best brunch in Canberra boasts some of the best dining experiences in the city.
A pastry shop serves elegant sweet treats to start your day, and a cutting-edge hotspot is home to an exceptional vegetarian brunch. Head to Dickson to enjoy a peaceful meal in an indoor tropical garden, or visit Bradden for free-flowing mimosas and creative dishes. Enjoy the flavours of boutique producers at a Prime Minister’s old haunt, or explore a community-focused spot with outposts all over town. Finally, you’ll find one of the best brunches in Canberra in one of its most iconic attractions.
The best brunch in Canberra awaits, get your next meal organised and book on OpenTable today.
The best brunch in Canberra waits – read on for a guide
For one of the best brunch spots in Canberra for pastries and tea – head to L’Orange Patisserie in Manuka and Griffith
Start your day with picture-perfect pastries at L’Orange Patisserie. Chef Wim Den Hartog has over 30 years’ worth of experience in MICHELIN-starred restaurants and is passionate about crafting creative pastries and cakes that are worth savouring. The main attraction here is the high tea featuring seasonal petit fours, fruit tartlets, meringue and chocolates alongside a selection of finger sandwiches. Expect classics like tart au citron topped with cream and strawberries and French macarons with natural fruit flavours. Bookings start at 10:30 am, making it a unique brunch that’s perfect for celebrations. High Tea is served with bottomless cups of Harvey & Sons premium tea and two fresh-baked scones with cream and homemade jam per person. With an elegant interior, floral-patterned china and a relaxed atmosphere, L’Orange Patisserie serves up sweet treats all day long.
For one of the best brunches in Canberra for outdoor dining – visit The Front Cafe Lyneham in Lyneham
The Front Cafe is a Lyneham institution, with plenty of sheltered outdoor seating and a laid-back vibe. The cafe also doubles as an exhibition space for local artwork, with both established and emerging artists featured. Expect dishes like fritters made with zucchini, corn and sweet potato, topped with avocado and poached eggs and house-made ricotta hotcakes with stone-fruit compote and pistachio crumb. The house-made granola is always popular, and the sweet berry bruschetta is a creative twist on an old classic. Pair it with an iced strawberry matcha, a velvety hot chocolate or a smooth coffee blend from Two Before Ten.
For a community-focused brunch spot with outposts all over the city – visit Two Before Ten in Aranda, Majura, Gungahlin, Barton or Canberra City
Two Before Ten began in 2008 as a casual cafe serving up coffee and gourmet sandwiches. A move to the previously abandoned Aranda Shops in 2014 shifted the focus from selling coffee to building communities. Not just an excellent brunch spot, it’s also a yoga studio, roastery and bar, home to beehives, fruit trees and a vegetable garden. Now with outposts all over Canberra, including Majura, Gungahlin, Barton or Canberra City, Two Before Ten is embracing local communities and championing sustainability with an eco-friendly ethos. Dine at long communal tables or bars, on outdoor patios or in private booths. The menu differs slightly between locations, but you can expect dishes like tomato bruschetta on house-made focaccia bread and honey halloumi salad with pearl barley and pomegranate dressing. Almost every dish has a local touch, whether it’s the locally smoked ham in the toasties or the local honey served alongside orange and raisin fruit toast.
📍 Aranda — Check availability
📍 Majura — Check availability
📍 Gungahlin — Check availability
📍 Barton — Check availability
📍 Canberra City — Check availability
For a vegetarian brunch with free-flowing bubbles – book at Monster Kitchen & Bar in Canberra City
For those who love a late brunch in Canberra City, Monster Kitchen & Bar’s bottomless lunches on Fridays are the perfect option. Starting at noon, this herbivore restaurant offers a two-hour, two-course experience with unlimited glasses of house-favourite wines, sparklings and beers. Pull up a vintage chair in the eclectically elegant dining space with polished floors, 1850s oil paintings, one-of-a-kind curios and 1960s neon prints. Using seasonal, local produce, the menu here is always shifting, but you can expect creative dishes like fluffy momo dumplings with cabbage and cottage cheese and hearty butternut squash katsu curry. Vegetables are always the hero of the dish at Monster Bar, and the restaurant hand-selected the wine list for the best match and quality.
For one of the best brunch places in Canberra for outdoor dining – try Atrium Bar And Restaurant in Dickson
Serving breakfast from 7 am to 10:30 am on weekends and switching to an all-day dining menu from 10 am to 10 pm, Atrium Bar And Restaurant is ready to welcome you from sunrise to sunset. Enter into an indoor tropical garden and soak up the warm, peaceful atmosphere. Start your day with grilled bacon, eggs your way, crispy hash browns and more with the hot English breakfast, or go for the vegetarian version with grilled mushrooms and baked beans. After 10am, try the crispy chicken karaage with siracha aioli, or some mixed bean nachos with red pepper chilli sauce.
For one of the best bottomless brunches in Canberra – check out Braddon Merchant in Braddon
Braddon Merchant’s breakfast menu serves up classic brunch favourites and some unique new twists. Pull up a chair and settle in among the shelves filled with potted plants and wine bottles filling the elegantly casual dining space. Opt for thick Belgian-style waffles with ice cream or an assortment of wild mushrooms in soy butter served alongside poached eggs and a spicy chilli sambal. Pair your dishes with an iced coffee, matcha latte or your favourite brunch cocktail. You can order mimosas, bloody marys and Aperol spritzes by the glass or as a bottomless 2-hour package. If you’re celebrating something special, throw in a bottle of NV Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut champagne.
For a special occasion in a Prime Minister’s old haunt – swing by Chifley’s Bar & Grill in Barton
Chifley’s Bar & Grill is Hotel Kurrajong’s elegant dining space, where Prime Minister Ben Chifley came for a whiskey or two. Warmly lit, with golden touches and a delightfully vintage vibe, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing Sunday meal. Chef Saju Rajappan serves up creative dishes using seasonal ingredients from boutique producers. Try Chifley’s superfood bowl with soft quinoa porridge, creamy coconut yoghurt and maple syrup. A continental board of yoghurt and muesli, fruit and fresh pastries is always an excellent option if you’re after some variety, especially with a side of soft grilled halloumi or sauteed mushrooms on the side. Pair it with your favourite tea or coffee and a refreshing glass of orange or cranberry juice.
For one of the best Spanish brunch spots in Canberra – try Fox & Bow in Red Hill
Fox & Bow outpost in Red Hill serves up the same great brunch treats just south of the city centre. Dine outdoors on a leafy balcony or grab a seat in the light-filled dining space. With a Spanish touch, Fox & Bow offers unique dishes you won’t find on many other Canberra cafe menus. Spicy Spanish scrambled eggs with Rodriguez chorizo is one of Fox & Bow’s signature items, and the roast pumpkin salad features the fresh sweet and smokey flavours of pomegranate, BBQ corn and pistachios.
For one of the best brunches in Canberra for a special occasion – head to No.10 Restaurant + Bar in Belconnen and Woden
With outposts in the north and south of Canberra, No.10 Restaurant + Bar in Belconnen and Woden serves up fresh, local food in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Pair it with your favourite coffee and a refreshing mimosa or a creamy espresso martini. In Woden, you can sit out on the heated, sheltered terrace, in the main dining room or at the tall bar tables, with the full menu served in all areas. In Belconnen, enjoy the full menu at the bar, main dining room or private booths (for up to six diners). Or, book in the lounge area if you’re just after some drinks.
📍 Belconnen — Check availability
📍 Woden — Check availability
For brunch at one of Australia’s best art galleries – check out Portrait Cafe in Parkes
Canberra’s National Portrait Gallery is always a great spot for a relaxing weekend outing, and Portrait Cafe delivers picture-perfect treats to your table. Sit indoors or out on the spacious terrace and enjoy the all-day dining menu based on seasonal produce, sourced locally. Pair brioche egg and bacon rolls wfith a bloody Mary. Or, try soft, freshly baked house-made scones with your favourite tea (and perhaps a glass of Australian sparkling wine). For something a little more substantial, try Portrait Cafe’s signature burger with juicy grilled chicken and a side of fries with smoked jalapeno mayo. Avocado on crunchy toasted sourdough with marinated feta is always a great brunch option, or, for something nice and simple, try a slice or two of toasted banana bread. An array of sweet treats like croissants, the cheesecake o the day and triple chocolate brownies are a perfect sweet treat to end any meal.
For one of the best brunch spots in Canberra with both indoors and outdoors dining – book at Fox & Bow in Farrer
Fox & Bow’s all-day menu of toasties, rolls and burgers, foxy favourites and breakfasty brunchity things is perfect for a lazy weekend brunch. At the Farrer outpost, you can grab a seat indoors or dine in the outdoor laneway in front of a vibrant mural.
Canberra is home to a wide range of cafes and restaurants serving excellent breakfast and brunch menus, featuring local, seasonal produce, bottomless mimosas and tasty twists on all your favourite dishes. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a calm Sunday morning or want to get together for a vibrant brunch with your mates, your best brunch in Canberra is waiting − it might just be closer than you think.
Weekend spots fill up fast − book your spot at the brunch spots in Canberra on OpenTable today.
If you’re after more great brunch spots in Canberra and across Australia, these guides have you covered:
- The best brunch in Melbourne can be found at these standout restaurants
- 12 Sydney restaurants serving exceptional brunches
- The top 10 spots to try today for the best brunch in Adelaide
- The best brunch in Brisbane awaits at these top restaurants
- The best brunch on the Gold Coast can be found at these must-try gems
- The best brunch in Perth awaits at these must-visit spots
- The 12 best outdoor restaurants in Brisbane
- The best romantic restaurants in Adelaide for outstanding dates
