21 September 2012

Good breakfast in Canberra??

| zorro29
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I love breakfast and am desperate to find a great breakfast spot in Canberra but everywhere is terrible and overpriced.

I went to Beess & Co in Yarralumla on the weekend and it was appalling…even the toast was bad (and how can you mess that up??). A few weeks ago had Urban Food and nearly $60 later for 2 small meals and 2 drinks (all of which were small and awful), I wasn’t happy again. I have tried Cream, Pancake Parlour, Black Pepper, Milk & Honey, Cafe Essen, Gus’ and a whole raft of other places I can’t remember…but looking for input…

So, where do you love for breakfast? (especially interested in places that do a good French toast…)

Thanks

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poetix said :

While we’re talking about breakfasts, does anyone know where you can get good fruit salad as an option?

Anything cooked in the morning wakes up the vodka ghosts from the night before.

Vodka Ghosts…what a great expression! Would be an excellent name for a band!

Ok I know it’s been three years since I lived in Canberra, but I have visited in the interim and I have to give a plug for Praga Cafe at Dickson. I’m surprised it hasn’t been mentioned in this string yet? It’s a favourite of mine and I’ll definitely go again when I return to Canberra in January. The food is excellent, the breakfast menu a bit different from the usual poached eggs/hollandaise combination. I usually have the ‘small Praga’ which is quite big enough for me!

Redhill Lookout x2

pptvb said :

Avoid A Bite To Eat in Chifley, the food is O.K, but the service is terrible. We were the only ones there on a Tuesday morning and it still took 45 minutes to get served.

This has to be one of worst breakfasts I’ve ever had at a cafe.

I’m a massive fan of breakfast too and quite enjoyed all those recommendations. The place in Fyshwick is on the list now.

I quite like the place in Hackett – Wilburs – they do a great special with potato rosti’s and poached eggs and salmon. I’m gluten free so rate places on their non-bread options. Urban food is also good, but pricey and you need to book.

Tilley’s, although my local, it horribly disappointing as is Marinetti’s in O’connor where my bircher muesli with strawberry compote was actually toasted muesli, milk and 2 sliced strawberries.

Genie said :

niknak said :

Dzire has close, it’s now Hostage Bar.

Dammit !! It’s been about 6 weeks or so since I last went…. Bummer….. Now I need to find a new breakfast joint

The god-awful crowd and music haven’t changed; maybe the breakfast menu hasn’t either? :\

+1 Edgars Inn, second-best French toast in Canberra (after mine 😉 )

Deli Marco in Dickson is also quite good, I’m fond of their Italian-style scrambled eggs (mixed with roasted tomato and parmesan, on toasted ciabatta).

niknak said :

Dzire has close, it’s now Hostage Bar.

Dammit !! It’s been about 6 weeks or so since I last went…. Bummer….. Now I need to find a new breakfast joint

The Flute Bakery in Fyshwick is lovely for breakfast or morning tea. Their opening hours are quite limited though.

While we’re talking about breakfasts, does anyone know where you can get good fruit salad as an option?

Anything cooked in the morning wakes up the vodka ghosts from the night before.

SmileOnTrial10:27 am 24 Sep 12

My vote is for the place that used to be My Cafe in the city next to Cafe Essen. Cant remember its name at the mo but the staff were friendly even though im allways grumpy until fed and the food was great.

in_the_taratory said :

Ellacure in Bruce (but you usually need to book): http://inthetaratory.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/curious-about-ellacure/
Have also given Seasalt Dining in Bruce a go recently, but while promising, it didn’t seem to deliver (http://inthetaratory.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/brekkie-at-seasalt-dining-bruce/)

+1 Ellacure. Fantastic breakfast and fantastic coffee. Could not have been better.
We have not needed to book in the few times we’ve been, however we were probably edging closer to lunch than breakfast timewise.

As for Tilley’s, forget it. Used to be great, but the service seems to have run out of f&$#s to give and the food has gone downhill. The pancakes look (and taste) like they’ve just been bought at woolies and heated up rather than made, and the toast is rock solid. Mushrooms were still good though.

Tried Kingston Grind this weekend – ho hum. Food was reasonable, but took half an hour to get our food.

I would recommend Tilly’s, especially the Breakfast Lot or Veggie Lot.

For about $20, you’ll get poached eggs with hollandaise sauce, two pieces of sour dough toast, tomato, spinach, zucchini (or sausage I believe), hash browns and some of the greatest mushrooms I’ve ever eaten.

It’s a little bit more expensive, but you won’t need to eat a lunch after it…

GordonResidential9:46 pm 23 Sep 12

Ditto.

DavidL said :

Well Sandman
In a good eating place when you piss the staff off but they still give good service and you don’t even know you pissed them off, THAT is a good place to come back to.

Sandman said :

pptvb said :

Avoid A Bite To Eat in Chifley, the food is O.K, but the service is terrible. We were the only ones there on a Tuesday morning and it still took 45 minutes to get served.

Maybe you pissed the staff off. I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes for my food on a weekday, we can get breakfast and coffee for 2 and a 2 year old for less than $40 and there are nice comfy seating options.

GordonResidential9:45 pm 23 Sep 12

Home.

Holden Caulfield2:21 pm 23 Sep 12

carnardly said :

We had breakfast not long ago at Beess & Co in Yarralumla once and were still hungry when we left.

Maybe they used quail eggs.

lol

The best breakfast I’ve ever had was at Beess & Co. It was the poached egg, potato rosti and chilli jam combo. It was perfect!

I’ve been back a few times to try and recreate the first experience. They’ve come close, but never been able to equal it.

Overall, though, I’ve found eating there to be pretty good.

Pod Food in Pialligo is usually quite good, so too Joey’s Kitchen in Watson.

Tight arses need not apply though.

DavidL said :

Well Sandman
In a good eating place when you piss the staff off but they still give good service and you don’t even know you pissed them off, THAT is a good place to come back to.

Sandman said :

pptvb said :

Avoid A Bite To Eat in Chifley, the food is O.K, but the service is terrible. We were the only ones there on a Tuesday morning and it still took 45 minutes to get served.

Maybe you pissed the staff off. I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes for my food on a weekday, we can get breakfast and coffee for 2 and a 2 year old for less than $40 and there are nice comfy seating options.

And they hide the spit so you don’t notice it

We had breakfast not long ago at Beess & Co in Yarralumla once and were still hungry when we left. Maybe they used quail eggs. lol

Well Sandman
In a good eating place when you piss the staff off but they still give good service and you don’t even know you pissed them off, THAT is a good place to come back to.

Sandman said :

pptvb said :

Avoid A Bite To Eat in Chifley, the food is O.K, but the service is terrible. We were the only ones there on a Tuesday morning and it still took 45 minutes to get served.

Maybe you pissed the staff off. I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes for my food on a weekday, we can get breakfast and coffee for 2 and a 2 year old for less than $40 and there are nice comfy seating options.

A friend recently bought the cafe on Red Hill (Lookout Redhill) and they started doing weekend breakfasts this month. I have only been there for dinner so far, but the breakfast menu looks good and does include french toast. Great view also!
http://lookoutredhill.com.au/

The RUC!

Marco’s Deli in Dickson is exellent, even if the service is a bit patchy. French toast is great.

Dzire has close, it’s now Hostage Bar.

yeah bean and grain looks good…and will probably try all these suggestions just to fill sunday mornings

@supasal – invite me over for breakfast then!!!! my cooking isn’t so flash

mouseallmighty10:26 am 22 Sep 12

Agree with Darkfaiz – Bean and Grain is really good.

in_the_taratory9:52 am 22 Sep 12

Ellacure in Bruce (but you usually need to book): http://inthetaratory.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/curious-about-ellacure/
Have also given Seasalt Dining in Bruce a go recently, but while promising, it didn’t seem to deliver (http://inthetaratory.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/brekkie-at-seasalt-dining-bruce/)

Madam Cholet8:56 am 22 Sep 12

andym said :

The restaurant / cafe at Lanyon do a breakfast, menu looks good, but never tried it, has anyone?

I’ve been there a lot….considering that when we first moved to Canberra it was our closest local cafe! In spring and summer the location is heaven on earth. Food is hearty I suppose. Service not always spot on but makes it most of the time. In the colder months it’s nice to be inside by the fire….not so great for kids but as its quite small.

Heck, I even got married there. If you wanted this location in any other metro area in Australia you’d pay a fortune. One of the wonderful things about Canberra is that these locations can be literally a stones throw from home. When we first moved here we could here the cows at lanyon mooing in the morning!

Ok, reminiscing over.

French Toast is done pretty Damn good in my house if I say so myself – Why should I go out and pay for something I can make at home – Have had many a brunch party – I’ve got a coffee machine, eggs, bacon, tomato’s, mushrooms, onion, garlic and bread – We decide where to eat (sun or no sun) the place is quiet so we can enjoy our catch up and the food is ready in a few mins – all freshly prepared (not sitting in prep dishes for hours on end).

twoforjoy in Kingston is great, go to place for late breakfast. Service varies, but once you taste the food you forget.

pptvb said :

Avoid A Bite To Eat in Chifley, the food is O.K, but the service is terrible. We were the only ones there on a Tuesday morning and it still took 45 minutes to get served.

Maybe you pissed the staff off. I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes for my food on a weekday, we can get breakfast and coffee for 2 and a 2 year old for less than $40 and there are nice comfy seating options.

Edgars
Breakfast menu till 11:30
Pancakes or french toast with bacon and maple syrup. For 3 people with coffees for about $45

Cafe Wood Works in Bungendore do a pretty nice breakfast. Not exactly a bargain, and I don’t think they do French toast, but the quality of food and the service is good IMO.

excellent…thanks all! lots of places to try…i am a hopeless breakfast fiend and canberra really depresses me on the breakfast front

🙂

I quite enjoy going to Dzire in Dickson…

The place is pretty quiet (although our brunch time is around 11am) and service is great !

Ricardos’ at Jamo is also great, but always super busy. Booking a table is highly recommended.

pptvb said :

Avoid A Bite To Eat in Chifley, the food is O.K, but the service is terrible. We were the only ones there on a Tuesday morning and it still took 45 minutes to get served.

Ugh! Bite to Eat Chifley is a dirty hippy joint. Shared vegemite jar dipping is a hepatitis risk, folks!

Also note Maple Cove promoted to be open…. is not until Oct … However cant rate looks a little Melbourne vegan inspired

Darkfalz said :

Sfoglia in Dickson is pretty good. I had French toast with a big breakfast somewhere but I don’t remember, it might have been the place at Hackett shops?

Ever had French toast with thick cut brioche? That’s to die for.

Spill the Beans did the best big breakfast ever but they closed a few years ago.

+1 for Sfoglia – the eggs benedict is also wonderful

Golden-Alpine said :

Cafe inJoy at Gold Creek

Ugh ! I won’t go there any more. Food is OK but I refuse to line up for ages only to struggle to find a table and the noise is so bad you can’t have a decent conversation. Clearly the popularity of this place is proof Gungahlin is still lacking decent cafes.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd7:52 pm 21 Sep 12

By that I mean coffee club is horrid horrid poo, and there are sadly not many joints that do better.
I don’t really want to spill the beans on the good places as they are already crowded enough.

I have been to all mentioned and more , trust me in this Bean and Grain Fyshwick markets 10/10 the food and people. Short story took my Grandmother and she was really admiring the cups , mentioned to owner if we could buy said cups, said sorry he had them made custom, 5 mins later he brought her a set on the house. The little things!

Avoid A Bite To Eat in Chifley, the food is O.K, but the service is terrible. We were the only ones there on a Tuesday morning and it still took 45 minutes to get served.

plausibly_deniable7:07 pm 21 Sep 12

Two before Ten, north of Hobart Place. Great coffe, lovely people, intersting food. Delissio in Braddon do a pretty unhealthy-but-awesome French toast using croissants – as if it wasn’t bad enough for you already.

In general the challenge is that if a place does a good job, then it’ll get crowded, then too crowded.

The restaurant / cafe at Lanyon do a breakfast, menu looks good, but never tried it, has anyone?

My cafe favs are Silo in Kingston and Farmers Daughter in Yarralumla.

There’s a new place opening at Realm in Barton some time in the next few weeks that is promising breakfast … it will be called Maple and something.

Hyatt breakfast is good but pricey.

If you don’t mind grease, Tilleys do breakfast for about $28 a head including a coffee …

We had breakfast a few weeks ago at La Piazza at Erindale which recently moved from the main shops to the new complex on Gartside St. Very reasonably priced, fed 4 for less than $50, service a bit slow but would go back there as there’s not much on this side of town. I had the breakfast trifle -fancy name for a layered muesli in a long glass with fruit and yoghurt but it was yummy!

The National Library does a great breakfast and you can sit inside or out. Beautiful at this time of the year. Haven’t been at breakfast time for a while but the current lack of parking since the Patrick White lawn park closure may make this an almost impossible option these days. Certainly can’t get any parking if you go to the library after 9am but it might be OK for an early breakfast (I think they serve breakfast until 11).

If you are the locale of Fyshwick on a Sat morning then Industry Cafe do a great Big Brekkie for $19.

Madam Cholet6:08 pm 21 Sep 12

I’ve been researching places to take my work team for lunch and have decided on The Fellows at ANU. I note that they also do breaky. Does anyone have anything to offer up in this place?

Depends obviously where you live but I like lanyon homestead cafe and also the one at the homestead at Hall whose name eludes me. The botanic gardens has a cafe under new management which I’d like to try when I can get a run at a normal weekend.

PS, that has got to be the best thing about banning smoking inside venues (aside from the health aspect blah blah)- you can actually enjoy pubs before 11am!

Duxton in O’Connor is another good pub option.

+1

When spring time hits, nothing beats a hot breakfast and a latte in the sun.. but unlike in Sydney, I am yet to find a place in Canberra that does breakfast for two for $30! Keen to hear what others think!

Golden-Alpine5:59 pm 21 Sep 12

Cafe inJoy at Gold Creek

Sfoglia in Dickson is pretty good. I had French toast with a big breakfast somewhere but I don’t remember, it might have been the place at Hackett shops?

Ever had French toast with thick cut brioche? That’s to die for.

Spill the Beans did the best big breakfast ever but they closed a few years ago.

People who go to Urban Pantry are the biggest suckers in Canberra. Overpriced, very, very poor quality. The one time I tried it earlier this year to see what all the fuss is and why it’s always crowded, they served me a plate of charcoal with some pastry and fruit. I would have been embarrassed to send it out of the kitchen, much less charge for it.

I haven’t tried Edgars in Ainslie in a while, but it used to be my go-to for breakfast.

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