Hot in the Suburbs: Cafe Beetroot is a sweet suburban treat

Cafe Beetroot is a small cafe in Greenway that has quietly developed a dedicated following of loyal customers thanks to its friendly service and tasty food.

The cafe is tucked away near the Bunnings end of Anketell Street, a short walk from South Point Tuggeranong, under an apartment building. The space is light and airy, with high ceilings, large glass windows and dusky green wall panelling.

The menu is split into an all-day breakfast menu and more substantial lunch items available after 10 am.

The menu sticks to favourite brunch classics – smashed avo, shakshuka, bacon and egg roll – but there are a few nods to the Korean heritage of owners Wonjin Kong and Bella Yu.

The couple has incorporated flavours like gochujang, bulgogi sauce and kimchi into menu classics like burgers and scrambled eggs.

Wonjin and Bella have worked in cafes around Canberra for many years, but this is the first cafe the couple has owned together, and it’s clearly a passion project.

Chef Wonjin runs the kitchen, and barista Bella serves customers and makes coffee. The service is personal – a few regulars greet them cheerily like old friends – and the atmosphere is relaxed.

The kimchi scrambled eggs catch my eye when I order – I’m told it’s something of a signature dish for the cafe.

The eggs are silky smooth, and there’s a subtle amount of spice coming from the generous pieces of kimchi (Korean fermented cabbage) and the dusting of togarashi (Japanese spice blend).

The bites of kimchi pop with flavour, and the fresh slices of spring onion and coriander leaves complement the flavours nicely.

With a few soy pepita seeds and some pieces of crunchy sourdough to mop up the juices, it’s exactly what I want for breakfast.

Bella expertly handles the coffee machine as she and a small team of staff manage a rush of takeaway coffees.

The cafe had been quiet when I arrived, but by 9 am there was a comfortable buzz of people chatting and a steady trickle of takeaway coffees headed out the door.

Most of the tables inside have filled up, and a collection of dogs and their owners populate the outdoor seating.

There are plenty of tradies who’ve wandered across from the nearby Bunnings, as well as residents from the neighbouring apartment buildings.

There’s a cabinet of house-made sweets, including earl grey and lemon muffins and a yuzu cream-filled rolled sponge, but I treat myself to a chocolate chip cookie and another excellent coffee.

The counter also has hot sausage rolls, quiches and toasties for quick lunch options.

While Cafe Beetroot may not be in a particularly trendy location, it is serving up honestly delicious food with excellent, friendly service, which is really all you want in a local coffee shop.

The cafe was recently awarded a Reader’s Choice Award from the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG), which is a testament to its much-loved place in the community. If you find yourself in the area, Cafe Beetroot is well worth a visit.

Cafe Beetroot is located at 281/311 Anketell St, Greenway ACT.
It is open from Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 3 pm and closed on Sunday.
Follow Cafe Beetroot on Instagram.