Lonsdale Roasters - the best coffee this far from Europe

Just because I felt like mapping the region you’ve decribed…

Well, there is quite a bit of equally good coffee roasting in the antipodes, but Lonsdale is definitely in the premium rank. Excellent coffee, and the quality didn’t slip too much when it was frantically busy at Saturday brunch time. As for the slight grunge atmosphere of the cafe, that’s what they’re supposed to look like. Even going back to cafes in the 1960s. It’s not Auntie Beryl’s coffee lounge you’re going to.

That said, it was a little bit posey on the weekend, with a bunch of Red Hill types obviously coming along to check out what’s trendy at the moment. Still, if they enjoy the coffee and stick around, more power to them.

To be fair, the only other places that fall into “This far from Europe” are tiny Pacific islands, the Falklands, and a pocket of Antarctica…

Tried the Lonsdale coffee, and although it was good, the best coffee I’ve ever had was in Hoi An, and nothing has ever compared. Colours now seem muted, music less enjoyable, and I find it hard to get up to face the day.
Hoi An coffee ruined my life.

I have been a couple of times now, and IMO, the coffee is excellent. They run two machines, and they seem to have perfected their roasting and grinding techniques.They are always friendly, and the coffee comes quickly, even when they’re packed. It’s a toss up between Lonsdale and Tonic on Bunda street for the best coffee in the city for me.

The aesthetics of coffee is synthesised from so many elements, but they have the beans which are the means to satisfy your caffeine dreams in a really good way. The place is often packed and it is usually jamming. The staff I have found in no way grungy, but friendly, well-presented and properly turned out. I don’y go there every day because I usually sleep too late to spend the time at the morning rush on th way to work. If I bothered to wake up early, choop wood, mlik four cows and collect the eggs, then I probably would not need a coffee. The decor I think has the right amount of wood.

I had a coffee there, it was ok, but nothing I’d go out of my way for. The interior is pretty funky, but the staff excessively grungy, what you’d expect from a tattoo parlour. A latte I had in Rome airport as yet to be beaten after 18 years of looking.

It’s one of the few eateries in Canberra where a real effort has been made with everything – good coffee, great food and a visually appealing environment.Perhaps it will encourage or put pressure on other places to lift their game.

and it features in the good old Tele today as the cafe Canberra has been waiting for… I heard about it…not that I read the Tele 🙂

nice coffee, but as for the ‘funky’ fit out… blegh.

Sounds good! Must try it.

Not sure about the smelly (“funky”) part – I hope it smells of coffee.