Where can I get better coffee in Canberra than I can make myself?

I generally trust Essen in Civic, and the Babar in Woden. They both do better coffee than I can make myself, but that may not be as good as yours. Also had good coffee at Black Pepper, and Cream the one time I went there – I don’t feel yuppie enough to sit about at Cream.

If you’re on the UC campus, never ever order coffee from the green room in the Refectory – I don’t know if they never change the beans or if they’re just putting dirt in there to start with. Mizzuna in the Hub can be pot luck but gets it mostly right most of the time.

Just came back from a trip to Perth, and Canberra coffee bashers have no idea what they’re talking about – everything I ordered was superheated and couldn’t be drunk for 10 min+. The only decent flat white I had tasted really lovely *after* I put a couple of icecubes from my husband’s drink into the cup and was finally able to sip cautiously.

I’ll throw in my two cents worth for Kingston Grind. They’re always friendly, the coffee is consistently of a high standard and I don’t think that $3.90 is too bad for a large latte – which at 7.00am is a sort of heart starter and breakfast all rolled into one.

Stay well clear of anyone on ANU Campus, despite students reaving about places like the Street Theatre, the most you can expect is something between motor oil and vinegar.

Urban Food can have a fantastic drop is the right staff are on. These people who are saying overpriced and bad quality… how is $4.20 for a large latte overpriced or $15 for a pie and salad?
Bookplate… again depending on the staff serving, now that is a place where the food is overpriced but the quality is good.

Kingston Grind though has to take the award. Always fantastic coffee and very good service… except for the surprised response when I tell them NO SUGAR! “Was that… (deep breath) no sugar?”

If you’re a well known flirt, dressed to kill and wearing very pretty makeup and you intend to pay for a quick coffee, Loui is awesome. Doesn’t work when the same flirt has an emo moment or the pretty lady is too harrassed to dress like a sexy secretary.

The Royal Canberra Golf Club does a fine brew. Not too sure if its worth the membership fees just for a cup of joe though.

Russ said :

The big problem is consistency – you are at the mercy of whoever happens to be on the machine, and in some places that can change often.

Totally agree

The one cafe I can always rely on to make a great coffee – and it doesnt seem to matter who is behind the machine – is Gus’s in Civic

Re the comments about Moka pots and burning coffee. Here’s a decent guide for running them quick and clean:
http://stumptowncoffee.com/guides/3

Clown Killer said :

Loui’s?

I have heard that they are a very friendly establishment and are most welcoming to people who would like to occupy tables without purchasing anything.

Brindabella said :

You can beta test a double ristretto for me any time.

Doppio ristretto, parla? This is definitely my kind of guy. It’s a date!

Hey, how come nobody has mentioned Beeess and Co in Yarralumla? Good coffee, good tea, good food! And they do the best iced tea in Summer!

+ 1 Urban Food = bad coffee, bad food, etc. Add Silo to the list as well – there is something offensive about being charged $5 (at last count) for a takeaway coffee particularly when the barista burns the milk…(and don’t get me started on the actual process of waiting for said coffee – no matter where you stand you are always in the way).

What bugs me about coffee in Canberra is not so much its quality (at the end of the day there will be the good bad and the ugly no matter where you go) but the fact that you cannot seem to get a decent one, without a lengthy wait, on the weekends. Half the coffee shops mentioned here are either closed on the weekend, or so under the pump from the pressure of extra customers that you may as well forget about it.

Kingston Grind is always good (consistent) and I think it is Group Seven (on London Circuit just up from the Metropolitan Apartments)

Loui’s?

Good news about tonic selling beans and @Trix I stand corrected, I also second Ona my memory lapsed me there. The key for a good coffee jaunt is the barista , a fun energetic and after 830am a talkative barista works a treat.Owners who invest in consistent barista get my vote. Steer clear of places that don’t, like tosolinis in the city, who charge the highest prices around and force uni kids/ high school kids who get a 5 second lesson to churn out 20 coffees every 5 minutes ( at peak times) , this turns customers away.
And lastly although closed , but is going to be reopened, the Macchiato/ bourbon bar, for me this place had the most consistent latte in town, I think it was an automatic machine ?? is there such a thing, however its due to re open with new owners in the next few weeks hope they get the same coffee consistency .

pub-servant said :

I’m a big fan of Urban Food in the New Acton facility – they have great coffee and great food too!

Bad food.

Bad coffee.

Bad service.

Overpriced.

Avoid this place.

If Weston Creek is within reach, see the guys @Lava on Briely Street. Friendly service, they take coffee seriously, never had a bad cup.

I’ve not been impressed with Canberran coffee shops to date …

I’ve recently acquired a Moka pot, and I’m going to buy a grinder once I’ve got a few more quids. I’ll be buying whole Wagonga beans and grinding them as I need them. I’m hoping that a good insulated mug will get me to work !

The local roasters all seem serious and produce good coffee by all accounts. What is truly mystifying, is the incapacity for more than one or two people to see a business opportunity in turning those good coffee beans into a great coffee in a nice setting.

By far the best coffee shop I’ve found is Ona coffee in Manuka – although on weekends when they’re under the pump, the coffee isn’t always as good. There is a coffee shop at Fyshwick markets that uses Ona-roasted beans, and they are a good bet too. Kingston Grind is reasonable, but somewhat lacking in speed of service and complexity of flavour. Cream in civic have produced great milk, stacked on top of acceptable coffee – but it’s mainly milk. Tonic was OK, but not the “best coffee in Canberra” experience I was told to expect. Silo, if you can get in there, produce reasonable coffee – but nothing special and certainly not worth the jostling, the rudeness from the staff or the price.

Apparently there are a large number of establishments in Canberra that produce better coffee than the instant brew I have in reserve for visiting coffee drinkers. But on the other hand it means I’m not asked to make them a second cup. Now if I could master a mean hot chocolate, I suspect Mrs PG would be open to many more suggestions.

Since we’re on the subject on making you’re own coffees, does anyone have one of those Nespresso coffee machines? Are they any good? I’ve got a normal espresso machine, which makes good coffee but when hubby uses it he makes such a mess with coffee grinds everywhere. Apparently each capsule costs approx 80c each, which is more expensive than coffee beans, but still cheaper than buying coffee from a cafe.

January.Shiver said :

Jindebah at Mitchell – best coffee I’ve ever had (except maybe Italy)

Spent three months in Italy and had half a dozen good coffees. Italian baristas are over-rated. The quality curve is better in Australia.

But I did hook up with LoveBumps in Milan. So the job wasn’t a total waste.

PS: If you see this tomorrow, happy anniversary baby.

The big problem is consistency – you are at the mercy of whoever happens to be on the machine, and in some places that can change often.

I’ve had memorable coffee (espresso) at Caffe Lela and Silo for example, but ordinary ones from there too. I also have discovered that every top restaurant in Canberra invariably serves dishwater coffee.

But harking back to response #4 above, if you’re near Pialligo and you love coffee, Silver Hills Nursery (over the road from Living Simply) is the place (except on Tuesdays – they’re closed). There’s only 2 guys who make the coffee, Robert and Luke, it’s Wogonga beans and it’s consistently outstanding. Robert is a genuine coffee nut (for example, he never leaves the beans in the hopper overnight) and also knows quite a bit about plants.

Home is best…….but….Republic is pretty good and amazing muffins. Open weekdays only.

Went to Bookplate today after a visit to the library with littleinlymbo. YUK….horrendous coffee, nice white cheffy looking uniforms, lots of boffinry but the coffee was no better than a pile of poo on a sandwich without any bread! And don’t get me started on the price of a very bright and beautiful looking kids gingerbread biscuit $6.00! Right in sight of little eyes, layers and layers of the things.

jimbocool said :

That said, the only place in the Can’ that makes better coffee than I do at home is Sfoglia in Dickson.

Along with very quick, friendly service and the best bacon and egg rolls I’ve ever had in Canberra. I love that place.

I’ll add my support for Kingston Grind and their sister cafe Square Mile (i think that’s what it’s called) which is 2 doors away. Great coffee. Also like Raw Sugar in the City, but they can be a little hit and miss depending on who’s baristing (hope that’s a word!)

I find the coffee at Cream pretty variable, myself, generally towards the “ugh, too bitter” variable if you want a decent short black. One of the owners does a bang-up job on the few occasions he’s manning the espresso machine, but I have yet to have a decent one on the weekends. Their beans are nice though.

Regarding the comment about Tonic not selling their beans, yes, they do. Can’t go past Wagonga coffee at Epic on Saturdays for the best beans, though. PNG peaberry, nom nom. The less said about vacuum-packed coffee that’s been sitting in a container boat for 6 months on its way here, the better.

For coffee when you’re out and about, Veneziano is usually pretty reliable. Cosmorex tastes like dirt, to me, alas. The Kaldi guys in Civic do a good effort, but their soy milk frothing skills can be a bit variable.

Stovetop espresso makers make better coffee than 99% of the so-called cafes here in Canberra, but they still burn it to buggery. For the cheapie home coffee maker, I recommend an Aeropress.

As for the crack about the tea drinkers, I would one would love it if a cafe here did anything other than English Breakfast in tea bags (and a few herbal ones in fancy jars). Ok, Essen in Garema Place has a decent tea selection, but they screw the coffee badly. Can’t win.

A warning for all who visit the National Library cafe. Don’t walk up to the counter and order a ‘mugaccino’. Obviously the concept of a normally larger than standard coffee hasn’t ‘filtered’ through to the Bookplate. First thing is they charge a massive $6.50 for their upsized version. Then when it comes out it’s in a soup bowl with a handle. No mention by the staff when you order that it’s too big to enjoy, except by the gluttenous fraternity.

Anyway no doubt some like it, I just found it gross and un-necessary.

I’d second Cream for making good coffee.
And Black Pepper in Belconnen – they do takeaways as well.

Cosmorex sell good beans. They’re also good to talk to if you want to check out grinders or coffee makers.
Guru shops sell beans that aren’t bad.
There’s a place in Haberfield Sydney called espressogalleria.com.au that does online sales if you want it delivered to your door. You have to pay postage, but if you’re lazy like me it’s nice to have it turn up in the letterbox.
If you’re in a supermarket, I reckon Illy is the best, but also the most expensive.

And I agree with averyone who said the stovetop espressomakers make the best black coffee.
The only thing better, is an electric version. I had one for a few years. It made the coffee as good or better as my stovetop, but with a sensor cutoff to make sure it never burnt the coffee. Can’t remember the brand name though. Yes I can, Gusto. It cost about $70 from memory.

Kaldi sells their own beans and makes a mean coffee , I am a reformed 5 a day drinker , Only reason I have cut down to pretty much 0 is moved to home office, and perhaps laziness as to why I don’t investigate a good bean seller and do my own , I have the machine. However as the addict I used to circle the best in town and be enabled by the best which are in my opinion are Silo, The Grinde, Tonic , and Loui’s , and all worth the $3:30 to $3:80 per cup! Not one of them sells the beans, perhaps it like the Colonel’s secret spices, So for me I could never have the same experience in the home for the 15c mentioned.

Anyone who bags Canberra coffee shops hasn’t been to Melbourne recently. On a trip to Lygon street I had coffee in three places and two in two of the places I left the coffee on the table, absolute filth and completely undrinkable. the thrid I could get down but only becuase I was hanging out for one.

Also let’s get something straight, instant is not coffee. It comes from coffee sure, but it isn’t coffee.

I like the idea of the Ethopian process, at least it respects the coffee, something that cannot be said of automatic coffee machine makers. Once McMucks installed their first automatic coffee machine, the joy and passion was sucked out, just like with their food.

Here’s a tip to live by. Never put anyhing in your mouth that has the passion sucked out of it.

BimboGeek said :

Rod’s never getting rid of me now! Not too concerned about the service management but I would definitely like to beta test his short black if it’s as good as he claims.

Always looking for beta testers. You can beta test a double ristretto for me any time.

mcgarrrnigle said :

decafsucks.com

Damn I didn’t realise there were so many cafe’s in the ACT…

Thanks for the site mcgarrnigle

I prefer hot chocolate. If I want a coffee I’m happy to drink the instant stuff.

Surely Rod (aka Brindabella) must win some sort of award here for the best segue evar. From a thread on local coffee to plugging his own software company; well done!

Rod’s never getting rid of me now! Not too concerned about the service management but I would definitely like to beta test his short black if it’s as good as he claims.

I’m a big fan of Urban Food in the New Acton facility – they have great coffee and great food too!

decafsucks.com

Pommy bastard said :

Why would you gop more than a block to get a “better” cup? It’s a hot beverage for feck’s sake!
/quote]

I can only assume from that comment you are not a coffee drinker. International Roast does not count.

If you really need good coffee, you’ve got to turn to software developers. We turn caffeine into code….and use the best gear to do it.

If anyone is around the Hawker shops and looking for a good coffee, drop into PRD Software and I’ll make you a coffee from our machine at the office. There are 2 things we are passionate about. Making good coffee, and making even better service mangaement software. Come and see them both!

Rod

Found this place in the city recently called Blend Cafe (they still have some signage that says Red Belly Black, I think) Their coffee has quite good and the barista is willing to take suggestions unlike others!

I agree with itstaredwithabang, there’s a lot of w@nk talked about coffeee these days. Why would you gop more than a block to get a “better” cup? It’s a hot beverage for feck’s sake!

Oh, BTW, being a Pommy, I have serious issues with the alleged “tea” that is served over here. One place in Civic served me a cup of tepid water with a tea bag on the saucer next to it!

But I don’t go starting threads about it 😉

You never hear tea drinkers asking for the best place for tea. Mind you, a bad coffee is truly gross.

We bought a grinder and coffee machine and it is truly the best coffee ever. Freshly ground beans are the best. We buy ours from Ideal Coffee.

I have been trying to recreate the best coffee I have had in Canberra at home, with some/little success.

So hard to get that depth of flavour right.

Cream in Canberra has without question produced the best Macchiato I have yet to have. And repeated it. Silky smooth, deep. subtle.

If serious in any hunt for a very fine coffee – sit down at Cream, order your fav, and wait and see.

Don’t let the fancy deco intimidate you: enjoy it – and have among the best/most consistent coffee I’ve had in this town.

They even make a fine creamy takeaway cappuccino –

I have to say, however – it can depend on who is doing the work. I’ve definitely had some rushed, middle of the road there too. Though that is to be expected.

Interestingly, a cafe in our building recently changed brands due to the sale of the business, (apparently bean and machine are a package deal, or so I am informed). They have moved to a very well known brand and it’s worse than the previous brand. Having said that everyone else in my office has liked both versions. So it must be just personal taste or the person that makes it on the day.

I don’t really uderstand the whole obsession with coffee – whether it’s because people truly can’t go without for half a day or it’s just a fashionable thing to do or talk about the quality of.

Give me a good cup of loose leaf tea any day…

Group Seven in Civic (near Farrell place) makes consistently good coffe IMO.

Yup, once you start making your own I think you become somewhat extra picky. And you have to just be happy to accept it will be average (and in some cases, not the type of coffee you actually ordered – e.g. you be amazed the interpretations of a long machiatto).

I also have my own grinder (Ranchillo Rocky) and espresso machine (Sunbeam 6910) and am now happy to get an average coffee around Canberra that is at least the right style of coffee. However, recently I also purchased a KeepCup (re-usable take-away coffee cup). So sometimes, at lunch I can duck home and just make a coffee rather than having to buy an average one.

So for anyone making them at home, and would like to able to take it with them, grab yourself one of those – I grabbed mine from Myers (but they’re popping up everywhere now). 😉 Then you can even further reduce your reliance on the would be ‘baristas’ here in Canberra.

But yes, buying your own (freshly roasted) beans and grinding on demand is the real winner for anyone at home – and I believe the adage of it’s better to spend more on your grinder than your espresso machine to be true (knew the adage, but then learnt the hard way as well). So far though I’ve only tried Hansel and Gretel (my first attempt) and then now I stick with Cosmorex. But maybe if some of these other mobs mail order, then maybe I should give them a go – just hopefully the beans don’t go through too many crazy temps on the trip.

The Kingston Grind is not too shabby… But I also prefer to make my own!

I havnt found a place that does better than my espresso (Moka) pot.
A tip for those pots is to pre boil the water..then pour the water hot into bottom compartment, add filter,add coffee ground to ur liking etc and then put on the lowest flame (if u use gas)…u may even get creama this way if the beans are fresh.
It also avoids the burnt coffee taste/smell that occurs when boiling from scratch over a high flame.
ahhh it work for me k 🙂

Jindebah at Mitchell – best coffee I’ve ever had (except maybe Italy), the Barista was brilliant, coffee was strong, smooth, tasted great – and it didn’t take long to make. Best of all you get to sit there and smell the coffee beans that they roast on site…soooo good.

If you want to make it at home, the beans they sell are also wonderful (I’m from Brisbane & had some sent up). I can highly recommend the Jindebah Organic and I also loved the Peruvian Kontiki Fair Trade.

I have not found better coffee in Canberra than I can make at home either.
I drink fairly strong black coffee, and find stove top to be the best way to go as long as you get the temperature right.
If you find good results using a shop bought coffee, then you will increase the quality massively by buying whole beans form a decent roaster and grinding them as you need them. A cheap rotary grinder will do for stove top or plunger as they aren’t as fussy as espresso machine when it comes to grind size.
The Farmers Market at EPIC has a couple of roasters who sell their wares. I would reccomend Wagonga Coffee for range and quality.

Buy your own beans and grind them fresh. You won’t turn back 🙂

As a general rule the coffee served in Canberra cafes and restaurants is an affront to god. I don’t understand how all these ‘coffee’ shops around town stay in business, presumably Canberrans are happy to pay $3.70 for rubbish. That said, the only place in the Can’ that makes better coffee than I do at home is Sfoglia in Dickson.

For coffee out, Canberra is a bit of a wasteland, IMHO. Kingston Grind is good. If you are over Pialligo way for whatever, duck into Silver Hills Nursery. The owner there is a coffee guy and knows what he is doing. FWIW, I don’t rate the local roasters compared to the best Sydney (eg Coffee Alchemy) and Melbourne (eg Alan Frew at Coffee Co) roasters that mail order ship to me here. Cosmorex is not bad, and an OK fallback, but not as good as the best roasters in Sydney and Melbourne, in my experience.

Can’t give you a decent recommendation for buying coffee out, but the next step for making your own is to ditch the IGA beans and go to one of the local roasters. I’ve used both Jindebah and Wagonga (easily found via Google) and they both have a great range of beans – blends, single origins, specialty. Cosmorex has been supplying the A.C.T. and southern N.S.W. for decades as well.

Fantastic post and I could not agree more. It is so rare to find a better coffee out than that which i could make at home using the same device as you. It amazes me how much some people spend on coffee machines that make watered down mud.

Hey mon, you want da real bean, get yoself on down to da Etiopian community and learn da ancient ways from da place da koffee was born. Dey is makin it from da raw beans, dey is cookin dem in a little charcoal burner, den dey is grindin’ dem in da pestle, den is makin’ it unfiltered in da pot, and is finish wid da careful pourin’ into da warm milk.

You is not gonna get a better koffee dan dat. Da penalty is it’s a bit consuming of the sweep of a minute hand you know what I mean. But, as da ethis will tell ya, koffee’s not just a drink it’s a social occasion.

Even better after some injera na wat. But dat’s a whole different story.