Rise & Shine with the Best Breakfast in Canberra

Ah, breakfast. The most important meal of the day, and one that should not be skipped. Lucky for you, Canberra's cafe scene is bursting at the seams with delicious breakfast and brunch options to fuel your day ahead.

Whether you're a local looking for a weekend bite or a coffee on your morning commute, or a visitor needing a big feed before a day of gallery hopping, these hotspots are open from the early hours to help you seize the day with a full and happy tummy.

Cosy cafes and trendy neighbourhood hubs satisfy any sweet or salty breakfast cravings, with bacon and eggs, fluffy pancakes, smoothies, toasties, and barista-brewed coffee mainstays on the menu.

Save this guide for when only the best breakfast in Canberra will suffice. 

B-side 

B-Side is the cafe equivalent of the coolest kid in school. Sleek, industrial interiors set the backdrop to a cafe by day and a chic wine bar by night, making this an all-day destination for stylish hangs at the top end of Lonsdale Street.

Putting the B in Breakfast, all the classics are covered, with a few modern additions we are eager to try. From a grilled cheese toastie with tomato soup, BBQ beans with a fried egg on sourdough and a warm bowl of porridge with whipped ricotta and berry compote, sweet and savoury cravings are catered to. For coffee, baristas make a mean cuppa Joe using Intra speciality beans. 

G01/35 Lonsdale Street, Canberra 

ARC 

The latest addition to the ACT's growing appreciation for coffee culture, ARC is one of the most stylish brunch spots in Canberra for a big breakfast. A welcome extension of Redbrick Coffee, the central location keeps city workers and tourists looked after with an extensive food and drinks menu.

Step into the modern space to enjoy top picks from the all day menu including chilli scramble served on charred flatbread, smashed avo with whipped cream cheese, pea and zucchini fritters and granola with seasonal fruit. The kids are catered for with egg and bacon rolls, pancakes with maple syrup and ice cream, hot chocolate and eggs on toast.

1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra

Early Edition

A welcome addition to the Kingston Foreshore, Early Edition serves tasty breakfast and water views. It is a cosy cafe where vintage charm meets modern hospitality, dishes are contemporary and innovative, and the coffee machine is fired up from 7 am each morning.

The brunch menu has a bit of everything, including an intriguing chicken porridge with savoury rice, shiitake and chilli oil. Suppose you're after something a little more traditional, order eggs on toast, a brekkie burger, buttermilk pancakes with mixed berries or the rich crab omelette. The drinks menu is just as tempting, with classic coffee and teas alongside iced peppermint mochas, matcha lattes and smoothies - the Banoffee has our attention. 

4/2 Trevillian Quay, Kingston

Gather

Gather is the Canberra cafe focused on bringing healthy, nourishing whole foods to the capital. Winning multiple awards voted by the people of Canberra, you know you're in for a treat at this loved local. Try the Turkish Eggs - poached eggs with Aleppo pepper butter, dill and confit garlic yoghurt, or the Nepali chicken curry, which is even better on a cold morning.

A cosy and welcoming place to gather, this is one of the best spots in Canberra for breakfast catch-ups with the girls or the guys.

4/24 Mort Street, Braddon

Doubleshot

Providing the people of Canberra with their coffee fix from 6 am each morning, Doubleshot welcomes customers into their relaxing cafe daily. The cafe menu has a little bit of everything, covering all the basics and then some.

Those with a sweet tooth will find it hard to look past the apple crumble porridge with marscapone and cinnamon oat crumble or the French toast with vanilla bean gelato and lemon cookie crumb, but, the savoury options are equally as tasty.

Breakfast burgers, acai bowls, refreshing smoothies, smashed avo, shakshouka, ham and cheese toasties and mushroom medleys are on rotation, and brewed coffee and organic tea seal the deal.

Shop 7, Hopeton Circuit, Deakin

INTRA

Capturing our breakfast-loving hearts, INTRA serves top-tier coffee and mouthwatering dishes, seven days a week. The sleek, chic and minimalist digs are located in a relaxed corner of Campbell, and coffee is the real specialty here. Consider indulging in their batch brew, pour-over coffee or go all out with a coffee flight.

When it comes to food, the kimchi jaffles are the stuff of legend, while the crispy chilli scrambled egg roll is fast becoming a crowd favourite. 

30/12 Provan Street, Campbell 

Margot

There's something special about a lakeside bar we can pop by for espresso in the AM and wine and cheese in the PM, and when it’s placed right on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, it's even better.

At Margot, you can look forward to Wildflower Pastries with your morning coffee and gourmet toasties like pesto or a Croque Monsieur with bechamel and mozzarella. Enjoy your simple yet satisfying meal alfresco with stunning lake views your companion, or take it go and find a serene spot by the water a little further along.

West Kiosk, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes  

Two Before Ten

The legendary Two Before Ten has come a long way! Starting as a humble cafe in the city, Two Before Ten now has more than ten locations throughout the capital. Aside from producing amazing food and coffee, this group is proud of their ‘urban farm’ on an acre of land, giving a new meaning to local produce.

Supporting their cafes, the Arana Urban Farm supplies fresh, sustainable produce to the kitchens, reducing environmental impact thanks to limited plastics, packaging and transport, and compost from the cafes keeps the healthy stream of fruit and veg growing year around - it's food you can feel good about!

Multiple locations across Canberra, find your closest branch here.

Maple and Pine Cafe

If you find yourself south of the CBD and need a bite to eat in the suburbs, Maple and Pine Cafe is the loved local sitting in a quiet strip in Isaacs. 

Serving speciality coffee and generous serves of breakfast dishes like smoked salmon rosti, breakfast bruschetta, French toast (that is available gluten-free) and classic eggs on toast with all the add-ons like hash browns and grilled tomato, Maple and Pine have your breakfast prayers answered.

Shop 3/6 Carr Place, Isaacs

Now that you are ready for the day after enjoying the best breakfast in Canberra, it's time to explore! If you have the family with you, check out our guide to the best things to do in Canberra with kids, or hit your step count for the day with one of Canberra's best hikes.