Fyshwick has a great selection of cafes that offer a quick bite to eat, great coffee or other hot beverages, and an inviting environment to catch up with friends and family, or even to hold a meeting. There are plenty of cafes Fyshwick is known for, so we've put together a list of some of the best.
Skip to the list of Fyshwick's best cafes
- Red Baron
- As Nature Intended
- ONA
- Two Hands Cafe
- Kickstart Espresso
- Plumb Cafe and Eatery
What makes a great cafe?
Whether you are dining in or just grabbing some takeaway, serving light meals and beverages is what a cafe is all about. Aside from having an amazing food selection, it also must be a nice environment to hang out with friends or family. Here are a few things to look out for when selecting the right Fyshwick cafe for you.
- Atmosphere: Many people like to take their time to enjoy a nice cup of coffee or meal, so being in a warm, inviting environment is appealing to those people. To get a feel for the cafe before heading in, you could check out some photos and reviews to see if it may suit you.
- Service: The best cafes in Fyshwick will have friendly staff who provide quality service, making your experience all the better. You will want to deal with staff who are friendly, competent and communicate well. Having the food and beverages arrive within a certain timeframe is important, as you don't want to be waiting too long for your bacon and egg roll or coffee.
- Quality coffee: Of course, one of the main reasons someone might head to a cafe is to get their all important coffee to either start their day, or simply get them through it. Coffee is important for so many people, so it's equally important that it is of a high-quality. That means the cafe should be using quality beans, have trained baristas on hand who have experience making great coffee, and reliability that the coffee is consistently good. You should do your research before you go by looking up some online reviews to make sure the coffee is spot on.
- Tasty food with variety: A cafe that produces quality food which caters for a variety of diets can be just as important as making excellent coffee. Most of the best cafes will often give you a good range of food options, from savoury meals to something sweet, they should have you covered. They should also be able to cater for different dietary requirements by providing gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Make sure to check before you go that there is something for you on the menu.
If you are looking for other great businesses in Canberra, check out some of our other articles on Canberra’s best breakfast cafes, the best Kingston Foreshore restaurants and bars and Canberra’s best butchers.
The best cafes in Fyshwick 2024
To be listed as one of Canberra’s best businesses, Canberra Daily requires them to have maintained a track record of positive reviews on Google and Facebook, with a minimum average of 4/5 stars. When looking for the best cafes in the Fyshwick region, check out our list of Canberra Daily’s best local businesses below.
Two Hands Cafe
Two Hands Cafe has a focus on substance and making delicious food that their customers will love.
Using locally produced meat, fresh bread from down the road, and free range eggs, they offer a range of super tasty burgers, wraps, salads that suit the hardworking people in Fyshwick.
Their delicious house coffee is a single origin from PNG roasted here in Canberra that has chocolate and caramel undertones.
On Google, Scott Lindenberg left this five star review; “Have been coming here for lunch once or twice a week for the past 6 months and haven’t had a less than great experience.
Cabinet sandwiches are way better than standard cafe fare and everything I’ve had from the menu is fresh and delicious. Crispy chicken wrap is ridiculously good. Can get quite busy but never have to wait too long.”
Red Baron
Red Baron combines friendly staff, a warm atmosphere and a tasty menu to be one of the best cafes to enjoy a meal or coffee.
Their menu features a variety of delicious options, with customers able to enjoy a classic bacon and egg roll, eggs benedict, super bowl and more. They also have vegan and gluten-free options for those with dietary requirements. The experienced baristas are able to make a range of quality coffees, while they also offer milkshakes, smoothies and fresh juices.
While technically located in Symonston, Red Baron is convenient for those in Fyshwick and provides one of the nicest interior spaces in the region. It also has a spacious outdoor area to sit and relax when the weather is nice.
Open 6.30AM to 4.00PM Monday – Friday
Happy customer Nellie left this five star review on Google; “This place is tucked away in Symonston but it’s perfect for a catchup with friends. Atmosphere is good. Food terrific – they have a good variety. They make the best hot chocolate. Prices are reasonable. Very clean. Staff friendly & helpful. Well run by Peter & Dan.”
ONA Coffee House
Every coffee drinker in Canberra is familiar with ONA Coffee, and their cafe in Fyshwick offers the entire signature range of house blends.
Along with the top shelf coffee, ONA also has an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, making it an ideal location for a meeting or a get together with friends.
Milos Masar left this review on Google; “Ona is well known great quality coffee, their cafe/roastery has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, staff is lovely and vibe is pretty chilled here. Food was absolutely delicious with great service!”
As Nature Intended
Located on Dairy Road in Fyshwick, the popular café and grocery store is stocked full to the brim with delicious produce, coffee, treats and meals.
Locally owned and run, As Nature Intended sources their organic produce directly from producers via Eco Farms, and it comes with a certified organic guarantee so you know you’re getting the best of the best!
They are committed to serving customers the very best dishes made with quality ingredients. That’s why you’ll find everything on their menu is created with love and the produce from their in-house grocery store.
It also means you can stop in for breakfast, lunch or a coffee and a snack, then stock up on the fresh ingredients you need to recreate the same delicious, nourishing experience in your own kitchen.
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 8.30am to 5.30pm
- Sunday – 8.30am to 4pm
Satisfied customer Nurdan Kulluk-Rennert left this glowing five star review; “This place has a beautiful organic vibe as it’s name has intended. The food and coffee are so good. The staff are very friendly and easy to engage. I definitely recommend having a breakfast there or just having a mid morning coffee break, or just browsing the organic products on their shelves. I love the carob bar, so delicious!”
Kickstart Espresso
Kickstart Espresso is perfect for the busy people of Fyshwick, with the cafe providing a speedy drive-through service with quality food and coffee.
They use the finest fresh produce from local farms to make their great-tasting coffee and quality food. This includes using ingredients from Pialligo Estate smokehouse, Poachers Pantry and Toby’s Estate coffee beans.
Charles Lockyer wrote this Google review; “Very handy and quick with their orders. Great toasted sandwich and good coffee, with friendly staff and competitive prices. That drive through is so convenient and the winning touch.”
Plumb Cafe and Eatery
Plumb is a fully licensed cafe serving fresh, nutritious and tasty food for breakfast and lunch every day of the wee, with a menu that caters for gluten-free and vegan folk as well.
They also have a terrific drinks menu with hot and cold coffee options as well as freshly squeezed juices and smoothies.
Josh left this five star review on Google; “A wonderfully delicious breakfast, 4 adults and all had different items from the menu. All were impeccably presented and tasted fresh and delicious. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and lovely, going above and beyond to help cater for a slightly fussy 18month old. Reasonably priced and beautifully appointed inside, with local artwork and plants. A real treat, you won’t be disappointed.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What time are cafes open?
Most Fyshwick cafes are typically open at around 6.30am to 7am but you may be able to find one that opens earlier if you do some research. Some close around 2pm to 3pm, while there are a few that remain open later in the afternoon.
What makes a great coffee?
There are a few factors that go into producing a consistently outstanding cup of coffee. The best cafes will make sure to use beans of a high-quality and a top notch coffee machine. The barista should also be qualified and have plenty of experience dealing in a range of different coffee orders.
What do I look for in the best cafes in Fyshwick?
It’s a good idea to consider a few elements that are most important to you when selecting the right cafe to go to in Fyshwick. Some cafes may suit people that enjoy a warm, engaging atmosphere to have a chat, while others will look more at the range in the menu or the price. Doing some research either on Google or social media could give you a better idea of what suits you.
Do cafes in Fyshwick have outdoor areas?
There are some cafes in the Fyshwick area that have nice outdoor areas for people to enjoy when the weather is nice. Other cafes may have smaller areas outside, while there will be others that are more inside focus.
Are coffee shops and cafes the same?
Though many people associate cafes with coffee shops, the key difference between the two is what it is offering, as coffee shops focus on the coffee and similar items like tea. On the other hand, cafes are more like a restaurant offering food and beverages. This is why most cafes have more options when it comes to food compared to the drinks they are offering. Though “Cafe” is a French word that translates to “coffee”, the distinction between the two establishments doesn’t matter much.
