Canberra cafés to write in
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Whether you’re filling out affirmations in your Five Minute Journal or writing a novel on your laptop, we understand writing is always easier in the presence of good coffee.
But what makes a good writing spot? For us, it’s accommodating wait staff, access to power points, a fun and friendly atmosphere, natural light and free wifi. Oh…and the coffee of course.
Just remember, if you’re planning to set up camp for an hour or two, be nice to the staff and order a meal or at least a drink (trust us, it’s worth it).
Muse
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For those who love cappuccinos and Charles Dickens, Muse combines food, wine and the magic of the written word, making it the perfect place to settle down and put pen to paper.
Nestled between Kingston and Manuka the venue was built on the values of conversation, ideas and indulgence, both literary and epicurean.
Open Sunday to Tuesday 7am – 12pm and Wednesday to Saturday 7am – 2pm | Ground Floor, East Hotel 69 Canberra Ave, Griffith | musecanberra.com
Bookplate
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Located in the National Library of Australia, Bookplate is another café with literary surroundings. With wi-fi, good food, great coffee and accommodating staff, where else in Canberra can you bring your goals to life in the colorful glow of stunning stained glass windows?
Open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 2pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 2 pm | National Library of Australia, 25 Parkes Pl W, Parkes | bookplate.com
The Museum Café
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With sweeping views of Lake Burley Griffin, the atmosphere at the Museum Café is relaxed, full of light and it even has free wi-fi for a day on your laptop. Choose from window seating or head outdoors to enjoy the sun. After a few hours, feel free to take a break by exploring the free exhibitions and immerse yourself in history.
Open Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 4:30pm | Lawson Crescent Acton Peninsula | nma.gov.au
Tilley’s Devine Café Gallery
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This old jazz café is the perfect combination of nostalgia and atmosphere. It may be a little busy but for those who love to work with a bit of background noise, the ‘American songbook’ style ambiance can’t be beat. With no wi-fi available, it’s a great opportunity to go technology free, take a notebook and tuck yourself into a booth.
Open Monday 7:30am – 2pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 7:30am – 1pm, Thursday and Friday 7:30am – 8pm, Saturday 8am – 8pm and Sunday 8am – 2pm | Brigalow St &, Wattle St, Lyneham | tilleys.com.au
Bloom Coffee
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Bloom Coffee is one of Canberra’s newest cafés, making it quiet enough to be the perfect place to focus on writing. If the stunning interiors don’t grab your attention, the Mörk Chocolate, Monks Chai and Market Lane Coffee from Melbourne on offer may make it your new favourite quiet spot.
Open Monday to Friday 7am – 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 2pm | Albemarle Building, 45 Furzer St, Phillip | @bloomcoffee.cbr
Monster Kitchen and Bar
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Acton’s Monster Kitchen and Bar has a stylishly eclectic space that is sleek, chic and sophisticated— perfect for turning off the outside world and logging into your blog. Open from 7am for breakfast, order a coffee and Banana Banoffee French Toast before connecting to the free wi-fi in your new office.
Open Monday to Sunday 7am – 10:30pm |25 Edinburgh Ave, Acton | monsterkitchen.com.au
Makeshift by Redbrick
Photography by Martin Ollman
With all manner of tables, desks and armchairs with space to write, read and enjoy a coffee, Makeshift is far from your average café. With the Redbrick Espresso team making delicious coffees by day, free wi-fi available and plenty of power points, there’s no reason it can’t be your new makeshift writing space.
Open Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 3 pm | Just inside the Foyer of the Nishi Building on Phillip Law Street, NewActon | redbrickcoffee.com.au/redbrick/
Bittersweet
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Bittersweet in Kingston may be busy but with great coffee (roasted on site by their counterpart Highgate Lane Coffee Roasters) and food options, it’s no surprise. However hidden around the back of the café are more secluded tables for privacy. Conveniently located in the relaxing ambiance of Green Square Kingston, they sometimes rugs so you can enjoy a coffee and relax on the grass.
Open Monday to Sunday 7am – 3pm | Cusack Center, 27 Eyre St, Green Square Kingston | bsc.cafe
Doubleshot Deakin
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With a welcoming and fun atmosphere, Doubleshot Deakin is the place to go if you’re an early bird. Pack your journal and rise with the sun to enjoy the indoor and outdoor areas, delicious smoothies and meet your goals. Doubleshot is even dog friendly so you can bring your four legged friend!
Open Monday to Sunday 6am – 2:30pm | Shop/7 Hopetoun Cct, Deakin | doubleshotdeakin.com.au/
Teddy Picker’s
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With minimalist vibes, vintage vinyl and comfy cushions, you can’t go past Teddy Picker’s for an energized writing atmosphere. It’s no surprise this café is popular among the locals but that means it can get busy, so make sure to pack some headphones if you need to knuckle down.
Open Monday to Friday 6:30am – 2pm and Saturday to Sunday 8am – 2pm | 53/65 Constitution Ave, Campbell | teddypickers.com.au
Typica Manuka
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Previously known as ONA on the Lawns, Typica Manuka has always been the go-to brunch spot. But with views of Manuka Lawns and free wi-fi, why not head out to spend a few hours writing? Sit along the window or in the sunshine outside while enjoying a coffee and watch as your writing comes to life before you.
Open Monday to Sunday 7:30 am – 2pm | 4 Palmerston Ln, Griffith | typica.com.au
Harvest
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A cozy spot for a bit of quick work or reading, Harvest is a little hideaway. We admit it’s pretty hectic in the morning but come 11am it’s a great spot to complete your new year’s resolution. Also, their coffee and toasties never disappoint.
Open Monday to Friday 7:30am – 4pm | 40 Marcus Clarke St, City | harvestcoffee.com.au
Highroad
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This light-filled café is a hot spot on the weekends but during the week it’s an oasis for people looking to put pen to paper. Highroad is a project by the team from ONA Coffee, designed for the community to gather. Go for a coffee, stay for the atmosphere and enjoy the powerpoints…there’s no excuse for not getting any work done.
Open Monday to Sunday 8am – 3pm | Cnr Cape & Woolley St, Dickson | highrd.com.au
Sunday In Canberra
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With a relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff, the vibe of this café is easy like a Sunday morning (sorry). Perfect for a few hours of a digital detox, pack your journal or notebook and stay for the food.
Open Monday to Friday 8:30am – 2:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 2:30pm | 54 Ernest Cavanagh St, Gungahlin | sundayincanberra.com.au
85°C Bakery Café ANU
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Pink velvet chairs, Taiwanese desserts and endless coffee…85°C Bakery Café at the Australian National University is the perfect combination of pretty and quiet. With only a few tables available, pack your wi-fi, get in early but don’t feel rushed to leave.
Open Monday to Wednesday 9am – 8:30pm, Thursday and Friday 9am – 10pm, Saturday 11am -10pm and Sunday 11am – 8:30pm | Shop 3, 35 Childers Street, Acton | @85ccbr
Two Before Ten
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Located all over Canberra, Two Before Ten welcomes you and your laptop. Head to Tuggeranong to look over the lake, to Aranda for a relaxed atmosphere or to Hobart Place for a light filled space that will leave you feeling inspired.
Feature image by Ash St George of Pew Pew Studio
