High Society Cafe has opened in the Torrens Shops area of Canberra and already draws a loyal local crowd. Its outdoor dining area, sheltered by an awning and softened by potted plants, is a popular spot for friends, students and teachers. The all-day brunch menu includes creative dishes such as Nest Eggs, along with classic options like chilli folded eggs and a chicken burger. The cafe is open weekdays from 6.30 am to 3 pm and weekends from 7 am to 3 pm.
Moruya cafe owner Sam Steiner entered the coffee industry in 2011 and has since built direct relationships with growers in Central and South America and the Philippines. His team raised funds and partnered with another business to build a new drying shelter for Colombian farmer Diofanor Ruiz, allowing him to process more beans naturally. Steiner says better coffee brings better prices, higher wages and wider community benefits. Alfresco Coffee now employs up to 34 people across its two cafes and roastery on the South Coast.
Piccolo by Amici has opened beside Amici Wine Bar & Deli in Canberra, serving takeaway St. Ali coffee from $4.50 and Italian breakfast treats. Coffee is available with alternative milks or decaf at no extra charge. The cafe is open Monday to Friday, 7 am to 2 pm, and offers freshly made Pinsa Pockets and Italian sweet treats. A mobile bar will also be available for hire at weddings, parties and private events in 2027.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Imago Café & Bakery, on Elizabeth Street in Hobart, has won the 2026 Tasmanian Times award for Tasmania's Best Breakfast. The award was not decided through a formal competition.
Hanoiholic, a kiosk on Allara Street in Canberra, is introducing diners to Hanoi-style pho from northern Vietnam. Owners Trinh and Tuan say the northern broth is lighter, clearer and less sweet than the Saigon-style soup many locals know. It is served with a fried breadstick and a house-made garlic vinegar rather than bean sprouts and hoisin sauce. The menu also includes bánh mì, which customers favour, and Vietnamese iced coffee. The kiosk opened in February and is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm.
A Melbourne couple's vegan cafe, And Bodega, was severely damaged in a suspected arson attack that targeted a neighbouring tobacco shop in Fitzroy North. The firebombing occurred amid a wave of similar attacks across the city, with hundreds of tobacconists hit since late 2023. The cafe owners, Ashish Sharma and Manali Purohit, have launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for repairs and reopening. Police are investigating the incident, which also resulted in the theft of $5,000 worth of equipment from the cafe.
The National Gallery of Australia's new Oculus Café x Kitchen by Mike, in Canberra, offers views of the Sculpture Garden. A reviewer visited for breakfast and found it quiet, with a menu of classics and sourdough pancakes with lemon curd. A later lunch visit was busier, with a canteen-style service. The roast chicken, bacon and cheddar quiche and salads were praised. The cafe is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm on the ground floor of the gallery.
Police are investigating a serious crash on Club Drive in Shearwater on Sunday night. A vehicle mounted the footpath and struck diners seated outside Shearwater Food Co before hitting the building. A 26-year-old woman remains in a stable condition in Launceston General Hospital with serious injuries. A 29-year-old female staff member is also in a stable condition after being taken to North West Regional Hospital. Police have laid no charges and are asking anyone with information to call 131 444.
Three people were injured, two seriously, after a car crashed into the front of the Shearwater Food Company near Devonport in northern Tasmania on Sunday evening. Police say a 26-year-old woman remains in hospital with serious injuries, and a staff member is in hospital with serious but stable injuries. The driver, an elderly man, was treated at the scene and did not need hospital care. Police say early indications suggest the crash was not deliberate, though its cause remains under investigation.
Good Neighbour, a cafe in Kingston, has become popular with locals in just over two years since opening. Owners Fish and Hazel opened it after the closure of Gus' Place. Breakfast is served all day, and the lunch menu runs from 11:30 am. Dishes include a salmon soba and a chicken souva, while the New York-style chunky cookies often sell out by noon. The cafe is at Unit 1, 55 Wentworth Ave, and is open weekdays from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm, and weekends from 8 am.
Kingston cafe Good Neighbour has become a local favourite in just over two years. The venue offers a mix of staple cafe dishes and unique options, with breakfast available all day. Its New York-style chunky cookies are a best-seller, often selling out by noon. The cafe is located at Unit 1, 55 Wentworth Ave, Kingston, and is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm.
