Five Canberra cafes offer sunny outdoor spaces for coffee and brunch. Under Bakery in Fyshwick catches the morning sun and has a play area for children. Cafe Stepping Stone at Strathnairn serves vegetarian brunch with views over the Brindabellas. Gang Gang in Downer has a sunny outdoor area next to an oval. Margot in Parkes sits beside Lake Burley Griffin, and Pollen Cafe is set in the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
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.
Three businesses are featured for Small Business Month in New England. Easy As Armidale, owned by Jason Richey, runs a drive-through serving coffee, gourmet pies, rolls and sandwiches. Serenity Diamond Beach, a retreat on the Mid North Coast, offers villas, beachfront access and facilities for weddings and events. In Glen Innes, Rhubarb & Rosie, run by Janie Kent, sells flowers, plants and gourmet hampers and bakes cakes from scratch.
Three businesses in northern New South Wales are being highlighted for Small Business Month. In Maclean, Rocky Mouth Cafe on River Street serves Allpress coffee, pastries and locally made gelato, and displays works by local emerging artists. At Diamond Beach, Serenity offers villas, pools, a day spa and a restaurant, along with facilities for weddings and events for up to 150 guests. In Glen Innes, Rhubarb & Rosie sells flowers, plants and gifts, and bakes cakes from scratch.
Yarrabilba residents are invited to meet their neighbours over coffee at Shaw Street Oval Park on Saturday 31 October. The Coffee in the Park event runs from 8.30am to 10.30am as part of the community's park gatherings. The first 200 coffees are free, with one available per person while supplies last. Organisers say the morning gives residents a chance to connect with others in their neighbourhood. Dates and locations may change, so updates will be shared through Stockland Yarrabilba.
Sam Mac has marked the one-year anniversary of his family's move from Sydney to Melbourne. He says the move gave his family more space and closer ties to grandparents. He has taken up coffee drinking, and his order is a strong flat white. The family's backyard near the Yarra Valley has drawn kangaroos, kookaburras and other wildlife. He says he will not adopt the local accent, which he jokingly calls the Malbourne accent.
Kilo Bakery & Coffee in Padbury has been named Perth's best bakery after thousands of locals voted in a PerthNow Pulse search. The bakery opened only 18 months ago. Owners Luca and James serve artisan bread, pastries and pizza al taglio, which is made fresh all day, five days a week. Their focciaa is one of the best sellers and sells out quickly, while their rolls, topped with truffle mayonnaise, mushroom and porchetta, are also popular. The brothers say their customers have become like family.
Panthers legend Royce Simmons has started a weekly coffee get-together in Penrith to help people meet and support one another. The group meets at Panthers Leagues Club and regularly draws around 20 people. Simmons is now launching a similar coffee group at Glenbrook Panthers Bowling Club every Thursday from 10am. Members of the bowling club are welcome, and couples and individuals of all ages are invited. Simmons says he hopes the group will help locals through both good times and bad.
Major supermarket coffee brands have altered their marketing as bean prices hit near 50-year highs. Some premium arabica coffee labels have changed from '100 per cent arabica' to simply 'coffee' or a blend with robusta. Experts argue consumers should be informed about such changes, even if they are legal. Coles's Organic Fairtrade Gold Freeze Dried Coffee has doubled in price since 2024, with its label also changing from '100 per cent arabica' to 'instant coffee'.
A comparison of a $59 Big W coffee machine and a $2,299 Breville revealed surprising results. Over 100 Better Homes and Gardens readers reported saving money by brewing at home, though savings depend on reducing cafe visits. The budget Contempo produced a stronger espresso shot, while the Breville excelled in milk frothing. The Contempo pays for itself in about two weeks, whereas the Breville requires 14-15 months. For espresso drinkers, the Contempo offers excellent value, while the Breville suits those seeking milky coffee convenience.
Amazon Prime Day offers significant discounts on a range of coffee machines, including espresso, pod, drip, and grinder models. Featured deals highlight popular choices like the Breville Barista Express, known for its consistent pressure and built-in grinder, and the Breville Bambino, praised for its rapid heating and precise temperature control. Pod coffee makers such as the Keurig K-Café Smart and K-Brew + Chill also feature, with the latter excelling in both hot and cold brews. Additionally, energy drink deals are available for those seeking alternative caffeine sources.
Some cafes have raised coffee prices by about 10 per cent after the Reserve Bank's ban on card surcharges. Small Flat White, an online platform tracking coffee prices, found 17 per cent of cafes increased prices since October 1. Wes Lambert, chief executive of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, said most businesses have raised prices or introduced new surcharges. The Reserve Bank said the ban was designed to reduce card acceptance costs, particularly for small businesses.
