5 places for amazing coffee (and even better play options for the kids)

If you have a toddler who rises early (like I do) then by 8am you’re desperate for: a) a really good coffee and 2) somewhere to take them to wear them out before their lunchtime nap.

Great coffee is easy to find in Canberra but where are the places little ones have just as much fun? Here’s our round-up of venues that manage to combine outstanding coffee and even better play options.

Did we miss any?

Gang Gang Cafe and Bar

Located at Downer Shopping Centre, 4/2 Frencham Place, Downer

In Downer, GangGang kicks goals for brekky and lunch – but only takes cards. Across at Downer Oval, you’ve got the playground, the dirt tracks and the fields. We flew kites on the oval two weekends ago. It was perfect.

A Bite to Eat

Located at Chifley Shops, 8 Chifley Place, Chifley

I’m a big fan of A Bite to Eat: the coffee is good, the food is gluten free and Chifley Play Space is a good post-banana bread bribe. The only catch is that the playground isn’t fenced, so it’s great for the big kids but you’ll need to keep a very close eye on the little ones.

Wildflour Artisan Bakery & Cafe

Located at 8 Townsville Street, Fyshwick

I was buying a lemon meringue croissant from one of the best bakeries in the capital when I happily discovered a fenced playground out the back with a cubby house, slides and a swing. Sitting under the shaded outside seating watching my toddler was bliss. (Until she wanted some of my croissant and things got very, very sticky.)

Ainslie Bakehouse

Located at Ainslie Shops, 1/5 Edgar Street, Ainslie

If you’ve got a child obsessed with bike, skateboard or scooter riding, Ainslie is a total winner. Hit up Ainslie Bakehouse or Edgar’s for a huge coffee and then ride the paths of the amazing Corroboree Park. Pro tip: take a basketball for the big kids.

Frankies at Forde

Located at Forde Shopping Centre,1/26 Francis Forde Boulevard, Forde

In Gungahlin, grab a Halloumi Stack or Brekky Nachos at Frankies at Forde before ducking across the road to the playground. (The real doozy in north Canberra, though, is the park at Moncrieff! It’s epic! Head there and Uber your coffee directly to you! I did!)