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<p data-block-key="ixwy4">If you have a toddler who rises early (like I do) then by 8am you’re desperate for: a) a <i>really</i> good coffee and 2) somewhere to take them to wear them out before their lunchtime nap.</p><p data-block-key="8v7e2">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.</p><p data-block-key="a7q4e">Did we miss any?</p><h3 data-block-key="5v3ok">Gang Gang Cafe and Bar</h3><h4 data-block-key="a4bl">Located at Downer Shopping Centre, 4/2 Frencham Place, Downer</h4><img alt="gang gang" class="richtext-image full-width" height="600" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/gang_gang.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="qqkc">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.</p><h3 data-block-key="8gnue">A Bite to Eat</h3><h4 data-block-key="aj8vn">Located at Chifley Shops, 8 Chifley Place, Chifley</h4><img alt="chifley" class="richtext-image full-width" height="640" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/chifley.width-800.jpg" width="480"><p data-block-key="b24rq">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.</p><h3 data-block-key="b4smp">Wildflour Artisan Bakery &amp; Cafe</h3><h4 data-block-key="f0bln">Located at 8 Townsville Street, Fyshwick</h4><img alt="wildflour" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/wildflour.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="3ki7v">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.)</p><h3 data-block-key="2alks">Ainslie Bakehouse</h3><h4 data-block-key="bgpfe">Located at Ainslie Shops, 1/5 Edgar Street, Ainslie</h4><img alt="1024px-Corroboree_Park,_Ainslie,_Australian_Capital_Territory" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1024px-Corroboree_Park_Ainslie_Australian_Capi.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="8tb27">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.</p><h3 data-block-key="a2pku">Frankies at Forde</h3><h4 data-block-key="85l9s">Located at Forde Shopping Centre,1/26 Francis Forde Boulevard, Forde</h4><img alt="frankies" class="richtext-image full-width" height="450" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/frankies.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="5oull">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!)</p>

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

<p>There is no suburb in Canberra that has as much personality as <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/braddon-act-2612/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Braddon</a> in <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/region/north-canberra/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canberra’s inner-north.</a></p><p>From what was once an industrial area with sprawling car yards and dealerships, Braddon’s hipster scene has come a very long way. Now, the 2612 postcode is to Canberra what <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/newtown-nsw-2042/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Newtown</a> is to <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/sydney-nsw-2000/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sydney</a>, or <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/fitzroy-vic-3065/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fitzroy</a> is to <a href="https://zango.com.au/research/suburb/melbourne-vic-3000/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Melbourne</a> – a neighbourhood bustling with cafés, op-shops, craft breweries and bars.</p><img alt="Braddon-2-810x456.jpg" class="richtext-image left" height="281" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Braddon-2-810x456.width-500.jpg" width="500"><p>Braddon is arguably Canberra’s most colourful quarter, and there is plenty of things to see and do in the area. Here is a list of what the locals love:</p><h4><b>Haig Park Village Markets</b></h4><p>On every Sunday from 8am-2pm, Haig Park Village Markets is situated at the intersection between Lonsdale Street and Girrahween Street. The farmers market is a huge hit with local families – just make sure you turn up early so you can find a carpark. If you want to support regional farmers and local businesses, then Haig Park Village Markets must be your first point of call.</p><img alt="0P6A7690-810x540.jpg" class="richtext-image left" height="333" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/0P6A7690-810x540.width-500.jpg" width="500"><h4><b>Barrio Collective</b></h4><p>Barrio is the most hipster coffee joint in Braddon, and perhaps the entirety of Canberra. Right in the middle of Braddon’s main shopping precinct, you won’t miss Barrio because of the locals lining up outside in desperate need of their daily coffee fix. All blends are roasted in Canberra and the coffee is arguably the best in town. Dealing with the crowds on a weekend morning is worth it because the coffee is that good. You can also order food but there is often nowhere to sit, so ordering a takeaway and walking through Haig Park is always the next best option.</p><h4><b>Elemental Café</b></h4><p>There’s no denying it, hash browns, eggs, and bacon are meant to be on a burger bun drizzled with aioli. The Workers Burger at Elemental Cafe is the perfect hangover cure and hits all the right places. You can get the burger as part of a meal deal with a free coffee and sit outside, taking in all that Lonsdale Street has to offer. If you prefer to sit inside, then be prepared to be surrounded by Canberra Raiders paraphernalia and a chat to the friendly owners who never fail to greet you upon arrival.</p><h4><b>Grease Monkey</b></h4><p>A burger joint set up in an old mechanic’s garage, Grease Monkey pays homage to what Braddon once was. Overlooking Braddon’s famous rainbow junction, Grease Monkey’s name doesn’t disappoint – you are guaranteed a greasy burger experience chased down with a local beer. A good pit stop on the way to Assembly Pub, Grease Monkey even has a DJ play on Friday and Saturday nights.</p><img alt="Braddon-3-e1597043500804-810x401.jpg" class="richtext-image left" height="247" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Braddon-3-e1597043500804-810x401.width-500.jpg" width="500"><h4><b>Lost Vintage</b></h4><p>What started off as a DIY project has turned into a hidden fashion hotspot amongst Braddon’s hipster youth. Priding itself on using only recycles materials and second-hand furniture, Lost Vintage pays homage to slow fashion in all the right ways. While it’s not cheap, Lost Vintage takes you back to the 90s with its endless supply of denim jeans, branded and non-branded t-shirts and quirky accessories.</p><h4><b>Braddon Brew</b></h4><p>A locally owned hidden gem that specialises in coffee and beer, there is no wrong time to go to Braddon Brew. A father and son duo, the owners go out of their way to personalise custom roasted coffee or offer a range of quirky craft classics that will have you wanting more. To make your Braddon experience even more special, childhood mementos such as Yu-Gi-Oh cards, Jenga and Uno are available to play with your mates. What more could you want from a night out in Braddon?</p><h4><b>Frugii Dessert Laboratory</b></h4><p>Frugii or Messina – the two ice creameries, both alike in dignity, in fair Braddon, where we lay our scene. If you are truly a Braddon local then you would prefer Frugii over Messina. Why may you ask? Because Frugii is a family owned business with flavours as eclectic and as vibrant as Braddon itself. Tucked away in the Ori building, the icecream and gelato on offer will always surprise you: Black Truffle, Vegemite on Sourdough, and even Roasted Cauliflower with Rose Harissa. You can also treat yourself to homemade cakes and chocolates.</p><img alt="Braddon-8-810x456.jpg" class="richtext-image left" height="281" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Braddon-8-810x456.width-500.jpg" width="500"><h4><b>BentSpoke Brewing Co</b></h4><p>Yes, don’t worry, I wasn’t going to forget Bentspoke Brewing Co. It wouldn’t be much of a local guide to Braddon if I didn’t mention the brewery that is a living testament to the local culture – unpretentious and full of variety. Housing over 18 different types of beer and cider, the award-winning brewery guarantees a good quality beverage smack bang in the heart of Braddon. Just some of the brews you might find on tap include the Barley Griffin, the Braddon Bitter, and the Skywhale Ale.<br/><br/>Photography courtesy of <a href="https://region.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Region Media</a></p>

2 news articles with tag coffee

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

The local guide to Braddon