Finding a café in Canberra that’s still open after 3pm isn’t always easy, especially if you’re craving a late coffee, a sweet treat, or a snack to get you through till dinner. Whether you’re getting takeaway, squeezing in some extra work, or just enjoying a relaxed afternoon, these cafés have you covered. Here’s a list of the best spots that keep their doors open past the usual closing time.
Gang Gang Cafe
Gang Gang Cafe has made its mark in Downer as an adored local treasure. While the scrambled eggs with chilli and chicken burger are a must-try on the brekky and lunch menu, if you’re looking for that caffeine hit late in the arvo or a snack to tie you over until dinner, this funky café has got you covered.
Wed-Sat from 7:30am-10pm and Sun from 7:30am-5pm.
Kita
Canberra’s only café that operates by night, Kita does Indo-fusion from 6pm until the early hours of the morning. While you can get comfort food like nasi goreng and laksa on your way home from a night out, Uni students pulling an all-nighter, shift workers or other night owls can enjoy the perfect coffee or other caffeinated drink to keep you going in the perfect relaxed setting.
Tues-Sat from 6pm-6am.
Flatheads
They might be known for their fish and chips, but Flatheads does a mean coffee. In the early morning, stop by for a bacon and egg roll with your caffeine order or head in the late arvo and maybe pair it with a cheeky potato scallop.
Seven days a week from 6am-9pm.
Tilley’s Devine Cafe Galley
Reminiscent of a Hollywood film noir, the soft lighting and ambient jazz of Tilley’s make it a gorgeous neighbourhood gem. Open past 3pm, it’s the perfect spot for a warm drink, sweet treat or bowl of chips in the afternoon.
Mon-Wed from 7:30am-4:30pm, Thurs & Fri from 7:30am-9pm and Sat from 8am-9pm.
Highroad
An all-day café with a focus on specialty coffee, if it’s past 3pm, don’t fret, Highroad is still open. While the perfect coffee made just the way you like it is a given, they also have snacks available from 2:30pm-5:30pm with plates like grilled focaccia, frites and a charcuterie board on the menu.
Mon-Wed from 7am-4pm, Thurs & Fri from 7am-10pm, Sat from 8am-10pm and Sun from 8am-4pm.
Wildflour
Treat yourself to afternoon tea filled with traditional artisan pastries at Wildflour. Open past 3pm at their Kingston, Weston and Jamison cafés, you can still grab a late arvo coffee and fresh bread or pastries (if any are left!).
Wildflour is open seven days a week. Kingston from 7am-5pm, Weston from 7:30am-5pm and Jamison from 8am-5pm.
Two Before Ten
Focused on serving the freshest, seasonal ingredients possible, most of which come from their Aranda Urban Farm, Two Before Ten in Denman Prospect and Constitution Place stay open for the arvo snackers. If you’re just after a coffee fix, try their unique blends made in-house and carefully roasted for delicious results.
Denman is open Mon-Fri from 6:30am-4pm and Sat & Sun from 7am to 4pm. Constitution Avenue is open Mon-Fri from 8am-4pm.
Supersweet
You may be able to get a coffee after 3pm, but Supersweet specialises in another form of caffeine, matcha! Experts in all things green tea, get a creamy matcha latte hot or poured over ice. When the afternoon calls for a sweet treat, pair it with a matcha crepe cake or homemade cookie.
Mon-Fri from 7:30am-4pm and Sat & Sun from 7:30am-4:30pm
Walter Cafe
Grabbing a coffee has become essential for most Canberrans bridge-to-bridge walk around Lake Burley Griffin. If you aren’t much of an early riser and find yourself doing the 5km walk in the arvo, head to Walter Cafe and get a takeaway coffee and continue or sit down for an afternoon scone and tea.
Mon-Fri from 8am-4pm and Sat & Sun from 7am-4pm
Kitchen Garden at Rodney’s
Set around the beautiful, lush grounds of the nursery, find a cosy little nook and enjoy a delicious all-day menu at Kitchen Garden at Rodney’s. Featuring a range of cakes, biscuits, tea and coffee, it’s the perfect place to meet for afternoon tea.
Seven days a week from 9am-4pm.
The Knox
One of the only cafes in Canberra that run their entire lunch menu until 4pm, The Knox in Watson has a delicious menu with sustainability and local produce in mind. From grilled beef tacos, a vege burger and roast chicken salad, for whatever reason, if you find yourself starving after 3pm, they’ve got you covered.
Mon-Fri from 7am-4pm.
Via Dolce
A go-to afternoon tea spot in the city, Via Dolce has an amazing array of Italian pizza, desserts and gelato. For afternoon tea, pair almond biscotti with an espresso, tiramisu with tea, or a dessert pizza between two.
Sun-Thurs from 8:30am-10pm and Fri & Sat from 8:30am-11pm.
Brew and Brew Café and Bar
Keeping the coffee machine running until 4pm, Brew and Brew is servicing those afternoon yawns during your work week. If it’s not caffeine you’re after, get a delicious and sometimes very necessary sugar hit from a fresh juice, smoothie or milkshake.
Mon-Fri from 6am-4pm.
Check out Canberra’s best cafes for more!
