Restaurant in Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Cupping Room Canberra
Award-winning Canberra cafe with exceptional coffee roasting program. Creative brunch menu and coffee education in capital city.
The Cupping Room is Canberra's most acclaimed specialty coffee destination, occupying a recently renovated space at 1–13 University Avenue in the CBD's Acton precinct. The café is the flagship of the ONA Coffee group — one of Australia's most celebrated specialty roasters — and is distinguished by its connection to world-level barista competition. ONA Coffee was founded in the orbit of Sasa Sestic, the 2015 World Barista Champion, and the Cupping Room represents the group's premier consumer-facing venue in the nation's capital.
The coffee programme is the primary draw, with an ever-changing selection of single-origin espressos and filter coffees sourced directly from producers across Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya, Brazil, and Guatemala. The Cupping Room offers batch brew coffee at an accessible price point alongside more nuanced pour-over and espresso preparations that allow baristas to highlight the distinct character of each origin. Cuppings and coffee education sessions are held regularly on-site, attracting enthusiasts from across the ACT and beyond.
The food menu is a serious brunch programme, well above the standard of most Canberra cafés, featuring eggs benedict, house-made pastries, grain bowls, and seasonal specials. Ingredients are sourced regionally where possible, and the kitchen operates from opening until mid-afternoon daily. The space was renovated in 2023 and features a warm, open design with polished concrete floors, a long timber bar, and a visible espresso station that gives the café a welcoming transparency.
Service is knowledgeable and engaged — staff are trained to discuss coffee processing methods, varietal characteristics, and terroir in the same terms a sommelier might discuss wine, and the team welcomes questions from curious visitors unfamiliar with specialty coffee culture. For visitors to Canberra interested in experiencing Australian specialty coffee at its peak, The Cupping Room is the definitive starting point. The café operates Monday to Friday from 7 AM and Saturday to Sunday from 8 AM, closing at 4 PM daily.
Signature dishes
- Batch brew — $5
- Eggs benedict — $22
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Reservations: Walk-in
Visit / Book / Contact
- Official website
- Phone: +61 2 6257 3777
Location
1-13 University Ave, Canberra ACT 2601
-35.2786, 149.1311 — View on map
Highlights
- Flagship café of ONA Coffee, Australia's most decorated specialty roaster and home of 2015 World Barista Champion Sasa Sestic
- Rotating single-origin coffees from Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya, and beyond in batch brew, filter, and espresso formats
- Serious brunch programme featuring house-made pastries and regionally sourced produce
- Coffee education sessions and cuppings held on-site for enthusiasts and industry visitors
- Newly renovated Acton café space with a visible espresso station at the heart of Canberra's coffee culture
Tips
- Visit mid-week for the quietest café experience — Saturday mornings attract queues for both coffee and brunch
- Ask staff about the current single-origin espresso — it rotates frequently and represents ONA's best seasonal sourcing
- Batch brew coffee at AUD 5 is outstanding value and an ideal introduction to the current menu of origins
- Arrive before 9 AM on weekdays for the full selection of morning pastries before popular items sell out
- Coffee education sessions can be booked through the ONA Coffee website for a deeper exploration of the roastery's work
FAQ
Is The Cupping Room affiliated with ONA Coffee?
Yes, The Cupping Room is ONA Coffee's flagship café in Canberra. ONA Coffee is one of Australia's most acclaimed specialty roasters, founded in the orbit of World Barista Champion Sasa Sestic.
What types of coffee are available at The Cupping Room?
The menu includes batch brew, espresso, and filter options with rotating single-origin coffees sourced from producers across Africa and Central and South America. Specialty milk-based drinks are also available alongside the single-origin selections.
Does The Cupping Room serve food?
Yes, the café operates a full brunch menu throughout its opening hours, including eggs benedict, grain bowls, and house-made pastries. The kitchen operates until 4 PM daily.
Is The Cupping Room suitable for visitors who are new to specialty coffee?
Yes. Staff are trained to guide visitors through the menu at whatever level of detail is preferred, from a simple flat white to a detailed discussion of processing methods and varietal characteristics.
Accessibility
The Cupping Room is located at ground level on University Avenue with step-free access through the main entrance. The interior features a wide-aisle layout suitable for wheelchair access. Accessible parking is available in nearby ACT government car parks on University Avenue.