Urban Pantry cafe in Manuka gets fresh new look

Manuka cafe Urban Pantry has had a big revamp in time for summer.

The new look is brighter, more Hamptons-meets-French Provincial, with fresh white tiles, wrought iron detailing and window boxes filled with greenery and flowers. Even the outdoor dining pavilion has been freshened up with white columns.

But there's still a nod to the past with owners Omar Muscat and Michael Nager keeping the old tree mural etched onto the back wall of the cafe, just sanded back a little.

Muscat says the revamp will bring Urban Pantry up alongside the other restaurants in his group - Locale pizzeria and Double Shot cafe in Deakin.

"We want to take Urban Pantry to the next level," he says. "Now's the time to evolve and give people something clean and fresh, reflecting the modern way of eating. You can still stick your diet, whether that's for coeliacs or vegans. We just wanted to step it up."

The menu now includes dishes that are in keeping with "clean eating" such as the chia pudding with tropical fruit and coconut cream for breakfast. There are house made sodas and chilled organic teas to aid digestion and boost the immune system. Practically everything on the menu can be made gluten free or dairy free.

There's still room for indulgence with madeleine ricotta pancakes with green apple and vanilla bean yogurt, or brioche French toast with maple bacon and cinnamon mascarpone.

The lunch menu includes French inspired dishes such as chateaubriand steak with gorgonzola and truffle, and a beef bourguignon burger.

The new look Urban Pantry opens on Sunday, November 8.