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Canberra's best bakeries and cafes

Natasha Rudra

Autolyse

Autolyse
AutolyseDaniel Spellman

The home of sourdough on Lonsdale Street, with fresh loaves and baguettes piled behind the counter. Autolyse's cabinet of handsome takeaway sandwiches is also popular - grab an extra treat like a slab of blondie to accompany your lunch.

21 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

​A.Baker

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A Baker in New Acton.
A Baker in New Acton.Rohan Thomson

A trendy bakery, cafe and restaurant that produces some of the city's best bread and pastry. Stop in for brunch and coffee, and take a loaf home with you. Come back at night for a spot of dinner and a glass of wine.

2/15 Edinburgh Avenue, NewActon

Bean and Grain

Canberrans who love bagels head straight to Bean and Grain's bakery cafes in Fyshwick and Dickson. Grab a coffee and a bagel - or a couple of little tarts and a loaf of David Damour's sourdough.

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Fyshwick Markets and Dickson Shops.

Bombolini

The doughnut maestros of the farmers markets - little fluffy doughnuts stuffed with flavoured custards such as Madagascan vanilla with wild flowers and rosewater cheesecake. But you have to get in early, they sell out pretty quick.

EPIC Farmers Markets, Mitchell and Southside Farmers Markets, Woden.


Croissant D'Or

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Photo: Jay Cronan

Behind an unobtrusive green-painted door in the Civic bus interchangeis a little Canberra institution. The Croissant D'Or's croquembouches, danishes and French pastries still have a loyal following.

33 East Row, Civic.

Dream Cuisine

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Dream Cuisine Patisserie co-owner Owen Saddler.
Dream Cuisine Patisserie co-owner Owen Saddler.Mark Sawa

This unassuming little Fyshwick cafe is home to some seriously good pastries and cakes and their macarons are still favourites. Master baker Owen Saddler makes everything from his own butter to Persian love cake.

9/18 Whyalla Street, Fyshwick

Deeks

Quinoa and multiseed gluten free bread at Deeks.
Quinoa and multiseed gluten free bread at Deeks.Richard Briggs
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Deeks was the original gluten-free bakery in Canberra and is still the place to get your wheat free fix, with date and walnut buns, paleo loaves and biscuits. Or sit down at the cafe in the Pearce shops and have a bowl of warming soup with quinoa toast.

Hodgson Crescent, Pearce.

Dobinsons

Dobinsons in Civic.
Dobinsons in Civic.Melissa Adams

This Civic stalwart has had a bit of a makeover in recent times, and it's a welcoming spot to meet a friend, in a outdoor dining area with ferns and greenery. The meat pies are popular and the festive fruit flans and chocolate tarts always bring a smile.

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The Canberra Centre, and 177 Bunda Street, Civic

Knead

Knead Patisserie.
Knead Patisserie.Supplied

Northsiders head to Knead in the Belconnen Markets for an array of big, hearty loaves, sweet pastries, cruffins and croissants, and the occasional savoury danishes (mushroom, leek and feta anyone?).

Belconnen Markets, Ibbot Lane, Belconnen.

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The Flute

The Flute.
The Flute.Rohan Thomson

Fyshwick is an out of the way suburb but The Flute is worth the trip for row upon row of extravagant desserts, cakes and pastries. Cob loaves and baguettes fill the back cabinet. If you can't make up your mind pick a mini assiette of four tiny desserts. Bring cash - there's no carding it.

8 Barrier Street, Fyshwick.

Patissez

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A selection of cakes at Patissez.
A selection of cakes at Patissez.Graham Tidy

Yes, freakshakes filled with Nutella and piled high with slabs of cake and cookies are what Patissez is famous for. But Gina and Anna Petridis also have a way with cake - check out their huge layered cakes in red velvet, chocolate, caramel and other luscious flavours.

2/21 Bougainville Street, Manuka and 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Civic.

Ricardo's / Space Kitchen

Ricardo's Cafe.
Ricardo's Cafe.Jay Cronan
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The crazy colourful Zumbo inspired cakes at Ricardo's in the Jamison shopping centre in Belconnen are all kinds of fun. Golden Gaytimes? A Mario Kart style magic mushroom? Injectable cronuts? Get em here, or at his newer offshoot Space Kitchen in Woden.

Jamison Plaza, Macquarie and 12 Furzer Street, Phillip.

Silo Bakery

Silo Bakery.
Silo Bakery. Melissa Adams

An elegant little oasis in the Kingston shops where you can browse the cakes and pastries on display behind a long glass and marble cabinet. On a warm afternoon sit in the window for a tarte and coffee.

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36 Giles Street, Kingston.

Sweet Bones

Sweet Bones Bakery.
Sweet Bones Bakery.Jay Cronan

Vegan bakers can find plenty of inspiration from Sweet Bones - their organic cupcakes, raw cake slices and brownies are perfect for a catchup in their cosy Lonsdale Street bakery cafe. For special occasions they do naked cakes that range from hazelnut cappucino to cherry ripe, and mocha.

8/18 Lonsdale Street, Braddon.

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