First look at Little Bird cafe in Barton

Shops and eateries have started opening in the new development in Barton on Macquarie Street and the latest of these is Little Bird cafe, a breezy little place with an outdoor terrace and a bit of a coffee queue come mid morning.

White tables and chairs line the interior with racks of greenery hanging above diners. Meanwhile public servants take five on the terrace waiting for their lattes to be made at the long timber-clad bar.

Co-owner and barista Dan Buttress says the cafe's been pumping since it opened.

Little Bird is his second venture - he was also part of Group Seven coffee in Civic, which gained a following despite being tucked away in an office building on William Clemens street ("We sold that in the middle of last year to some nice people who are doing really great things with it").

"I've spent my whole life in hospitality, since I left school," he says. "Coffee is definitely where I found my passion. You're doing stuff, talking to people."

The beans are from Allpress roasters in Sydney and on the pans in the kitchen is Craig Wade, who looks after a menu filled with mostly classic brekkie dishes, such as crumpets with golden syrup, eggs bennie, a full breakfast with potato rosti, sausages and eggs.

The granola is spelt and almond with yogurt and strawberries, and the ham and potato croquettes with fried eggs look tempting.

"We love the old school, we love having a menu where you might want to try everything," Buttress says. "We've got milkshakes, ham croquettes. Everything is made in house."

Little Bird is at 45 Macquarie Street in Barton. Got a new cafe or restaurant opening in Canberra that we should know about? Tell us - food.wine@canberratimes.com.au