In times past, most Canberrans had to jump in their car and commute some distance for a decent coffee, as most cafés were centrally located in the city or in Kingston and Manuka. But more and more, as traditional businesses like fish and chip shops, chemists and newsagents are disappearing from local shops, they are being replaced by the neighbourhood café, now a part of life in the suburbs. In fact, many are are doing such a great job of it that they find themselves catering to customers from other parts of town rather than just the locals. One such suburban café is Stand By Me, at the Lyons shops. This cute little place is gaining quite a following since it opened its doors last year–for its quality cup of espresso to be sure, but also for the great and aesthetically pleasing breakfast and lunch menu on offer. Breakfast is served until 11am on weekdays and all day on weekends and includes the simple things done well–a bacon & egg roll or free range eggs on toast–or more interesting plates such as a chicken congee with fried egg, chilli jam, leeks and ginger. ‘Stand by Your Gran’ is house-made granola with natural yoghurt and seasonal fruit; and Boston-style baked beans come with poached eggs and sourdough toast. For lunch, a pulled pork roll comes with purple cabbage slaw and pickled Spanish onions and house-made barbecue sauce; and a beetroot salad combines roast pickled and pureed beetroot with hazelnuts, goat’s cheese, watercress and croutons. A range of toasties, croissants, cakes and pastries are ever changing; and coffee is from reputable Sydney outfit Roastworks, The fit-out is simple yet cozy, with some nice touches such as a 70s era record player and a stack of classic vinyls; and a quaint and sunny courtyard is perfect for those wishing to sit outside.
1 Lyons Place Lyons
0458 962 716
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OPENING HOURS
Mon-Fri 7am – 4pm
Sat-Sun 8am – 2pm
CUISINE
Modern café
COFFEE
Roastworks