4 January 2023

First Looks: Fox & Bow opens in Red Hill

5 January 2023 | Lucy Ridge

Fox & Bow have opened a second location at Red Hill. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

Farrer favourite Fox & Bow have expanded their territory with a second location opening at Red Hill Shops. Despite opening with very little fanfare the cafe has been pumping as locals flock to the shops for their excellent coffee and dependably delicious food.

The Fox & Bow owners were thinking about expanding from Farrer but hadn’t started searching for a new location in earnest when they discovered that the previous owners of the space in Red Hill were looking to move on. The chance encounter feels like it was meant to be as the new cafe looks set to continue the streak of community engagement it achieved for the previously underutilised shops in Farrer.

Enjoy the deck and outdoor dining space at Fox & Bow in Red Hill. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

The site, previously a Thai restaurant, has a large deck with outdoor picnic tables and the interior has been renovated with sleek emerald green tiles and leather banquette seating. Those looking for a takeaway coffee can join the queue at the counter, but if you’re dining in just take a seat and scan the QR code at your table to order.

While the team gets settled into their new location the menu has been copied across from Farrer. It will be interesting to see if the Red Hill cafe starts to develop its own distinct style as the team grows and settles into the space, but for now it makes sense to stick with tried and true favourites like Fox & Bow’s ever popular Spanish Eggs. Or the Fit Fox which comes with avocado and broad bean smashed on Sonoma toast topped with boujee favourite Meredith goat cheese feta.

Spanish eggs are a longtime favourite at Fox and Bow. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

If you’re feeling hungry get the Jamon Serrano croquettes, which come with poached pasture-raised eggs, manchego cheese and a proper hollandaise sauce. Or just grab a roll or toastie for a lighter option. The Greta Roll with haloumi and house-made potato hash is the perfect amount of indulgent fried goodness with juuust enough avocado to pretend you’re eating a healthy breakfast.

The coffee at Fox & Bow Red Hill is made from Axil Roasters beans. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

Fox & Bow at Farrer shops has created a positive community atmosphere and occasionally hosts special occasion dinners and seasonal events, like their late summer passata making day. With apartments and new developments being built around Red Hill there will soon be more customers within walking distance to enjoy the cafe, and plenty of tradies in the meantime.

The space holds plenty of potential to become another firm neighbourhood favourite with plenty of Red Hill residents quickly becoming repeat customers in the short time that the space has been open. Suburban cafes are experiencing something of a resurgence in popularity in Canberra as people opt to support their local shops.