We visited Highroad in Canberra in the northern suburb of Dickson. The cafe is owned by the Ona Coffee brand and it is certainly not your run of the mill cafe. It is unique in its menu, stylish in its decor and has a very cool vibe to it.
Architecturally, I describe the cafe as an industrial/Art Deco/urban architecture blend. High ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and a huge expansive space to sit with mod style chairs and wooden booths as well as communal tables. The back of the cafe has another large dining space. The bathrooms are reminiscent of an old cinema. The area just had great feng shui to it, and felt quiet and calming despite it’s size. This was especially interesting since we found the clientele was majority families with young children.
The coffee bench sprawls the wall adjacent to the entry, and shows off their quality coffee gear and baristas doing what they do best.
The coffee here is outstanding. Using beans roasted in their Ona Fyshwick roastery, the way they serve it is visionary, with different milk based blends and you can order according to taste preference, and the staff even can advise which milk would work best. In addition there’s also filter, cold brew espresso (single o and blends). They even have a reserve list for their espressos. You can guarantee a good coffee here.
Behind the coffee bench is an impressive installation showcasing bottles of wine, and they have a wine list as well as selling craft beers.
The cafe has an all day menu and meals to suit dining at brekkie, brunch or lunch so it’s extremely versatile. The food here is impressive and the dishes have interesting takes on classics, the use of new and cool ingredients and presented well.
It was most certainly a tough ask to settle on a preferred option since they all sounded appealing. I went with the Kingfish, a gf option with a lovely and light cured Hiramasa Kingfish perched on a piece of dark rye, spread with cream cheese and arranged with green apple, beetroot, fennel and dill. We added a side of pickles and this dish was simply perfect.
Our friend ordered the Beef Cheek which is suitable for a brunch option since the 16hr braised beef cheek is topped with a hollandaise sauce and the fact that it is served with pearl cous cous and tabouli salad brings it into a lunch dish.
Our dining party also ordered their unique take on the smashed avo. This is a gluten free and vegetarian option, served with a cool vegemite ricotta, toasted seeds and nuts, poached eggs, herbs, foccacia. We added some fried chicken to our dish to add a bigger protein hit.
Other option include a parmesan & pickled jalapeno waffle, a beautiful green bowl, pork Sando or it can be as simple as a bacon and egg roll, granola or a cookie.
The staff here are excellent – efficient and knowledgeable. Overall this was a memorable dining experience.
Cnr Cape abs Woolley St
Dickson ACT 2602
Hours
Monday to Friday 7.30am – 3pm
Weekends 8am – 3pm