Gus’ Cafe

I used to come to Gus’ regularly with my partner for weekend brunch, but stopped because the service was increasingly inconsistent. We won’t make the mistake of coming back again.
We arrived around 1pm on a quiet Saturday afternoon – Gus’ wasn’t packed, but the staff still seemed a bit stretched. My partner’s croissant and flat white came out minutes after being ordered. However, shortly after that, a pot of tea was placed in front of me and then rapidly snatched away with a haphazard «Sorry, this one’s not yours.»
My partner finishes his snack. The correct pot of tea arrives. We’re waiting for my risotto. And waiting. Finally, it’s delivered – but oops, not what I ordered! The plate is removed, though sans apology. We keep waiting. About 15 – 20 minutes after my partner finished his food, my meal is delivered.
The risotto was nice, but no one ever came to check if that was the case. I finished my food, we paid and left.
And we won’t be back.

I continue to love Gus’, especially the breakfasts. Good variety, good value and always consistent service. Have brought many out of town guests here and they always rave about it. Fresh oj also good!

Led here by Unilocal and thoroughly pleased. Very nice atmosphere with plenty of outdoor, though sheltered dining tables on the sidewalk. Very friendly service and I didn’t find it slow at all as some other reviews have said, but I was there a bit after the lunchtime rush.
I tried the chickpea and feta, aka veggie, burger, which was delicious. Looking forward to coming back again

This relaxed café is spread across three alternative seating environments — inside, in a streetside gazebo or outside. It’s informal with reliable food. Service can be a bit chaotic and I’d advise you to pay attention as mistakes can be made. Drinks seem to take ages, but food isn’t too long. I’ve had a couple of visits. Salads, bruschetta and sandwiches are all fine.

Open 5.30pm on a Sunday which is great.
Slow service.
But the coffee was worth the wait.
Nice surroundings and sheltered from the road.
I’ll be back.

Very fulfilling breakfast and excellent bean roast. Great with ol’ pals or a morning kip with new friends.

You know, it’s taken me a few times to decide on my feelings about Gus’s. Generally when staple places accrue hype I often find I am ultimately let down, with places loved more out of loyalty than product.
Gus’s bucks that trend. I’ve been here a few times, and despite other reviews have never had to wait for a table. Maybe I’ve just chosen some good times. I really enjoy sitting in the enclosed outdoor area, watching the world go by in comfort. The staff are nice and the service is fine. The coffee is ok, nothing amazing, but what gets me is the range of all day breakfast items that can be enjoyed throughout the day. I’m a particular fan of the french toast, which can be done with gluten free bread.
The costs are a bit more expensive than what you might find elsewhere, but you know it’s going to be good. So stop for a while, take a load off and enjoy your meal at Gus’s.

Whenever I am in Canberra for work I make sure that I visit Gus’ Café at least once (if not almost every day because why wouldn’t you?). Just be prepared for a potentially long wait to get in, especially at Sunday brunch time, because Gus’ is a Canberra institution. It was one of the first cafes in the city and definitely the first with alfresco dining. There’s a cute gazebo to sit in looking out on the street which is great for people watching as well as a cosy interior filled with dark wood and the smell of coffee… ahhh.
Their breakfast/​brunch menu is extensive and whilst it’s not the cheapest place for brunch in town you will not be disappointed with the serving sizes. They give you a lot of food. So much that you’re likely to not eat it all which will make you sad because it’s always so delicious and fresh. And you know you can trust this place because it does all day breakfast. They also have a bunch of delicious flavoured coffees like caramel cinnamon latte (get in my belly) as well as a great range of teas, freshly squeezed juices and old fashioned sodas (Fire Engine anyone?).
I highly recommend you stop by here if you’re in Canberra!

favourite place for brunch/​lunch in all of canberra!
i have two words for you: nutella mocha. you will die and go to coffee heaven.

Fantastic café in Canberra CBD. The gazebo area outside is beautifully furnished and provides the perfect setting for a casual but intimate meal. The food is simple, but made with fine ingredients at a reasonable price. Dessert was superb. Will definitely revisit when next in the ACT.

This place is simply amazing.
The menu is fairly traditional, and you probably could find it some where else for CHEAPER but is the food BETTER somewhere else, doubt it.
Some really cool tea and coffee choices, along with awesome breakfasts, I can highly recommend this to anyone and everyone as somewhere to visit for a catch-​up coffee or a decent meal.

Little bit pricey but so damn worth it. Best coffee I’ve had in Canberra for at least 2 years

Early morning breakfast here. The food was delicious and fresh, the juices were very nice and refreshing. The coffee was excellent — the lattes were strong just how we like them. The service was excellent the staff were very attentive in the outdoor eating area.

We loved Gus’ so much we went back the next day. The staff and the service are exceptional and the food is priced well. Coffee was good.

Gus Café has been around for ages and ages. It’s more of a meeting place, with coffee and great desserts, than a place for just food. When I got to Gus’s I usually only have their coffee/​variety of drinks and desserts.
Food/​drinks: Food wise, Gus’s have got daily specials as well as a main menu. The daily specials, when tried, were always great — ranging from the winter curries that they often have, to the grilled salmon special they had a few weeks ago.
I did find one of their bruschettas as being particularly oily, which I was surprised at since bruchettas are normally just buttered. Same goes for their nachos.
My favourite thing about Gus’s is their variety of cakes though. They always had cake specials, and various variety of cheesecakes! I normally ask for their specials and picked it out from there, and it never failed to miss the spot (check out the pictures for those that I loved).
With drinks, I loved their milkshakes in winter and their cooling fruit teas in summer.
Service: Prompt and efficient, very friendly as well :)
Atmosphere: Not hurried, casual, laid back. It’s not very ideal for big groups due to the noise levels around the area. However, if you are a small group just catching up, it would be an ideal place.
Conclusion: I loved Gus’s for their cakes and some of their summer drinks, but I must admit that they are not that special at the end of the day. I loved their atmosphere and the memories it brought, but that has nothing to do with their food or their service.
It’s not the only place in the area if you are looking for a good place to catch up with friends over drinks.