Penny University Cafe reviews . (Coffee Shop) in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory).

Penny University Cafe

771 Reviews

355 Comments

Coffee shop

15 Kennedy St, Kingston ACT 2604, Australia

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Description Situation Hours of service Reviews Contact Images

Description

Here you'll see all the information of Penny University Cafe, Coffee shop in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory)

Penny University Cafe it's a Coffee shop and next to this lines you'll see the hours of service, busiest hours, website, phone and real reviews done in Internet

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Situation

Service hours of Penny University Cafe

Sunday

7am–3pm

Monday

6am–3pm

Tuesday

6am–3pm

Wednesday

6am–3pm

Thursday

6am–3pm

Friday

6am–3pm

Saturday

6am–3pm

Busiest hours

Sunday

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Monday

6
7
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9
10
11
12
13
14

Tuesday

6
7
8
9
10
11
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14

Wednesday

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
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14

Thursday

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Friday

6
7
8
9
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13

Saturday

7
8
9
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14

Comments of Penny University Cafe

I. Z.

What a place! The fantastic rustic-industrial atmosphere with fun paintings on the wall, quirky lights and a lot of attention to detail in the interior design. Fantastic food with so many twists - the combination of the ingredients that would not come to mind had they not put it together! Among coffee roasted by Penny's - smooth, rich and deep. Conveniently located in Kingston, it is a short walk to the promenade along the lake.

T. C.

Yum yum and then some!!! What a delightful cafe. Great atmosphere, attentive staff, good variety of menu options, GF, vegan and veg options available. Wonderful coffee. Will definitely be returning next trip to Canberra!! As you can see by last pic - no issues cleaning up the plate!!!

J. E.

Beautiful, rustic and ambient cafe! The staff were delightful and the menu had a fantastic variety. Vegan and vegetarian friendly along with many others (for those who may be coeliac or lactose intolerant). The meals were delicious and very beautifully presented. Incredibly generous portions! Highly recommend!

E. T.

Little gem of a cafe in Canberra, where we went for brunch on a Saturday (weekend surcharge applies). Not your average cafe menu, that’s why we came here in the first place. We had the Steak Sandwich & Pialligo Hash and both dishes are winners. Servings are generous too. Also tried their Beetroot Hot Chocolate, an interesting combo of soy milk, a tinge of chili & beetroot. Won’t mind coming back here next time we’re back in Canberra!

L. S.

Such a great spot that I don’t get to often enough as I’m on the wrong side of town. It’s got a very charming exposed brick/timber/street art interior and is always justifiably packed. The dill coated eggs had this amazing red pepper, walnut, ham(?) situation that was so well balanced and delicious. Batchy was yummy but the highlight was the adorable mugs with sweet little thumb/finger dents

We had been about 5 years before and thought of trying somewhere different but we're so glad we came back. The food, service and atmosphere is 10/10! Even dining with a baby wasn't a hassle. They made us feel very welcome. The chilli hot chocolate was delicious. Both our breakfast's were so tasty. I would definitely recommend this cafe :)

J. M.

Coffee was good but more on the bitter and strong side in flavour. Higher price range for breakfast foods but the food was good quality and good range of options. The Katsu Burger was really tasty and shoe string fries were perfect. Heads up if booking for a larger group the business only takes bookings on the day and does not split bills.

E. T.

Not a bad cafe, but not the best. The coffee was great, but not the best. It's an easy drink that can be drank everyday. The French toast was not soft as I hoped. The flavours are there, but nothing impressive that will make you order it again. The salmon burger was nice. Flavours were there and compliments each other. Shoestring fries are normal but portion is good. Price is a bit high but as expected.

S. J.

This cafe has an excellent and extensive menu and delicious food! Great selection of hot beverages too. We ordered the crisp fried baby eggplant salad and chicken katsu burger, both of which I would definitely get again.

J. C.

The coffee house for unique eclectic deco, a fabulous menu and tasty drinks. Our group thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The staff were friendly and service was fantastic. This coffeehouse has so much character! The open kitchen, fun art work, happy staff and fun vibe. We loved the story and appreciate the delicious and tasty menu!

J. T.

Always great food and coffee, but one of the more pricey cafes - extra surcharge for weekends and public holidays.

T. V. (.

The meals we ordered here were healthy and delicious. I think the drink might have been a chai latte and it was delicious. Yours truly @fooderarri

S. K.

Lovely service! Food and coffee were top notch as well.

A. L.

Absolutely delicious food and beverages. Great menu. Can be packed with a long wait (because it’s so good). A bit pricier than most. But worth it.

O. R.

Great place for breakfast or lunch. It's always packed so you may have too wait a bit for your food. Excellent service and delicious meals. Coffee is great too.

M. V. D.

The coffee was amazing! First time I tried macadamia milk and it didn’t disappoint. Also had the katsu burger and it was delicious! Presentation was really great too. Had an amazing experience here and will definitely come back

K. C.

I've been going to Penny's for the past 3 years and I love this place. Best coffee in Kingston (perhaps even Canberra), the staff is super friendly, and the food is so good! It's also doggo central on the weekend if you need another excuse to visit!

S. O.

A good morning stop for coffee and breakfast. Location: in the main Kingston shop area, central to the suburb. Venue: a long brick venue with an open kitchen and some seating outside in front. I love the open kitchen as it creates an open relationship between what you've ordered and where it's coming from. I didn't experience it but coming from the industry I'm concerned it might get really loud if it's busy. Trust me, kitchen's can get very loud. Though it wasn't too bad in the early morning hours I went there. Staff: friendly and helpful, the kitchen staff, being exposed to the patrons look professional and clean (they can't hide getting grubby if they're right in front of everyone) Food: pretty funky menu, very fresh and somewhat progressive. I liked it. Lots of healthy choices if people are looking for that. Coffee: their blend at the time of review is actually pretty conservative, not going for the more full floral and herbal blends you might see coming up. It's a got a good robust bite at the start with a sweet hint. It was actually really refreshing to start the day with such a good coffee. Highly recommend for take away, as they allow you to order at the window on the street. Overall, I was really happy with everything. Tasty, clean, not too overpriced. I'll come back.

M. T. (.

Great coffee, great eggs and bacon, great toast. Staff were friendly plenty of space to sit and covid safe. Did i mention how good the bacon was?

W. M.

What a fabulous little find! The food is terrific, with a slight twist on the norm, the iced coffee was great once again with a slight twist and the staff were wonderful, really helpful, pleasant and happy to help with suggestions. I wish that I had a similar cafe close to where I live. Try it, I don't think that you'll be disappointed!

A. M.

Cafe was absolutely wonderful. Staff were welcoming, kind, diligent and as always the food and coffee were sublime. Great vibe, environment and the atmosphere is something I look forward too every time I go in. My go to place for brekkie and lunch. I would absolutely recommended to anyone in the area or coming to Canberra.

R. H.

Food was good, a bit tight on the bacon. Very noisy and you have a time limit of one hour to eat. Not my kind of place but good if you live close by. Better places for those trying breakfast places around Canberra.

L. B.

It was a bit noisy and dark. Kitchen is situated at the front counter which offers no privacy. The service was friendly but it took a while for someone to come and take my order. They did provide cold water which was good and the food was tasty and cooked quite well. They do have outdoor seating which on a nice day would be better and less noisy. Overall a good experience.

J. M.

Went for breakfast Saturday morning whilst staying in Kingston. Obviously the place to go as was very busy. Service and food both excellent though a bit noisy inside if you are looking for conversation. Menu a bit different to just the normal breakfast fare which is hard to find. The best Bloody Mary topped it off

F. M.

Amazing coffee, great menu with vegan and can be made vegan options. Sourdough Rye toast is so so good! Awesome coffee, we had single origin pour over, and they do cold brew also. Staff are so very friendly, Interior is awesomely hipster, and they get an elephant staff for the different playlists they had going each time we came - I want their Spotify list!

C. C.

We came here for breakfast. Absolutely amazing coffee. The food was so photogenic! The flavour combinations within the food were a bit unusual, but worth trying. There was a long wait for brunch at 8am on a Saturday, so we ended up sitting outside. Really friendly and helpful staff!!

D. P.

Nice strong good flavoured coffee. Great place for take away or choose from the interesting range of brunch meals to be enjoyed in an eclectic old world atmosphere. Highly recommended.

S. V.

Excellent coffee and always busy. The Katsu burger is an amazing combination containing seaweed and picked daikon, a true fusion!

A. C.

Being from out of town we were happy to come across this great cafe. Casual and cosy, interesting menu and very tasty- the haloumi with cauliflower had so much flavour and adding scrambled eggs was a special treat! The coffee was strong but not bitter. Very pleasant and attentive staff!

Terrific and attentive staff, they always came by to make sure that all was good. Ample seating outside, inside and the courtyard at the back. The Balli’s vegetarian burger was mouth-wateringly amazing, the south Asian spiced patty was filling + the spiced chips was the prefect combination.The serving of the bruschetta was generous, the roasted pumpkin was the star of this dish. Drinks were just as good as the meals, overall a very decent place to brunch, menu prices aren’t so bad, they just have a 1.5% surcharge on visa and MasterCard.

I. v. V.

Yummy food & good service. Came here on a very busy day, and unfortunately no freshly squeezed juice available - however tried one of their sparkling cordials on their request, and it was so good I'm planning to go back again! The green eggs & ham was also very tasty & eggs were cooked perfectly. Good atmosphere & would definitely go here again.

S. M.

(I don't usually write reviews) but I knew I needed to come on here and talk about this cafe. Brought my two children in this morning and sat up the back at about 10am. Despite being busy the waitress went above and beyond to help me, my kids and made the experience really nice. Thank you to you all!

Look, you know a place is good when they leave you waiting in the freezing cold for an hour and you still end up writing a five-star review/going back. Food is excellent, staff are lovely, service is great (mostly). Besides that one time I mentioned above (probably the saddest I've ever felt about eating brunch when we finally got there), Penny has always delivered. The menu pretty much stays the same all year round but they do have daily specials - one savoury option, one sweet - and cater for all dietary requirements. I also love the atmosphere here and inside just feels so cosy. Definitely one of my favourite places in Canberra. Also, the banoffee french toast croissant is to die for, and if you have a sweet tooth like me, oh boy, are you in for a treat. Whoever came up with this creation deserves an award.

S. C.

We had a great lunch here - the Kanga Reuben was a highlight but both food and coffee were top notch. Service was friendly and our pup gave the large outdoor seating area his paw of approval.

D. J.

Great coffee and a good range of food. Nice atmosphere but can be a bit loud inside.

T. M.

Great cafe with delicious food. Great to have different dishes and flavours to chose from. Staff was very friendly and accommodating during busy hours.

D. M. J.

A fantastic little spot which deserves its rating! If you like a bit of kick to your breakfast, I was blown away by the penny hash meal. I added mushrooms and avacado and it was a full meal and I’ve never had anything like it! Prices are little bit expensive but honestly, the value is well deserved. A lovely open space and open kitchen where you can see your meal being prepped, along with delicious bakery goods at the front store If you haven’t been I ask, why?

S. R.

Plenty of local Canberra people rave about Penny University and I can protently see why.. but it lacks a little on quality plus staff training. I've been fortunate to have visited here a number of times with friends and fellow work colleagues. The location is definitely the reason why. Quite, easy parking and not hard to find. Every meal I've ever had here has been well presented with great presentation. I love the little flowers and garnishes placed on the drinks and meals. The meals are good sized with lots of different options. I generally try to pick something off the specials board. Muffins and smoothies are amazing. Down sides are the bread is generally dry. Staff are not very well trained overall. Although last time I was present the standed had picked up a bit. Definitely not my first pick of cafes but its convenient and an ok meal when out with company.

m. a.

Amazing food and costume service . The waiters were all very attentive and friendly. Loved it!

A. M.

We were here on a very busy morning but staff were very helpful in securing a table for us after a short wait. Interesting menu options, friendly staff, vibrant atmosphere and eclectic decor. Enjoyable coffee and meal. Will return when next in Canberra

T. J.

This is an awesome breakfast and lunch spot with an interesting menu and highly trained competent staff. Ordered a cappacino, apple, watermelon juice and the okonomyaki with a fried egg. It was delicious and filing, topped with ginger, kale and heaps of other greens.

V. L.

The location, atmosphere, crowd and menu marries perfectly. Penny University is what you would call a trendy place for trendy people, and for many that's truly a thing to consider. Menu is creative and diverse, it'll catch you either by a nice meaty, or a fish, or a vegetarian option. The coffee didn't disappointed. Came on a mission to try the gnocci end up happily feasting over a Wagyu Rib burger. Be careful on choosing the timing as you might face an unpleasant line.

I. S.

Great decor, staff friendliness, food, and vibe. We were served quickly and the wait staff provided exceptional service. Food came out stunning. I asked for an extra hot coffee and came out the perfect temperature. Matcha latte had great flavours. Loving the hipster vibe inside. The open kitchen captured an actively interested cooking staff which made me feel like everyone wanted to be here. Definitely recommend.

M. K.

The quality of fresh ingredients and overall food is fantastic. This is the best breakfast you can get in Canberra hands down. Two thumbs way up!!

W. Y.

Good fun menu with many health-conscious options. Love the iced latte with orange peel. Service is always efficient and friendly. It would be nice for them to change the menu more often for those of us who come often :D

M. a. C.

Nice cosy atmosphere. Bad coffee, though. Food 👍👍👍 Price 👍👍👍 Place 👍👍👍👍👍 Service 👍👍👍👍👍

Nice coffee but they picked a really dark roast bean which was not to my taste. Lovely cakes though

R. S.

Rate them 4 stars due to their breakfast a bit creative compare to other cafés, I had ordered Sichuan sauce minced pork with potatoes for breakfast. Remember not to add salt, it actually enough saltiness. Although they have special roasted coffee bean but it really depends on personal liking, I found it a bit sour for me.

T. T.

I had a pialligo hash, it is spice , smells good, good presentation , but just too salty for me, maybe the meat from pialligo ? My wife had belly’s salad , also feel salty ... price is a little expensive, service is ok. The coffee is just normal.

G. P. P.

Love the coffee, automatic double shot. Bit if a wait for our orders to be taken but staff were working really hard. Highly recommended and we'll go there again

M. B.

I don’t usually do reviews but I had to! I was looked after by Ellie. She went above and beyond to ensure I get everything I needed with short notice. Took her time and was super friendly and bubbly. The food is excellent which is a cherry on top. Outstanding customer service!

W. H.

Awesome vibe - double shot coffees are standard. Great food options for an adventurous and curious palate

S. K.

Ordered the palliago hash and a long black. It was so delicious and filling. The atmosphere is so amazing and there is always a wait ! Definitely recommend this place

A. Y.

The place was good enough to be visited twice, both for breakfast so that proves the first point. The staff when we arrived were very kind and gave us a seat with the menus. The menus had a lot of stuff, including a few vegan meals and small snacks. It also (being a cafe) had quite a variety of coffee. The seats too were very comfortable and the atmosphere was rather lively with some paintings on the walls and extra small decorations. Straying away from the overall appearance, the food had a suitable breakfast feel with enough fruits and veggies to get ready for the day and some nice coffee for work. Not to mention the fast speed escape crisply relative to the things we ordered, usually being things like Birchers. If I would have the chance to visit a THIRD time, I would proudly accept with kind and honest staff with hygiene and food met even over expectations.a lot of vegan options

J. C.

The coffee is excellent, the food is a step above every other cafe in Kingston... but I wrote this review because I just bought a takeaway coffee and blueberry muffin and I think this is the best muffin I’ve ever eaten... EVER... 😍

P. C.

Great breakfast options and coffee. Creative decore provide a good ambience. A bit yuppy but does it well. Crowded with darkly dressed intense, upwardly pushing public servants. A bit pricey but if living in Canberra and nearby would consider becoming a regular and use it for a meeting place.

Delicious food and great service. Only place open on Good Friday lol

J. M.

When I first moved to Canberra, this was one of the first places my friend took me to and I loved it! The staff were all friendly, the food was good (admittedly it was more expensive than I was expecting) but I've been back several times since. Xx

C. L.

Good food, good coffee, but the atmosphere is what sets it apart. If you get there and no tables are available, then the approximate wait time they give you is usually right on the mark.

E. a. H.

Probably my favourite breakfast in Canberra. The team are so lovely and friendly and the coffee and food is consistently amazing. Love the atmosphere of the cafe. Been going for years and never a bad experience.

P. C.

Service is good, setting quite nice. Food is average at best, gruyère cheese with breakfast ordinary, mushrooms too salty, sauces a bit too rich. Gone downhill a bit on the food side from a few years ago. I won’t hurry back.

J. M.

J. G.

In Canberra two days. Came back a second. Atmosphere and food is great. Try the Hash!

G. R.

Great atmosphere, delicious food and amazing coffee!

R. S.

I. S.

T. T.

J. C.

T. Z.

My dog and I walk past every day for our morning coffee. We love the outside window and the friendly hellos each morning. It's a lovely way to start the day!

E. a. H.

A. F.

Lovely cafe, especially the outdoor seats. It's quite noisy inside due to the open kitchen.

J. G.

In Canberra two days. Came back a second. Atmosphere and food is great. Try the Hash!

G. R.

Great atmosphere, delicious food and amazing coffee!

J. Y.

Great food and outstanding service! If I had to find a fault, it’d be the 10% weekend surcharge. While it’s not uncommon for an establishment to impose a surcharge on a public holiday, it’s my first time to encounter a 10% weekend surcharge. In any case, they were upfront about it and I knew what I was in for as it’s clearly written on their menu.

A. V.

I picked Penny University for its eclectic menu, and I wasn't disappointed. We waited approx 15 mn to get a table, after which I was ready to devour a delicious okonomiyaki, filled with meaty shiitake mushrooms & sliced cabbage, and topped with a Japanese pickle & green leaf salad. My husband’s katsu burger was super tasty too. I was really impressed by this café’s very creative offering, where Australian, Asian and Middle Eastern influences joyfully mingle to create out-of-the-box dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. And I understood from the coffee drinkers sitting with me, that the coffee was top notch too.

C. W.

We went to Kingston for lunch. The food was well prepared and tasty and reasonably priced. The downsides were the cold plates, which necessitated eating quickly before the food got cold, and the slow table service.

D. H.

Enjoy their pancake and breakfast special dishes. The staff were very attentive. They could improve 45 minutes of waiting time from ordering till delivery.

H. S. M.

It was a nice vibe & the waiters were pleasant, however the food was a little disappointing. My friends and I still had a great time though.

G. M.

Just wonderful, great friendly service, great coffee, could be hotter but just maybe me😊 food is amazing, tasty and served hot as it should be. Unusual selections but worth trying. A must place to visit.

T. Z.

My dog and I walk past every day for our morning coffee. We love the outside window and the friendly hellos each morning. It's a lovely way to start the day!

D. G.

Nice cafe with great staff. Got food and good coffee😃

G. I.

The French toast was so nice, you could taste all the ingredients,and that it was made from basic principles. The single origin pourover coffee was weak and overpriced. Would return here for all-day breakfast, but not really worth going out of my way.

H. A.

This place is one of my favourite cafe in Canberra. Never disappoints.

J. B.

Great food and coffee, worth waiting for if they are busy

K. M.

Great coffee. Quick and yummy breakfast rolls.

M. C.

Tasty food, fun drinks, nice location. It can get really busy (so don't go if you're hungry and your friend says they made a reservation but they were lying and you have to wait so long that you question whether you truly like this friend but then it turns out you were just hangry)

Pretty great. Lovely place. Nice atmosphere

M. W.

Love this place food is great and the staff make it better. We had a really helpful guy serving us and he was funny and made us feel very welcome. Food was delicious, good portion and the price is as expected for Canberra. Happy to pay a little extra to get local produce when it shines on the plate. Will always be back.

J. K.

Last time I was here in June 2017 I had the Banoffee French Toast and that delicious experience was so set in my mind that I had to come back and have it again when I was next in town. I wasn't disappointed and although 2.5 years apart that french toast is sinfully yummy. Coffee is good and nice vibe for mid morning dessert breakfast.

L. G.

My lunch partner stood me up, but the staff didn't. Excellent service here

E. G.

Great food and good coffee. One of my go-to cafe's in Kingston.

S. P.

We went to Penny University for lunch one Saturday afternoon, after having arrived at Canberra from Sydney by road. The menu was varied, with plenty of choices for vegetarians. I had the vegetarian salad and my wife had the vegetarian burger. Both dishes were excellent- well presented and tasty. The salad had very healthy ingredients too. Other dishes which our group had were also good. The service was quick and courteous. A very good experience- the first think on our arrival in the Australian capital. Highly recommended.

B. P.

The best haloumi and eggplant burger I've had in Canberra plus great double shot Coffee served with pleasant friendly staff and great out side seating definitely my favourite new cafe, highly recommend.

R. D.

Great service and delicious food! Had the oolong tea and fritters which were devine!

R. C.

I really enjoy coming here when I am in Canberra, possible the best breakfast I have had in town. The coffee is fantastic, plenty of options on how its brewed, and the breakfast is delicious! I am looking forward to my next trip so i can come again!

g. J.

We have been down in Canberra for a week for work. We found these guys on the first morning and instantly we felt like family. We went every morning for the next 6 days. Fantastic coffee, great locally sourced food. The atmosphere is spot on and the service is even better.

E. P.

Crowded, busy place with haphazard service. The menu is ambiguous - they charge at least $4 for each side, not a combo of sides which sound like they'd go well together (tomato salsa and harissa baked beans, yum yum). The toilet area in particular is amusingly retro but I'm not sure it's worth all the hassle. When you do eventually get your breakfast you'll enjoy the food but it will be after a long wait and no one wants to take your order. Beware the Sunday surcharge. Edit for clarity in response to owner's comments: I was not complaining about the toilets. The toilets are fab. They're clean and aesthetically amusing, they have a great retro vibe and a long chain. Top marks there. "Worth the hassle" is a comment about the crowded seating (see below) and disinterested waiters. Yes I get that it's busy, but staff could look around occasionally and try to take an order if people are waving a menu at them instead of sitting at the bar with their back to everyone. Similarly, I wasn't saying "don't charge a surcharge", I was saying "hey they charge a surcharge" so if you Google Maps users reading this are trying to decide whether to come eat here, know that there is a Sunday surcharge so consider that as part of your deliberations. This review is aimed at people trying to decide where to go for breakfast. If you want some delicious poached eggs on toast, consider this place. Lastly, I'm not sure what the comments about seating arrangements are about. The whole restaurant looks very busy and crowded. It's popular. If there is a less crowded area, great, but you can't see it from the front of the cafe or from the main restaurant area, so no one is going to ask for it unless they're a regular who somehow found out about the secret bit with elbow room.

M. P.

What a great place to enjoy an amazing breakfast, consistently perfect coffee served by both a very competent and lovely staff. Definitely the best Café in Canberra.

G. B. W.

I can't shut up about this place. Their croissant french toast is a revelation.

L. C.

First time customer, but now they have one for life. Great breakfast and vegan at that too. Awesome coffee and so beautiful to sit outside watching Kingston do it's thing!!

A. G.

My coffee and açai bowl were both perfect. The staff who served us were very friendly and attentive. The rest of the menu looks really great, so I can’t wait to go back and try some other items.

Y. B.

The bench along a wall as gone & now there are many more tables available. Great menu from which to choose I recommend the Green Eggs & Ham. Good choice of drinks especially the fresh fruit range. Love the local Canberra bakery 3 Mills as their breads are the best. Service still as good as it was & staff seem to really enjoy working here. Just be aware of the menu small print advising credit card surcharge & Sunday surcharge. I always come here for my first breakfast when in Canberra.

L. T.

Unassuming frontage. Fabulous food!! The chefs are obviously masters of their craft! We must mention the Katsu chicken burger! Explosions of flavor with every crunch!! Just yum!! Loved the iced coffee, with their own twist of lemon and melted brown sugar on the side. Beautiful service. Attentive waiters. Thanks for a lovely experience!

E. R.

Beautiful spot, thoroughly enjoyed the katsu burger - really unique flavours! Lovely and warm inside on a winter's day.

N. L.

| Great service & A fan, but bit overpriced | The coffee here is excellent and the food is pretty tasty, considering its setting though, the graveyard that is Kingston shops, the average cost of breakfast is more expensive than a number of Sydney’s best brunch joints. The fit out is well done and the service really is genuine and sincere but there’s still something missing. Tables are way too close to each other which makes a catch up with mates slightly awkward when well aware your neighbours are essentially sitting with you.

D. K.

Amazing breakfast while in town for a few days. Great service. Value for money and a unique menu! Highly recommend!

I. M.

Just grabbed a quick breakfast. Coffee was great. Friendly service with great atmosphere. Popular. Eggs on toast? Fried eggs were very runny so if that's not your liking then ask. Also very pale eggs with little flavour. It was a meal that you wish you got something else.

J. C.

Service was quick and friendly, coffee was good and we asked for a breakfast recommendation, which was the green eggs pictured. My brother also needed gluten free bread which they had and the meal came out as pictured. I eat a lot of scrambled eggs and this was definitely one of the tastiest new arrangements of my Saturday morning staple that I've tried. Good mix of flavours with nothing overpowering.

S. S.

Food is good. In fact good is amazing. But service is slow on the weekends. Got sat down at 5 past 10 ordered a cappuccino straight away. Didn't receive the cappuccino till 10.40.. But food is amazing but expect long waiting times to get your order. It is worth the wait for good quality food.

J. R.

Had a delicious brunch with my partner here and was so impressed with my Pialligo Hash that I returned a week later with my family. Unfortunately it was much busier and we had to wait 20 min for a table. Despite many solid options nearby we asked to wait. There was something delicious for all palates on the menu and we enjoyed watching the chefs at work.

L. Z.

Really really nice place and location. Good poke bowl but it isn't cheap

c. b.

Great looking place, staff friendly despite the crowds, banofee French toast was delicious!

B. H.

Some of the best coffee around. Service was good but a little muddled. My 2 breakfasts were average

S. I.

Great food, amazing coffee, super friendly staff who were helpful and provided excellent customer service. I felt so welcome to be here and it made the experience even more enjoyable.

M. J.

Excellent coffee, food and service. A slight draft with the setup for covid but otherwise cannot fault it. Great for family, friends, a date or on your own, you deserve it! Strongly recommend! but prepare to wait if you are a group under 4ppl due to covid

B. P.

We managed to get a table ok for breakfast, however then we had to wave the staff down so we could then order. I think this place is the only place in Canberra that doesn't have "Lactose Free" Milk for coffee. The food was alright if you like alternate weird stuff. A plus, some great choices for Vegan or GF. Probably wont go there again tho.

L. R.

The cafe was packed, which meant that there was quite a wait, and it was also quite noisy. I had the special, the Caprese salad, which was delicious. Coffee was also good. Staff are generally happy to help. Lots of options available for people with dietary restrictions. Overall, left happy and satisfied.

L. P.

Accomodating for us without a booking during a busy period of the day and free wifi is as good an indication as any that these guys care about their customers and our experience. The speed of the food and coffee coming out was awesome. If you like your pork, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the awesomeness of the Pialligo Hash! Grab some Chippies aswell, that relish is a game changer!!

A. F.

First time been there. Love the atmosphere. Love their some what unique looking drinks. I had corn soup, which has a little chilli. I usually ask for no chilli but forgot, which ended up being positive. The soup made me so much warm on a chilly day. I would like to come back again.

D. C.

Food was ok, not great. The price was ridiculous for what you got. Iced coffee was $8 with soy but the portion was small and flavoured with orange which didn't really work well in our opinion. Veggie burger was about as good as any other you'd find elsewhere. Overall probably worth saving your money and going elsewhere.

V. N. H.

Food Coffee great. Post-covid lockdown service pushy.Get takeaway

A. L.

Great brunch spot my friends all had great meals but mine was disappointing. Ordered the scrambled eggs with mushroom and avo and it was not worth the price I paid for, the serving was too small not enough eggs and the bread was 2 small pathetic slices and extra $5 for not even half an avo? Rip off. “The mushrooms” I ordered was just 1 large mushroom should change the menu if it’s not what you’re going to serve, big difference between a mushroom and mushrooms, not worth the additional money either, wouldn’t recommend anyone getting the eggs on toast.

Coffee is fine. Location and interior is great. Service is average. The main issue with Penny University is the food is just meh. Menu needs a revamp.

Food and service are excellent. But coffee is okay.

N. W.

Penny University has a great atmosphere and is usually quite busy. There is seating both out the back and front inside is full. Solid breakfast menu with enough hearty options to get you through a cold Canberra morning. Coffee is very good.

M. B.

Amazing breakfast, best tasting breakfast i have had in a long time, The French Toast was spectacular!

E. K.

Absolutely LOVE this place and how allergy friendly they are! Easily accommodated my meal with no fuss to make it gf + df and it was one of the best brunches I've had in Canberra in years! Coffee is amazing too.

D. M.

Nice atmosphere but I sat waiting for 20 minutes (luckily I was waiting for friends) before I could ask the waiter for service. Everyone else around me hit served. The coffee was bitter and only just warm

B. M.

Great food. Lovely hot drinks. Not massive servings but satisfying. Busy, noisy, vibrant atmosphere. Quick takeaway options. No split bills. Good staff. Clean, cosy setting.

K. F.

Beautiful food amazing flavours and great coffee the only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is we had a table right down the back and each time the back door opened the cold wind was dreadful

Had a family morning catch up. Milk shakes, coffee, iced coffees, chips and acai bowl. Favourite was the Reese's peanut butter special milk shake. All was delicious and the service was fast at the table and so polite. Highly recommend this one.

P. G.

Best cheese on toast ever. Well it was more than that, but tasted amazing. Staff helpful and efficient without being in your face

T. N. A. N.

Fantastic food. Havent tried the coffee but i am happy with the experience so far.

J. H.

Excellent coffee and food; some of the best in Canberra. Thoughtful menu with good mix of flavours and healthy fresh ingredients. A little pricey but you get what you pay for here.

V. A.

One of my favs for breakfast/branch.

N. W.

Very Overpriced, especially for what you actually get. Also very hit and miss with the meals. If I had enjoyed the meal I would have understood the prices charged. But for expensively sourced food you expect quality.

P. G.

Simply the best. Great coffee, great food, good music, nice atmosphere.

K. S.

Love my regular macadamia fw from here. Only improvement? Taking less than 15mins to make the coffee would be great for my morning work schedule! It can be very slow.

D. R.

A Kingston gem! Great food, a dynamic meu and friendly staff. This café might just be my favourite thing about Kingston!

K. P.

We came here for breakfast and had two vegan breakfast options. Both were amazing. I dream of the seasonal fruit breakfast; the panna cotta is luscious perfection, and doesn't taste vegan at all. The green breakfast was so much better than I expected, I would happily eat it everyday. Every element is fresh, thoughtful, interesting, and delicous. These two dishes are by far the most exciting vegan breakfasts in Canberra. Coffee was also really good. Only criticism is that it was a bit loud.

A. D.

Coffee could be a little better but the Avo Dish is tops, awesome smoked bacon and the quinoa has the right amount of veggies. Pretty busy but we were seated quickly and service was easy. Will try again.

D. M.

Some of the best food, had to wait abit as I was with a large group 12+, but there were accommodating. Great coffee and cafe atmosphere

A. O.

Top notch breakfast, lunch and coffee. Friendly staff and cool vibes. Try the Bloody Mary!

Food was good. Service was ok (more on the very slow side). Though it was the weekend. Glad we had a reservation. Could barely move inside it was so busy. I would go back again. Maybe try it outside of peek times.

A. W.

Lovely smooth coffee and a great menu. Lots of options for vegetarians and an easygoing atmosphere. The staff are accommodating and friendly. I just wish they were open longer on weekends.

1. P. S.

your lunch special last week was delicious. any chance of putting the check pea ball salad dish on your main menu?

L. Y.

The food is so good and creative. The flavours great! Very good coffee. They stand out from the ithers doing the same thing... here they excel in food. Service is ok. But the food makes up fir it. Relax enjoy...

a. t.

Great coffee, quick service, & lovely staff. This place is Melbourne-tier hipster in look & feel, and the coffee is truly great. Also open at an early hour on Sundays, which is hella surprising for The Can.

B. A.

Try the rice pudding. It’s excellent.

T. J.

Great atmosphere! Nicest staff <3 Perfect coffee and breakfast!

A. L. (. i. a. F. F.

Amazing food makes this a favourite go to. In addition to excellent service and a very hip vibe, it's a must visit whenever you're on South Canberra side. The PFC burger is a fave!

L. L.

great juice and chicken katsu burger !

E. S.

Always a delight. Great staff. Great macadamia latte. Really nice macadamia and raspberry muffin.

m. k.

They have refreshed the menu a couple of weeks ago and I tried the dandan noodle, which was really delicious. This cafe is already very highly regarded and well established but they continue to improve and innovate.

M. A.

Everything was great - from the design on plates, food taste, customer service and staff.. my go to when my friends come from interstate 👌🏼 (every time I forget to take a photo of the food lol)

G. D.

A beautiful cafe serving consistently great food. They always have an interesting twist on all their meals with friendly staff as well. :)

I. L.

It's like a dream menu with all the foods that you couldn't be stuffed making at home. Awesome selection and good coffee

N. C.

Great atmosphere, great food :)

A. L.

Unusual and delicious twists on conventional café food. The chips with bush seasoning, the gnocchi ans shakes are particular highlights and the service is outstanding. Friendly and cosy atmosphere make it perfect for a casual lunch.

N. D.

Busy place but didn't have to wait long for a table. Excellent coffee and food.

M. A. A.

Amazing food and drinks. Staff are super friendly and love the open kitchen vibes. Will be back!!

É. V. d. S.

Lovely atmosphere and delicious food. Certainly we would comeback if we visit Canberra again.

One of the best places in Canberra to get coffee, i love the environment, the staff are really nice too. I have had some of their menu items and they are delicious, well presented and good quality ingredients

J. H.

Possibly the best café in Canberra. The menu is always wonderful as well as the staff and the atmosphere. The service is always fast and friendly and the coffee is delicious. I always stop by here when I’m visiting Canberra.

S. W.

Cool place, exceptional staff in a very busy environment, we were very happy with our eggs and my apple juice and it's presentation was fantastic (although not cheap), highly recommend this joint!

T. M. F. P.

Great coffee and good service on the exception of today, Sophie charged me a paywave surcharge and I wasn't using paywave. Sure it's only 8 cents so didn't bother raising it at the time however I would suggest staff perhaps ask how people will be paying before just automatically applying a surcharge.

F. D.

Love the take home hash sauce!

Lacking in vegetarian/vegan options (at least for brekky), very uncomfortable when it's super busy of the morning, which it was on a Wednesday. Super loud, yet you're so close to people next to you you can hear their conversations. Good smoothies tho

M. A.

Go for the food, skip the coffee

K. G.

Great coffee and great service.

D. J.

Awesome breakfast place, probably best breakfast in Canberra. You must try the avocado dish, but add bacon. Their bacon makes me almost cry with joy its that good.

Amazing place and amazing food. Coupled with excellent customer service and a very considerate owner ( Ellie, you are fantastic!!), this place is hard to beat. Two thumbs up,!

K. E.

Great food. Make a reservation on the weekend if you want a table insideespecially for brunch. Their cold brew coffee was delish.

S. D.

Excellent coffee. Very popular place. It felt like half of Canberra were here.

D. E.

The most innovative menu I've seen for a long time. Excellent food

Nice coffee but the food menu is a bit over the top hipster. It's nice food but you don't get much for what you pay. There are better places nearby (including in Manuka)

A. a. S.

The very best Spot to spend some time with the best Coffee. Good customer service. I'm an avid coffee lover, and I've discovered here the ideal quality coffee.

B. Y.

You guys was amazing.Thanks for everything.

We waited for nearly one hour for our order yesterday (Sunday brunch). Bit overpriced too. Food was good, but will not be back.

L. G.

Best coffee in Kingston. There's usually a wait for takeaway coffee which is ok because the coffee is good but I've had to go elsewhere when i dont have 20 minutes to wait.

G. Q.

I took the risk to go for something different having the white chia and rice pudding and it was delicious. Everyone in my party was happy with the food and coffee, so definitely recommended!

A. T.

Trendy cafe with tasty, fresh breakfast at and lunch. I always take Sydney friends here when visiting. -1 star for credit surcharge and being slightly more expensive than it has to be.

E. F.

Great food and friendly staff, would definitely recommend! It was crazy busy when we were there (hint: book ahead) but food was prompt and delicious 👌

J. T.

Great coffee (like Sydney and Melbourne good!) And the acai bowl was excellent, though a little sparse 🙈 definitely will be coming back when I am in town

S. A.

It's my favourite place to have breaky in Canberra

C. A.

Service was slow and the table we sat on never got wiped! Meals could have been presented a bit nicer! Coffee was good!

D. O.

Love their 60 degree egg. Very Melbourne brunch place. Great coffee too. Fab pialligo bacon.

N. B.

Great food and coffee. Very very cold on a winter morning!

J. S. M.

Got takeaway food and coffees from here and it was well worth it! Very quick, friendly and good service as well

P. E.

Great steak sandwich and a fantastic kids menu. Prompt lunchtime service.

D. R.

Good service and food. Allergy friendly. Great dairy free cake! We return everytime we come to Canberra.

R. S.

Impeccable service, food which is both stunning and delicious and plenty of tempting menu options. Easily the best place I visited whilst in Canberra.

C. C.

Awesome food and customer service! Really enjoyed the vegetarian options too! Avo and the dark wood dishes were really yummy!

A. P.

Really nice Cafe, yummy food

J. E.

Good tasty food, solid service, let down by 1) the ‘Sunday surcharge’ this is rediculous and should be illegal 2) the paying be card/payWave surcharge - this is rediclous and should be illegal 3) the food is a tad overpriced (see points 1 and 2) 4) we had to line up for 10 mins just to pay our bill?! Dumb system.

A. H.

Very good chicken katsu burger, nice piallago hash. Bit pricey and the coffee wasn't great

L. R.

Funky Cafe with great food and amazing coffee.

j. p.

Had a Coffee and a Chock Chip Banana Bread and both where quite good. One of the better coffees and wasnt bitter.

G. G.

It's a find. Really terrific staff. Quirky, but delicious food. Planning to return next visit to Canberra. Recommended highly.

J. J.

Unassuming place from the outside, pleasantly surprised by the service and food which was excellent, coffee was top notch too. Highly recommend this place.

H. B.

Great atmosphere, and staff! wasn’t a massive fan of the pillagio hash but my partners wagyu beef burger was amazing!

J. R.

After being very disappointed with Me and Mrs Jones service n professionalism I decided to check out Pennys.Wow,service,coffee,food amazing.Its my new joint to get my coffee. I'm person who traveled n had some best coffee and food around the world.This place is a must to dine

B. B.

Great coffee and plenty of atmosphere food choices were a little limited but tasty. Had the green eggs and ham.

S. G.

good coffee and great food. poke bowls and the quack Thai particularly good. sit outside or in, friendly staff and usually efficient service

D. M.

They serve you an excellent coffee with a smile. Food is divine too!

J. C.

Great atmosphere, locally sourced food and quality ingredients. Can be busy as there is not a lot of choice in Canberra.

G. L.

Our saviour in COVID-19 times and pretty excellent in non crisis times. Great coffee and food.

F. R.

Very good coffee, food and great customer service. This place gets packed on sundays and it might them a bit longer to serve your food but it is worth it.

S. S.

Awesome breakfast -great fresh ingredients created into delicious combinations. Coffee was world class

Great Breakfast. Though it is packed but you can call to book. Great coffee.

A. K.

Great coffee, and had one of the best breakfasts for ages (and it was vego!). Definitely recommend!

D. S.

Excellent quality food. The menu has something for all ages and tastes.

Actually some nice food and the staff were nice and friendly. Seems to live up to its reviews!!

Excellent food 👌

i. c.

Friendly people & vibe, yummy food lovingly prepared and mandatory great coffee varieties. ...It's always awesome

H. R.

Best avo toast in canberra, staff are always nice, coffee is consistently good. Bit pricey, but it's Kingston so that's the norm.

n. h.

Perfect coffee and friendly staffs

L. L.

Coffee was always good! But the food was not acceptable, we order the chicken burger, the chicken great was dried and no flavor.

M. S.

It's ok. The coffee is pretty good but some of the food is unnecessarily fussy. A banana smoothie doesn't need lime and turmeric.

R. M.

Excellent breakfast super fast service even when the place is heaving. Great coffee will be back for sure.

Food and service was excellent. Will be going again. Highly recommended.

E. M.

Excellent customer service with menu flexibility, great coffee and lots of seating options

D. P.

The food is always great here and the coffee is on point. One of the best places in Canberra for a brekkie stop.

L. H.

Tasty food, varied menu, however definitely overpriced. Don't expect to pay under $30 for brunch.

J. L.

Good coffee and food, just a little more expensive than your usual cafe fare

G. R.

Very busy. Super oily food. Good coffee. Great service.

P. G.

Very reliable food, coffee and service. There are always interesting specials to tempt the breakfast hunger.

B. H.

Awesome coffee and food

K. M.

Nice joint, good coffee and awesome breakfast treats. Awesome way to spend my birthday. Hats off to you guys

J. T.

Great place for coffee and a quick breakfast. Heaps of sweet treats as well.

good lunch!!

C. M.

Very friendly and attentive staff even on really busy weekend mornings. The omelette special has consistantly impressed me and the specials change regularly.

C. D.

The food is good and the coffee is great, but holy hell is it noisy inside.

N. B. Q.

The french toast is a work of art. Service was really good today as well.

Y. M.

Best coffee, almost as good as in Italy, great atmosphere,very cosy in the cold Sunday morning, great service.

L. C.

Nice food with lots of good veg options, but a bit over priced compared to other eating options in the area.

K. G.

Great vibe, awesome service & fantastic food. A Canberra favorite. Highly recommend it.

J. S.

Creative food, good service. It's a lively yet cosy place to catch up with friends.

W. M.

Good food nice atmosphere. Surcharge on credit cards and don't split bills which is a little annoying

R. E.

Lovely place, great meal and service. Liked the decor too, old house style

I. B.

Tasty food, good coffee. Popular place for good reason.

K. M.

Need to update opening hours as despite dating opening at 7 am I was thrilled to find them open & making good coffee at 6am. Thanks.

Great chef, friendly staff, perfect spot.

E. G.

Great food for Canberra.

A. S.

Delicious! Yummy sweet things, good coffee, nostalgic music and good service. 😋😋

J. N.

The food was nice, great coffee and great service.

K. D.

Food can sometimes be a miss, but when it's a hit... oh boy 😋

P. E.

Great coffee and good food. Really nice place for breakfast.

C. C.

Great food & service. Little pricey but worth it. Love the layout.

Amazing food! Staff are very friendly and the atmosphere is perfect.

A. W.

Delicious food and great service, gets very busy on weekends.

A. D.

The atmosphere and coffee were good, however the service whilst nice was fairly slow

S. D.

Service and coffee good. Breakfast serving size very small for price.

J. S.

The girls make great coffee and the kitchen is fantastic! I get there as often as I can :)

G. L.

Other than being a little cold, it was great.

P. G.

Great Service, Coffee and Food. One of my favorite breakfast venues

M. H.

Great food good atmosphere and friendly efficient staff.

G. P.

Best coffee in Canberra. Standout dish = iced coffee and feta/salmon omelette

S. S. (.

I've been to PU a couple of times and it was always busy and packed. Enjoyed food and coffee there.

Q. J.

Great coffee and service. And as a bonus the only place to ever spell my name correctly! :)

S. R.

A bit pricey but top quality. Good for special occasions

J. J.

11/10 under rated, this place is great. Great food great vibe

C. H.

Great food great service always busy but seems to have a seat quite quickly

J. P.

My favourite place to eat in Canberra, The food is amazing and always fast service =)

G. K. B.

My favourite haunt. The way that they cook Pialligo bacon - the best.

J. H.

Fantastic coffee and great service. I'll be back for sure

A. S.

Great coffee and decent food. Can be crowded at times, but.

R. A.

Wow what service and what wonderful food , well done guys xx

R. K.

Great food one of the best places for coffee and friendly staff

B. D.

Amazing food, friendly staff and great coffee

T. K.

Beautiful, Beautiful Coffee first time and every time! Consistently consistent. LOVE.

R. O.

Great food but pretty poor coffee.

H. O. A. (.

One of the better cafes in Canberra I would recommend. Good food, coffee and ambience.

N. P.

Not a huge fan of the hipster vibe here. New menu was not great with korean/aus fusion

R. M. D.

Good service. Good food healthy and delicious 😋

M. W.

Best cafe, the food is delicious and love the staff :)

S. D.

Best brekky in Kingston... Ignore the menu and have a crack at the specials. Next level "that shouldn't work" awesome...

k. s.

I went in late and they were in a hurry to close. But the food was nice.

M. K.

Great food and courteous staff.

T. j.

Great food and coffee, friendly cheerful staff

K. W.

Great coffee, food, service and music. Awesome!

K. L.

Good food; a bit weird but delicious. Good service

F. L.

Great local cafe with consistently good coffee, food and service

L. A.

Great coffee, great food and great service

L. L.

The food, service and coffee are all fine, but it's all pretty pricey for what you get.

E. N.

About $95 to feed two adults and two small children breakfast with a drink each.

S. J.

Passionate service, awesome food and excellent coffee!

P. G.

Great atmosphere and food. Staff friendly and attentive.

C. T.

Great service, good coffee and awesome breakfast

Food is good but staff careless and forgetful. Meh.

J. M.

Great place for brekky, good coffee. Yummy food.

K. H.

Nice food. Nice staff. Enjoyable breakfast.

C. V.

Great coffee, scrumptious food and friendly service.

K. T.

Great coffee, tasty food and a relaxed atmosphere.

M. S.

Opens early morning before other cafes in the area. Great coffee

J. M.

Great food, great service - one of my favourites in Canberra.

N. N.

Delicious food and coffee. Great service.

M. S.

Good coffee, poached eggs a little over done for my liking.

R. T.

Great food and coffee.

S. S.

Great food, great drinks, good atmosphere

G. D.

Noisy but nice Good food, good coffee, good staff.

G. F.

Busy place with great coffee and food. Recommended.

Best B&E roll we've ever had.

A. H.

Always Delicious

K. C.

A bit pricey for food that's not amazing

C. W.

Yum, healthy food and nice staff

M. S.

Busy spot. We had a quick breakfast and coffee which hit the spot.

R. W.

Pretty cool place but I made the mistake of ordering one of the Tumeric smoothies 🤢🤢

J. M.

Great ambiance, interesting menu & great service.

M. S.

Great coffee, good selection of great snacks.

M. P.

Creative, fresh and delicious food.

C. A.

Always busy but best coffee in Kingston

W. H.

Great menu, delicious food and coffee!

M. M.

The french toast was AMAZING. Best I've ever had!

S. B.

Hipster cafe food. Slightly pricey but great place for a coffee with mates

H. K.

Excellent food, but the service was extremely slow

B. M.

Great Food. Great Coffee. Very casual.

S. G.

The best French toast I've personally eaten anywhere.

C. M.

I had gnocchi for lunch and I can highly recommend it.

T. S.

Milkshake size is embarrassing. But they are tasty.

M. H.

Great food good service 🎈

S. W.

Good food and coffee but not cheap

d. b.

Nice coffee and interesting food.

S. L.

Interesting and inventive menu. Sit outside if youd like to chat!

R. Y.

Fantastic.

C. M.

Excellent food, service and coffee.

N. J.

Penny University has a great atmosphere and even better food.

P. S.

Great coffee and great service friendly staff

K. P.

Wonderful, cozy place. The food is fantastic!

J. C.

Quick and great, loved the hash!

陳.

Nice and delicious

P. B.

Delicious food in a cozy environment

T. N.

fantastic brunch with some unusual ingredients. Try the avo dish.

H. A.

Nice breakfast and great coffee.

P. S.

Lovely blueberry bie. Coffee is good as well.

Love it! Bit pricey but somehow always worth it

L. W.

Good breakfast. Friendly service

Breakfast-ish food with an Asian fusion flavour.

J. S.

Great food, good coffee.

M. M.

Explosion of different flavors and well balanced food.

A. H.

Great food and coffee. Try anything with bacon.

N. O. (. O. P.

Very good, if quite pricey.

J. W.

Great food, good service.

L. M.

Smooth coffee and a wide choice of delicious food

B. K.

Great coffee and brekky items

P. J.

Great spot for a quiet coffee away from the bustle of Manuka.

W. W.

Good fusion food, try too hard sometimes

L. B.

Great food, awesome coffee

B. B.

Avocado toast is beautiful !! Good coffee!

D. C.

Good coffee. Nice meal.

A. D.

Loved the food and coffee here!

B. F.

These guys really know how to pump out satisfied customers

M. A.

Always good. Don't miss this place.

H. Z.

Excellent food and the services 👍

G. S.

Awesome place great food

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Reviews of Penny University Cafe in Canberra - Coffee shop

15 Kennedy St, Kingston ACT 2604, Australia

Comments and reviews of Penny University Cafe