Came here cause I saw a good review from Good Food. We arrived at 10:30am and the place was bustling. Canberrans have brunch earlier than sydneysiders it seems. We put our name down, got coffee and went for a walk. They called us 10 mins later with our table ready. I love it when business places care enough to give you a call back rather than making you wait there at their mercy. I ordered the juice of the day: Orange, lemon, and raspberry. Deliciously refreshing. I tasted a hint of ginger but I don't mind it. We ordered a croissant French toast that comes with lemon or orange mascarpone with a side of crispy bacon and avo dish with bacon. The French toast looked and tasted amazing. Just AMAZING! Avo dish consisted of rye toast with avo and labne, with quinoa tabbouleh and 63 degree egg, and a side of bacon. The rye bread was hard I suspect because it was gluten free. The quinoa tabbouleh was so refreshing, I felt healthy eating this dish, even with bacon. 63 degree egg wasn't really 63 degree. I was too hungry to care but next time I might ask for a real 63 degree. The coffee was good and the place was charming. Service was pretty good. Better than most places in Sydney. I will be back next time in in Canberra. read more

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Awesome little cafe in Canberra... Awesome you say? In Canberra? Yes being a Sydney-sider I was seriously skeptical about this place, especially as all my Canberra friends swear by this place. But this place is awesome, and I will make sure that I stop by here any time I am back in Canberra. First and foremost is the coffee! Yep, I am a fan. My friend asked for a strongman cappuccino, and waitress quickly replied - all our coffee is strong. Let's just say this raised my expectations. And when the coffee came out, my expectations were meet. But what truly takes this place to greatness is the food. It is seriously good. I had the green eggs, and I wanted to wipe the plate clean. If you are a person who had a sweet tooth then I suggest ordering the French toast. Now this place is generally crowded, but even if you are not willing to wait and sit, get a take away coffee and some muffins. But either way this is a place you need to visit if you are in Canberra. read more

Penny University - Green eggs and ham - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Canberra, ACT

A collection of kitsch, old milk bottles and crockery makes for a fun atmosphere. The staff, without exception were friendly and fun and made you want to stay. The coffee- roasted in house by the way- was divine. On this occasion we had the French toast and it is- seriously-the best I've ever had. And plenty of it. read more

Penny University - Penny university's idea of French Toast. OMG!!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Canberra, ACT

Arrived in Canberra too early to check into hotel so we went for late lunch. Penny University had a big crowd so we took a chance. While I am not typically into the whole organic, sustainable thing (since it seems at times to be an excuse for bland food), PU was very good. My roasted eggplant salad ( with lentils and tastiest tomatoes I have had in years and years) was outstanding. My macchiato was also very good. Partner's pulled pork sandwich was reported to be really good as well. ( Even the organic "Karma Cola" was reported as good). Certainly a good choice for lunch. Open for breakfast as well and the breakfast menu looked good ( but we will be on the road before the 7am open). read more

Penny University - Grilled eggplant salad with lentils and heirloom tomatoes. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Canberra, ACT

Just had a poor experience there, perhaps related to an inexperienced young assistant manager. I advised them that one of their dishes had a key ingredient missing (broad beans). She pointed to a tiny speck of that ingredient (a finger nail size) on my plate and said "there it is". I said that surely isnt enough! I then asked her, because she didnt suggest this herself, if she was willing to compensate by taking of for example the cost of the sides ($5) and she said "no". In times like these when cafes are struggling, a smart welcoming manager creates goodwill and keeps customers coming back. My recommendation has to be: dont go there. read more

The Canberra restaurant scene is going through a rapid period of change at the moment, with new hip, grungy places popping up everywhere. Penny University continues the trend of taking an older building, and restoring some of the stand out structural features of the restaurant. Combined with rustic furniture in all shapes and sizes, potted plants, wall murals and lovely open displays for the voluptuous pastries and cakes on offer, it offers a warm vibe, buzzing with energy. Thankfully, the food is as good as the fit out, with really thoughtful dishes for breakfast and lunch that often have an Asian or Middle Eastern twist. (They also do dinner too) The breakfast menu offers such delights as black sticky rice with coconut, mango, pomegranate and peanut brittle, or soft poached eggs with harissa baked beans, pistachios, dukkah and labneh. Coffee is a strong suit, with Penny University offering some interesting in house roasted blends, and baristas hailing from some of Canberra's premier coffee establishments. The icing on the cake (btw try the amazing lemon tart; it beckons from afar and says 'eat me') is the great service offered by the staff, who are always friendly and helpful even during busy periods. read more

I'm not a risk taker, the biggest risk I take in life is to order French toast off the menu. I don't like eggs, the smell and the texture repulse me. And you might say- well why would you order French toast. Well, when made to perfection, you can barely taste the egg! The egg coats the outside and only a little of the inside, and when smothered in ice cream or syrup, there's no trace of egg!Unfortunately, this was not the case for Penny University. I had been eying off the yelp page for Penny University and had decided that the Frenched croissant was the obvious way to go. When it arrived at the table, I knew it was a mistake. All I could smell was egg... The texture was like a fried egg sitting on top of a croissant, like there was no milk or anything else in the egg wash- just egg. Very disappointing. Inedible. Despite this mishap, my chai latte was delicious and the decor was quirky, trendy and interesting. I would return again, but I'd probably stick to the pancakes- a much safer bet... read more

One star because the place looks pretty quirky. Sadly, the food lacks in flavour and effort. Why even have a restaurant if the food produced isn't your best! We were out for a morning birthday breakfast and one plate out of 6 looked mildly desirable. The rest were basic at best and the price exorbitant. Sadly even the service can't help to liven a miserable menu! There are great places to eat in Canberra sadly this place isn't one of them. read more

Open and closing times are in-accurate. I rocked up to get a coffee during a time they've advertised they're open and got told sorry come back later yet they had someone on the coffee machine making coffee. I wouldn't of thought it would be to hard to make a coffee to go when you had advertised you're open. I will avoid the confusion and go elsewhere next time. read more

We love coming here for brunch. I would say the best and most unique breakfast menu in Canberra. Staff are attentive and food is delicious, special and a real treat. read more

Penny University would have to be my favourite cafe. The menu is unique. The meals are well executed & the staff are friendly & very helpful. read more

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The food was absolutely delicious and the cafe had great character. Great options for vegan and gluten free and really friendly and helpful staff. Will most definitely be back. The coffee was delicious too. 10 out of 10. So glad we found here! Highly recommended!! read more

This place is good. Really really good. We went on Easter Sunday and there was a bit of a wait but not too bad. And worth it. My daughter and I shared the two daily breakfast specials: black barley porridge with marscapone and granola crumbles then a hot cross bun with lebneh and strawberry jam. Croissant French toast was ridiculous. And they had chocolate Easter egg donuts - oh boy! Service was on it despite the craziness of the place. Decor is cool chic. Coffees were good - my long black came with a shot glass of water so I could adjust the strength. First time I've encountered that. Highest recommendation for breakfast. read more

Thanks to yelp we decided to try this place. I am from Sydney a huge foodie and lover of breakfast. Hands down one of the best breakfast I have ever had. I had one of the specials mushroom bruschetta on home made pumpkin bread. Not only was the food outstanding it was some of the most genuinely friendly and efficient service I have experienced. From the dishwasher to the waitresses chefs and owner all went out if their way to make sure we enjoyed our time there. Brilliant can't fault this place. read more

Can't fault Penny University! Avo dish and a coffee for breakfast - DEEEEELICOUS! Coolest knick knacks everywhere including some pretty sweet old school chairs, which the place a funky yet homely feel! read more

It's pretty busy on weekends and parking is difficult, but that's anywhere in Canberra. What sets this place apart is the great food and coffee. It's one of Canberra's best. They aren't afraid to try a few different things and everything they come up with is generally top notch. read more

Great coffee, maybe the best in Kingston. Hip without being pretentious. Very friendly staff... And it feels genuine incredibly enough. Cakes are nice, haven't tried the food yet but love it as my take away coffee stop! read more

Great place, however I just paid $27 for three milkshakes - $9 for a takeaway milk shake!!!!!

Such a damn shame! Another great Canberra eatery falling to the way side due to attempts to service too many people. Iv'e been to this place 3 times for breakfast, the first time was just as the breakfast service was finishing and things were quietening down. My meal, which was the special (something goats cheese - quite frankly goats cheese is all you need to know) and it was superb, I was tempted to lick the plate but unfortunately my other two visits just didn't live up to the hype. Sadly, I don't think it's through lack of trying, in fact I think they're trying too hard! The two subsequent times I went they were so busy that they rendered the wait staff incompetent and the kitchen staff insane - not their fault of course. I understand a business wanting to get as many bums on seats as possible but when those bums walk out unhappy because their food was slapped together in a mad rush and the wait staff were unable to deal with basic requests like 'can I have a knife and fork please', nobody wins! Try serving less people and focus more on creating an awesome dining experience - you could be crazy good if you fix that little problem! read more