NGA Members’ Lounge
The coffee here is fine, although not amazing. The staff are generally helpful and speedy although if you go at lunch time expect not only a wait but also a shortage of tables. Fantastic view though.
Coffee was under-tamped and over-extracted, so a little thin and uninspiring: drink wine instead. Best way to sneak in for non-members would be to go up the triangular staircase from Level 2, then pretend to recognise and warmly greet one of the 60-year old women who are the primary demographic. You never know where this could lead. Great view.
I haven’t been to the standard NGA café for a while, but in my experience it’s more on the side of miss than hit. So if you can sneak into the Members’ Lounge it’s worth your while. The coffee is by no means amazing, but it’s tasty enough. The day I visited the staff showed tremendous patience in dealing with the two horrible women in front of me who were causing a fuss over nothing.
Nearby cafes
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National Gallery of Australia outdoor cafe
National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Pl, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Most appalling excuse for coffee I’ve ever had the displeasure to encounter. Essentially warm milk… I was also told I didn’t ask for a sugar. I’m pretty sure I know what I ordered thank you very much. I do hope this is just an issue with the Barista on …
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Café Milieu
LOT 7 King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Café Milieu use an organic fair-trade Grinders blend to make Ok coffee. They were very busy at 8:30 this morning, but still managed speedy service.
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Biscotti Bar
Reconciliation Place, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Longish wait for a short macchiato, but they got it right in the end. Just to show coffee in tourist spots doesn’t have to be cruddy.
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Questacon cafe
Mall Rd W, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
OK for a tourist cafe. My flat white came out in a latte glass rather than a cup, which at least warned me that the milk was superheated. Not bad after it cooled off a lot but awfully milky (maybe it was a latte after all?)
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Pork Barrel Café
King George Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Pork Barrel Café enjoys some nice surroundings, situated in the park across from Old Parliament House. I enjoyed a well-made piccolo latte. Service was a bit patchy, particularly given we were the only group in the entire café.
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Café in the House, Old Parliament House
18 King George Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
My soy chai latte was fine, a tad expensive but not surprising. The staff was super friendly and the cafe has a nice vibe.
