Service can be variable but I’ve never had a bad flat white here. The cakes are nice too. They serve a Buzz (coffee and banana) milkshake which I wouldn’t recommend drinking alone as it contains enough espresso to caffeinate a small village. No EFT-POS facilities.

This place used to be of a high quality. I’ve noticed a steady decline in the last few years. Shocking service more often than not(uniterested and unattentive staff). Has a wide selection of coffee beans on offer but that’s only good when the”Barista” knows how to make coffee as a result it’s one weak as piss latte to the next. Let’s face it though slot of canberrans love their weak as piss latte. This place is doing well on it’s location and nothing but.

I’ve been to Essen a number of times, and have never remembered the coffee as anything remarkable. Today wasn’t any exception. My double macchiato came in a large cup, with a heap of milk froth unceremoniously dumped on the top. Quite bitter to drink as well. Pretty decent breakfast menu, otherwise, and each sitting also comes with a free serve of hippy charm.

Current favourite café in the City area. Rarely is the coffee anything but perfect. Essen serve three fair trade coffee blends which are well worth getting over the de facto blend, and the range of coffees styles and types should keep everyone happy.

Blend-wise, I’d highly recommend the East Timorese, especially with soy if you like an earthy, creamy coffee.

Food range is also good, particularly if you’re after breakfast. There is an outside area for smokers and the like, as well as an inside seating area.