Gather Cafe

When you step through the doors of Gather Cafe on Mort Street, you enter more than just a place to eat. You arrive at a destination built by friends who share a deep love for genuine hospitality and clean, conscious food. Every element, from the house-made beverages to the locally sourced produce, reflects a commitment to doing things differently. Here, guests are never treated as transactions; they are welcomed into a space where the atmosphere is as nourishing as the dishes served on the plate.

Located in the vibrant heart of Braddon in the Australian Capital Territory, Gather Cafe has earned a reputation as a neighborhood anchor. With a 4.2-star rating from over 570 reviews, it is clear that the approach resonates deeply with the community. The focus rests on a relational, regional, and local philosophy that ensures every breakfast, lunch, and coffee break supports the greater Canberra food ecosystem while delivering flavors that keep regulars coming back seven days a week.

Our Approach to Healthy and Conscious Eating

The team behind Gather Cafe believes that food should promote inner health without compromising on taste. The menu is driven by a clean-health ethos, avoiding heavy processing and artificial ingredients. Instead, the kitchen relies on seasonal vegetables from the ACT and the greater Goulburn region, organic free-range eggs from Hilltop Farm in Boorowa, and award-winning milk from Country Valley in Picton. These partnerships are not marketing gimmicks—they are the backbone of a supply chain that prioritizes animal welfare, freshness, and ecological balance.

Every smoothie, juice, and glass of kombucha or kefir is crafted in-house. Jose, a chemical engineer who turned his expertise to beverages, works alongside the team to develop drinks that support gut health and vitality. From bright green cold-pressed juices to probiotic-rich fermented options, the drinks program stands as a testament to the belief that what you sip should be as thoughtfully prepared as what you chew.

• House-made kombucha, kefir, and cold-pressed juices made with regional fruits and vegetables
• High-welfare organic eggs sourced from a farm where chickens have more space than industry standards require
• Multi-award-winning dairy from Southern Highlands and Goulburn Valley cows
• Micro herbs harvested less than two kilometers away at Ainslie Urban Farm

Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch in Braddon

Gather Cafe serves food that is wunderschön angerichtet—beautifully presented—as one reviewer noted, often so artful you hesitate to disturb it. The all-day menu bridges the gap between hearty brunch classics and lighter, health-focused plates. Regulars mention the generous bagels, flaky croissants, and freshly baked cakes that pair perfectly with a flat white or cappuccino. For those seeking something more substantial, the kitchen offers savory mushroom dishes, perfectly crisped quesadillas, and vegan breakfast options that prove plant-based eating never needs to be boring.

The smoked trout deserves special attention. Sourced from the pristine waters of the Snowy Mountains, it is smoked in-house over green tea leaves, a technique that imparts a subtle, aromatic depth. This dedication to small-batch preparation extends to every corner of the kitchen, where a team guided by friendship and skill executes dishes designed to energize the rest of your day.

• Vegan and vegetarian breakfast selections that move beyond standard porridge and toast
• Generous bagels and croissants with a variety of spreads and toppings
• House-smoked Snowy Mountains trout prepared over green tea leaves
• Seasonal mushroom blends sourced from exotic Gooda Creek fungi farms near Murrumbateman

Our Specialty Coffee and Beverage Program

No neighborhood cafe earns a loyal following without exceptional coffee. Gather Cafe’s house blend is the result of a collaboration with Nick, a barista legend and coffee guru. He developed a bespoke roast combining Ethiopian, Brazilian, and Colombian beans, and it is roasted right here in Braddon by friends who understand the local palate. The result is a complex yet approachable profile that shines in a silky flat white or an iced coffee on a warm Canberra afternoon.

Beyond espresso, the beverage list includes an array of house-made non-alcoholic drinks. Kombucha, kefir, and fresh juices are produced on site, often using produce from Wiffens in Fyshwick. The team also crafts smoothies that double as meal replacements, blending nut butters, seeds, and fruits selected and delivered by the Nut Shoppe, Canberra’s authority on edible kernels. Whether you need a morning wake-up or an afternoon reset, the drinks board has you covered with options that prioritize wellness without sacrificing flavor.

• House blend roasted locally in Braddon using Ethiopian, Brazilian, and Colombian beans
• Silky flat whites and cappuccinos praised by customers as consistently excellent
• Iced coffee and seasonal espresso tonics for warmer weather
• Nut-, seed-, and fruit-based smoothies crafted with ingredients from the Nut Shoppe
• Fermented probiotic drinks including kombucha and water kefir made in small batches

Locally Sourced, Community-Driven Suppliers

Walking the talk on sustainability means knowing exactly where ingredients come from. Gather Cafe’s bread is sourced from two of Canberra’s best bakeries: Three Mills, who supply an ancient grain sourdough, and Sonoma, known for a smoky caramelized miche. The fungi arrive from Gooda Creek, an exotic mushroom farm in Murrumbateman that changes its blend with the seasons. Even the nuts, seeds, and dried fruits are curated by the Nut Shoppe in Fyshwick, ensuring every component is handled by specialists.

This web of local relationships ensures that the menu reflects the rhythm of the region. In summer, you might find dishes bright with heirloom tomatoes from Wiffens; in cooler months, the menu might lean into warmer, earthier flavors from the same network. The philosophy—relational, regional, and local—means that supporting Gather Cafe directly supports a constellation of small producers across the ACT and beyond.

• Ancient grain sourdough from Three Mills bakery in Fyshwick
• Smoky caramelized miche from Sonoma Bakery in Braddon
• Exotic seasonal mushrooms from Gooda Creek, Murrumbateman
• Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits curated by the Nut Shoppe, Fyshwick
• Seasonal fruit and vegetables from Wiffens in Fyshwick and the Goulburn region

Dining In, Takeaway, and Catering Services

Gather Cafe is designed for flexibility. The generous, beautifully appointed indoor and outdoor spaces provide a cozy backdrop for catching up with friends or settling in with a laptop during a quiet weekday morning. Dine-in service runs from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM on weekdays, with slightly adjusted hours on weekends (7:30 AM to 2:30 PM Saturday and 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM Sunday). The atmosphere is welcoming and inclusive; the venue is proud to be LGBTQ+ friendly, ensuring everyone feels at ease.

For those on the move, takeaway and delivery options make it easy to enjoy Gather Cafe’s food anywhere in Braddon and beyond. Online ordering is available through the website, and reservations can be made for groups wanting to secure a table during peak brunch hours. The catering service extends the cafe’s reach further, bringing the same locally sourced, health-focused cuisine to private events, office meetings, and celebrations across Canberra.

• Generous indoor and outdoor seating in a cozy, thoughtfully designed space
• Convenient online ordering for takeaway and delivery via the Gather Cafe website
• Table reservations available for brunch and lunch groups
• Catering services for events, offices, and private celebrations in the ACT
• LGBTQ+ friendly environment where all guests feel welcome and valued

Hours, Location, and Getting Here

Gather Cafe is located at 3/24 Mort Street in Braddon, Australian Capital Territory, postal code 2612. This central position puts it within easy reach of both the Braddon shopping and dining precinct and the broader Canberra city center. Public transport options, cycling paths, and ample vehicle access make the cafe an easy choice whether you are a local resident or a visitor exploring the area.

The current opening schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Saturday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM. The moderate price range of $20–40 per person delivers excellent value given the provenance of ingredients and the skill applied to every plate. For the most accurate seasonal hours and to book a table, it is always best to check the official website at cafegather.com.au or call +61 450 258 369.

• Address: 3/24 Mort Street, Braddon ACT 2612, Australia
• Phone: +61 450 258 369
• Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
• Saturday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Why Locals Recommend Gather Cafe

With 571 reviews and counting, the message from the community is clear: this is a place that gets the details right. Regulars praise the friendly, professional service, the consistent quality of the coffee, and the way the kitchen handles dietary requirements with creativity rather than limitation. The space itself—a blend of cozy nooks and open, airy seating—makes it equally suitable for a solo coffee break or a long weekend brunch with friends.

Beyond the food and drinks, Gather Cafe represents a values-driven alternative in Canberra’s competitive cafe scene. Every visit supports a network of regional growers, ethical producers, and a team that genuinely enjoys working together. In a world where fast-casual often means impersonal, Gather Cafe proves that speed and warmth can coexist. That is why so many people from Braddon and across the ACT choose to gather here, morning after morning, season after season.