Cafe Essen

5.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  6     

I frequent this cafe, and it is one of the best places to chill out and chat. The smoothies are to die for, food generous and tasty. Coffee's pretty average and sometimes lukewarm. My main complaint is the service. We occasionally get a friendly waitress or waiter but more often than not their waitresses have serious PMS days, tend to be rude or impatient, quick to push you to order but slow to serve the food, even if it's simply heating a friand and putting it on a plate. Another complaint, a friand is delicious but $7!? I usually leave with a bad taste in my mouth about the service.

Feb 08, 2011 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  5     

Being a busy Sunday during the Floriade festival, they were extremely busy crowded and I'm not sure why. I found it difficult to finish the coffee, which took longer than usual to make. Won't be coming back again.

Oct 01, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  9     

Food can be a bit hit and miss sometimes, but you must try this place for the ambience and the coffee. They offer fair trade coffee from various corners of the globe, and can actually make a decent espresso unlike many other places out there.

Aug 18, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

Went here for dinner by myself on a business trip. Only wanted something light so I chose a 1/2 bowl of pumpkin soup and bruschetta. Both servings very large and incredibly good value. I liked the "grungy" atmosphere. Lots of uni students sitting outside, sadly they were mostly smoking! Service was friendly and quick, in fact it was the waitress who suggested the half serving of soup as it was a large bowl. Brought own 1/2 bottle of wine and all good.

Jun 15, 2010 

3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  4     

Disappointing to say the least! Waitress was rude, no smile and no customer service friendly personality. I had corn cakes with bacon & syrup, a latte, my niece had cinnamon toast, toast was burnt with only a suggestion of cinnamon, my coffee was room temperature if that, nice flavour though. What to say about those corn cakes, oily lumps of frozen mixed veg! Ew. The bacon was colourless not crispy, tasted microwaved! Will never attempt to eat here again! So under average. Will wait till 9am next time to try milk and honey or cream.

Apr 11, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

We had a lovely dining experience at Cafe Essen. It was late when we arrived but the staff were friendly and welcoming. The coffee is perfect, the dessert divine. I would recommend a visit.

Apr 08, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Not the greatest food in the Canberra, but certainly not the worst. Probably the pick of the cafes down Garema Place with a great bohemian atmosphere.

Dec 22, 2009 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Friendly and relaxed, with simple, yummy food. Shame they're not licenced, a glass of wine would have been perfect!

Jun 24, 2009 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

One of the best 'grungy' cafes in Canberra, Essen does excellent coffee and some great cafe food, the french toast is to die for and the wraps are freshly made and are exactly what you're expecting from the menu. The staff are friendly and laid back with lots of smiles. Worth a visit for a coffee at least.

Jan 26, 2009