Dear all southerners, you don't have to cross the lake to get great food in Canberra. Here in Farrer there is a bustling place producing great service, food & atmosphere. Suitable for families, fit people in lycra, and suburban hipsters. This is our second visit. Last time was for breakfast not long after they opened, and whilst the food and coffee were fantastic, there was a little glitch in the service. Our visit today was fantastic in all departments! We did wait about 10 to 15 minutes for a table, which was pretty good for Sunday brunch walk in (they don't take bookings). Whilst we waited, we checked out the All Day brunch menu. Others also had coffee (in take away cups) whilst waiting for their table. I should have done that too, but my brain wasn't quite working fast enough. I guess it needed coffee. The menu is clever and different, but still provides for the cafe breakfast essentials, like if you want bacon, eggs, toast, it's still there but served in an enhanced way. We ordered Mr Fox, the Prawn Again Christian, and for the kids, One for the Lads x 2. Drinks were a latte, iced coffee and for the kids, Kimye shakes x 2. The drinks came out promptly, including the awesome shakes, and who doesn't like ice cream for breakfast?! Fox & Bow coffee is perfectly done. The food, well, the One for the Lads burger with thick cut bacon, relish, gooey cheese and a side of thick cut chips, could also be called One for the Kids. And I do mean One. One between them would have been plenty (esp after a shake each). Big burger and good serve of chips. The chips were potato perfection! (Kids menu needs a burger option for those kids currently obsessed with burgers). I ate both the gherkins speared on top of the burgers, thanks kids. Mr Fox was a great breakfast selection, with bacon, slices of grilled chorizo & black pudding, eggs, avocado, tomato & toast. Gluten free bread is available. But the highlight of the plate was the potato rosti, or hash. My Prawn Again Christian was an interesting balance of prawns with a richly flavoured creole sauce and potato scallops, crunchy and salty. The prawns were a bit fiddly to remove the tails & shell when covered in the sauce but maybe the point IS to lick your fingers! Crunchy red coleslaw worked well as a side. But again, the potato wins the day. (Maybe I just needed carbs this morning!) Service was great, front of house professional and friendly. Wait staff were there when you needed them, quickly taking used cups & plates away. We sat outside, where the roll down blinds installed around the patio area, and the heaters above, kept things warm. It's that tricky time of year in Canberra... when the sun is out it can be quite warm & blinding, but when it's behind the clouds & shady, you are reminded that we live in a place where Elsa might build herself a castle during her midlife crisis. Chilly. But whatever the weather, F&B has a good atmosphere, not too snobby or hipsterish. I'm so looking forward to more visits to Fox & Bow, especially as the weather warms up and the sun stays out longer... and you can hang out in suburbia, with that street party feel that really is Fox & Bows signature move. Also keen to check out Ivy & The Fox. Coming soon, Old Canberra House, Acton.

Hands down the best cafe in Canberra. The food, coffee and service is always exceptionally consistent. Chef/owner Alex and his team are delightfully welcoming