On-Lake Cafe — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

Whilst the food and ambience is great and the recent renovations with the platform sitting under umbrellas is awesome... the service for takeout is very slow - quick to order then made to wait alot longer than necessary...especially when a customer orders takeout (which is usually sometimes just a coffee and a cake that's from the display cabinet) and then they are waiting and waiting ....then a fair while after they've ordered another customer comes in they order and within a minute or so that customer gets their order before other customers who have ordered before them....take out is supposed to be a quick service, people don't have time to wait more than 5 minutes these days. A friend got me a coffee today - takeout - they were waiting for a fair while - then after a fair while another customer came in and ordered at the counter - my friend had ordered her take-away order well and truly some time before that new customer and that new customer got her order within a very short time period before my friend was able to get her take-away order....she then queried the staff - as she was concerned that they may had forgotten what she had ordered and the reason she was given was "it was the same milk" ...my friend had been waiting a fair while as it was for the order and there was another gentleman before her who also seemed to wait alot longer for his takeout coffee as well, as my friend ordered directly after him. Fully understand service can be slow during busy periods with staff not available at the time...but giving other customers their order ahead of others who had been waiting a fair while prior is not a good thing to do. Oh and because my friend queried why she hadn't gotten the order before the other customer who came in well n truly after her - the person making the coffee then decided to make the hot drink extra hot to almost scalding - good thing I like my coffee that way, when I got it delivered by her - thanks for a great cup...

On Lake Cafe is a hidden gem that promises a delightful experience for any visitor. Nestled by the water's edge, the cafe offers a spectacular view that's truly one-of-a-kind. The tranquil ambiance provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing morning or afternoon.

The coffee here is nothing short of exceptional. Served with care and precision, each cup is a testament to the cafe's commitment to quality. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or just in need of a good brew, you won't be disappointed.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show - the bacon and egg bun, The ingredients are fresh, the flavors are balanced. The bun itself is soft yet sturdy enough to hold the savory goodness within.

The staff at On Lake Cafe are warm and welcoming, adding to the overall charm of the place. Their attentiveness ensures that your visit is a pleasant one.

In summary, if you're seeking a tranquil spot with a mesmerizing view, excellent coffee, and mouthwatering breakfast options, On Lake Cafe is the place to be. Don't miss out...

The location makes this place worthwhile, but be careful what you order. The food is pretty average. The menu sounds fancy, sounds good but the execution is not so good. It kind of feels like the chef's just don't really care. My eggs were cold, the falafel was clearly a cheap one from a freezer bag, more like a vegie cake than anything else. The poke bowl was not a poke bowl it was a piece of toast with half a bag of unwashed baby spinach and some cold eggs. Choice of garnish was weird - alfalfa sprouts on poached eggs - alfalfa is a strong taste and hard to remove. I feel like this place would benefit from reducing the menu choice and really nailing what they do off - basic eggs on toast with nice sides would be doable, for example. The coffee was okay. The Bircher museli was average. The atmosphere, outside under the trees looking at the lake was lovely. I will come again for coffee, maybe plain eggs on toast but unlikely to spend money on the rest...