Teddy Picker's — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

I've had the pleasure of visiting teddy's cafe a few times now, and every visit has been a delightful experience. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty breakfast or a satisfying lunch, this place has something for everyone. Here’s a breakdown of my favorite visits!

On my first visit, I couldn’t resist trying the pancakes. They were absolutely divine—fluffy, light, and topped with fresh fruit, syrup, and a generous dusting of powdered sugar. It’s the perfect way to start the day!

Next time, I went for the breaky roll. Honestly, I think this is one of the best breakfast rolls I’ve had. Packed with savory flavors, the combination of eggs, beef brisket, and delicious sauce in a soft, fresh roll is just unbeatable. It's such a comforting choice and really hits the spot.

Another visit, I opted for the classic avocado on toast. It’s so simple, but they really elevate it with perfectly seasoned avocado, a touch of lemon, and a sprinkle of white chickpeas. The texture of the toast is spot on too. If you’re looking for something fresh and light but still satisfying, this is a top choice.

I also had the egg and bacon roll, and it was just as good as the breaky roll. The bacon was crispy, the eggs perfectly cooked, and the roll itself was soft but had the perfect crunch when toasted. It’s the kind of meal that feels both indulgent and comforting.

What I love most about this cafe is the gluten-free options available. There’s a fantastic selection, so anyone with dietary restrictions won’t feel left out. From gluten-free pancakes to rolls, the variety ensures everyone can enjoy a delicious meal.

And let’s not forget the coffee! Every cup I’ve had has been rich, smooth, and just the right strength. They really know their coffee here, and it’s the perfect pairing with any meal. Oh, and if you're in the mood for something a little different, the strawberry matcha is a must-try—it's refreshing, unique, and absolutely delicious!

What truly sets this cafe apart, however, is the staff service. The team is always friendly, welcoming, and genuinely happy to help. They go out of their way to make sure you're enjoying your visit, and the service is quick without compromising on quality. You can tell they truly care about providing an excellent customer experience, which makes each visit even more enjoyable.

If you're looking for a spot that combines great food, an inviting atmosphere, exceptional coffee, and outstanding service, this cafe is hands down one of the best places for breakfast or lunch. Can’t wait for...

3.5 Stars - Disappointing meal experience, don’t order Vietnamese Pork unless you enjoy feeling like your mouth and lips are on fire.

In Canberra visiting my husband’s brother and wife and came in to Teddy Pickers for lunch today with much anticipation (after getting decent T/A coffee yesterday morning and being impressed with the menu and space, combined with positive reviews from the in-laws).

Lots of the menu items were appealing, but I settled for the ‘Vietnamese Pork’ dish. To my great discomfort and surprise, when I started eating it, I could barely continue because of the amount of chilli. There was no mention/warning of the spice level of the dish on the menu (unlike the brekky roll which clearly lists red eye chilli mayo and jalapeños, and when tasted against my dish by my husband, was comparable in heat level). The pork was well cooked and with the cabbage and herbs the makings of a refreshing dish, but the chilli level was ridiculous (I would say I have a moderate spice tolerance, and both cook and eat foods regularly with spice, but don’t intentionally have something ‘hot’). As I hate food wastage, I continued to eat my meal but did not finish as it really wasn’t enjoyable.

As no waitstaff checked on us whilst eating, when paying, I told the waitress that they seriously need to change the labelling of the dish as if it was not at all enjoyable and if ordered by someone who can’t tolerate chilli, it would be inedible. She was very apologetic and agreed, nothing else was done.

Really disappointing as everyone else enjoyed their meals a lot. Also pretty dumb as the situation could have been avoided with even a single a mention of ‘chilli’ or ‘spicy’ on the menu (at which point I would have enquired about the level of spice), and I would argue it displayed a lack of ability in creating a balanced flavour...

It was once our favourite cafe before the new ownership. We gave it 3 separate chances but sadly will no longer be going here. Here are our observations:

The passionate baristas and friendly staff have gone. The coffees themselves have been disappointing: we no longer have a choice of blend, despite them continuing to sell bags of Dark and other blends in retail (and yes, we are still Redbrick fans!) the milk is always too hot; and the coffees are too bland.

Despite there being more staff at the front than usual, the waitstaff were getting orders mixed up (the table across from us received the wrong order 3 times in a row - it was laughable).

There was also no order to coffee making: we waited 30 mins for 2 dine-in coffees; takeaway customers who ordered after us were getting their coffees before us; and the queue for takeaway took up the entire front area and they got rid of the couches in the waiting area in favour of 1-seater tables.

Atmosphere or lack thereof. The astroturf, Kmart deco, and giant bears are kitch and out of place. It would be worth investing in a playlist instead of free radio with ads.

Last but not least, the previous chef appears to have left - please at least tell us where he's gone! The food is no longer consistent: the slow-cooked pork shoulder was rubbery and inedible; the hash browns that used to be my favourite in all of Canberra now taste tainted with week-old oil and too much starch; and the chips were similar - where they used to taste homemade with chicken salt, they now taste possibly frozen and of the same quality as chips from a deli (and not a good...