On Lonsdale
Lonsdale Street, Braddon
Welcome to On Lonsdale, where specialty coffee meets Japanese/Korean-inspired sandos in the heart of Canberra’s famous Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Serving award-winning ONA Coffee alongside fresh, handcrafted sandos from our in-house On Sando shop, we’re the place you need for a coffee catch-up in Braddon, a tasty lunch or a post-workout brew on the way to work.
Once a bustling mechanics shop, our space has been transformed into a modern, cosy cafe with a nod to its industrial roots. Whether you’re here for a quick bite or a leisurely coffee break, On Lonsdale is your go-to spot for a delicious, laid-back experience.
Visit Us
23 Lonsdale Street,
Braddon ACT
Mon – Fri
6:30am – 3:00pm
Sat – SUN
7:00am – 3:30pm
On Sando is Canberra’s best Japanese/Korean sando spot. Our sandos are a fun blend of both traditional and innovative flavours with cloud-like shokupan milk bread baked locally in Dickson.
Appealing to comfort food lovers and those looking for something fresh and on trend, think past the traditional Aussie sandwiches and feast on supersized, fully loaded sandos, chef made with Japanese/Korean culinary flair.
Our sandos are packed with locally sourced Canberra ingredients
Proudly serving Ona coffee
– Born in Canberra
ONA Coffee is Canberra’s best coffee roasters here in Canberra. With sustainable and ethical support of the coffee bean farmers they buy from, a solar certified roastery and support for Women in Coffee, along with running a great business employing locals based here in Canberra, we couldn’t find a better coffee to serve if we tried.
Ask our team if you want to know what our house blend is this week and we’ll be changing up the single origin from time to time as well.
FAQs
Where are you located?
Our cafe is located at 23 Lonsdale Street Braddon ACT. We are two doors up from Messina Gelato and Sonoma Bakery, and across the road from Wok It Up Braddon. We’re 200m up towards Haig Park from the world-famous Braddon Rainbow Roundabout.
Do you have disabled and accessible access and seating?
We have very good disabled access. We are a single level venue with no stairs, and our double width, no step front door can be opened to allow wheelchair access, our tables and chairs are low height, and our team is happy to accommodate special needs.
Are you bike friendly?
You bet, with heaps of outdoor seating, you can sit your bike right next to your table or lock it up next to the laneway.
Are you pet friendly?
Yes, we have pet-friendly outdoor seating where you can enjoy your meal with your furry friends. Dogs and cats need to be on lead, and for fish, we suggest you keep them in a bowl or a really sturdy bag and away from the cats. We once had a llama come past, have met a cockatoo having a cockycinoTM, and someone’s pet lizard named Brian. It is Braddon after all.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, credit/debit cards, and mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Are you Lonsdale Street Roasters?
The building we are in (originally one of Braddon’s old mechanics shops) was the original home of Lonsdale Street Roasters, one of Canberra’s poster child coffee roasters who kicked off life in 2009. They are out in Fyshwick now and we’ve setup home with ONA Coffee in this coveted part of the street.
Do you offer vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options?
Yes, we have vegetarian options with our sandos but we do offer gluten free and vegan options in our rice bowls and poke bowls. Chat to our team when ordering if you have any required dietary adjustments.
Can I make a reservation?
We don’t take reservations but have heaps of indoor and outdoor seating and you should always be able to find a spot.
Can you do events after hours?
If you have a great idea for an event, come and speak to us, we are open to good ideas. We don’t offer any formal packages or options otherwise.
How did you come up with the imaginative name?
We were looking for a space on Mort Street, but found a way better spot on Lonsdale. Also on the shortlist for names was “That old mechanics shop that once housed Lonsdale Street Café just up from Grease Monkey” but the website URL was a bit long. We also serve ONA coffee, so ON just kept ringing in our ears.
Who is the best café in Braddon?
We like to think that Braddon is a community that supports each other so we won’t claim the title just yet. We’d like to hear what you think is the best Café in Braddon. Visit us to see if we have the best coffee and lunch in Braddon and then leave a review on Google to let us know.
Where is the best car parking available?
There is limited on-street parking and the best off-street parking is the Wilson car park over the road at 24 Lonsdale Street between Debacle and Saloon. There’s also parking out the back of Debacle too or head up to Haig Park car park and just walk a block down to our café.
Do you offer takeout or delivery?
Yes, we offer takeaway for coffee and food.
Do you serve alcohol?
No sorry, we are not a licensed premises.
What is a good place to eat in Dickson?
Why not try our sister venue Highroad – they are the best spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner in Dickson if you happen to be looking for another good dining option in the Inner North of Canberra.