Bookplate

Great spot for a quick bite, even when they are busy. Staff are really accommodating. We came in after they closed the kitchen but they still did toasties for us. I like that they have a water station well stocked and that you can grab your own.
The carrot cake was excellent. The cream cheese frosting on that cake is worth every penny, and the tea is loose leaf which is great.

What a stunning cafe, the coffee is excellent as is the service. There is also a great choice of sweet or savoury treats.
In the afternoon the glow from the stained glass windows is amazing!

What an amazing location to have a cafe situated within the National Library. The stained glass windows create a unique atmosphere. The quality of the breakfast is great and the coffee really hit the spot. If you don’t feel like a big breakfast check out the cakes that are available or if you are game have breakfast and a cake. This location was a great recommendation from a local to the area.

We had the most fabulous lunch at Bookplate today. I had the cauliflower salad which I have to say was stunning. My friends had the pork belly and the zucchini and carrot rosti with scrambled egg. All dishes were fabulous
The atmosphere, the stain glass windows, the service all ten out of ten. Thank you Bookplate

Very disappointed with the book plate.made a booking for a birthday table not set not enough chairs. No Water bottles. Ordered eggs which were bad.literally.would not be returning

Had a lovely lunch today at Bookplate. My friend and I shared this lovely heirloom tomato dish with what must have been the most delicious homemade cruskit-type biscuit I've ever had. Honestly they should sell that by the box! We also had the pork which was lovely. Coffee was strong, by Campos. It was very busy at lunch time, clearly for good reason, we will definitely be back.

Lunch at Bookplate today was superb. New owners, new head chef. My coffee was extra hot, meal served expeditiously with a very friendly waitress. Try it, I was not disappointed now the new owners are up and running!

Great food, loved it all! The coffee is really good quality, and the iced chocolate put a huge smile on my face! I would definitely suggest eating here for lunch, as the food comes pretty quickly too. Thanks for the great service!

Nice location with wonderful view on the lake but a little weak on the food quality. The hamburger was clearly defrosted (still cold in some parts) while the eggs on toast were poor, just one thin slice of bread and some scrambled eggs. Additionally a can of beer 12$ seems to me a bit expensive!
Not value for money!
Not recommended!

I was excited to have a birthday breakfast here but sadly it was a let down. The zucchini carrot rosti was over cooked. The scrambled egg was strange! My friend could not eat hers due to colour!

The coffee was excellent and my husband enjoyed his breakfast very much.

Perfect place for a peaceful stop for coffee. Situated inside the National Library the decor design fits perfectly with the buildings and surrounds of the Parliamentary zone. The service was friendly. Make this your first stop in the morning before exploring Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin, Iconic galleries, museums, historic buildings and the history of Parliament house old and new. Excellent coffee.

Its standards have dropped, it use to be amazing but now it is perfectly summarised by "meh". Average food nice view.

Great food, great service, great location.

Stopped by for lunch today and whilst we were there at a peak time, staff were quick to clear a table and fit us in.

Good selection of food on the menu, and complimented by the blackboard specials. Didn't have any issues finding options, and once ordered, it was quick to arrive.

Chicken schnitzel was tender and juicy, the chips were awesome.e and fresh. All tasted like they were freshly cooked and played just for me.

10/10 will eat here again.

Lovely Cafe, busy as usual. Food is great quality. Had a bit of a mix up with coffee but the staff was really helpful and resolved the issue efficiently.

Food was good and came out quickly but they had a major stuff up with the coffee’s. Ordered 2 coffees and asked 3 separate staff about where the coffee’s were. Each time they assured me they would check and the my will be out ‘soon’.

Finally I went inside and approached the lady at the counter and explained we were about to leave and we had been waiting for an hour for these 2 coffee’s - the lady at the counter didn’t apologise or acknowledge any problem. The coffees took another 15 minutes and then one of the coffees came out with a large lipstick stain on the cup!

Really poor service - won’t be going back. The front of house staff couldn’t organise a rock fight in a quarry.

There is no better place to have brunch or a light lunch than Bookplate (seated outside - weather permitting). Attentive staff together with an excellent well balanced menu coupled with the perfect location that is quintessentially Canberra, creates a memorable experience for locals and visitors alike.

Go in the morning when the sun is shining through the stain glass window.
The smashed avo and healthy breakfast are delicious.

This really could be/should be a lovely place to go. But the hours are inconsistent. I have been working at the library for months and have been here 8-10 times and on every single occasion the hours have been altered that day. It is very very disappointing as there are so few options in the area. The staff are all very nice, but you can't be confident you can rely on this business.

Nice location and menu was good with some vegan options. Coffee and hot drinks were exceptional.

If you're near the lake and looking for a decent, well-priced meal, Bookplate never fails.
Tucked inside the National Library, it has a lovely outdoor area with views over the lake if weather permits.
Although the ordering system is a bit chaotic (blackboards and people handing menus as you come through the door) service is surprisingly quick and the food is superb - tasty and healthy.
Portions are huge (3 pulled pork tacos was probably 1 too many), and the coffee and tea are fine, though the real star here are the cakes (if you have room).