Serving delicious espressos and award-winning cuisine, Bookplate offers guests a truly authentic Canberra experience. Open daily, you'll walk away feeling inspired, comforted, and steeped in stories. Explore what suits your palate from the all-day brunch and lunch menu, and enjoy the multi-sensory and multi-award winning experience of BOOKPLATE.
A prime brunch and lunch spot thanks to its traditional interiors and much-loved menu. If the library surroundings and luminescent glow don't impress you, the culinary experience will. The menu sits somewhere between cafe and restaurant and offers up high-impact cuisine. Join us for casual yet elegant dishes, serving as a spot for a hearty, wholesome brunch or fresh, light lunch.
A prime brunch and lunch spot thanks to its traditional interiors and much-loved menu. If the library surroundings and luminescent glow don't impress you, the culinary experience will. The menu sits somewhere between cafe and restaurant and offers up high-impact cuisine. Join us for casual yet elegant dishes, serving as a spot for a hearty, wholesome brunch or fresh, light lunch.
Services
Located in the National Library of Australia, BOOKPLATE is a destination cafe in and of itself. Relax in this calming space, in the heart of Canberra while enjoying an exceptional, pared-back menu with your colleagues, friends or loved ones. Inviting you to gather in the ultimate surroundings, sunlit by stained-glass windows, you'll experience exceptional food, good company and stories like no other.
As all BOOKPLATE Gift Cards are processed by a third party, Gift Cards are posted to any nominated address within Australia via Express Post. A $7.50 postage fee applies for all Gift Card purchases. You will be notified of postage tracking information by email when the Gift Card has been shipped. Processing times are between 24 to 48 hours upon receiving your Gift Card purchase order.
In order to keep our community safe during this time, please take a moment to review the current conditions that apply to table reservations. There is a maximum number of 20 guests per table reservation. If you are wanting to make a booking for a large group please contact us via email enquiry to ensure we are able to accomodate your group.
Bookplate is located inside the National Library of Australia, within the parliamentary triangle in Parkes, ACT. Our cafe offers an unrivalled experience - a full la carte breakfast and lunch offering, coffee and cake, event catering within the building, in addition our outdoor dining area overlooking Lake Burley Griffin provides for a superb venue for weddings and special private functions.
Reviews (17)
Lyn Valentine
Jan 11, 2022
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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.
Suzi Emily
Jan 06, 2022
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Oz Lurker
Jul 06, 2021
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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.
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.
La MoK
May 21, 2021
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Stephen Spencer
May 05, 2021
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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).
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).
M. T. Dryasadingo
Apr 08, 2021
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Great coffee, great location, retro furniture and fantastic stained glass windows. The staff were very courteous. The lamb burger which was fresh, delicious and loaded with sauce. And the scrambled eggs were light and fluffy, crispy bacon and the sourdough toast wasn't too heavy. The only problem we had was the plates were too small for all the food.
Jenny Seabrook
Sep 07, 2020
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Two Sheds
Aug 05, 2019
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3.6. Terrific little cafe located at the National Library. It’s a charming spot. We felt instantly at home here. And it wasn’t just the presence of the beautiful Leonard French stained glass windows either. The cafe itself is nicely appointed and just feels right. The coffee here was sound. I enjoyed it. Strong and inky will usually work. Service was a little constipated here I thought. There was just a little bit of high handedness about it. But, we were still laughing from the Inked Exhibition here at the Library - an exhibition of top Australian cartoons over the years - and just let it
Michael Waite
Jul 22, 2019
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Graham Rodda
Aug 10, 2018
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Very pleasant cafe with friendly helpful service. Food is fresh and tasty and the coffee worth drinking. Creative menu with good options including gluten free. Setting is delightful with stained glass windows and easy access to the library including special exhibitions. A nice place to visit or stop by on a walk along the lake.
Janet T.
Jul 15, 2018
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Great food excellent service and a lovely way to spend time before or after a walk through the library. Beautiful outdoor area if you feel like taking in the view or some rays. Relaxed and casual with just enough variety in the menu to please everyone. Fresh ingredients and flavoursome choices. A must do.
Roseli J.
Jun 19, 2017
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Sara N.
Oct 02, 2015
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Bookplate punches well above its weight for a cafe attached to a national gallery/library.
The menu is interesting and reasonably priced, with lunch options listed between $13 and $24.50. On the day I visited, they also offered a 2 course lunch special, which was antipasto followed by a choice of 4 mains and a drink (wine, beer, cider or soft) for $24.
I ordered the Mexican chimichanga, which was a chickpea and bacon burrito with salad and yoghurt dressing. It sounds like a bit of a fusion mess but was actually very yummy. Fish and chips was the most popular item on the menu as it was Friday
The menu is interesting and reasonably priced, with lunch options listed between $13 and $24.50. On the day I visited, they also offered a 2 course lunch special, which was antipasto followed by a choice of 4 mains and a drink (wine, beer, cider or soft) for $24.
I ordered the Mexican chimichanga, which was a chickpea and bacon burrito with salad and yoghurt dressing. It sounds like a bit of a fusion mess but was actually very yummy. Fish and chips was the most popular item on the menu as it was Friday
Vickie Z.
May 25, 2015
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Cj G.
Nov 23, 2014
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Liam F.
Jan 02, 2014
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Good food, passable coffee - the real selling point of this cafe is the seating and tables outside, which offers a lovely view over Lake Burley Griffin on a fine day. Good service, reasonably good wine list.
I'd also recommend buying bottled water here rather than using the bottles provided - they tend to sit out in the sun and are usually lukewarm (after the last two visits).
I'd also recommend buying bottled water here rather than using the bottles provided - they tend to sit out in the sun and are usually lukewarm (after the last two visits).
Jessica R.
Nov 24, 2013
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Atmosphere is cosy and very busy, but not cramped. Stained glass windows a beautiful surrounding to relax in. Located in the national library front foyer. Can actually study in there if you want outside main lunchtime 12-2.
We got three gourmet sandwiches on different breads and rolls, pastrami, pesto, capsicum, provolone cheese all delicious.
Coffee hot and freshly roasted. Service attentive and calm despite full house.
Hard to get a seat so if you are counting on it, get in early or be prepared to wait / thieve... :-)
We got three gourmet sandwiches on different breads and rolls, pastrami, pesto, capsicum, provolone cheese all delicious.
Coffee hot and freshly roasted. Service attentive and calm despite full house.
Hard to get a seat so if you are counting on it, get in early or be prepared to wait / thieve... :-)
