LOCATION
Old Parliament House, Canberra. Two minutes from CBD.
DETAILS
A simple-style fresh eatery serving breakfast, lunch, salads, pizza's and daily blackboard specials. There's also terrific coffee and a great range of wine by the glass and world beers. Open every day 8am -4pm, evenings Tuesday to Saturday booking essential.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
There couldn’t be a more beautiful spot to kick back and relax with a coffee than Pork Barrel. Open all day during the week, it’s best to avoid the morning rush of public servants and politicians before they go to work. Lunchtimes can also be fraught, and after work the story is much the same; parliamentarians and coffee-lovers alike swarm Pork Barrel for its terrific coffee, great snacks and above all, its location. Weekends are quieter, as the offices are empty and the rose gardens are quiet. Sit and watch the yachts on the lake, or just soak up some sunlight and listen to the bees go about their business. The rose gardens at Old Parliament House are truly idyllic – and a perfect spot for brunch.
For those of us up early enough, Pork Barrel does a mean breakfast (all day on the weekend). The menu is simple; the eggs any way come with bacon, baked beans and toast, or have a light fluffy croissant instead. The bread is baked in-house and comes with a rich selection of jams, preserves and conserves to tempt any appetite. For the health-conscious, Pork Barrel also has muesli (served with yoghurt and fruit salad) and a wide range of freshly squeezed juices. It’s hard to go past a Rose Garden Recovery Breaky, which comes laden with eggs, beans, bacon, chorizo, mushrooms, spinach, toast and smoked tomato jam. After all that, a stroll through the rose gardens is probably in order.
Russell Buzby, October 2008
FUNCTIONS
Pork Barrel offer informal breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as afternoon drinks. And can cater for up to 140 guest cocktail reception and 90 guest sit-down dinner.
Also check out their other venue THE LOBBY which can hold up to 120 people for a sit down function.