Dobinson’s Bakery Cafe, Civic, Canberra
Despite eating seven courses plus dessert at The Chairman and Yip the night before, we woke up the next morning hungry and ready to eat again. We walked from our hotel back to Civic and headed to Dobinson’s Bakery Cafe for breakfast. We spent what seemed like an eternity of tummy growling trying to decide what to order. In the end, we decided to skip the usual breakfast fare and get bakery pies instead. Eating local bakery pies is a holiday tradition for Jac and me. We often remember the Australian towns we’ve visited by the pies we ate there. :)
While I agonised over my choice, Jac immediately selected the Mexican beef pie (AU$3.70). I was hoping to take a photo of the pie menu – but it was busy in the cafe when we ordered and I couldn’t get a clear shot.
The spicy Mexican beef filling was delicious, with a delicious surprise: a blob of sour cream baked in the centre of the pie.
I chose the chicken and mushroom pie (AU$3.70) and also ordered one of Dobinson’s gigantic sausage rolls for us to share. Jac insisted we needed lots of tomato sauce to go with the pies and sausage roll – hence the three sachets of tomato sauce on the side.
The sausage roll (AU$2.70) was enormous, but size isn’t everything in this case! We thought the sausage roll’s pastry was a little too thick. The sausage mince filling could’ve been more flavoursome – I found I really needed the tomato sauce with it, more so than with the pies. I love pies, even the frozen kind you buy at the supermarket, but there’s a wonderful homemade feel to bakery pies. I’d happily try another Dobinson’s pie, but I probably wouldn’t be compelled to have another sausage roll.
A steady flow of customers dropped by, buying pies, sandwiches, sweet pastries and enjoying bacon and eggs for breakfast. There are a couple of tables inside the cafe itself, but we sat at one of the tables outside. Next to us, a man dug into a plate piled high with bacon, eggs and toast.
Thanks to a uni student and bonnie for suggesting Dobinson’s!
We were surprised how quiet it was as we walked around the shops in Civic that morning. It was Melbourne Cup Day. The busiest place by far was the ACTTAB, where many people were placing bets on the big race. We dropped by and placed a few bets on the race too, just for fun. I missed out on a great Melbourne Cup lunch back in Perth at work that day – my workmates enjoyed platters of cold meats, sandwiches and pastries, and one of my teammates made chocolate mousse (workmate J kindly taunted me by sending me a photo of the chocolate mousse, topped with fluffy whipped cream and strawberries).
Dobinson’s Bakery Cafe
177 Bunda St, Civic
ACT 2600
Telephone: (02) 6257 5966
There is also a Dobinson’s in the Canberra Centre (shopping complex).
Ahh, the holiday memories… eating pies!
- Curry tiger pie, Harry’s Cafe De Wheels, Haymarket, Sydney – my all-time favourite, the king of pies!
- Hamilton Island holiday, day 2 – Hamilton Island Bakery
- NSW Holiday 2007-2008 – Day 6 – The award-winning Red Neds Gourmet Pie Bar. Our experience was a little disappointing, though. I’d give it another try if I ever visit Nelson Bay again.
- Christmas 2006, Part 3 – Dunsborough Bakery
- Day 9, Dongara/Denison – almost four years later, we’re still talking about Dongara Bakery’s amazing pizza pie. In fact, Jac told a workmate yesterday he should try it when he’s in Dongara this week.
- Geraldton, Day 7 – Wonda Bake
Canberra trip, November 2010
See the full list of posts about our Canberra trip, November 2010 in correct reading order.