Porkbarrel Cafe - Parkes

It is said that this restaurant is a popular lunch spot for politicians, which makes sense considering the location in Canberra. The cafe can get busy, but it offers both indoor and outdoor seating. I was in the mood for a burger and a draft beer, and my cravings were definitely satisfied here.

I have been to this cafe many times for presentation and once for after work drinks. The inside area is an excellent venue for presentations and the cafe does a fantastic morning tea. The outdoor area is good for meeting friends.

But not if you want healthy or gluten free food. It's nice to be next to the park and all that. Food usually involved breads, etc. A bit too Anglo for my liking. However one of the best places in Canberra to get a loaf of bread (I think they have a German baker).

A great little cafe for lunch especially on the weekend, when parking is free. The setting is very pleasant with views out to Old Parliament House and the national rose garden. Parking is expensive and isn't easy to find midweek.

I came here for lunch on a Monday. We booked a table by the window and the setting is very pleasant with views out to Old Parliament House and the rose garden. Parking is expensive and isn't easy. What really surprised us though were the prices and there wasn't one pork dish on the menu. This was the reason we came. There is no table service - one has to line up with the lunch time crowd - mostly public servants buying sandwiches to take away so it is definitely not a restaurant. My slow cooked beef roll was truly overpriced at $21! Given the service format and lack of style I was disappointed. I gave it an extra star because of it's pleasant outlook.