Bookplate

We had a second wedding celebration on the Bookplate terrace and it was just the most beautiful and fantastic day. The whole team were amazing and all of our guests were raving about the food, drinks and service. What a magical time! Thanks for accommodating our event and making it so spectacular.

What a beautiful place with food just as pretty as the decor. Stained glass windows and beautiful artwork around. Fantastic food served so incredibly quickly and it was healthy and delicious 😋 I had the miso roasted pumpkin salad with edamame, spinach and pickled carrot. My daughter had the falafel bowl with fattoush salad. Colourful and delicious and filling.

Beautiful place. Menu selection is OK. The food itself is really nice. Sourdough and Bacon had beautiful char grill going on.

A beautiful place to sit, whether indoors with the stained class windows or outdoors with the view of the lake and fountain. The chicken BLT burger had a great marinade on the chicken, crispy thin bacon and a soft bun, and the barramundi was sweet and delicate with a wonderfully thin but crunchy batter. The menu is much smaller than I remember but the food that we got was delicious - although I cannot say it was infallible because there were quite a few slimy/rotten lettuce leaves in the salad and while the lamb souvlaki had amazing flavours, there wasn't quite enough meat skewers for the pita bread provided. The Campos coffee was perfect though, and the service staff were very polished.

Nice outdoor seating area with a great view. Scrambled eggs were tasty - Toast overdone for my preference

Nothing to complain really, we had a nice meal here. I had the soup of the day while my partner had the meat pie. See pictures. It’s self service so you have to go up to the bar - order - and then they will bring it to your table. Now, Bookplate didn’t wow me in any sense, that’s why I’m giving it 4 stars.

I can only speak to the coffee. From memory, it was Campos and they did a great job at it (from there I went to Questacon - so a nice caffeine hit before going next door). The atmosphere was good - if I lived local, I can see this place being a usual hang. Not sure if the food is halal here - will have to check again next time - though I'm sure they'd at least cater to vegetarians.

UPDATE After my review of 2 stars, the managers got in touch and explained that they had been upgrading the gas kitchen to electric and had a few teething problems with the changeover. They kindly offered a comp. brunch, which I took up them up on. I am pleased to say the food was back to its delicious, top notch standard; and I can doubly vouch for this as I also visited unannounced prior to the arranged brunch! The service, food and coffee were consistent. Very impressed with the effort the of the management team in making sure that feedback was taken on board and addressed more than satisfactorily.

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 and the chips were delicious. I had admired the cake cabinet extensively so ordered tea and cake as well. Both were excellent. Partner ordered a coffee and it was perfectly adequate for a coffee snob. Service was prompt and friendly and the location with the stained glass windows is beautiful. Recommended.

Nice restaurant, however paper straws are a fat NO FROM ME. Halfway through mixing my watermelon juice the straw bends in half and won't stir as well. I could not care less about the turtles, clearly I am more important and if my straw snaps again I will personally strangle a turtle for putting me through this. And there was a bird inside the cafe. Just in case anyone cares. I'm kidding but some people have issues with paper straws and that's what Yelp is for.

The Bookplate Cafe it's located inside of the National Library. It offers a good menu with affordable prices. Moreover, inside and outside tables are available, so you can chose to between have a cosy atmosphere or to appreciate the nice view of the Griffin Lake while have your coffee or meal.

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.

Always great food, and in such a lovely location. Can't wait for it to re-open for lunch after Covid.

Hmmm. I love coming here for coffee and cake there's always something to tempt me. However it was closed today apparently the owner has financial issues. Theres a coffee cart filling in, but I didnt try them. Looked okay though.

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... :-)

I had a Orange and poppyseed cake here at 4/5-14. Its definitely one of my favourite Australian cakes - the taste of oranges and the texture of poppyseeds is just a match made in heaven! I also made this cake back in Sweden, and it turned out great too!

Casual lunch with my 17month old while strolling the National Library. Ordered the lamb rage gnocchi-it was delicious! Baby loved it too :) I also ordered a slice of their raspberry and blackberry tart- it was very nice, not too sweet, not too heavy. Overall great experience!

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).

Excellent coffee, outdoor area is nice. Really great ever changing menu and it comes out quick!