Cooma Food & Cafe Guide – Canberra Day Trip + Vietnamese Restaurant Review

Where to Eat in Cooma – Vietnamese Food 

Entrance of Cisne Vietnamese Cafe in Cooma 

My husband has been talking about Bò Né ever since he tried it in Vietnam – that sizzling steak-and-egg breakfast (Bo Ne) served on a hot plate with a baguette.
However, after returning to Australia, we struggled to find a place that actually serves this dish. Many Vietnamese restaurants exist, but very few offer Bò Né.

Then we heard the Coffee shop Cisne in Cooma had it on the menu, so we decided to take a weekend drive to check it out!

Quiet, Hidden Vietnamese Restaurant in Cooma

We almost drove past it because the sign was quite small. The tiny ONA Coffee logo on the wall was the only thing that caught our eye.
The place is simple and small, maybe six tables inside and outside combined. Many locals and workers seemed to stop by for takeaway, giving the place a warm “local favourite” feeling.

Inside Cisne – High ceilings and cozy atmosphere; seating is limited, as most customers opt for takeaway.

Kitchen side at Cisne – The wall is decorated with colourful graffiti, adding a vibrant touch.

What We Ordered & How It Tasted

Bun Cha

Grilled pork patty & BBQ pork with rice noodles

• Served with shredded cabbage, Coriander, fried spring roll pieces and a light fish sauce

• First bite: hurb + subtle smoky pork flavour

• Noodles were soft, veggies crisp, and the portion was very generous

• Overall flavour was clean and light rather than bold or punchy

• Not the most unforgettable bun cha, but easy to eat until the end without feeling heavy

• Great value for the size

One-line summary: Fresh, clean flavours. A good option for a light meal.

Bun Cha served at Cisne – Full shot of the dish, beautifully presented.

Bun Cha fried roll close-up – The crisp skin and soft filling are clearly visible in the cross-section.

Bun Cha pork patty close-up – Juicy and glossy, perfectly cooked fatty pork.

Bun Cha BBQ pork close-up – The little spikes looked like hair at first, but my husband explained it’s lemongrass seasoning, safe and delicious.

Husband’s Dish – Vietnamese Morning Dish (Bò Né style)

Hot plate beef + pâté + meatball-style ham + sunny side up egg + baguette

We came mainly for this dish, so expectations were high.
However:

• The hot plate arrived sizzling, but the sauce was almost reduced, so there wasn’t much to dip the bread into

• The beef and pâté tasted okay but felt a bit dry without the sauce

• The egg was overcooked, not runny – so we missed that creamy yolk + sauce combo that makes Bò Né special

• The overall flavour wasn’t bad, but it didn’t give the rich, buttery, “soak-your-bread-in-the-sauce” experience we hoped for

One-line summary: Not the rich, saucy Bò Né we were expecting – a bit dry and less indulgent.

Both of us also felt quite thirsty afterwards, so the seasoning might have been on the stronger side.

Sizzling plate of Bò Né at Cisne – The egg is fully cooked, and as you can see, the sauce that should be bubbling is almost gone.

Bò Né Vietnamese ham close-up – Shows clearly that the sauce is minimal, highlighting the drier texture.

Bò Né served with a baguette – Eaten slightly dry, wrapped in bread as a workaround.

Opening Hours

• Monday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Second Stop – A Small, Cozy Cafe With Great Vibes

After lunch, we walked around the main street and found The Courtyard Coffee Shop, a small, vintage-style cafe.
Only a couple of tables at the entrance, a few inside, and some more seats in the backyard.
No full brunch menu – mostly coffee, snacks, and small sweets.

We ordered a half-strength oat flat white as usual:

• Soft grain aroma

• Light body, smooth finish

• Simple but very well-made coffee

It felt like the kind of place where coffee is the main focus — and they do it right. With a few tables in the backyard, we enjoyed a quiet, relaxing space to have our own conversation. If you’re visiting alone, it’s perfect to grab a cup of coffee and read a book.

Entrance of The Courtyard Coffee Shop in Cooma – Small outdoor seating with two tables.

Backyard at The Courtyard Coffee Shop – Not very large, but has around six seats available.

Oat milk flat white from The Courtyard Coffee Shop – Bright in the sunlight, with a rich, nutty flavour.

Opening Hours

• Monday – Friday: 6:00 am – 3:00 pm (Monday opens 6:30 am)

• Saturday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

• Sunday: Closed

Tips for a Cooma Day Trip from Canberra

Cooma is an easy drive from Canberra and great for a relaxed weekend trip.
The town is bigger than you might think, with lots of cafes and food spots.
If you enjoy coffee exploring, Cooma is actually a fun place — cafes like The Lott and 123 Coffee House have been great on past visits.

👉 If you’re leaving from Canberra, you can also stop by Bredbo on the way. There’s a quirky Christmas shop that's open only half the year, plus a well-known pie shop. You can check my full guide to the Bredbo Christmas Shop and the famous pie shop for more details.

Overall Summary

• If you go specifically for authentic Bò Né, you might find it a bit underwhelming

• Bun Cha was fresh, generous, and light — very easy to enjoy

• Locals were buying takeaway, so items like banh mi might be surprisingly good

• The small cafe nearby is perfect for relaxing with a good cup of coffee

• As a Canberra day-trip, Cooma is affordable, easy, and full of pleasant stops

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.