November 19th 2024.
A small, quaint cafe nestled in Gungahlin, just a short drive from the bustling CBD of Canberra, has quickly become a beloved spot for locals and tourists alike. Caffe al Lago, specializing in Tuscan-style deli sandwiches, may have only opened its doors in July, but it has already made a name for itself in the community.
Owners Dragan Petreski and Natalija Petreska were inspired to open the cafe after their honeymoon in Italy, where they fell in love with the delicious food they experienced in Florence. Dragan, a third-generation baker, credits their unique schiacciata bread for drawing in customers from all over the territory.
While the initial buzz surrounding the cafe was largely thanks to viral videos and social media, it was the quality of the food that kept customers coming back. As Dragan puts it, "every kind of marketing is good, but if you don't have the right product, it can be just a temporary hype." Luckily for Caffe al Lago, their product has proven to be more than just a trend.
The long lines and hour-long wait for a sandwich may seem daunting, but for many, it's worth it. The cafe has even had to hire more staff to keep up with the demand. Dragan jokes, "if you can wait for a pizza, why shouldn't we wait for a sandwich?" Thankfully, the wait time has now been reduced to just 10-20 minutes.
The menu at Caffe al Lago is intentionally small, with only six sandwich options and a breakfast sandwich. But what it lacks in variety, it makes up for in quality and flavor. The prices may seem steep, ranging from $16.90 to $19.90, but the portions are generous and meant to be shared between two people.
Weekends and weekday lunchtimes are the busiest times for the cafe, especially on Saturday mornings when local Park Run participants stop by for a post-workout meal. But Dragan and Natalija are not planning on expanding to multiple locations anytime soon. They want to keep it small and simple, focusing on perfecting their recipes and providing a taste of Italy to the Gunghalin community.
As for the name, Caffe al Lago, which means "cafe by the lake" in Italian, the couple admits they wouldn't be opposed to opening another location near Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin. But for now, they are content with serving their regional, non-metro area with a little piece of Italian cuisine.
For those wanting to experience the delicious sandwiches and cozy atmosphere of Caffe al Lago, they can download the 9News app to stay updated on the latest news and events in the area. Who knows, maybe a trip to Gungahlin will be on the agenda for their next lunch break.
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