Ugly Duckling Cafe

Charles Darwin University, Building Red, 1, Ground Floor/7 Ellengowan Dr, Brinkin NT 0810, Australia
+61 8 8946 6163
$$$ cafe
(77 Reviews)
Price Range $1–20

Welcome to the Ugly Duckling Cafe, a charming little hideaway nestled within the vibrant grounds of Charles Darwin University in Brinkin, Northern Territory. This cafe is not just a spot for a quick coffee; it's a delightful destination for anyone looking to indulge in scrumptious meals and refreshing beverages, all served with a smile.

At Ugly Duckling Cafe, the all-day brunch menu shines with thoughtfully crafted dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Imagine sinking your teeth into the Birdcage Burger, a mouthwatering combination of a crispy fried chicken patty adorned with spicy jalapeños and a crunchy slaw, beautifully complemented by sweet chili mayo. For those craving a hearty vegetarian option, the Rigatoni Vegetarian Alfredo bursts with flavor, featuring freshly made rigatoni pasta enveloped in a creamy sauce, roasted pumpkins, capsicums, and a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts. And if you're after a slice of heaven, try the Pizza Prosciutto E Rucola, topped with succulent prosciutto, peppery rockets, and gooey mozzarella cheese, offering a taste that transports you straight to Italy.

If you're not in the mood for a full meal, their array of fruit smoothies is an ideal pick-me-up, with vibrant options like the Super Green, a nutrient-packed blend of spinach, pear, mango, and hemp seed, or the Berrylicious, a delightful mix of banana, strawberries, and blueberries.

Customer experiences speak volumes about the Ugly Duckling Cafe's warmth and charm. One happy customer, Jennyfer Doi, raves about the "speedy friendly service" that complements their delicious chai lattes and homemade pastries. Another patron, Val Cullen, appreciated the outstanding coffee they discovered when searching for an afternoon pick-me-up, noting that even when the cafe was winding down for the day, the service remained inviting and accommodating.

Adding to the cafe’s reputation, Lizzie Hoult has proclaimed it to have the best matcha latte in town, while also applauding the quality of pastries sourced from the revered Alfonsino's. Coupled with the excellent management of Aurora and Romal, the Ugly Duckling Cafe undeniably sets a high standard for hospitality and quality in Brinkin.

Whether you're a student at the university or just visiting the area, Ugly Duckling Cafe is a must-visit spot. It offers a perfect mix of casual dining with a community feel, making it an inviting place to relax, recharge, and indulge in some of the best brunch and beverages around. Swing by, and discover your new favorite cafe in the heart of Brinkin!

Service options
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in
Highlights
Great coffee
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Organic dishes
Prepared foods
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

07:30 AM - 04:00 PM

Tuesday

07:30 AM - 04:00 PM

Wednesday

07:30 AM - 04:00 PM

Thursday

07:30 AM - 04:00 PM

Friday

07:30 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

77 Reviews
Jennyfer Doi

30 Sep 2025

Speedy friendly service with yummy chai lattes & homemade pastries

Tasnuva Mehreen Ahona

15 Sep 2025

Ordered their white choc mocha because I was super impressed by it last week and today they just gave..... Hot chocolate but white????????? Edit: tried again and had to explain a couple of times what I wanted. Got something good but not as good as that first one

Val Cullen

26 Aug 2025

We were looking for a coffee at 3pm and most places were closed. Found this one through Google and it was great. Coffee was outstanding. Only gave a 4 for atmosphere because they were close to closing so some of the tables were packed up but I’m sure it has a great vibe when it’s fully open

Lizzie Hoult (Lizzie Hoult)

22 Aug 2025

The best matcha latte in town and they get their pastries from Alfonsino's, can't go wrong! Aurora and Romal run a tight ship, their team is friendly and always happy to serve you. Also recommend their sister cafe, The Lunch Room which does amazing catering and vegetarian lasagne!

Checking
Listing Image

Café Nahda

HFPQ+HP2, El Aioun, Morocco
Cafe
(42 Reviews)
Listing Image

Anima coffee

Jl. Kusuma Bangsa No.61, Gn. Lingkas, Kec. Tarakan Tim., Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara, Indonesia
Cafe
(34 Reviews)
Listing Image

Churrería Chocolatería Cafetería

Av. Juan de Avalos, 06893 San Pedro de Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
Cafe
(25 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

City Cafeteria

C2JP+WCR, Bani Hasan, El-Bagour City, El-Bagour, Menofia Governorate 6075275, Egypt
Cafe
(222 Reviews)
Checking
Listing Image

Caffe bar San Antonio

Ulica Generala Nikole Maštrovića 8, 53220, Otočac, Croatia
Cafe
(72 Reviews)

Join the Ugly Duckling Cafe Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.