Originally opened by former residents of New Guinea (which explains the name in New Guinea Pidgin – “Nambawan Coffee Haus” translates as “Number One Coffee House”). It since has changed hands and, it must be said, no longer offers quite the value it did previously as servings are smaller and salads are no longer included with dishes. While there still is a small gallery of Melanesian art (and other art by native people of the Australia/SW Pacific), that is not as large as it was and the menu, once entirely in Pidgin has been ‘anglicised’.
All that said though, this remains a pleasant lunch stop which we often visit. The coffee is good and the food interesting, slightly different and tasty. We visited recently and had Chicken Satay (I forget the former name for this dish) and Bula (spicy small beef rissoles served with brie), formerly known as Bikpela Bulamakao. Maybe the former dish names were just considered too difficult for most!
Main photo: Melanesian art inside
Second photo: The Nambawan
Third photo: Chicken Satay
Fourth photo: Bula.
Prices below are for main courses.
