But on Friday she decided to take her job a bit more literally by dressing as a cow for Halloween.

While she admits it may not been a scary choice, Ms Campbell wasn't the only Harvest staffer to embrace her furry side by donning an animal costume, with a zebra also serving customers their morning espresso.

Halloween is an annual affair at Harvest but they weren't the only Canberra business to embrace the day, previously thought of as an American tradition, with costumes and decorations.

"We do it every year, all the staff have a good time at work and get lots of attention from customers," she said.

"For me it's a day that is not any way related to religion … it's just a fun thing for adults and kids, kids get to dress up every day and we don't, so why not."

The Cupping Room took the theme even further, offering free coffee to patrons who came dressed up for Halloween, but had no takers as of Friday afternoon.

The pumpkin pie special of the day was a hit, however.

"Personally I've not done much with Halloween, I think it's more of an American idea, but it's better than a normal day of work," manager Max Owens said.

Penny University promised coffee lovers a haunted house on Friday, and its Halloween-themed food served up by vampires and zombies – including blood orange cakes and a peanut butter and jam "bleeding cronut" pierced with toffee chards – was a hit with regulars, co-owner Ellie Kochinos said.