Where Perth’s Coffee Culture is Brewing
A coffee revolution has been quietly brewing out west, from the city centre to suburbia. Meet the new-wave roasters and cafés keeping Perth caffeinated.
Sprolo
This former suburban garage seems an unlikely engine room for Como’s coffee renaissance, but the proof is in the cup. Onsite micro-roaster Blacklist keeps Sprolo well-stocked with beans while food options (house-made kaya, matcha-flavoured cakes) celebrate the owners’ Asian heritage.
138 Canning Highway, Como; 0401 625 134
Yelo
Although Yelo has expanded through the metropolitan area, its North Beach mothership remains an integral part of many people’s weekend rituals. Sure, this is a café-with-a-view, but great coffee, smiley service and a breezy, health-minded menu provide substance to Yelo’s abundant coastal style.
331 West Coast Highway, North Beach; (08) 9447 9441
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La Veen Coffee & Kitchen
This café’s collection of high-end (primarily Japanese) brewing apparatus is your first clue that team La Veen takes its coffee seriously. But while staff will gladly talk filter timings and grind sizes, fun and accessibility is another key tenet at this CBD favourite. Drop by at lunch for fun Asian-inspired dishes.
90 King Street, Perth; (08) 9321 1188.
Grouch & Co Speciality Coffee
An earnest focus on sourcing and roasting green beans with provenance beats at the heart of this suburban café. Don’t be put off by the name: the welcome at Grouch & Co is warm while coffee served in Japanese saké cups speaks to the owners’ love of art.
1/45 McCoy Street, Myaree, (08) 9317 1951
Antz In Ya Pantz HQ
It might be the offer of free caffeine that gets people through the door (all Antz In Ya Pantz first-timers get their first coffee on the house) but they invariably return, lured by this brightly decorated café’s value – espressos are just $2 – and attention to detail. The lunchtime bagels sell out fast while that famous Antz cold-brew is sold by the bottle or growler.
732 Albany Highway, Victoria Park; (08) 6102 3148
Telegram Coffee
From food to fashion, Perth’s State Buildings are all about celebrating Western Australia’s brightest and best. Little surprise, then, that Luke Arnold’s timber shrine to coffee Telegram attracts a crowd all day. The draw? Well-made coffee using quality beans from Leftfield Coffee, great chat, and one of the inner city’s more spectacular buildings.
28 Barrack Street, Perth
Koffie Winkel
Most Dutch cafes, it’s fair to say, are famous for something other than coffee. No such funny business here. Named after a traditional Dutch coffee shop, Koffie Winkel has made plenty of friends thanks to its ace coffee (go the velvet, Guinness-like nitro-brew) and great eats including house-made apple turnovers.
1/222 James Street, Northbridge; (08) 6114 9507
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Stable Hands Coffee
Don’t be embarrassed – everyone freezes in the doorway the first time they visit the beautiful former stables. This airy, whitewashed café might reside in one of Freo’s oldest buildings, but owners and experienced baristas Anthony and Phillip Arnold of Stable Hands Coffee are focussed on the now. The menu features native ingredients while plans are in the works to open an on-site gallery and bar selling craft local spirits as well as an on-site roastery. Currently, they’re using a sweet, nutty blend from Code Black Coffee Roasters.
8 Bannister Street, Fremantle; (08) 9430 7309
Architects & Heroes
Cartoon characters might adorn the walls but the real heroes are behind this Subiaco café’s flash Steampunk machine and pulling shots for an appreciative clientele. While consistently excellent coffee is reason enough to drop-in, winning toasties are a perfect excuse to extend your visit.
25 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
Pixel Coffee Brewers
Sure, we could go on and on about the collective CV of Pixel’s owners – the duo are former state champion baristas – but all you need to know is that the coffee is great, the welcome is even better and this cosy Leederville hang-out fills up quick-smart on weekends. The beans are from Five Senses with regular guest appearances by Melbourne’s Proud Mary and Perth’s Mano e Mano. Join the party.
2/226 Oxford St, Leederville; 0448 085 889
Top image: Architects & Heroes
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