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11 of the cosiest winter cafés in Perth
There’s not a harsh light or steel beam in sight at these warm and welcoming little gems tucked away around the city.
Published
8 min read
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Explore
7 min readExplore
There’s not a harsh light or steel beam in sight at these warm and welcoming little gems tucked away around the city.
Published
8 min read
Text size
Published
Text size
By: Ysabel Tang
Perth’s café aesthetic is currently dominated by industrial chic, clean coastal, Japandi and retro Italian trattoria vibes. These places are super cool. But they sometimes lack that relaxed stay-all-day atmosphere we crave on a wintery day.
For those in the know, there are still a few cafés committed to cosy. These are places where it’s okay (and even encouraged!) to settle in for the long haul. Grab a book, pack your laptop or bundle up the kids and check out our favourite cosy cafés in Perth.
Piccolo's Corner feels like a cosy extension of your own home. This local favourite is a charming collection of mismatched mugs, cushions, and thriving indoor plants. There's plenty of comfortable seating inside, while sunny winter days can be enjoyed in their gorgeous courtyard. The coffee is fabulous. And so is the tea-leaf chai. There's also plenty of small to big bites on their robust all-day menu. We recommend the homemade spicy beans and chorizo or the smashed pumpkin on toast.
See nearby: Head over to neighbouring Leederville and visit (relatively) new bookshop, Boundless Books, peruse vinyls at Urban Records, shop for quirky gifts at Pigeonhole, or catch a film at Luna Leederville.
The Coffee Thief is a cute neighbourhood café with a small, but solid menu and a big winter drawcard: a fire pit. Make yourself comfortable around the fire and tuck into daily specials like rhubarb and apple crumble porridge, or sip on a turmeric latte. This place is dog-friendly, small, cosy, outdoors and brimming with greenery. Chase away the winter chills at this little oasis.
See nearby: Galup Reserve (previously Lake Monger) is not too far from the café, and a great place to soak up some winter rays while taking a leisurely stroll. There are many playgrounds where kids can burn some energy, including a fantastic nature playground on the Lake Monger Drive side of the reserve.
A sumptuous interior of Moroccan lamps, tapestry-lined walls, and the warm glow of tealights. This is Boucla, a beloved Subi institution that’s been serving up cosy corners, excellent coffee and delicious Mediterranean-inspired food for the past two decades. For a real wintery treat, try their tea-leaf chai served in a cast iron pot. Sweet tooth or not, the souffra and baklava are also a must.
See nearby: If you’re in the neighbourhood, swing over to the other end of Rokeby Road for a visit to Fuji Mart. Score unique flavours of Pocky or pick up an onigiri at this speciality Japanese grocery store. Close by MCQ is also worth a visit for cheap and good fresh fruit and veg, as well as an extensive selection of Asian pantry staples.
This friendly neighbourhood café serves up some of the best coffee in town, and has a kids’ corner packed with Duplo, books and other games so parents can enjoy their coffee in relative peace. On weekends Hank's is buzzing, slinging specials like pork rolls, and playing host to live bands in their courtyard. For a more relaxed experience, visit mid-morning on a weekday.
See nearby: Top-notch bookstore and record shop, Diabolik, is just couple of minutes’ drive down the road in Mount Hawthorn. Out with kids? Nearby Braithewaite Park is an enclosed space that has a sprawling nature playground as well as a toddler-friendly playground for younger kids.
Go for the cosy. Stay for the cake. Café Guilty Pleasure is a late-night Korean dessert café housed in one of Mount Lawley’s beautiful old shophouses. Ivy clings to the exposed brick walls of this whimsical venue, with gilded framed pictures and an impressive antique cup collection add to the old-timey feel. The café’s aesthetic is matched by its beautifully decorated cakes, which come in every imaginable flavour from matcha and black sesame to good old strawberry and vanilla.
See nearby: Planet Books is a neighbourhood staple, just a couple of shops down.
Eat the rainbow at Mrs. S, where the food is a perfect reflection of the café’s vibrant personality. The Rose and Berry Panna Cotta is a pretty dish loaded with fresh seasonal fruits. You also can’t go wrong with the Salmon Eggs Benedict. The long table in the middle of this café adds to the community vibe, with locals and visitors alike happy to hang out and chat over a cup of coffee and a very good meal.
See nearby: Maylands is a mecca for vintage shopping. Head over to Vintage Emporium and Tumbleweed to spend a few hours trawling for treasures. For parents with young kids, Max & Hound is worth a visit for cute children’s clothes and a small but well curated selection of wooden toys and puzzles.
This place feels like you’ve stepped into your Nana’s living room—in a good way. Mid-Century Café and Collectables is precisely what its name promises: a combination of great food and coffee alongside a bunch of retro furniture and collectables for sale. The diner-inspired menu features steak sandwiches and burgers along with modern offerings like red velvet French toast and dukkah eggs.
See nearby: This café is in the middle of suburbia, so there’s not a huge amount to do in the immediate vicinity. However, just a short drive away parents will find Yokine Play Space, a gated playground with a good variety of equipment for all ages.
Jarrah floorboards, fringe lamps, indoor plants, and a palm tree feature wall come together to create this tiny café’s snug atmosphere. Coffee is the real star at The Imp, with many coffee snobs happy to travel to Vic Park just for a long mac topped up made by the café’s skilled baristas. The café’s generous menu will keep you going throughout the day, with Asian-inspired bites and big meals, including a pretty darn tasty Banh Mi.
See nearby: Crow Books is one of the best bookstores in Perth. It has a great selection of classics, contemporary literature, and comics. If you’re facing decision paralysis, the knowledgeable staff will happily recommend their favourite reads.
Flora and Fauna have relocated to Freo, where they’re serving up the same wholesome vego and vegan meals that made them a popular destination café back in their Northbridge days. Expect warm lighting, vintage furniture and of course plenty of greenery at their new digs, which channel a feel-good 70s vibe. Head over on a Friday at 6:30am for a morning flow with Taylah Jessica Yoga, followed by brunch, of course.
See nearby: There’s something for everyone in Freo these days. And it’s a particularly good neighbourhood for book lovers. There’s New Edition, Bill Campbell Books, and two Elizabeth’s Secondhand book shops. Young readers will adore Paper Bird, a children’s books and arts store that offers a magical Narnia experience—climb through a wardrobe to discover a secret room filled with books and twinkling fairy lights.
Craving a warming bowl of matcha and the serene atmosphere of a neighbourhood café in Tokyo? No need to hop on a plane. Just head to Hinata, perched on the second floor of the Fibonacci Centre in Freo. Everything here is good. Cosy up with a cushion and get ready to taste some of the best home-style Japanese cooking in Perth. The menu changes each season, with current winter warmers including a piping hot oden set and a hearty Japanese curry. The café is best known for its brunch set, which changes monthly and includes a variety of small protein and veggie dishes accompanied by a delicate dessert. Spend the day and sample every offering in the stuffed cabinet, with highlights including homemade mochi and matcha pudding.
See nearby: The Fibonacci Centre also houses Store @ Fib, a lovely giftshop that sells local and handmade clothing, art, candles and more.
This little place is big on comfort. Curl up on one of their worn red velvet couches and wile the day away with a book. The menu here features classic café fare like wraps and soups as well as more indulgent options like toasties, pancakes and cakes. The venue is also dog-friendly. Pups can hang out inside or outside in the café’s adorable courtyard.
See nearby: Amante & Co isn’t too far from the heart of town. You can take a leisurely stroll or short drive up to Fremantle Markets. Alternatively, stay in the area and check out Ootong & Lincoln for another coffee and The Gossamer Project for vintage clothing.
