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Here’s where to get the best coffee in Perth

You can’t plan a day of travelling and exploring without first finding your coffee fix.

Melbourne might be renowned for its vibrant coffee culture, but Perth certainly gives it a run for its money. From coffee bars tucked down laneways and arcades, to late-night coffee haunts serving caffeine by candlelight, Perth has some impressive places to get your coffee fix. Here are 15 you have to try.

In Short

If you only try one coffee spot in Perth, make it Vetrina Café for its combo of smooth brews and Mediterranean-style treats (the cannoli alone are worth the trip).

1. Giant Coffee

impressive latte art at Giant Coffee, Perth
A signature brew at Giant Coffee topped with impressive latte art.

Arguably one of the coolest coffee spots to grace this fair city. Perhaps an ironic name given its small size, Giant Coffee is a tiny coffee shop tucked down Kakulas Lane in the hip suburb of Northbridge. A few benches and milk crates line the alleyway for those who’d like to sit and enjoy their coffee. While still a good spot for winter coffee, their summer specials are where it’s at – they do cold brew and orange, and collaborate with local gelaterias for house-special affogatos.

Address: 109 James St 6A on, Nicks Ln, Northbridge WA 6003

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2pm, Sat & Sun 9am-2pm

2. Max + Sons

If you’re catching the train to Perth CBD, as soon as you emerge from the underground platform you’ll be greeted by Max + Sons . Pair your coffee with one of the delectable sweet treats from their cabinet and take a seat in their alfresco area.

Address: Gordon Stephenson House, 140 William St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 6.30am-2.30pm, Fri 6.30am-2pm

3. Howard’s Groove

coffee at Howard’s Groove, Perth
Order special coffee blends at Howard’s Groove.

This underground coffee bar provides a quiet sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the busy St Georges Terrace. A full array of hot and cold coffees are on offer, as well as some slick merch that the Howard’s Groove team collaborate on with local designers.

Address: 22 Howard St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 6.30am-2.30pm

4. Parkside Coffee

This gorgeous little hole-in-the-wall coffee spot is a neighbourhood favourite. Perched on the edge of the lush Stuart Street Reserve, it has coffees, juices and freshly baked treats for you to sit and enjoy in the sunshine. Grab a milk crate, sit down and bask in the Perth sun with your coffee.

Address: 2 Church St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7am-4pm

5. Smooth Operator

Smooth Operator coffee shop in Perth
Pop into this popular Perth coffee spot.

Smooth Operator is a specialty coffee shop located in one of Perth City’s beautifully restored character buildings. Their usual brew is local Twin Peaks coffee, but they also feature a carefully selected rotation of guest coffees. Unwind in their relaxing and friendly environment and enjoy your coffee alongside toasties, treats and some very good tunes.

Address: Shop 4 / 938 Hay St, Perth WA

Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 6.30am-2pm

6. Little Soho

coffee with pastries at Little Soho, Perth
Sip on brews perfectly paired with indulgent pastries.

The light-filled, pastel-hued Little Soho is a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. Their two intimate city locations pour Micrology coffee, plus have pastries, croissants and bagels. The spaces are small so are designed for takeaways, but they do have a smattering of streetside tables on the sidewalk to sit with your brew and watch the morning go by.

Address: 182 St Georges Terrace & 555 Wellington Street, Perth WA

Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 6.30am-2pm

7. Vetrina Cafe

making latte art at Vetrina Cafe, Perth
Vetrina Cafe is famed for its combo of smooth brews and Mediterranean-style treats.

A chic little espresso bar bringing Italian coffee culture to Northbridge. Vetrina Cafe serves strong, smooth brews alongside continental rolls, flaky pastries and its signature cannoli, which are filled fresh daily. Seating is limited to a handful of benches out front, so it’s best for a quick pick-me-up or a takeaway on the go. Hot tip: don’t leave without trying the classic ricotta cannoli.

Address: 180 Newcastle St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 6:30am–2pm, Sat 7am–2pm

8. Lowdown Espresso

coffee at Lowdown Espresso, Perth
Lowdown Espresso is well-loved by Perth locals.

The bustling Lowdown Espresso is one of Perth’s most popular coffee spots, loved by city-dwelling locals and CBD workers looking to start their day. You can grab a takeaway coffee (and a pastry from their cabinet) and stroll through the city or take a seat at one of their tables.

Address: 16a Cloisters Arcade, 865 Hay St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6am-4pm

9. La Veen Coffee

La Veen Coffee now has four locations across Perth (an ode to its popularity) but the King Street venue is a favourite. Its exposed brick and industrial chic vibes make it an atmospheric and inviting place to sit and enjoy your coffee with one of their scrumptious morning treats. Hot tip: order their famous breakfast brioche, with bacon, egg, spinach, relish and pickles.

Address: 79 King St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am-2pm, Sat & Sun 7.30am-12pm

10. Voodoo Cafe

a hand holding a cup of coffee at Voodoo Cafe, Perth
Enjoy a nighttime coffee at Voodoo Cafe.

The team at Voodoo Cafe take their coffee very seriously. They create their own roasted blends which you can enjoy in all the usual ways, as well as via a siphon, pour over or cold brew. Plus, they’re one of the few Perth coffee spots open late (until 10pm) for those who enjoy a nighttime coffee – with the dim lighting and candles adding a touch of evening ambience.

Address: Wellington Street Entrance to Raine Square at, 10/300 Murray Street Mall, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat & Sun 8am-10pm

11. Telegram Coffee

Inside the iconic State Buildings is Telegram Coffee . All the coffee they serve is roasted by the team themselves. It’s a small little set-up – actually like a tiny (but gorgeous) wooden box – but they still manage to have an array of coffee options on offer as well as a small cabinet of baked goods.

Address: State Buildings, Cnr St Georges Tce and Barrack St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6am-4pm

12. Cheerio Coffee

In Perth’s west end is Cheerio Coffee , a humble little neighbourhood coffee window. It’s a family-run operation, and the team whips up fresh bread and baked goods on site each morning. Everything is designed to takeaway, or enjoy at the long table out the front (if you can nab a seat, that is.)

Address: 50 Cleaver St, West Perth WA 6005

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5.30am-12.30pm, Sat 7am-12pm

13. DripHouse

pouring coffee into a cup at DripHouse, Perth
Get your caffeine fix at DripHouse.

Another hole-in-the-wall coffee spot, DripHouse’s Perth CBD venue is a popular place for a caffeine hit. The dark wood interior of the small space makes it a cosy spot to sit at one of the (very few) tables and enjoy your brew.

Address: 772a Hay St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2pm

14. Bench Espresso

A stalwart of the Perth coffee scene, Bench Espresso is an iconic spot for locals. They bake all of their treats fresh on-site, and have ample seating for those who want to sit and enjoy. Be prepared to wait a little because this popular spot gets busy.

Address: 191/471 Hay St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am-5pm

15. Standing Room Only Coffee Bar

pouring milk into coffee at Standing Room Only Coffee Bar, Perth
Indulge in barista-made coffee at Standing Room Only Coffee Bar.

Down Piccadilly Arcade is this hip coffee bar . If the pink neon signs and 70’s music don’t put you in a good mood, the coffee definitely will. As the name suggests, there is no seating – you stand at the spacious bar and sip your coffee (and nibble your croissant) Italian style.

Address: Picadilly Arcade 7, 700 Hay St, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 6.30am-3pm, Sat 8am-3pm

Kirsty Petrides
Kirsty Petrides is a writer, wine-lover and cheese enthusiast. Whether she’s hunting down the best restaurant in Albania, foraging the Marrakech markets for spices or camping in the middle of Patagonian wilderness, she loves to seek out the authentic side of the places she visits, and share that with readers through her writing.
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7 Kimberley experiences that need to be on your bucket list

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck
Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

​​Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise
Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise
Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise.
Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift,  the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide.
Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel,  turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef
Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion
See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys
Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com