The 12 best Fremantle cafes to kick-start your day

Kirsty PetridesBy Kirsty Petrides
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The best places to get your caffeine fix in Fremantle.

When it comes to cafe options in Fremantle, the options are almost endless – which is what you’d expect from a city with a huge Italian influence and a famous cappuccino strip.

So, we’ve done the groundwork for you. Here are 12 of the best cafes in Fremantle, so you can start your day the right way.

1. Good Things

This intimate little cafe  in the heart of the west end not only serves stellar coffee, it also has one of the most interesting all-day breakfast menus you’re likely to come by.

Try the Cilbar Eggs – poached eggs on focaccia with sumac and lemon labne and aleppo chilli butter.

the cafe exterior of Good Things, Fremantle
Good Things serves stellar coffee.

Address: 16 Bannister St, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7am – 2pm.

2. Kerfuffle

While a relatively new cafe in the South Fremantle scene, Kerfuffle  has quickly attracted a loyal following.

The upcycled furniture and rustic interior create a welcoming, laid-back ambience and the alfresco chairs and tables are a great spot for basking in the morning sunshine.

a cup of coffee with the cafe interior of Kerfuffle in the background
Kerfuffle has quickly attracted a loyal following.

Address: 244 South Terrace, South Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 5.30am – 1pm.

3. Ootong & Lincoln

This cafe is a Fremantle institution, and one of the few places you can grab a coffee after 2pm.

With its main exterior wall adorned with the famous zebra artwork of renowned muralist Anya Brock, Ootong & Lincoln  is hard to miss. And its relaxed retro vibe makes it hard to leave.

the facade of Ootong & Lincoln with colourful giraffe painting
Ootong & Lincoln is hard to miss with its famous zebra artwork.

Address: 258 South Terrace, South Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 6am – 3.30pm.

4. Roasting Warehouse

While technically a ‘chain’ with locations in Melbourne and Brisbane as well, the Roasting Warehouse shouldn’t be dismissed. A short walk from the beach, it serves its own premium in-house roasted coffee and all-day brunch.

Their menu is creative and unique, with a stand-out being the Eggs Benny Chan with grilled roti, panko-crumbed eggs and sriracha hollandaise. And they also do bloody Mary’s and mimosas if it’s THAT sort of brunch.

a close-up shot of food plate at Roasting Warehouse
Roasting Warehouse’s menu is creative and unique.

Address: 312 South Terrace, South Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 6am – 3pm.

5. Hush

One of Fremantle’s most reliable spots for great coffee, Hush is a specialty coffee shop  located in the west end that features a revolving door of different – but sensational – beans. Check out their Instagram  to see what beans they’re brewing on any particular week.

Address: 68 High St, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am – 4pm; Sat 6.30am – 3pm; Sun 7am – 3pm.

6. Quasimodo’s Cafe

Right near Fremantle port, Quasimodo’s Cafe is a small Italian cafe and lunch bar, serving – in their own words – ‘caffeine and carbs’.

Pair your coffee with one of their daily Italian-inspired brunch dishes – think fresh pizzetas with tomato and mozzarella, or bruschetta with chickpeas.

a cup of coffee and sandwich on a table by the glass window at Quasimodo’s Cafe
Quasimodo’s Cafe is a good spot to people-watch.

Address: 7 Phillimore St, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am – 3pm.

7. Best Wishes

For the bagel-lovers out there, Best Wishes is all your dreams come true. The coffee and bagel joint sits just off Fremantle’s cafe strip and is a hip spot to start your morning.

people sitting outside Best Wishes cafe in Fremantle
Pop by Best Wishes for your daily dose of caffeine.

For traditionalists, get a plain bagel, but for the adventurous, get one loaded with all the good stuff – cream cheese, avo, bacon, salads and pickles.

pouring coffee into a cup at Best Wishes cafe in Fremantle
Best Wishes is a hip spot to start your morning.

Address: Shop 9/2 Cantonment St, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 7am – 1pm; Sat 7am – 12pm.

8. Little French Nest

This cafe has absolutely nailed French chic. Neatly tucked away in the streets behind Walyalup Koort, Little French Nest serves show-stopping coffee and has a cabinet of freshly baked French treats like croissants and canelés.

For something substantial, their menu includes things like eggs, crepes and pain perdu (French toast).

drizzling sweet sauce over a plate of dessert at Little French Nest
The French toast will hit your sweet spot.

Address: 15 Point St, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 2.30pm; Sat and Sun 7.30am – 2.30pm.

9. The Little Concept

In the Wray Ave precinct sits this small but mighty cafe. At The Little Concept , the coffee is consistently good and the north-facing alfresco chairs and tables are a beautiful spot to enjoy the morning sun. They also have non-caffeine options, like matcha lattes and red espresso – a rooibos-based drink.

Address: 7 Wray Ave, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am – 3pm; Sat 7am – 3pm; Sun 7am – 1pm.

10. The Cool Room

If you’ve got a set of wheels – bike or car – venturing just to the outskirts of Fremantle to The Cool Room  is worth the trip.

It’s an edgy and quirky space with white tiles scrawled with highlighter, Formica-topped tables and knick-knacks from the antique shop next door. If you manage to visit on a day they have freshly baked Portuguese tarts, treat yourself.

a painting on the wall inside The Cool Room cafe in Fremantle
The Cool Room is an edgy and quirky space.

Address: 2/114 Holland St, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Thurs and Sun 8am – 2pm; Fri and Sat 8am – 3pm.

11. Third Wheel

Set up in the courtyard of South Beach Cycles, Third Wheel has become a mainstay in the South Fremantle cafe scene.

The verdant verandah teeming with greenery is a great spot to hang with your coffee, and South Beach is a three-minute walk for a post-caffeine dip.

the chairs under a canopy outside Third Wheel cafe in Fremantle
The verandah at Third Wheel is teeming with greenery.

Address: 408 South Terrace, South Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am – 2pm; Sat and Sun 7am – 2pm.

12. Peggy’s

If you’re a late riser (or have just had a big night) retro sandwich bar Peggy’s  is a must-visit. The cafe is family-run, selling made-to-order sambos, subs and toasties with fresh, locally sourced produce.

two servings of sandwiches at Peggy's
Don’t miss out on Peggy’s retro sandwiches.

The parm sandwich is their most popular – fresh focaccia filled with fried eggplant, spicy sugo, salad and parmigiano. Order online and stumble in when you’re ready.

the cafe exterior of Peggy's in Fremantle
Pop into Peggy’s for brekky.

Address: 35 Market St, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am – 2.30pm; Sat and Sun 9am – 2.30pm.

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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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
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    The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

    Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts  that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

    A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead.
    Dine in the heart of nature.

    Your guide to Lake Argyle

    The backstory

    With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

    The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

    Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

    A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation.
    Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

    The rooms

    A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

    The facilities

    There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

    If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

    Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

    Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

    Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks.
    Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

    Your guide to El Questro

    The backstory

    One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

    The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

    A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity.
    Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

    The rooms

    Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

    At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

    Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

    Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below.
    Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

    The facilities

    Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

    Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

    A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty.
    Experience thrilling nature activities.

    Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.