hero media

Here’s where to get the best coffee in Perth

Kirsty Petrides Kirsty Petrides
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

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

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

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

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.
View profile and articles
Cottesloe Beach
Perth

Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach readies for $22 million redevelopment

Perth’s Cottesloe foreshore redevelopment project has been given the green light after securing $15 million in funding.

Read more
room at Owston Hotel
Fremantle

This Fremantle boutique hotel is your shortcut to Italy

A new hotel has arrived in Fremantle, giving travellers the perfect excuse to linger longer in this port city.

Read more
the Gus Premium Room at Garde Hotel, Fremantle
Fremantle

What it’s like to stay at Fremantle’s first 5-star hotel

A new Fremantle hotel reimagines the port city’s former police HQ – and heralds a burgeoning new precinct

Read more
the lodge wadjemup rottnest island's new swimming pool
Rottnest Island

The Lodge Wadjemup: What it’s like to stay at Rottnest Island’s newest resort

This family-oriented stay integrates with Rottnest Island’s landscape and heritage, offering a laidback vibe with year-round appeal.

Read more
hero media

Theatre, art and music: Our top picks from this year’s Perth Festival lineup

Credit: Jessia Wyld Photograpghy

    Lynn Gail Lynn Gail
    Continue
    Blend the addictive energy of dance, creative cinematic movies, captivating theatre, and energising music during Perth Festival.

    Perth Festival has extraordinary roots. Born as a summer community experiment back in 1953, the brainchild of Professor Fred Alexander, it’s now Australia’s longest-running international art-based festival. From its first event at University of Western Australia, it now spans across Noongar Boodjar country (Perth City) bringing worldclass performances into the hearts of ardent festivalgoers. Hundreds of curtain calls, including numerous free events, are set to linger and leave a lasting impression on those who seek thrills that fill life’s in-between spaces. Featuring unmissable highlights from 6th February to 1st March, we’ve done the legwork for you – here’s what’s on, and where:

    1. East Perth Power Station

    East Perth Power Station during Perth Festival
    See East Perth Power Station come alive. (Image: Jessica Wyld Photography)

    Abandoned, run-down and shutdown in 1981, East Perth Power Station, located on the banks of the stunning Swan River, was reinvented in 2025 as an entertainment venue for the Perth Festival. Pack a picnic, bring the family and kick back under paperbark trees at Casa Musica – a free event featuring a melting pot of world-class musicians from Australian shores and around the globe. The diversity will have you bopping until the final encore.

    A decade after David Bowie’s passing, his powerful music lives on in the electrifying show, Rebel Rebel. Powerhouse vocalists join Perth Symphony Orchestra for one incredible night showcasing the singer-songwriter’s iconic hits. Illuminate your world through the eyes of First Nation Noongar artist, Lance Chadd Tjyllyungoo in a free event. His distinctive paintings and Dreamtime stories decorate the Power Station’s walls depicting spiritual beliefs. Or settle in to watch British indie pop singer-songwriter, Nilüfer Yanya.

    2. St Mary’s Cathedral

    Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth
    Take in Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth. (Image: Anja Schutz)

    Step into the lofty ceilings of Perth’s grandest cathedral, St Mary’s, and soak up choral harmonies. Dating back to 1865, the stained-glass reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper are a talking point, add talented maestros, and the stage is set to enthral.

    The international line-up is impressive. Master Irish fiddler, Martin Hayes takes to the stage with exquisite lyrical compositions from his native land. Åkervinda, an award winning Swedish quartet, weave stories of love, loss, and resilience into harmonious Nordic folk songs. The USA Grammy Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth, break all the rules. Hear their voices echo through the arched vaulted ceilings.

    3. Lotterywest Films

    guests at Lotterywest Films as part of Perth Festival
    Discover the Lotterywest Films program. (Credit: Jessia Wyld Photograpghy)

    One of the festivals longest-running favourites, Lotterywest Films run a rich tapestry of cinematic features showing until 29th of March. Pack a picnic, cushions, popcorn and pop a cork under a Somerville Pine Tree as the sun sets and screenings begin. Cinema lovers, choose your poison from thrillers, deep-dive documentaries, tearjerkers, raunchy rom-coms and side-splitting comedies. The program is fantastically full, the filmmakers the best in the business, and the outdoor setting, unequalled.

    4. The Embassy

    guests at The EMbassy as part of Perth Festival
    Step into the old world glitz of The Embassy. (Image: Franz Bato)

    Modelled on Perth’s historic Embassy Ballroom, a devilish dance venue that operated in the 1900s, The Embassy in Perth Town Hall, serves sophistication in its A-list shows. Set your sequins a’sparkle at the, What’s TINA Got to Do With It extravaganza where guest artists play tribute as they belt out the glitzy star’s hits. The returning act, Ali Bodycoat & The Embassy Big Band, will have you jiving as you take to the dance floor reimagining a bygone era. Who doesn’t like chocolate? Black-bearded drag sensation, La Gateau Chocolat puts the raw in cacao. World-renowned for his feisty range of storied songs, he reveals the inner-man come artist through his deliciously sweet and intimate act.

    5. Unusual locations

    still from The Trial theatre
    Watch a star-studded cast in The Trial. (Image: Cole Baxter)

    We’ve all heard of the hit show, The Office, but a spinetingling operatic thriller acted out in disused office space? Philip Glass’ nail-biter, The Trial, has a star-studded line-up. Together they deliver a dramatic ordeal showcasing Oscar-winner Christopher Hampton’s libretto; the suspense lingers after the final bow.

    Sit back under starry skies and soak up dynamic dance at Ballet at the Quarry: Incandescence.  Four exclusive classical and contemporary acts illuminate the amphitheatre’s stage as Perth City twinkles at nightfall. Mystery excites the mind. West Australian Opera returns again with another ‘secret opera’. Be led from an undisclosed meeting point and let the music lead to the secret.

    6. A View From A Bridge

    A View From A Bridge special event at Perth Festival
    Share your innermost thoughts at A View From A Bridge.

    Free, connecting strangers, and inclusive to everyone, artist, Joe Bloom’s collaborative project, A View From A Bridge has one prop – an old red telephone. Talk into the receiver, share thoughts, innermost feelings, memories, hopes and dreams as Bloom captures you from afar. The freedom to speak through the telephone movement has a worldwide following. A range of clips will be shown online.

    What else to do in Perth

    Shadow Wine Bar in perth
    Taste the best of Perth at eateries like Shadow Wine Bar.

    Endless blue skies crown Perth during February, making it the perfect time to explore Australia’s most western capital city. The city might be compact, but it packs a punch when it comes to what’s on. Perth Cultural Centre houses the city’s art-scene venues: Western Australian Art Gallery, WA Museum Boola Bardip and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA).

    After exploring the city’s alleyways, hidden corners, and main hub, savour worldclass food in Perth’s vibrant eateries. Award-winning restaurants, rooftop bars, and cafes can be found throughout; the leisurely eat-and-drink scene is literally mouthwatering, so book extra nights.

    Start planing your 2026 trip to Perth Festival at perthfestival.com.au.