The Best Cafés Around Como, South Perth And Kensington
Header Image: Our Ruby Girl by Sarah Yates.
We love to bang on about North of the river and far south around Fremantle, but the big chunk of land just south of our glorious Swan River is filled with some delightful cafes and breakfast spots. We cast a pretty wide blanket over South Perth, Como and Kensington, and in the interest of keeping things fresh have updated our list to 22 for 2022!
Our Ruby Girl
Where to even begin with Our Ruby Girl?! Not only is this charming little spot a zero waste cafe, it’s also got an epically-stocked little providore filled with all kinds of goodies and gifts and they’re an Equal Opportunity Employer hiring people with disabilities and also offering training programs. And while this will all nourish your soul, their delicious meals centred around healthy and locally-sourced produce will nourish your tummy. It’s a vibrant and welcoming place for all, the coffee’s great, and if you’re looking for a hot tip menu-wise the gnocchi was beautiful!
2/61 Ley St, Como
Manic Espresso
It’s the little things that count, and Manic Espresso‘s penchant for putting tiny delicious muffins on top of your takeaway coffee is a small gesture that goes a long way to us coming back for more! The exceptionally well-priced menu also helps – and they’re usually some kind of $10 brekky that doesn’t skimp on flavour.
27 Murray St, Como
Bread Espresso Bar
Tucked away on Barker Avenue in Como, Bread Espresso is not short on friendly faces, relaxed atmosphere and delicious food. Nick the owner will become your best mate in no time, but most importantly their coffee has a kick and their menu is filled with some great plates that won’t break the bank (basically nothing is over $20). Pro tip: check out their special Friday Night Dinners for something a little different.
3 Barker Ave, Como
Fiend Merchants
You’ll be fiending for one of Fiend Merchants‘ bagels the second you try ’em, but that’s alright because Fiend Merchants is a place that definitely warrants repeat visits. They’ve got a really interesting brunch menu, plenty of sweet treats and killer coffee to boot.
22 Preston Street, Como
Millpoint Caffe Bookshop
One of life’s perfect matches is the tried tested great cuppa coffee + great book, and the Millpoint Caffe Bookshop provides one of the best opportunities in all of Perth to do so. As is the case with all of these South Perth haunts, the service is super friendly, and backed up with great coffee and of course, an epic selection of books.
254 Mill Point Rd, South Perth
The Little Banksia
Arguably one of South Perth’s busiest cafes, you might have travel finding a seat at the Little Banksia during busy periods – but that is just testament to the quality of food and service on offer at this neighbourhood gem. Their all day menu is to die for, and there’s no turning back once you’ve hooked into their ridiculously fluffy buttermilk pancakes, or even naughtier – a twice cooked pork belly burger!
78 Banksia Terrace, Kensington
Dux
One of the elder statesman of the South Perth cafe and restaurant scene, Dux has been around for a very long time and as with most places who manage to stick around it’s down to two things: Excellent customer service, and delicious food! The well-priced and extensive brekky menu doesn’t hurt either, and if you are popping in we recommend you do indulge in some of their delicious crepes.
71 South Terrace, Como
Short Black & Sides
Great coffee, excellent haircuts, clever name… Short Black & Sides truly do it all. Set within a beautiful little heritage-listed building on the corner of Labouchere and Thelma Street in the leafy surrounds of Como, the only thing tighter than their fades is the customer service and delicious Dimattina Coffee.
201 Labouchere Rd, Como
Angelo Street Market
Angelo Street Market are in the business of fantastic fresh produce and dishing out great coffee from 6am (handy to know for the real early risers out there). It’s truly a one-stop shop, but if you are leaving without picking up a conti roll then you’re mad!
67 Angelo St, South Perth
Halo Espresso
Just across the road from Angelo Street Market you’ll find Halo Espresso, a spot with the very distinct honour of winning the Catering Institute Of Australia‘s Best Breakfast Gold Plate Award in 2021! If award winning food ain’t enough for ya, the staff are delightful and their coffee is some of the best in town. People come from far and wide for their Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes, or if you’re in the savoury business the Breaky Taco (a seasonal option) is an absolute joy.
82 Angelo St, South Perth
George Street Cafe & Patisserie
Another killer Kensington cafe, George Street Cafe do some of the meanest toasties in the South and have a BLT that’s equally well-regarded as one of the finest in Perth. One of a few great patisseries around South Perth (must just be how they do down there), their selection can be very dangerous for the sweet tooths out there.
49 George St, Kensington
Love & Latte
We don’t always think of Indian food when we think of cafes, but Love & Latte bring the two together in fantastic fashion. Their $20 all-you-can chaat and dosa offer makes for a bustling time when you pop in, but the friendly service and full-on flavours will keep you coming bank.
2/53 Labouchere Rd, South Perth
The Açai Corner
The expansive South Perth foreshore is already a fantastic place for strolls with friends (both furry and otherwise), but it’s not complete without a quick stop in at The Acai Corner food truck. Serving up some of the best açai bowls around Perth, it’s good-food fuel you’ll need to conquer the rest of the south!
Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth
Secret Garden Cafe & Patisserie
By this point the “secret” in Secret Garden Cafe‘s name is kind of a joke – it’s become one of South Perth’s most popular brekky joints. With the idyllic green surrounds of the back garden and a beaut breakfast and lunch menu, it won’t be long before you’re enchanted either. It’s no slouch in the patisserie department, and you’d be made not to treat yourself to a bit of cake while you’re there.
64 Angelo St, South Perth
The Daily Cafe & Fresh Flowers
If you need to double up your coffee with a pretty floral arrangement then the Daily is the place to go! It’s also the place to go for lunch, with a huge variety of quality homemade treats like sausage and Vietnamese rolls.
126b Canning Hwy, South Perth
The Coffee Corner
When you’ve got “coffee” in the name of your little shop than you better make sure it’s great, and that’s what you’ll find at Como’s Coffee Corner. Part of its to do with stocking WA-based beanslingers Yellowline, and the other half is the friendly baristas who really know what they’re doing.
1/262 Canning Hwy, Como
Kopi Seru
After a change of ownership in August of 2021, matcha mavens Little Matcha Girl made the change to Kopi Seru. But never fear, they’re still the go-to spot for matcha and delectable sweet treats – with the addition of a new focus on Indonesian coffee, roasted right here in WA by Blacklist.
4/10 Preston St, Como
First Avenue Cafe
Another little neighbourhood gem in Kensington, First Avenue Cafe will initially lure you in from the Jacaranda-lined streets with the beautiful yellow canary singing songs at the front door. Once inside the cool, quirky and relaxed atmosphere will have you wiling the hours away and indulging in some healthy snack options on repeat.
27 First Ave, Kensington
Moco151
Similar to Love & Latte, although a different corner of the world, Moco151 bring some Vietnamese flavours to your breakfast experience with outstanding results. If you’re looking for a proper caffeine hit give their Vietnamese coffee a crack – it’ll get you up-and-about in no time.
151 Labouchere Rd, Como
La Patisserie South Perth
The last patisserie on our list but certainly not the least, La Patisserie South Perth more than holds its own amidst the Mends Street hubbub, delivering some incredible (and gluten free) savoury crepes, and a great value-for-money all day menu.
3/35 Mends St, South Perth
The Boatshed Restaurant
For the best views in South Perth its hard to go past The Boatshed Cafe, overlooking the Swan River and Perth city from the foreshore to spectacular effect. Quite often with cafes on landmarks you find the quality of eating/drinking on offer lacking, but thankfully it’s quite the opposite when it comes to The Boatshed. It’s a little pricier than some of the other places around South Perth, but absolutely more than worth it for the views, quality of food and incredibly friend service, especially for such a busy area.
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1L Coode St, South Perth
Gusto Food
You didn’t think we’d finish up without name-dropping Gusto Food did you? Famous for their MASSIVE portion sizes and 12/10 friendly service, they’re no slouches when it comes to coffee either. It’s pretty small, so you’ll have to plan your arrival around busy times if you want to nab a seat, but it’s worth it when you do.
86 Angelo St, South Perth
Dolce and Salato
Another favourite for the sweet-lovers out there, Dolce & Salato is oh-so dolce indeed. Pop into their South Perth outpost for an espresso and a cannoli, or pick up a torte for a special occasion. If you’re not feeling quite so sweet, you can also try some of their signature pizzas – it’s all about balance, y’know?
Shop 8, 21-23 Mends Street, South Perth