Perth’s cafe scene in 2026 is genuinely world-class. Whether you’re chasing a barista-driven single origin, a flaky pastry, or a loaded sanga to go, Boorloo delivers.
From buzzing Northbridge laneways to quiet neighbourhood gems tucked across the inner suburbs, these ten spots represent the very best independent cafes Perth has to offer right now. If you’re on the hunt for the best coffee shops in Australia, Perth’s scene deserves a serious place on that list.
Hemingway
Address: 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth CBD
Best For
High-tech, serious specialty coffee
If you’re serious about coffee, Hemingway is non-negotiable. Tucked inside Central Park on St Georges Terrace, this CBD gem from the Mo Espresso Group runs a Modbar espresso machine and an automated Poursteady pour-over system.
Tech you genuinely won’t see anywhere else in Perth. The fit-out is minimal and sleek, keeping coffee firmly centre stage. Think of it as a love letter to the craft, written by people who really, truly mean it.
Opening
Weekdays, CBD hours
Atmosphere
Minimal, sleek interior with coffee firmly centre stage.
Menu Highlights
- Modbar espresso
- Poursteady automated pour-over
- Single origin and experimental brews
Howard’s Groove
Address: 22 Howard Street, Perth CBD
Best For
Filter coffee and relaxed CBD vibes
Hidden down Howard Street in the CBD’s quieter west end, Howard’s Groove is a collab between the Smooth Operator crew and legendary local roasters Twin Peaks. The coffee is, predictably, outstanding.
There’s always something interesting on batch brew alongside the usual espresso lineup, plus toasties that are genuinely hard to walk past. Local artwork covers the walls, giving the whole space a relaxed, neighbourhood feel that’s rare this close to the city.
Opening
Weekdays, CBD hours
Atmosphere
Local art-covered walls with a relaxed neighbourhood feel, rare for the CBD.
Menu Highlights
- Batch brew from Twin Peaks roasters
- Full espresso lineup
- Toasties
Miller & Baker
Address: 6B/236 Lake Street, Northbridge
Best For
Artisan baking and sourdough lovers
Miller & Baker on Lake Street is the kind of place that ruins you for supermarket bread forever. They mill their own flour on-site, a level of commitment to quality that shows in every cardamom bun, flaky pie and kimchi toastie that comes out of the kitchen.
Grab a sourdough loaf to take home, a coffee for the road, and try not to panic when you can’t choose between the pastries. (You’ll figure it out.)
Opening
Morning to afternoon, daily
Atmosphere
Artisan bakery-cafe energy with an on-site flour mill and community favourite status.
Menu Highlights
- Cardamom buns
- Flaky pies
- Kimchi toasties
- Fresh sourdough loaves to take home
Strollio’s Luncheonette
Address: 68 Lawley Street, Tuart Hill
Best For
Donuts, sandos, and retro deli vibes
Part coffee bar, part old-school deli, Strollio’s is one of Perth’s most exciting 2026 openings. Baker Nathan Alexander (ex-Bagel O’s, North Street) has created something genuinely special on Lawley Street in Tuart Hill.
Retro booth seating, abstract art, batch brew and sandwiches that hit every note. The cinnamon custard doughnuts alone are worth the drive north. Morsels called them the best donuts in Perth, and honestly? Hard to argue.
Opening
Morning to midday, daily
Atmosphere
Retro bus-seat booths and abstract art with corner deli nostalgia done brilliantly.
Menu Highlights
- Cinnamon custard doughnuts
- Japanese strawberry and cream sando
- Roast beef sandwich
- Batch brew
Forklore
Address: 102 Railway Street, City West Centre, West Perth
Best For
Asian-inspired brunch with bold flavours
Forklore is what happens when great coffee meets a genuinely creative kitchen. Brought to you by the tbsp. crew out of City West Centre in West Perth, the Asian-inspired menu pulls serious crowds, and rightly so.
The chicken katsu sando is among the best in Perth, the tonkotsu porridge is deeply comforting, and the mentaiko udon topped with slow-cooked egg is the kind of dish you think about for days. Book ahead, or get there early.
Opening
Breakfast and lunch, daily
Atmosphere
Vibrant cafe-restaurant crossover with a dedicated cult following in West Perth.
Menu Highlights
- Chicken katsu sando
- Tonkotsu porridge
- Mentaiko udon with slow-cooked egg
- Curry pan
Arrival Hall
Address: 162 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge
Best For
Stylish brunch inside a design store
Arrival Hall on Aberdeen Street is equal parts cafe and interior design store, which sounds gimmicky until you walk in and immediately want to live there. The light, art-filled space is genuinely beautiful, and the food matches the vibe.
The Smoked Salmon Smorrebrod is a forever favourite, the kimchi scrambled eggs are brilliant, and the iced oat latte is dangerously drinkable. Fair warning: you will leave with both a full stomach and a new piece of homeware.
Opening
Breakfast and lunch, daily
Atmosphere
Light, art-filled and chic, equal parts cafe and interiors store you’ll want to move into.
Menu Highlights
- Smoked Salmon Smorrebrod
- Kimchi scrambled eggs
- Iced oat latte
- Prawn rolls
Source Foods
Best For
The full trifecta: coffee, food, staff
Source Foods is one of those spots that regulars quietly hope stays under the radar, though it genuinely deserves far more love. Morsels describes it as the winning trifecta of great coffee, food and staff, and that’s exactly right.
The light, leafy space is immediately calming, the chilli scramble is a standout, and the whole experience feels considered without being precious. If you want a cafe that simply does everything well, this is it.
Opening
Breakfast and lunch, daily
Atmosphere
Light, leafy and calming with a considered, unpretentious neighbourhood feel.
Menu Highlights
- Chilli scramble
- Seasonal espresso menu
- Wholefood-focused dishes
Social Manna
Best For
Chef-driven food in a welcoming neighbourhood setting
What sets Social Manna apart is its chef. Owner Sandro brings a serious fine dining background to a relaxed cafe setting, which means the food punches well above what you’d expect.
Morsels, who visits regularly, calls him one of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet, and the food backs that warmth up completely. This is the kind of neighbourhood cafe you become deeply loyal to, very quickly.
Opening
Breakfast and lunch, daily
Atmosphere
Warm, intimate and personal, run by one of Perth’s most welcoming chef-owners.
Menu Highlights
- Seasonal, chef-driven menu
- Creative dishes with fine dining finesse
- Consistently outstanding food
Smidge Bakery
Best For
Cinnamon scrolls and local bakery love
Smidge Bakery has earned its place as a Leederville institution, and the cinnamon scrolls alone justify the trip. This is a local success story done properly: a bakery-cafe that fits its neighbourhood perfectly.
In-house baking that’s genuinely special and a warm, welcoming space that keeps regulars coming back morning after morning. Morsels visits constantly, which tells you everything you need to know about consistency.
Opening
Mornings, daily
Atmosphere
Warm, welcoming Leederville institution that feels like a true local morning ritual.
Menu Highlights
- Cinnamon scrolls
- In-house baked pastries and treats
- Neighbourhood coffee staples
Artem Coffee
Best For
Bold Asian-inspired food and great value coffee
Artem Coffee is for people who want their cafe to take both coffee and food seriously, without charging a fortune for the privilege. The espresso, filter and speciality options are all excellent.
The Asian-inspired kitchen brings bold flavours and real heat to dishes that feel genuinely considered. The toasties are great value and the vibe is relaxed without being lazy. A proper neighbourhood gem that’s easy to love.
Opening
Breakfast and lunch, daily
Atmosphere
Relaxed and unpretentious with a flavour-forward kitchen and welcoming, easy energy.
Menu Highlights
- Espresso, filter and speciality coffee
- Asian-inspired dishes with bold heat
- Great value toasties
Final Thoughts
Perth’s cafe scene in 2026 is firing on all cylinders. From the high-tech coffee theatre of Hemingway to the deli nostalgia of Strollio’s and the chef-driven warmth of Social Manna, there’s something here for every kind of cafe lover.
Got a favourite that didn’t make the list? Drop it in the comments. Perth’s independent cafe scene moves fast, and there’s always another gem worth discovering.
