Our Top Secret Fremantle Coffee Spot

Just outside Perth (Western Australia), we discovered a Fremantle coffee spot that is nearly impossible to find - unless you're in the know.

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Want to know my formula for the perfect travel day? It's not first class tickets + champagne = luxury. It's more like tiny spot + jaunty bright colors = coffee heaven. While visiting the Perth (Western Australia) suburb of Fremantle, coffee heaven was in full force. We had the good fortune to visit the tiniest of all tiny cafes, featuring the jauntiest of all jaunty colors (bright orange!) and it was heavenly indeed.

​My heart swooped the minute I walked through the door of the Leake St. Cafeteria - and so will yours! But first you have to find it. This is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it stop but read on and you'll see why I think a visit here is one of the best things to do in Fremantle. 

In Fremantle, coffee isn't just coffee. It's an adventure!

Entering through a cramped grocery store and exiting through their backdoor and into a patchwork courtyard, the delight which is the Leake St. Cafeteria awaits, their sunny tangerine espresso machine contentedly humming on the counter.

The Leake St. Cafeteria lives up to its name. Despite the mod finishing and hipster trimmings, there's something about it that suggests an old fashioned working class cafeteria, with a modest selection of hearty sandwiches, warming soups, and filling prepared bowls lined up and ready to go. The ingredients run towards the healthy, slightly beatnik side of things with lots of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.

The Cafeteria itself is too small to sit in. It's nearly too small to stand in! Opting for made-fresh options over the ready made to-go selection, we placed our order and returned to the courtyard to claim a seat. I had a loaded veggie sandwich on toasted baguette, while Ryan opted for a hot bacon and egg bagel sandwich. This bagel sandwich was an especially huge hit with us as it cost about $9 - the same price we were quoted earlier in the day when we popped into a Perth McDonald's in search of a quick breakfast. Um.... NO! To get a fresh, homemade, gourmet version of a mass produced convenience food for the same price was a true treat. 

Other items on the menu include muffins, croissants, cookies, squares, rice bowls topped with chicken or cauliflower, hearty salads, bottled cold drinks, and of course a full list of espresso based drinks. Naturally, I had to order a lemon bar to take with me as I finished my iced latte (curiously served in a mug, which I found a bit off putting but I won't hold that against them). 

To the best of my memory, all menu items are under $10 and most of the smaller selections are under $5. Coming from North America, you might find it a bit strange that your sandwich doesn't automatically come with any sides, like pickles or chips. However, $10 or less is a good deal for pricey Australia. Consider adding or sharing a salad or rice bowl if you're craving the feel of a full sandwich platter.

The semi-secluded location, affordable mini-menu, and impish orange espresso machine would be enough to make any cafe a winner. But the Leake St. Cafeteria has a backstory that few can match.

One of Leake St. Cafeteria's owner, Wade Drummond, is somewhat of a celebrity around Fremantle. Drummond competed on the MasterChef cooking show a few years ago and had a bit of a cult following for his homemade crumpets, which were sold at the Subiaco Farmers Market. Many of his fans show up to Cafeteria's food workshops (with a special focus on fermentation) which take place in the courtyard.

​The Leake St. Cafeteria is the result of a tremendous Kickstarter campaign that generated over $15,000 to launch its operations. There's a real sense of belonging here for those who are in the know, no doubt because, in a small way, they helped build it. And I think after a visit here, you'll feel that same cozy sense of community that will make you want to return again and again and declare it one of the best things to do in Fremantle. I know I did!!
​

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Finding great Freemont coffee: How to find the Leake St Cafeteria

Leake St Cafeteria location

There are three ways to get to the Leake St Cafeteria, which is located at 31 Market St.

• Most of the time: Enter through the Kakulas Sister grocers at 31 Market Street. Exit through their rear, right hand door and emerge into the small courtyard, where you'll find the Leake St Cafeteria. But this only works when the Kakulas Sister grocers are open, which is after 9:00 am. (Note: Kakulas owns a side by side property at 29 Market - you want the doors at number 31).

 

• For an early morning caffeine fix: Look for the sign on Leake St (at the corner of Market St) and head through the gates to enter the small lane way/courtyard. 

 

• When all else fails: Pop into the The Archive Fashion and Housewares at 33 Market St and make your way through their back door. 

Leake St Cafeteria hours of operation

Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (at least, this is what Twitter says!)

Wheelchair accessibility

Not looking good. I don't think the access points through Kakulas Sister and Archive are wheelchair accessible. I'm not sure about the Leake St lane way entrance. And there is a small step to enter the cafe's interior. The washrooms are up a tall flight of stairs.