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The Specialty Sips Shaping Perth’s Booming Cafe Culture
So your hobbies include matcha, mont blancs and fancy seasonal lattes? You're in the right place!
Five years ago, you would have struggled to find a decent matcha at most cafes in Perth. These days, any new spot worth its salt is pouring effort and creativity into its beverage line-up.
We’re seeing more unique, almost cocktail-like offerings — think matchas, mont blancs and shrubs topped with house-made syrups, creams or cold foams — and the kind of limited-edition drops that build hype the way sneaker collabs have done for years.
Perhaps it’s a natural response to the TikTokification of Perth’s cafe scene, where visual appeal and food-fluencers seem to be the main drivers of demand. Or maybe it’s simply because Perth’s most talented baristas are keen to bring these global beverage trends to Perth.
I’d argue it could also have a fair bit to do with the rise of “little treat” culture in the face of a looming recession and deepening cost of living crisis.
It’s basically the “lipstick effect” in practice — an economic theory that suggests during financial downturns or periods of uncertainty, consumers shift spending to smaller, more affordable luxuries (like lipstick).
When the cost of everyday necessities like fuel, groceries and housing are sky-rocketing, treating yourself to a cute little $9 to $13 iced drink definitely feels much more in reach than those big-ticket items on your wishlist.
Either way, local favourites and hot new cafes alike have been experimenting with the kind of unique drinks that send the internet wild and, in turn, result in lines out the door.
Wondering where to find these specialty sips? Perth’s got plenty. Here are just some of the local spots you need to try next time you’re craving something a little more extravagant.
KITH
Nedlands’ cafe KITH has well and truly earned its cult status. Hoards of hungry and thirsty cafe-goers descend on the neighbourhood spot each and every weekend. So much so, the local council has had to introduce more parking options to cater to capacity. Alongside gorgeous Scandi style breakfasts, their specialty sips are a big part of the appeal. Each season, they drop a new range, all made with in-house creams and cold-foams, so you never really run out of excuses to pop in. More recently, the menu has included drops like ube iced matcha, ferrero iced mocha, honey whipped mont blanc and mango shrub spritz. Yum!
51 Aberdare Rd, Nedlands
Preston’s Deli
Whether it’s a salted cookie coffee, earl grey matcha or sweet matcha-misu, Preston’s Deli has specialty sips down to a fine art. It all starts with their quality ingredients. Maison Maizen supplies the cafe with their Imperial Harvest Matcha, which is possibly the highest-grade matcha served in Australian cafes. And you have local roasters Double Double to thank for their rich and smooth coffee blends. Paired with a commitment to craft and creativity, these viral sips never miss.
223 Bulwer Street, Perth
Daily Practice
Applecross’s newest matcha hot spot, Daily Practice, has wasted no time cementing its hype-worthy status. The super sleek cafe-retail hybrid attracts matcha lovers from around Perth with its quality hand-whisked blends and viral limited-edition flavour drops (think pistachio, birthday cake, and bueno). The fact you can take yours away in a super aesthetic glass jar with a chicken caesar wrap the size of your noggin doesn’t hurt either.
765 Canning Highway, Applecross
Love Ya So Matcha
Founded by Japanese mother-daughter duo Aileen and Yoko, Love Ya So Matcha is known for treating matcha with the care it deserves — using organic, ceremonial-grade tea sourced from Japan and whisked by hand for a smooth, mellow, gently sweet cup. They’ve also been known to do some pretty epic spins on the classic, from Sakura Strawberry to Miso Caramel, but this latest one has us shook. Introducing the Carrot Cake Matcha Latte, a limited edition flavour featuring Aunty Lucy’s carrot syrup, a cream cheese cold foam and spiced carrot cake crumble all paired with Love Ya So Matcha’s blissful hand-whisked matcha. Get in while you can!
North 54
North 54 has stolen our banh mi-loving hearts with its playful lunch bar style and unique riffs on traditional Vietnamese cooking. What you might not know, though, is that alongside those epic banh mi, they’re also serving up some wildly delish drinks. The pandan coconut cloud, in particular, is pure heaven in sip form. Sweet and smooth, and always gone too soon, it’s a must-try.
253A Oxford St, Leederville
Kona Coffee
Another Applecross spot known for its exceptional drinks list is Kona Cafe on Riseley St (just around the corner from Daily Practice). The crew here are always rolling out a fresh beverage series infused with seasonal ingredients. From their strawberry guava collection to pistachio or banana cloud, each drop pulls you back for more. Right now, you’ll find a delightful Earl Grey Milktea Cloud series, with matcha, coffee and hojicha options all available.
15 Riseley Street, Ardross
Corner 33
Corner 33 is South Perth’s newest brunch darling, fusing Japanese influence and American diner comforts. With an ex-Nobu chef in the kitchen and some of Perth’s finest sips, the lines out the door seem warranted. The beverage list changes often, but you’ll always find plenty of unique styles, from flavoured mont blancs, floats and iced teas to matcha cold foam clouds made with high-grade matcha sourced directly from Japan.
126b Canning Hwy, South Perth
Palette
Palette’s specialty iced drink pop-up, Pally Canteen, may have officially closed now (RIP), but the original cafe slash art gallery is still serving plenty of sips worth your time. Like a lot of these spots, flavours change often. Owner Jayde is always tempting us back with new styles to try, from pine lime-infused splice matcha to sticky date lattes and blueberry cheesecake blends. Set across from the beach and accompanied by equally delicious brunch bites, this is always a crowd-pleaser.
1 Freeman loop, Fremantle
808 Specialty Coffee
808 opened with specialty sips at its core, and they’ve stood by that promise every day since. From iced vovo lattes and coconut matcha clouds, different drops have come and gone. The current menu still has plenty to get excited about. We’re talking blackberry matcha lattes, horchatas (dirty and traditional), choc orange cold brews and lemon meringue matcha lattes.
236 Lord St Perth
Arrival Hall
Part cafe, part design store, Arrival Hall has a knack for making things look beautiful. The good news is, whether cutting into a gorgeous slice of cake or sinking into the plush display sofa, you’ll find that style is always backed up by substance. That same ethos carries through across their drinks list. The specifics change with the season, but an underlying focus on seasonal ingredients and house-made elements is always front and centre. Paired with their artistic brunch plates, it’s no wonder this Northbridge gem remains busy every weekend.
162 Aberdeen St, Northbridge
Giant Coffee
Tiny but mighty, the vibes are always immaculate at Giant Coffee, and it’s got the expertly brewed espresso to match. Einspanners — a hot or cold two-shot espresso (or matcha, as you’ll find here) capped off with a thick scoop of cream — are the main attraction here. Best enjoyed with a Holy Bagel or Layers pastry on a milk crate outside.
Shop 6A, 109 James Street (enter via Nicks Lane), Northbridge
Blacklist
Frontrunners in Perth’s coffee roasting scene, Blacklist has been on the signature sip beat for years. Honestly, stepping inside their Subiaco concept store and sitting at the bar feels a bit like wandering into a boutique cellar door. The baristas really know their stuff, bringing an almost scientific attention to detail to each and every cup. Whether you’re going for a simple pour-over that lets the notes of their roasts shine through, or a more creative sip from their signature beverage menu, the precision and passion are always there. Definitely one to try if you’re chasing a sip worth talking about.
439D Hay St, Subiaco
Two Slices
The guys at Two Slices are no strangers to hype. Smart branding and striking (and delicious) gourmet sandwiches pulled crowds from the get-go. But the drinks list has elevated over time. They were definitely one of the earlier adopters of the specialty sips in Perth, thanks to their viral espresso cream lattes and pistachio cream matchas. Since then, there’s been a bunch of seasonal specials keeping customers hooked.
23 Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough
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