Fremantle Day Trip | Wining And Dining

Fremantle — or Freo as it’s fondly known — is a foodie’s paradise, perched where the Swan River meets the Indian Ocean. 

Perth’s Old Town and maritime city is home to a vibrant food scene, brimming with world-class restaurants, pubs steeped in history, and trendy cafés. It’s a destination where award-winning eats and drinks are the norm, served with a side of old-world charm — and a whole lot of soul.

Here’s how to wine and dine your way through a Fremantle Day Trip.

We’ve called it: lazy Sundays (or any day, really) are made for foodie adventures in the rich historical mecca that is Fremantle. From brewery tours to distillery tastings, and everything in between. The options are endless, and it’s safe to say you’ll be coming back to try them all.

10:00 am: Coffee and gourmet bakery treats

To kick off the perfect Fremantle foodie day trip itinerary, start the day right with delightfully aesthetic and equally delicious gourmet bakery treats. Add the South Fremantle sourdough hot-spot Wild Bakery to your hit list, along with the teeny tiny Little Loaf Bakery.

Owned by the crew behind Cottesloe’s Instagram-famous North Street Store, Little Loaf has well and truly nailed the brief when it comes to cakes, pastries, and irresistible cinnamon scrolls. Then wash it all down with a caffeinated brew or smoothie if you’re that way inclined.

10:45 am: Dip in South Beach’s turquoise waters

Credit: Tourism WA

Sashay down the colourful streets of Fremantle towards the rolling green lawns, towering Norfolk Island Pine trees, and soft white sands of South Beach. The local watering hole is a favourite for residents and blow-ins alike on a balmy summer day. The sparkling turquoise waters are perfect for families and inexperienced swimmers as the water is a little calmer than beaches farther north.

12:00 pm: Fresh seafood and wine at Madalena’s Bar and Restaurant 

Credit: @madalenas.bar

Summer. South Beach. Seafood. These three things are synonymous with each other. Welcome the afternoon with fresh, sustainably caught seafood and vegetarian plates from Madalena’s seasonal, share-style menu. The beach bar captures the cool factor, with a modern wine list and impressive line-up of expertly curated dishes centred around the daily catch. Starring WA produce in the form of Abrolhos Islands scallop, Wadjemup yellowfin tuna, Manjimup rainbow trout, and Albany rock flathead, there’s a lot to love.

2:00 pm: Gin tour and tasting at Republic of Fremantle Distillery

Head into the heart of the maritime city for an immersive gin tour and tasting at Fremantle’s internationally award-winning urban distillery, Republic of Fremantle. The experience is one of storytelling, history, and insight into the distillery’s innovative grape-to-glass process. You’ll taste Republic of Fremantle’s flagship range including the Signature Vodka, Aromatic Gin, and Full Bodied Gin, as well as a complimentary drink at the bar. If you’re a gin enthusiast, come back for Gin School where in a two-hour, hands-on class, you’ll create your own gin recipe and distil a 500ml bottle of it to take home and enjoy.

3:00 pm: Salumi and spritz at Vin Populi

Credit: Vin Populi

From the ever-evolving menu etched on a central chalkboard to the seasonal produce and seafood peppered across plates, Vin Populi is another star of the Freo food scene. There are 17,000 reasons to visit the brand new Fremantle establishment which has quickly become a cult favourite for its dreamy aesthetic and legendary plates. Pick a spritz or glass from the wine list which revolves around Italian varietals and small, family-run WA producers. Then pair it with olives and salumi while soaking up the bustling High Street atmosphere of the kerbside al fresco area. Or settle for the equally romantic mosaic-tiled interior, which conjures visions of traditional Italian trattorias, while remaining modern and stylish. Just check their Instagram if you need further convincing.

4:00 pm: Swing by nostalgic vinyl bar, Ode to Sirens

Next up on this day trip, we’re going to head to Ode to Sirens in Fremantle’s historic West End for natural and low-intervention wines, craft and tap beer, Greek-centric food, and records aplenty. Food-wise, expect moorish coffee-dried kalamata olives, warmed pita with hummus, smoked eggplant and tahini yoghurt, halloumi saganaki, fresh fish, and lamb yiros.

5:00 pm: Visit the moody, pirate-themed Darling Darling bar

Credit: Supplied to So Perth

Sail down to Fremantle’s famous pirate-themed bar, Darling Darling on Henry Street. Oozing a moody, speakeasy feel, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance adds to the venue’s intrigue. Designed by world-renowned bar designer, Ashley Sutton, entering is like venturing below the decks of a 19th-century, candlelit pirate ship. Bar snacks involve an unlimited supply of peanuts — and yes, you have permission to throw your shells on the floor.

6:00 pm: Curry and cocktails at Lions and Tigers

Credit: @lionsandtigersfreo

If big flavour is what you live for, kick on to Lions and Tigers to banish those irritating hunger pangs. Housed in a heritage-listed, two-story Federation warehouse in Fremantle’s West End, the name stems from a passion for animals, film, and the Wizard of Oz; whereas, the incredible regional diversity and adaptability of South Asian flavours inspire the restaurant and bar menu. We’re talking kingfish ceviche with coconut and fermented tomato, wagyu beef skewers with chana hummus, lamb rendang samosas, and Goan curry. Leave space for dessert because you simply cannot say no to a coconut and lemongrass parfait, dark chocolate delice, or burnt paneer cheesecake.

8:30 pm: Explore Fremantle’s booming small bar scene

If you’re not ready to salute the good times, stay later and experience Fremantle’s lively small bar scene. For fresh shaken cocktails, add the ever-popular, Caribbean-style, rum bar Jungle Bird to your hit list. Alternatively, quaint corner gin bar, Gimlet, is another winner — built into the ground floor of one of the Warders Hotel cottages.

10:00 pm: Stay the night at Warders Hotel

If you want to turn your day trip into an overnighter, Warders Hotel is just the place. In the pocket of the century-old markets, the small boutique hotel resides within the old limestone cottages that were once the Fremantle Warders’ homes. The character-clad rooms combine the original timbers and stonework with refined and hand-made finishes, while the artwork of Tessa MacKay is dotted throughout each room, depicting scenes and portraits from Fremantle’s history.

There are many options available to stay in Fremantle — read about some more of Fremantle’s unique and boutique accommodation.

This article was written in partnership with So Perth and THIS IS FREMANTLE | City of Fremantle and originally published by So Perth April 2024.

Featured image: Vin Populi.