Fremantle's Secret Spaces

Fremantle has its share of iconic cafes and famous pubs, but there’s another thing it has in spades—cosy, hidden gems you never knew were there.

Here are some of our favourite spots from Freo's less-travelled side streets.

L'Chaim

92 South Terrace, Fremantle

L'Chaim's Bar Manager Guillaume Bossuet mixes his award-winning Père Julio.

Toast to life at The Old Synagogue's intimate cocktail bar, L'Chaim, home to WA's best cocktail. Hidden deep below the synagogue, take a step back in time and immerse yourself in a world of fine cocktails and good times.

Patio

4/3-13 Essex Street, Fremantle

Tucked down Essex Street you'll stumble upon Patio bar, a 'bar's bar' designed for relaxation and whiling away time that recently nabbed a spot in the WA Good Food Guide's Top 25 Bars list. Nothin' but good music, good friends, and good vibes here.

The Flaming Galah

19B Essex Street, Fremantle

Shaking up drinks and fun times since 2022, The Galah is another beloved local secret on Essex Street and our port city's first bar dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community and friends who love their regular trivia, singles, and karaoke nights as well as special themed party nights that are nothing short of a hoot.  

Darling Darling

1/36 Henry Street, Fremantle

A dimly-lit gem on Henry Street, Darling Darling has a salty seafarer’s vibe that hits as soon as you’re through the unassuming doorway into the moody space, where maritime paraphernalia lines every surface and peanut shells crunch underfoot. You’ll definitely want to drink rum here. Especially on Sundays when the fiddler drops in.

Honky Tonk

81 High Street, Fremantle

The Honky Tonk Blues Bar is Freo's honky tonk haven! Two-step into a world of authentic country vibes, live music, and good ol' southern hospitality. Honky Tonk's new home was built in 1903 and this heritage West End building is the perfect spot to kick back.

Good Things

16 Bannister Street, Fremantle

Keeping with the exposed brick theme but with more of an attic feel, Good Things is a daytime option keeping its delicious little secret down Bannister Street. The brunch is excellent, and the stairs will help you walk it off.

Lions and Tigers

6-8 Bannister Street, Fremantle

The good things on Bannister Street continue well into the evening a block down inside cosy den Lions and Tigers, where a rolling feast of South Asian-inspired cuisine and cocktails are served inside another beautifully restored Federation-era warehouse. Happiest when eating, terrible dancers, and devotees of flavour, it's impossible not to fall in love with this delightful crew.

Little French Nest

15 Point Street, Fremantle

Another brunch worth exploring off-strip for? Little French Nest is light and bright in Point Street. Plus, has excellent pastries, and a French-inspired menu you’ll want to come back for.

Gimlet

19 Henderson Street, Fremantle

Speaking of pastry, do you know Gimlet? It’s the quiet but classy little sister to Emily Taylor at the Warders Hotel. Tucked away with enough seating for just a few people, it’s one of Freo’s most secluded coffee stops by day and a gin bar by night.

Shirley's

124 High Street, Fremantle

This wine bar in Freo's East End oozes comfort, home, and warmth, and it's no surprise—it is named after a real Shirley, owner and resident chef Kenny McHardy's wife's grandmother. A space that "looks after the locals" and celebrates tried-and-tested recipes passed down families for decades, this home-away-from-home bar is one you'll want to return to time and time again.

Aunty Lucy's Cakery

132 High Street, Fremantle

A stone's throw away is Aunty Lucy's, a feast for the eyes and for those of us who, like Lucy, know true happiness is homemade. Serving up delicious cakes, fruit-filled pies, big old cookies, and more down Tum Tum Tree Lane along with an incredible High Tea on weekends, trust us, you'll be glad you stumbled upon this little cake shop.

Calamity’s Rod

15 Bannister Street, Fremantle

Back in the West End, Calamity's Rod keeps an unassuming profile in sea container surrounds next to the Hougoumont Hotel. Enjoy beer from its eponymous label, plus some funky street art and a chilled out vibe.

Ode to Sirens

25 High Street, Fremantle

Nestled in on High Street at home in the P&O Hotel building, Ode to Sirens is a vinyl record bar serving fresh wines, craft beers, classic cocktails, and Greek-centric bar food. Wander through the back to the courtyard and check out what's on—you might just catch a secret gig in the bar's Corner Room next door.

Nieuw Ruin

12 Norfolk Street, Fremantle

Masquerading as a cute cottage in Norfolk Street, Nieuw Ruin is a bar whose dark timber and lamp light are a beacon on winter nights (there are braziers on the terrace, too). A short dash from the Luna on SX, its wine list is inspiring and the food is a treat.

Kapara Cafe  

92 Adelaide Street, Fremantle

Tucked into the DADAA building on Adelaide Street is Kapara, a beloved local gem serving up Israeli street food and authentic, real deal, falafel. Fully vego with vegan and gluten free options, flavour is the star of the show here, and that gorgeous leafy courtyard.

Madalena’s

406 South Terrace, South Fremantle

Been to South Fremantle lately? Madalena’s Bar has gone up in the world, with a new upstairs bar creating a comfortable eyrie of warm timber overlooking the south end of South Terrace. Cocktails overlooking the sea? We really didn't think Madalena's could get any better, but here it is.

Wild in the Street

2/388 South Terrace, South Fremantle

A block down, Wild in the Street honours the essence of South Fremantle life. It champions verdant greens, vibrant colours, and a fondness for food and drink. Look twice for the signage. Like all good secrets, this and other cool, tucked-away premises in Freo can take some sleuthing out.

Malt'n Gold Small Bar

20 Wray Avenue, Fremantle

WA's biggest little whisky (and whiskey) bar is a small, cosy, and intimate space off the main drag filled with warm jarrah, pressed tin, and bare brick highlights, and it is gold for the locals who know it's worth the trek. It might seat just 20, but it holds more than 400 whiskies as well as a selection of beer, wine, rum, mezcal, tequila, and gin for the non-whisky drinkers.

Da Raw Nature Coffee Lounge

Rear, 5 Henry Street, Fremantle

Behind Da Raw Nature gallery and studio space you'll find this coffee lounge of the same name that is the very definition of a hidden gem. It's a lush, plant-filled, art-filled oasis in the heart of the West End that you'll come back to again and again—if you can remember where it is.

Side Gate

Rear, 222 Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantle

North Freo's beloved winter pop-up is back for another season this year from May 15, 2025! All about fun, food, wine, and providing a warm and welcoming place for people to come together, the word is officially out on this local gem and Side Gate 2.0 is shaping up to be even more popular second time around... so get those bookings in, they open two weeks out.

 

Hero image: Madalena's (new upstairs bar). Credit: Duncan Wright