Parkside Coffee

There are plenty of good cafes around Perth’s cityscape. But not many can boast of bringing the morning essentials to your neighbourhood park.

Parkside Coffee co-owners Alex Lowes and Jacob Chapman certainly could, but they choose not to, instead preferring a humble connection with locals who might be holding a dog leash in one hand while reaching for a hot coffee with the other.

The duo has a strong understanding of (and love for) coffee, which they built through their first business venture together Daylight Coffee Roasters. At Parkside, these beans are showcased in two daily batch brews with different beans used for espresso coffees. The top-of-the-line grinder (the Mahlkonig EK 43 Grinder) weighs and grinds the beans with finesse. The crew here are serious about coffee, but also understand that, at the end of the day, a smile and warm service is just as important as what’s in the cup.

Beyond the warm service and great hot (and iced) coffee, Parkside’s other attraction is the Miller & Baker pastries. (Rachel and Mark Taylor, Miller & Baker’s owners, are also partners in Parkside.) While you’ll have to head up the road for the full range, Parkside’s selection includes many of the bakery’s big hits including the ornate cardamom bun, as well as the pain au chocolat. As the day progresses, you’ll be extra lucky if the extra afternoon heat turns the aforementioned croissant into a thing of warm, bittersweet beauty.