Social Manna

You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking Social Manna was just another cafe, but little details suggest otherwise. The metallic blue sphere labelled “umami butter”. House-baked sourdough on the counter. Liam Atkinson (former Ku De Ta head chef) in the kitchen.

Social Manna is by chef Sandro Puca, who started his career with Russell Blaikie and David Coomer, and more recently held head chef roles at Il Lido and Rochelle Adonis. This cafe is his first solo venture.

Social Manna’s creative menu shows hints of fine dining. Dishes range from one of Perth’s best chicken and waffle variants to immaculately “loaded” banana bread and, of course, healthier options.

Cakes, muffins, pastries and sourdough bread are baked in-house daily. There’s a cabinet full of sandwiches and salads. Diners are free to slather their toast and croissants with compound-butters and jams from the breakfast bar.

The building dates to the 1920s. There’s a slightly industrial feel, and trinkets are scattered around the cafe.

Coffee is supplied by O’Connor roaster Pound, but the beverage of choice is a range of DIY sodas. Diners can mix their own drink with a range of flavoured syrups including peach and thyme, blood orange, and a darkly spiced cola.