Moore & Moore

The scent of fresh coffee and wholesome food hits your senses the moment you stroll in.

An eclectic mix of contemporary art adorns the walls, with rooms filled with bric-a-brac vintage furniture, velvet sofas and chandeliers where you’ll find local Notre Dame students studying at a table or an artist sketching by the teacup water feature out back in the secluded courtyard. Built between 1862 to 1899 by businessman William Dalgety Moore, the venue comes with a colourful history from beer brewing to manufacturing hardware equipment.

And today, great food. Fresh, sustainably grown local produce is key to the café's philosophy to offer tasty yet nutritious dishes. An all-day brunch menu is filled with egg plates (all organic and non-GMO) like poached eggs on pumpkin mash with Turkish toast dusted with WA walnut & seed dukkha, to bircher muesli with lemon myrtle, apple and turmeric, or banana hotcakes with berry compote and coconut cream. Vegans are catered to with crispy nachos to bagels filled with smashed avo and pickled slaw. If craving something lighter, take a peek in the glass cabinet where gluten-free tarts, croissants, and Honey Cake reside.

In the drinks department, hot and cold coffee, loose leaf teas and cold-pressed juices (including fan favourite, Watermelon), and fresh Prana chai make the menu (they even make their own almond milk). Plus, Moroccan High Tea complete with savoury and sweet delights, like mini pancakes drizzled with strawberry salsa, rose syrup crumbled almonds and coconut cream, are served at set times Monday to Saturday (pre-booking necessary).

Beyond the café is contemporary art. Whilst here, take a moment to check out the art on show next door at the Moore’s Building Contemporary Art Gallery (MBCAG).

The sister gallery to the Fremantle Arts Centre regularly hosts exhibitions in its vast hall that extends to its upstairs rooms with shows focused on supporting emerging artists. It has since become an integral part of Fremantle’s cultural fabric.

“The Moore’s Building has been operating as a council-sponsored space since 1994 but was also used as a gallery during America's Cup held in Fremantle. The gallery was established to support and encourage local contemporary artists,” exhibition coordinator, Richie Kuhaupt tells us.

Upcoming exhibitions include Southern Perspectives 2022, an annual exhibition showcasing the talent and ideas of some of Western Australia’s most promising young artists, and The Through Line which brings together seven diverse artists across different disciplines, including painting, mixed media, printmaking, and sculptural installations, all part of the Curtin University Fine Arts program.

Photo credit: Moore & Moore