Cool down with the best cold brew in the city

How it’s made

Cold brew coffee is just that: coffee that’s brewed cold. Course-ground beans are immersed overnight, giving a slower, more gentle extraction. Brewed without heat, the cold water extracts less oils and fatty acids than hot water, giving you a lighter, sweeter, and less bitter brew.

It’s a brighter, more refreshing summer drink, and if you haven’t given it a try, now’s the time.

But finding it can be a mission. Given the time it takes, cafes often rely on iced espresso, cold drip, or chilled batch brew for their cold coffee options. And while still all delicious, house-made cold brew is something you need to try it for yourself. And when you do, you’ll be hooked.

 Where to find the best cold brew in the city

Arlo | St Georges Terrace

Arlo do cold brew the way it should be: big flavours, and lots of it. Steeped overnight in a 5L Toddy cold brewer, and double-sieved through fine cloth to get a super clear and crisp brew, their rotating list of single origin beans ensures you’re always getting an exciting new flavour. Pop by and grab one on your way down the Terrace.

Back Cave Coffeehouse | Barrack Street

Located in the former Toastface Grillah site, Back Cave Coffeehouse do cold brew with a difference. Made in-house, their bean blend changes regularly, and they love playing around with the brewing times to change up the flavour. You might even find a playful addition in there, with a splash of ginger, orange, or something else, to deliver a refreshing summer twist.

Mary Street Bakery | Allendale Square & QV1

The Mary Street Bakery cold brew already has quite the reputation. Brewed, bottled, and labelled at their own production facility in Bassendean, then delivered fresh to each of their locations, they’ve got the ultimate summer brew down to a fine art. So go and grab one for yourself—and a few to go.

Croff Bakehouse | Barrack Street & Raine Square

Croff are slowly building their empire across the city, with locations now on Barrack Street and in Raine Square. Croff make their brew using house beans, which delivers a big, bold flavour hit with zero bitterness. The perfect pick-me-up on a hot Perth morning, and the perfect pairing with a cheeky croissant.

Community Coffee Co. | St Georges Terrace & Mercantile Lane

Community Coffee Co make their cold brew with precision. They use the Swedish-designed 3Temp brewer, which brews cold in stages, to create a crisp, clean cold brew. Find it in both of their CBD stores as the summer weather heats up.

Game City Espresso Bar | William Street

Game City Espresso Bar is a rare unicorn. Not only do they make their own cold brew in-house, but they make their own nitro cold brew, too. Nitro cold brew is coffee that’s brewed cold, then charged with nitrogen and typically dispensed on-tap. It pours thick and creamy, with a smooth, sweet flavour, and a foamy head that slowly settles on top (almost like a pint of Guinness). But don’t let that fool you, it’s still got the rich, bold flavours of cold brew—and well worth the stop by.

Hemingway | Central Park

Hemingway are serious about their coffee, and the passion is obvious when you have a chat with any one of their baristas. Their cold brew is steeped anywhere from 18 to 24 hours, depending on the bean. Bottled in-house and served straight or with milk, the bean they use varies, so you’ll get different flavours and notes every time you crack one open.

Infusion Coffee & Tea | Plaza Arcade

As Perth’s OG hole-in-the-wall, of course Infusion  do cold brew (among a whole host of other brews). Follow your nose down Plaza Arcade, and stop for a yarn about their favourite beans to use.

Lowdown Espresso | Cloisters Arcade

Like the café themselves, Lowdown’s cold brew has its flavour on lock. Steeped for anywhere from 24-36 hours, they use their own special bean roast to keep the flavour as unique and nuanced as they are.

The Mess Coffee | King Street

Formerly Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall, The Mess use their own blend of Ethiopian and Brazilian beans in their brew. Steeped overnight, it delivers a smooth drop that manages to still pack a punch. We also give them extra points for using big, fat ice blocks that keep your coffee colder, without melting and diluting your drink.

Mo Allendale | Allendale Square Arcade

Mo Allendale’s cold brew is the real deal. Made overnight and served with their signature panache, duck down into Allendale Square Arcade to escape the heat and knock one back. But be warned: only the Allendale outlet serves cold brew.

Swish | One Eleven St Georges Terrace

Tucked away at the base of One Eleven St Georges Terrace, the clean-lined Swish delivers a surprisingly rich and bold cold brew. Luxurious, almost with a liqueur-y feel, it’s a sipper; so stop by, grab a brew, pull up a seat by the window and watch the rest of the world go by.

Smooth Operator | Milligan Street

Much like their name, Smooth Operator make a smooth cold brew. Prepared over 24 hours in a Brewista Cold Pro brewer, their cold brew goes through a triple filtration system to deliver a crisp, clean drop. They’re planning on introducing some exciting single origins into the mix over summer, too, so be sure to stop by again to explore different cold brew flavours.