Where to dine in Perth: Folk and Merchant

Last Updated on April 3, 2024 by Home in the World

My friends and I were looking for somewhere cute and relaxed to have lunch – with a nice outdoor area to make the most of the gorgeous March weather. One friend suggested Folk and Merchant in Doubleview, having had a good prior experience there. I had never heard of it, but a quick Google search was enough to convince me it would be the perfect spot.

Billed as a ‘suburban oasis café and lifestyle retail space’, it is located on the end of a small row of shops, with ample parking in front and, most importantly, an extra space adjacent to it. This space was previously also a car park, but was repurposed into a leafy, zen courtyard by Folk & Merchant’s owners when they took over.

The chilled, leafy courtyard at Folk & Merchant

The courtyard is such an asset. I would describe its overall vibe as chilled, beachy boho. With its pastel colour scheme, cane furniture, potted cacti, vintage tasselled umbrellas and wooden pergola, it almost had a Mexican or Mediterranean feel to it. An ambience very conducive to whiling away a lazy few hours in the sunshine (or in the shade of the surrounding trees, which my friend seemed to think were bodhi trees; I have no idea). There is more seating at the front of the building too, for when things get really busy – and they do, because this place is particularly popular for breakfast and brunch.

But we were there for lunch, so the courtyard had all but emptied out, allowing us to really enjoy the peaceful setting. While I wouldn’t call the menu extensive, it offers all the things you’d expect of a day-time café, including gluten-free and vegan options. It’s all very wholesome. I went for the Smashed Avo, which came with housemade pickled red onions, rocket, lemon & smoked almond dukkah (and feta, but I had it without), and was served on toasted sourdough. It was delicious! So many great flavours and textures, and a decent-sized serve.

I also ordered a Pressed Earth Strawberry Fields juice (containing strawberry, pineapple and red apple), which was equally scrumptious, refreshing and fairly priced. And if you’ve only got time for a caffeine-fix pitstop, the takeaway coffee window at the front has you covered.

Smashed avo on sourdough + cold-pressed juice

There is also seating out the front, plus a takeaway coffee window

So that’s the ‘suburban oasis café’ side of it, but there is also a ‘lifestyle retail space’ inside, selling boho-chic homewares. Plus, the courtyard itself transforms into a multi-purpose space, hosting everything from yoga classes to live music to private parties to workshops and their famed ‘Can’t be Folked to Cook’ dining experiences under the stars. I can imagine these in particular would be magical indeed.

All in all, a very enjoyable, wholesome, chilled lunching experience in this leafy oasis of suburban Doubleview. Definitely worth checking out. A great little family business where so much thought and love have gone into not only the food, but also the design, décor and concept as a whole. I would certainly consider returning, perhaps even on a night when I can’t be folked to cook!

Looking for more cute (and sometimes even quirky) dining experiences in Perth? Consider reading my reviews of Chinta Café, Gemini Café and Blackbird Restaurant.