Atomic Espresso Cafe in South Perth
From the outside, Atomic Espresso Cafe looks like a bright and trendy landmark that you totally can’t miss as it is bursting with bright yellow umbrellas and “hot music” (as my step-dad called it). In fact, I’m surprised I had not noticed it before as I’ve driven up and down that strip lots of times before. My step-dad and I went to the counter to order our drinks, and I noticed that there was a sign that they had increased their prices because of rising costs since the cafe had opened in 2006.
We ordered a flat white (extra hot with no froth), a hot chocolate, and a strawberry smoothie ($6.50) which totalled to less than $15. My strawberry smoothie came out first and the Waitress put the smoothie on the newspaper I was reading. Mum thought that was kinda rude, but I guess it was just the area that was closest to both me and her. The smoothie was good – and I think mum agreed as she kept drinking my smoothie! The only thing that slightly bothered me was that the smoothie didn’t look very pink. But oh well, it was good so I can’t really complain.
The hot chocolate looked pretty as they drew a little bit of art work on it. It’s not the world’s best art work, but I really appreciated the effort they took to draw something on it as most cafe’s I know don’t actually make it look artistic and pretty.
The flat white actually came with a lot of froth on top, but they said they tried to make it with the least amount of froth. I asked my step-dad about the coffee and he said the coffee was not great and he thinks it is something to do with the beans they use.
We didn’t stick around to have a bit to eat, as my parents noticed that some of the food were overcooked and were burned. Overall, I would say that the cafe was alright. I would go there for drinks, but maybe not for coffee. Not that I drink coffee. I also wouldn’t go there to eat due to overcooked food.
Atomic Espresso
Shop 15/21 Mends Street
South Perth 6151
Phone: 9368 0990
I have to say I find this “review” of Atomic rather amusing. The fact that you ordered an extra hot flat white with no froth defeats the purpose of drinking & enjoying a quality coffee. Ask any good barista what they actually think about making such a coffee & you would be amazed at the passionate responses. Also the fact that the “smoothie” wasn’t pink enough makes me laugh. If it tasted so good why on earth would you want to ingest more artificial colour? Did a kid write this “review”????? I am actually living in London at the moment & personally I miss Atomic coffee! It is by far one of the best cafes in Perth. It is a shame that there is not enough press about Atomic & when Googled this petty “review” appears. I stongly urge people to try Atomic out for themselves & not trust such amature “reviews”.
Actually you’ll find on the web lots of negative reviews on the web about Atomic. The strawberry smoothie which I had looked very gluggy and unappealing. As for the coffee, I did mention it was my step-father who did have it, and that although froth isn’t the main factor in his judging on the taste of the coffee, the coffee they served on previous occasions weren’t terrific either.
Indeed we did overhear some patrons mutter quietly about their food and drink. However, as it was my first time there I would like to think that as it was the Easter long weekend perhaps their good staff were on holidays – hence I would go back again to see if there were vast improvements.
Tastes are all different, so I am not judging your taste in food and beverages. However, I can assure you that there are much better places in Perth to have a cup of coffee. Perhaps you should come back to Perth from London and try them out. You will definitely change your tune then.
I had coffee with a few mates here the other day. We were drawn to it because from the outside it looked bright and bustling…I judge a cafe first and foremost by its coffee and unfortunately here it was rather average. We ordered a flat white and long black, and I think both shots were pulled too long. My non-coffee drinking friend was happy with his hot chocolate, the art on top was a nice touch. They use Genovese coffee, a popular label in found in Melbourne cafes.
Thanks for the post. Very informative and thought provoking.
my experience has been the opposite – consistently the best coffee I’ve found in Perth
my experience is completely the opposite to grant’s! funny isn’t it? perhaps one of their baristas is dodgy and one isnt.
the beans are fine. the problem is that the coffee is pulled too long, from the previous times i have been made to go there.
Perhaps we’re just going on the wrong days
I think the good thing is that these days there is a good range of coffee to suit just about every palate in Perth…it wasn’t always the case.
We’ve been regulars at Atomic since it opened and feel it adds a much needed splash of style and energy to the Mends St South Perth area.
Having consumed so much of the coffee, the flavour and reliability must obviously rate pretty high with us.
The hot chocolate is definitely a winner – the trick is using real chocolate instead of some syrupy stuff other places squirt from a bottle.
The banana bread is also a must – toasted with a little butter…I think I’m drooling into the keyboard here.
I’ve also been a big fan of the egg-bacon breakfast english muffin which is reasonably priced, tasty and doesn’t require as much committment as the usual plate of wobbling tomatoes eggs and toast and hash-browns, etc.
Overall we find the atmosphere at Atomic to be the real winner, backed up by things we like to eat and drink. We take our friends there often and wish it was open later into the evening since the only alternative is prefab-Dome or tryhard coffee in nearby restaurants.
When the first reviewer said they didn’t try the food I can only say they were lucky.
The only time I have been to Atomic before I was with someone, and while it wasn’t memorable, I obviously wasn’t concentrating on the food as much.
Last Saturday morning I went for breakfast, and I had the worst Eggs Benedict I have ever eaten in Perth.
Now I’ll admit there is some variation when it comes to eggs benedict, but at Atomic I felt like they were taking the mickey.
Picture a soft muffin that was barely toasted and tasted of nothing, a round piece of processed ham that was wafer thin and tasted of nothing, reasonable eggs and what can only be descibed as warm cream with a mere hint of hollandaise-like taste. So one out of four ingredients were alright.
I also had a chai latte, which not unlike the hollandaise, was best described as hot milk with a hint of chai, but at least it was hot.
I would have told the waitress, but she didn’t say anything when she cleared the plate… maybe she is only too aware.
Shame because it is a reasonably smart place from the outside, but looks can be deceiving.
Went to this place yesterday with my staff from interstate. We didnt realise you had to queue at the counter to order like you were at a takeaway shop.
Asked one of the waitress’ who saw us standing there 5 mins if we take a seat, or order with her.
She pointed at the counter and said “order there” and walked off. Her tone was like we were really wasting her time which she was spending just walking around the restaurant pissed off. Its interesting in harsh economic times the customer is such a pain in the @ss.
So we walked out, went across the street to Dome, who were pleasant, and got us our food and drinks in a reasonable time. Not usually a fan of Dome, but that day the food was extra nice after the Atomic Customer Service efforts.
Interesting. I’m going there soon, and will comment afterwards. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any coffee shop I go to regularly which has table service. Come to think of it, I hate table service! It usually just means you end up waiting longer, and then they won’t let you split the bill at the end. Much easier to just mosey up to the counter and order. For myself, I don’t need friendly staff, just competent. But bad coffee, I hope its not true!
I have been to the Atomic Cafe a few times for coffee and cake and must say that the coffee was really good. I am quite fussy when it comes to my coffee and enjoy a rich coffee flavour with nicely steamed thick milk and hotter than warm. I enjoyed the coffee very much and the waiter was a male and very friendly.
Well, I went there with my Dad. The coffee was ok (no creme though). The service was quick. They had lots of newspapers to read. The croissant was ordinary. Yet strangely enough its the sort of place I could grow to like. Don’t go there expecting the sort of coffee you get at BookCafe down the road!!
the coffee is amazing! the food is great too….im not sure what all you negative reviewers are on about. Atomic is the bomb!
that Hannah chick is a genious behind the coffee machine.
A great cafe and I look forward to the others!
I went there recently and was appalled at the service. The food and coffee was pretty bad also. This place seems to be getting mixed reviews from comments on this blog – perhaps I just went on a bad day.
It’s sad that places aren’t consisistent with their food and service levels.
I am actually really stunned by so many of the comments that I have just read about Atomic.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion – but I live in South Perth and as most locals would agree, South Perth is so far behind every other inner city suburb as far as cafes/boutiques/quality supermarkets go.
I go to Atomic every morning either for breakfast or to grab a takeaway coffee and I have never had a bad experience to date. The staff are always extremely friendly – they also interact beautifully together (with the owners in store most of the time). The thing I love the most is that by the time I get to the front of the queue the barista has slid my soy latte across the counter to me. That is service!
I think that the best way to tell if a cafe is good – is by the amount of people who fill the tables. Atomic is always full to the brim. If it was as bad as what some people have said, it would have closed down – or at least be empty.
After living in Melbourne, London and now spending much of time in New York – it has become very apparent how much Perth is screaming out for decent coffee haunts. Atomic in my eyes, is definitely one of them.
Well, I really like atomic, I’ve been there several times, always
ordering a weak latte and it always tastes smooth and weak just
like it should! I have also ordered food and it’s been really nice.
Maybe those that don’t like atomic can go and try spring in subiaco,
I’ve heard their coffee is good too!
Thanks atomic I think your coffee and food is beautiful, well done!!
For the past year or so my friend and I have explored the local Perth area for a new dining experience every week.
After being to many cafes in Applecross, Claremont, Vic Park, Northbridge we decided to try our local Atomic cafe in South Perth and I haven’t been able to move on to a new cafe since.
The coffee is always great and the food is divine and definitely good value for money.
The pancakes, bruschetta, and fruit platter are my favourite items on the menu, with the freshest fruit and vegetables always used.
Atomic has such a good vibe about it and the service staff are always friendly.
Quite frankly, I’m happy for all those skeptics of Atomic to skip across the road to the Dome cafe (which Tommy, is not table service either) so that us locals can support and keep our little gem of a cafe to ourselves.
P.S. Orlando Bloom likes to dine at Atomic when he’s in Perth. That’s saying something for someone who has many international dining experiences.
I visited Atomic during the 9am morning coffee rush and while it was definitely busy the staff were calm and efficient. I only waited a few minutes to be served and was pleased (almost surprised!) to be treated with courtesy and obvious respect one would expect (though it rarely happens in Perth) as a customer. The Barrister kept his shiny Cimbali machine and work area clean and tidy and appeared to be enjoying his work. I ordered a flat white and it was served in a Latte glass?, without any attempt at art. On first sip the coffee immediately hit me as a sweet Italian style espresso with strong acidity – would have made good art if the milk was textured properly- but this quickly faded to reveal a rather watery body and zero after taste. Great taste, probably just needs to be refined with different milk and perhaps the roasted coffee beans were a little past their peak. Over all I enjoyed the pleasant, relaxed morning atmosphere and have no problem recommending it to friends.
i will take my dear husband there to sample the hot latte, skinny and not froth!!!! That is the way he likes it.
Wow, I am really surprised by some of these comments. I live in Como and consider myself a frequent cafe/restaurant goer. Atomic is one of my favourite haunts in Perth and I frequent here a couple of times a week; I have never had a bad experience. The coffee is some of the best in Perth, the Barristers are fabulous and I often find myself watching their quick and thorough skills as they make 3 and 4 beverages at a time, the staff are friendly and so onto it, and the tables are always full and more often than not the queue is out the door. Many other cafes in Perth should take a leaf out of Atomic’s book if they want to get anywhere in the Perth cafe scene.
Hi Courtney
The post (and the majority of the comments for and against Atomic) were written a couple of years ago so they may have picked up their game a bit over the years. Also we all have different tastes so I guess it appealed to some people back then but not to others. But thanks for letting us know that they have improved.
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