Standing Out from the Cafe Crowd
Attracted by shiny fairy lights and beautiful orchids by the window, my friends and I decided to check out Cafe Noel’s 2nd outlet in Ardross after having dinner across the parking lot at Terrazza Cafe. Although we arrived just after closing time, the friendly Waitress let us look at the menu and invited us in even though we could have gotten drinks through their take-away window.
What I absolutely love about Cafe Noel is the unique way it stands out from the already over-crowded coffee and tea cafe market. Cafe Noel is no ordinary cafe as they serve a large range of drinks including 11 types of loose leaf teas, 8 different types of fruit mocktails, and 3 types of more regular coffee beans. If you’re a true Coffee Connoisseur, you will be pleased to know that they serve a rare type of genuinely-certified coffee called kopi luwak, which is literally craptastic according to Oprah and Queen Elizabeth. If you’re brave enough to try it, you will be glad to know that you receive a complimentary cake – just in case you need to choke on something that hasn’t come out literally from the rear end of an animal.
As we had come rather late, there were only a couple of drink selections that we could choose from. I ordered the Green Tea Latte ($4.60), DG ordered a Green Tea Afforgatto ($4.60), and FT and K ordered tea ($4.50 each). Although it may seem a bit pricy, I think it is totally worth the indulgence. The Green Tea Latte that night was definitely one of the best drinks of all time that I’ve ever had… and can only be described concisely as green tea frothy goodness complete with latte art. It was also nice to see that Cafe Noel tries to adjust their drinks to their patron’s preferences as DG asked for a very light Green Tea Afforgatto as he can’t get to sleep after a caffeine hit, and he said that his afforgatto was absolutely perfect and just the way he liked it.
FT and K’s tea was something special in itself, as presentation is King at Cafe Noel. Say good riddance to the plain and boring white tea cup and say hello to their fancy looking collection of Royal Albert-style cups and saucers. Even the sugar looks pretty in its’ flowery and blue packet! It’s simply amazing how the ‘small’ details like tableware can make the occasion seem special.
If you’re inclined to think that nice tableware like that is ancient, you should check out how the teas are boiled. The teas are put in a distiller-type apparatus where there’s a clear bowl at the top containing water and tea leaves with a tea pot underneath the bowl, and a burning candle underneath it. I won’t spoil the show so I shall leave your imaginations to run wild to ignite memories of chemistry class to imagine what comes next. Just make sure to have the camera ready cos it looks so cool unlike boring ol’ chemistry class!
Existing and established cafes should take note as Cafe Noel is an innovative and refreshing cafe that definitely stands out from the rest of the crowd. The drinks may seem a bit pricey, but trust me – the experience it is worth every cent.
Rating: 5/5
Cafe Noel
Unit 3-4, 7 Kearns Crescent (in the alleyway next to Gelare Applecross off Riseley Street)
Ardross WA 6153
Phone: 9364 887
There is also a Cafe Noel in Fremantle (the original) and their latest outlet is in Shelley.
The nuance of korean / japanese influences did the trick for me and to top it with great drinks, two thumbs up! Food on the other hand, were a disappointment as it didn’t quite live up to the expectations that I would find in a place like this. Shop needs to be aerated a little more too
Sorry for the rant…
Apology accepted! It was nice and comfortable on the night that we visited. Perhaps their air con was broken? It could be worse – I used to work in this old church turned office building and the temperature during the week was over 40 degrees. There was no air con. It was just… a work disaster zone.
My parents have said the one in Fremantle is really nice in regards to the food. It’s a pity the Applecross one isn’t. Maybe I should be directing people to the original cafe then – after all, the perfected original is often usually the best.
oh i agree with the above comments about the food. not really a fan.
but the drinks really are fab!
Hi Angie
I didn’t know that there is a place serves Kopi Luwak in Applecross!
And all the drink menu sound good there… I will definitely try this place.
BTW is this cafe newly established? I used work around Applecross area before, but I don’t remember seen such place.
The Applecross branch has been around since December last year. It currently occupies the space that used to be Spices Restaurant. The Freo branch (Cafe Noel’s original) has been around for about a year.
By the way, as I learned on the weekend, if you like your coffee regular (ie tasting stronger like Italian coffee) you have to tell them that you like it stronger because they lightly roast their coffee in-house. Also you can tell them to put less sugar, etc… they’re pretty good with their flexibility. The kopi luwak here is $38 for 1, or $70 for 2 – a bargain compared to other places that are selling it!
Ooh can’t wait to try just for the pretty pretty teacups
hehe i know, cool huh?
My mom and i discovered this place one day when it was much in need and we loved it, good to see that it has recieved some other great reviews! We loved the MoCHA Lisa (and also got our camera’s out
)
Does anyone have the complete number though??
It seems to be missing a digit…
9364 887-
oops, thanks rachel for letting me know about the typo! the phone number for cafe noel in applecross is 9364 8887
No problem angie, and Sinterklaas i have to completely disagree with you regarding the food at Cafe Noel. We just got back from taking my younger brother there for his b’day dinner…and it was amazing. We ordered a prawn noodle, a chicken noodle and a chicken karage(chicken covered in a very light cornflour batter). They were all very scrumptious, extremely well presented and came with a yummy lettuce + mayonnaise salad and gorgeous flower rice padi with a cabbage/mayonnaise sauce that complemented the meal wonderfully! We left feeling full & satisfied but definately not bloated.
One of the great things about eating at Cafe Noel is the service (which was exemplary as usual), the unique dining experience and the value for money. The decor is lovely and the food is all so fresh, healthy & well prepared.
They gave us outstanding attention and made my brother’s b’day very special indeed!
We will most definately be back again soon
Hi there,
Has anyone been to the outlet in Shelley? Any reviews?
Thanks heaps
Christi
anyone know where to get the teapot from Cafe Noel??? I’m planning to get it as a birthday present for my loved one and I thought this would be a great present as it is UNIQUE. And he always wanted a unique teapot.
Hi there. I just came back from Perth to Sydney. Before I left, my cousin took the whole clan (i think the 13 of us) to Cafe Noel in Shelley. I wasn’t really keen on it at first because she said it was Korean but she assured me it wasn’t the typical Korean. I was so glad we went. We preordered the food – vegetarian tofu pouches, deep fried prawns coated with shredded coconut, sushi with prawns, salmon, and unagi; stir fried noodles with beef, and prawns. The whole meal was delicious but the highlight was definitely the tofu pouches. How can such a simple item be so delicious? The flavours so fresh and complex. It was so good, I order 10 pouches to bring back with me to Sydney. I’m still salivating thinking about it now.
They also have a huge coffee, tea and mocktail list. I had the green tea latte. So light, frothy and perfectly flavoured. One popular drink amongst my cousins was the pomegranate frappe.
Definitely will be one of my must go places when i go back to Perth
Sorry, I haven’t seen the teapots from Cafe Noel anywhere in any of the cities both locally and overseas