Raw Food Cafe at Fern Community Centre

I went to Fern for the first time after a lazy beach session at Leighton and have now made plans to go back– 2 days later! The setting is beautiful, with foliage, vegetables and herbs growing everywhere. I spied lots of second hand bikes for sale and saw there were yoga classes on offer too. Lots of things going on! I ordered the mocha drink which was cold (I thought it was going to be a hot drink), nutty and a little bitter– next time I’ll probably try a regular coffee. I ordered the burger main for lunch which was a sweet $ 11 without a side salad, but the girls gave me some salad anyway which was really lovely of them. The burger was excellent! It looked very ‘leafy’ but the flavors really packed a punch! This is a perfect place to chill out and I feel like I could have spent hours there enjoying the atmosphere. Not to mention the prices are very student friendly!

I went to Fern for the Monday night vegan buffet — I had no expectations, but when I got there I loved it! The food is delicious. The atmosphere is super chilled and friendly — a very community based vibe. Everyone washes their own dishes after and payment is by donation. Most of the food is grown right in the garden you sit in to eat your dinner which I love and although I am not vegan myself I found he food to be fantastic and very filling!

Dinner —
We arrived at 7pm and plenty left. Buffet style and donation based. Ordering off the menu was not an option, except for sweets, and possibly drinks). About 6 – 7 different vegan dishes, including a fruit and nut dessert. Not all raw. Several cooked options. Presentation is not their strong suit, but who cares if it tastes yummy. Mostly vegetables. I would have liked to see a little more protein in the form of legumes, nuts, seeds or tempeh, but there was a bit. Not sure their ingredients are all top notch (I saw a case of Coles brand coconut milk — probably not the best option). Very casual and lovely to eat in the garden. Folks playing music for fun. Would love to go back for lunch and order off the menu. They sell sprouted granola, bliss balls and a few other items.

I had a hankering for a delicious juice and raw food and was in the Freo area. I wasn’t keen on heading all the way into central Fremantle and spending big at The Raw Kitchen when I remembered there was FERN! And I hadn’t been there yet, so why not check it out?
FERN is a social enterprise in the Eastern end of Fremantle. The ramshackle style garden is filled with edible plants, sustainable initiatives and a bike recycling centre.
The raw café is open from 2pm to 7.30pm each night and features Soupi each night of the week. Soupi is a donation based dinner where you join the local community for a delicious vegan dinner. This night is next on my list. I ordered a raw zucchini pasta with three sauces and a liver tonic juice which was beetroot based. Then I took a seat in the garden and chilled out. No one else was there which suited me perfectly and you’re free to wander the garden and check the place out. The only downside was all of the traffic noise coming in from High St. Damn trucks! The juice and pasta was really tasty and was super cheap. Only $ 13 for the pasta and $ 7 for the juice. WINNING.
Great little spot if you’re looking for tasty food in a very chilled, laidback atmosphere and are interested in the green community in Fremantle.
I’ll be back.

I actually went here to purchase a bike. While waiting for my bike to be spruced up I ordered a flat white with almond cashew milk. As it is a vegan café you can only get soy or almond cashew milk. Their coffee machine was broken and the coffee that arrived was terrible. But the waitstaff are lovely and I had a hemp banana smoothie instead with a surcharge of 3 dollars.
The outdoor seating is dismal but nice in the sun.
The service is laid back.
The menu has interesting food options.
Will definitely go back to try some food.
This café is a bit far out from freo and not easily accessible.

So delighted to have found this place. It is like a little piece of paradise.
First impressions, it looked like a commune with its amazing garden full of veggies & herbs. The main café looks like a shed/​donga which gives it even more of a magical feel.
When I arrived, far too early, I was greeted by an amazing group of people who were also too early. Two of them talked me through the process of what Soupi was, which is:
The meal is by donation, recommended $ 10 which is a super amazing price for the quality, tasty food that was served up.
It is self serve from the outstanding delicious selection of food. Different each week. This week the food being prepared included a chickpea curry & boiled rice as the hot dishes & all other dishes were raw including chili raw salad, a spicy mango salsa, raw nut sour cream, carrot salad, green salad & a raw chocolate dessert with strawberries. Bread brought in & you’re allowed take leftovers home.
Karen who runs this community based (Not-​for-​Profit) centre is a gorgeous woman with lots of modesty & amazing chef ability.
As the night progressed live music & singing started up with people who brought along their musical instruments & jammed the night away together. Everyone was enjoying the great music & a chatting around the communal tables.
It is definitely from the alternative part of town which makes it sing to me. I will 100% be going back here many more times in the future including this Thursday for a viewing of the film COWSPIRACY: The Sustainability Secret from 6pm-​8pm with food (for a donation).
Yes It’s True I’m in Love!

This new raw/​vegan «café» is buried away in an overgrown garden strewn with odd bits and bobs, including a hanging Tweety Bird and an unexplained and extensive collection of bicycles, most of them missing parts. Welcome to the Fern Community Centre.
The food more affordable than most in this field, but not the best i’ve had. It’s all a bit thrown together, much like the café itself, but sort of in an endearing home-​made way. The greens weren’t beaming with the expected freshness either. Pet peeve 101: streaky avocado. Avo-​no-​no.
I wouldn’t recommend this place as an induction into ‘live’ food. You might find it a bit weird. This hippie hideout is a worthwhile field trip for people into their raw and organic foods, or anyone who likes a bit of an adventure. It makes for an amusing lunch excursion or photo op.