Fabulous festival of madre in Fremantle

, , , , , 2 Comments

Fremantle has had an abundance of dining open over the last few years so when we were deciding where to spend mum’s birthday weekend in October, I didn’t hesitate to suggest a Fremantle staycation.

Fremantle staycation celebrating madre’s birthday

After getting the go ahead from mum and my sister, we found a Cottage Courtyard room at the boutique Warders Hotel to sleep us all with a king bedroom and a bunk bed in the living area. We really loved our stay here in the heart of the port city, next to Fremantle Markets – it was so convenient to walk everywhere, not to mention the complimentary mini bar, sparkling on tap, and evening beverage and pastry breakfast in Gimlet.

The entry to Warders Hotel

We spent the weekend exploring as much food and beverage as possible as we don’t get down to Freo as much as we’d like. It was difficult to narrow down our choices for the weekend but we finally settled on dinners at Emily Taylor and Lions and Tigers – both exceeding our expectations!

At Emily Taylor, known for its dumplings and flavoursome dishes, we indulged in wagyu oxtail and lobster and truffle dumplings, Peking duck pancakes, lemongrass and pepper squid, twice cooked sticky pork and wok cooked greens.

Peking duck pancakes

The famous Emily Taylor dumplings

Lemongrass and pepper squid and wok cooked greens.

At Lions and Tigers, where it’s a modern take on Indian cuisine, we indulged in leek and onion bhajis, masala octopus, wagyu beef skewers, roast pumpkin with currants and macadamias, crushed fried potatoes, fried chicken, goan curry and sourdough naan – it was all amazing!

Sourdough naan and roast pumpkin with currants and macadamias

Crushed fried potatoes, fried chicken and goan curry at Lions & Tigers

We also enjoyed a bit of bar hopping with drinks at Gimlet, The Old Synagogue, Darling Darling, Republic of Fremantle distillery and Calmanity Rods brewery followed by dancing at Honky-Tonk, a fairly new American country music venue.

Enjoying our complimentary gin at Gimlet

Sunset on the deck at The Old Synagogue

Darling Darling sailor themed bar where you drop your peanut shells on the floor

Snacks at Republic of Fremantle

Enjoying the live music at Honky-Tonk

We enjoyed having the time to wander through the Fremantle Markets on Friday afternoon when it was less busy and I bought some colourful dress earrings and work dresses from one of the boutiques. Mum fell in love with some bells. We also enjoyed some food at the markets over the weekend – there’s so many flavours but we only had time for a Venezuelan lunch at Kachapas and an egg roll at Egg Spot for breakfast one morning.

Mum delighted with her jingle bells from Fremantle Markets

Kachapas – Venezualan cuisine

Brekky roll from Egg Spot

Freo is dotted with vintage stores – Preloved Market even created a trail map to help you on your way. We spent a good part of our Saturday wandering through them and I was pleased to end up with a festive blazer and shirt – both adding to my continual desire to be more colourful.

Mum in her element at a vintage store

Pretty pleased with my festive vintage blazer purchase

It really was a fabulous weekend in Fremantle and somewhere we want to wander more often. For now, I’m so excited that’s works out for the year, to spend some time at home over the festive break and for what’s to come in 2024.

Until then…

LWL xxx