Vin Populi
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Vin Populi is a truly beautiful venue that captures the charm of Fremantle’s historic west side. The building has been carefully restored, showcasing a blend of old-world elegance and contemporary style, with expert design and thoughtful decoration throughout. The spacious layout features a variety of indoor and outdoor dining areas, including alfresco frontage seating, a bar, and some semi-private spaces, making it versatile and inviting. Despite its popularity, we visited on New Year’s Eve and were pleasantly surprised by the efficiency—securing a table within a five-minute wait. The staff were exceptionally friendly and professional, delivering the high level of service you’d expect from an establishment of this calibre. The full bar, managed by dedicated bar staff, adds to the venue’s appeal. The menu, displayed trattoria-style on blackboards, offers a rotating selection of Italian favourites with Vin Populi’s own unique twist. The dishes are hearty and stylishly presented, with moderate portion sizes. While the flavours and textures were very good, I found the seasoning slightly on the salty side for my palate. However, this was easily balanced by the inclusion of fresh sides. The service was prompt, and it was clear the staff are well-organised, ensuring meals are served in a timely manner. The wine list is another highlight, offering a well-curated selection that complements the menu perfectly. One thing to note is the pricing. For dinner for two, including a shared dessert and a couple of glasses of wine each, the bill came to just under $200. While this is on the higher side, the quality of the experience—spanning the food, service, and atmosphere—justifies the cost. Overall, Vin Populi is a fantastic venue for a special occasion. The beautiful setting, excellent service, and delicious food make it a memorable dining experience. I look forward to visiting again, albeit for those more celebratory moments.
Dan GasperDan Gasper
00
My partner and I dined here in September, and it was the first and last time we will. From get go the service was terrible. I’m all for being new and different compared to the rest of the basic restaurants in Fremantle, it to seat people down and not even bother to explain to them how ordering or how the menu works? Simply pointing at the board is far from an explanation, and when the staff would come over and talk to us we could barely understand them from their heavy accents. And no we’re not ‘Australians’ if that’s what you’re thinking, both myself and my partner are from a European background and know what good food and service should be like - and it wasn’t from Vin Populi! For our mains we both ordered the squid ink pasta, and that is because our other choices apparently were no longer available. If there’s food that’s no longer available here’s a thought, wipe it off your blackboards and re-write it when it is for your customers. The pasta was heavily lacking love and flavour as it was tasteless and it was as if you’re just eating pasta coated in a thick layer of unflavoured squid ink sauce. Also the pricing, I’m all for paying top dollar for good quality food. But unfortunately we paid top dollar for rude service as well as u flavoursome food. We have been to many restaurants around Perth for squid ink pasta, and this one was by far the worst we both have ever tried! Also the atmosphere, if you’re wanting to come for an intimate dining experience with a loved one or even for a family celebration I highly do not recommend coming here!
Jess CJess C
00
Dear, oh dear… Walking into this beautiful establishment, in the foreground of such an historic part of Fremantle, you begin to get excited. The decor is lovely, beautiful furniture, wine bottles splashed everywhere. But unfortunately folks, that’s about where the dream stops. Once you get past the eye watering prices, you’ll probably get served by polite, yet quite pushy wait staff. This place has a mission, of flipping tables quick, and they don’t even try to hide it. Entrees are simple, and severely overpriced. I trust that it’s fresh produce, as our dishes tasted fine enough; which is more than I can say for our mains. If you knew me, and I told you I didn’t finish the plate of pasta served in front of me, you’d think I was lying. The Rigatoni All Amatriciana, a “spicy” Italian dish, was tasteless and boring. If there were any chillies, they were hiding somewhere in the most bland sugo sauce. The meatballs in the Spaghetti Polpette were simple, uninteresting and unimaginative. Even the “chilli” oil was disappointing. The best thing on both our mains, was the grated cheese. When attempting to ask where the toilets were, I was cut off after simply saying “hello”, by the bar staff pointing to a curtain. They didn’t even take the time to say hello back. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you want a taste of Italy, it’s not here.
Antonio FerulloAntonio Ferullo
00
Located in a quiet corner of Fremantle next to the famous Round House, it's not hard to find with its beautifully curated music playlist and vintage decor. The staff is quick to bring you to your table if you've reserved. We were introduced to the menu on the wall and also the drink list as we sat down. For antipasti we ordered the bocconcini and octopus. The flavour of the cheese is delicate and paired well with the flavoured oil and basil. We especially enjoyed the octopus which seemed to be pickled with a really refreshing vinegary taste. For mains we ordered a potato agnolotti and a tagliatelle ossobuco, and a mushroom risotto. We enjoyed all three with the agnolotti so pillowy, the tagliatelle al dente and the risotto creamy and flavourful. The dessert was donuts but it's a little underwhelming as the donut ball to sauce ratio made it seem like we were just having a plain donut ball. For drinks I ordered an amaretto sour which has a beautifully balanced acidity with sweetness and with a well shaken head of egg white foam. The only comment for the wait staff to improve on is that they're a bit too eager to pick up the drink glasses although we still have quite a lot in them.
Vin LVin L
00
Visited this place a week go due to being one of the popular places in Freo. Got seated at window seats due to walk in and no booking (understandable) . Grilling seats due to straight shooting under the sun which no one is aware of. Menus are written on board and have to take a picture to order food. Only drinks menu were handed out. Ordered two entrees and two mains for 2 people. While taking orders, waiter kept asking to order drinks a few times when we kept saying we are ok as is. Changed to inside seating near the bar as getting too hot under the direct sun light. Have to follow up with the waiter as food was taking longer than usual to arrive. And this is what our disappointment began. They forgot our entrees and brought out the mains. Portions were quite small for the mains. I checked again and different waitress came up and apologised after 15 min when we nearly finished our mains that they forgot our entrees and yet no offer being made to make it up their bad service. Asked us whether we want to order more food which surprised me that I have never encountered this before. Rated 3 star for food however need to work on portion size. Will not come back again though.
jules aungjules aung
80
Most disappointing - so-called- Italian- Food in Fremantle I have heard good things about Vin Populi for lunch and dinner service during the week, but Friday and Saturday are shockingly full, with quick-get-out service, mediocre overpriced meals and a loud atmosphere. It's loud! The only menu hangs on the wall and is simply not visible for 50% of guests who sit with their back to the wall- fix it, get another menu up! We couldn't order entrees and mains together as that would mean " everything comes out together" Excuse me? Fix it, that just simply up to the waiter to pop it through at different times. Most dishes came out at the same time, so there was no space on the table. The capsicum was nice but heavily under seasoned. Milanese Schnitzel was terrible. Ragu sadly flavourless All pasta was undercooked - no, that is not what you call al dente - but simply NOT cooked. After less than 75 min we left $300 poorer and with a mediocre experience. Not sure what the hype is about? Considering, there's a huge Italian community in Fremantle, this was simply embarrassing food. I recommend, to book elsewhere.
Ca BiCa Bi
00
Nearby Attractions Of Vin Populi
Fremantle Markets
WA Maritime Museum
Esplanade Park
WA Shipwrecks Museum
The Round House
YHA Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
E Shed Markets
Rottnest Express B Shed Ferry Terminal
SeaLink Rottnest Island

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WA Shipwrecks Museum
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