Perched right on the Scarborough foreshore next to Scarborough Beach Pool, Zoie Café is a relaxed, family-friendly spot where you really can wander in with sandy feet and wet hair after a swim. Previously known as Cocolat, the venue still leans into its dessert and gelati roots, but now offers a much broader café and tapas-style menu, plus licensed sunset sessions, making it a great all‑day option with kids in tow.
The café enjoys prime ocean views without the fine-dining price tag. Families can choose to sit inside, which is handy when that famous Scarborough breeze picks up, or outside on the covered patio to soak up the sunshine and beach buzz. There’s also direct access from the Scarborough Beach Pool side, with tables and chairs pool‑side, so grabbing coffees, snacks or gelati during a swim session with the kids is very easy.
Inside the chiller cabinet you’ll find freshly made granolas, chia puddings and yoghurt pots, along with raw treats, muffins and indulgent cakes. Zoie continues to serve creamy, award‑winning gelati with a wide range of flavours, perfect for an after‑swim treat or a post‑Playground bribe. You can order gelati in cups or cones, or build it into sundaes, waffles or pancakes through their “Create Your Own” range, which is a big hit with children.
Zoie’s current menu is much more than just sweets. The all‑day Food Menu runs from 7am and is heavy on breakfasts and brunches, with some solid lunch options as well. Expect café classics like Eggs on Toast Your Way, Veggie Lover’s Brekkie (with options to go vegetarian or gluten‑free), chilli scrambled eggs, superfood brekkie bowls, acai bowls and power muesli bowls. There are also heartier plates such as Spiced Pulled Pork Bennie, wraps including a tuna wrap, and a selection of savoury dishes that work well for lunch after the pool or beach. Many dishes are noted as vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free or gluten‑free‑available, so families dealing with dietary requirements will find navigating the menu straightforward.
Kids are very well catered for. As well as a dedicated kids offering (including pancakes, waffles and sundaes to customise), Zoie actively leans into its playful “Neoteny” philosophy – essentially celebrating a childlike sense of fun. The “Create Your Own” sundaes, waffles and pancakes let little ones design their own dream dessert with toppings, sauces and gelati. For drinks, alongside the usual milkshakes and hot chocolates, there are fun “freak shakes” topped with whipped cream and treats, and a wide choice from the regular Drinks Menu if older kids or parents want smoothies, juices or specialty coffees.
Coffee is a real focus here. Zoie has its own house specialty blend, Zoie No. 5, and the owners are self‑confessed coffee lovers. Paired with skilled baristas and friendly staff, it makes Zoie an appealing stop for parents needing a caffeine fix while the kids refuel. If you prefer something cooler, the Drinks Menu also covers iced coffees, frappes and a variety of cold drinks. For grown‑ups later in the day, Zoie is now licensed and offers an Alcoholic Drinks Menu featuring cocktails, spritzes, wine and more, which you can enjoy with a burger, tapas or snacks while watching the sunset.
In addition to the daytime café offering, Zoie runs a Tapas Menu and a dedicated Sunset Menu for their “Sunsets With Zoie” sessions. These licensed sunset events feature live musicians, casual finger‑food‑style dishes (think nachos, share plates and bites), and some of the best west‑facing views on Scarborough Beach. It’s a lovely way for families with slightly older kids to linger into the evening – enjoying music and a relaxed atmosphere while the children tuck into nachos, burgers or chips and soak up the beach vibe.
For dessert‑lovers, the Gelati Menu is still a major drawcard. You’ll find a variety of flavours, with options to suit different tastes, and you can enjoy them in a cone on the foreshore or in a more elaborate sundae at your table. Chocolate brownies and other cakes remain, so whether you’re visiting for a simple coffee and slice, a full breakfast, or just a scoop or two of gelati, there’s plenty to choose from.
Zoie also offers catering and functions, along with high tea–style options that can be tailored to events. Gift vouchers and online ordering (for pick‑up) are available via their website, which is handy if you want to grab food to enjoy on the beach or at one of the nearby Playgrounds. Hours are family‑friendly, opening early at 7am daily, with slightly extended hours over school holidays, and some evenings open for their sunset events – it’s worth checking their website or socials for the latest times.
After visiting, it’s an easy 500m stroll along the foreshore to the Whale Playground, so you can pair a swim at the Scarborough Beach Pool, a relaxed meal or gelati at Zoie, and a big play all in one outing. With the combination of ocean views, thoughtful coffee, flexible menus for different diets, and loads of treats for kids, Zoie Café is a great Scarborough stop for families at any time of day.
Zoie Café
Address: 171 The Esplanade, Scarborough WA 6019 (next to Scarborough Beach Pool)
Opening hours: 7:00am – 5:00pm daily
7:00am – 4:00pm on public holidays
7:00am – 6:00pm during school holidays
(Open some evenings for sunset events – check online for current times.)
Official website: https://zoielife.com.au
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life” has enjoyed an exciting name change in 2021, as “The Chef’s Ex-wife” embarks on new adventures with Simply PERTHfect. Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA, as well as brunching, tapas or something a little fancy in equal measures. With her son “Little Chef” in tow, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
