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Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem

Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Where Chefs Eat: The Cool Room’s Drew Dawson Will “Always Shout Out” This Indonesian Gem
Suku·Photo: Rebecca Mansell
Plus, the old-school Italian spot where he celebrates all his milestones, the burger he loves, and the banh mi that reminds him of travelling through Vietnam.

· Updated on 24 Mar 2026 · Published on 24 Mar 2026

Drew Dawson is hard to tie down.

He grew up between East London and Cossignano, a tiny commune in Italy. After leaving school, he joined the army. Then after leaving the army, he turned to the restaurant world.

He started with an apprenticeship at The Ned, a private members club in London, and then later cooked at venues across the UK and Italy before moving to Melbourne to work at Napier Quarter.

After he unexpectedly found himself in Perth, he joined the Peggy’s team as head chef and later helped the team open pizzeria Lola’s before branching out on his own with the pop-up, Off Licence.

Now, after a vagabond career, he’s laid down roots alongside his partner, baker Charlotte Beeton, and taken over Fremantle’s The Cool Room. The pair are offering a short and simple, seasonal breakfast menu, while also opening for dinner every Friday.

These are his favourite places to eat and drink in Perth.

Favourite dish at The Cool Room

“Our sourdough bun with a soft-boiled egg and Tilsit cheese. I’d add a side of granola for the perfect continental breakfast!”

Favourite drink

“Currently, it’s our rooibos and plum iced tea, which is the perfect refresher after service.”

A quick takeaway

“Our go-to is definitely Rym Tarng in Palmyra. It’s close to the cafe, so it’s perfectly placed for pick-up after prepping for the pop-up. It’s flavour-forward, authentic, and always delicious. We also love dining in, but if we can’t get a table, the takeaway is just as good.”

A special-occasion restaurant

“We visit Capri for all our major milestones. There’s something so welcoming about the service and the dining room, and the food always leaves me feeling content. It really feels like visiting a family member’s house for dinner. Being so far away from where I grew up, that really resonates with me.”

Long lunch spot

“After a busy service at the cafe, we like to wind down with lunch at Palace Patisserie at the Fremantle Markets. They serve complimentary tea. It’s a great place to slow down. I recommend sitting at the counter, eating borek and baklava, and maybe ordering a rice pudding to finish.”

Best bakery

“It would have to be Hunter Bread or Teeter Bakery. We’re very proud to serve Hunter’s bread at the cafe. We think it’s delicious. As for Teeter, I’ve been a firm supporter of Tash [Brownfield]’s creative and technically perfect bakes since her pop-up days. It’s been amazing to see such a passionate and creative chef grow with her bakery. When we’re in the city, a visit to Teeter is a must.”

Late-night venue

“This used to be Nieuw Ruin, which we’re very sad to see go. Fremantle has lost a gem, but the city has gained one. I also like Madalena’s upstairs for a late-night snack and a glass of wine.”

A hidden gem you think deserves more hype

“It’s not really a hidden gem anymore, as it should be on everyone’s radar, but I’ll always shout out Suku for their delicious Indonesian menu and warm hospitality. We love eating there and always feel genuinely welcomed. The food hits every craving while still being perfectly balanced. The specials are exciting, and the core menu never disappoints.”

A local producer you can’t stop thinking about

“Little Farm Eggs has supplied our eggs since day one. The eggs are incredible and come from very happy birds, and we’re proud to support the work they’re doing. Recently, we started using Dellendale Creamery in Denmark, WA, for our cheese. We use their Tilsit and the Somerset Hill Cheddar, both fantastic products.”

A date spot or romantic venue

“If we’re looking for an intimate date-night dinner, Ah Um is usually our go-to. The dining room is romantic, and the menu is delicious and perfect for sharing. It’s really good, relaxed service with a great wine list.”

Best burger

“At La Lune. Get yourself a seat outside or at the bar and order it with a Caesar salad and a Negroni.”

Somewhere you’d recommend to a visiting chef

“I’d take them to North 54. Bac is a legend and one of my oldest friends in town. His banh mi is next-level and the flavours transport me back to trips through Vietnam with Bac. It’s flavour-forward and every menu item is a hit.”

Your bucket list restaurant (anywhere in the world)

“Definitely Planque in London. I’ve long been an admirer of Sebastien Myers’s cooking. We missed out on visiting the last time we were in London, and I’ve regretted it ever since.”

Your favourite home kitchen appliance

“The Gozney pizza oven is easily my favourite appliance. It’s incredibly versatile and stretches far beyond just pizza. During summer, we cook everything we can in it.”

@coolroomcafe

@off__licence

@chefdrewdawson

About the author

Lucy Bell Bird is Broadsheet's national assistant editor.

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