Palace Patisserie

Palace Patisserie is a Turkish-style bakery inside the Fremantle Markets, and it's one of those stalls people point you towards when you ask where to eat in Fremantle. They've been serving the market since 2016, specialising in Ottoman-style pastries, both savoury and sweet, and the whole operation is halal-certified.

The borek is the main event. Locals will tell you the spinach and feta is the one to try, though the beef and the mince and cheese versions have their own fans. They're hearty, fairly priced and made fresh on site, and part of the fun is watching the cooks work. Everything is shaped by hand and baked on the spot, so what lands on your plate is properly fresh from the oven. There's also a vegetable and cheese etli ekmek for anyone who wants something a little different.

For something sweet, the baklava gets the most praise. One visitor, well travelled, reckoned it beat what they'd tried in Turkey itself, and the pistachio version is described as light and not overly sweet. The knafeh and the sweet custard borek drizzled with honey also come up often, and the ayran gets a mention too. We've heard the odd comment that the Ottoman dish itself is more middling than the pastries, so lean towards the borek and baklava.

What people seem to remember most is the welcome. Staff and the owner are friendly, and a complimentary Turkish tea tends to arrive with your order, which turns a quick market bite into something more relaxed. The Turkish coffee has won at least one traveller a repeat visit the next morning. There's seating if you want to stay, and takeaway if you'd rather wander the markets with your food. Catering is also on offer, so it's worth asking if you're planning an event.

Because it sits in the markets, it keeps market hours, so check the hours before you head in. If you're driving, arriving early makes parking around the market easier. Look for the stall if you're in Fremantle and after a proper borek.