1/330 South Terrace, South Fremantle
Ph: (08) 9336 4414
www.copperchimneyperth.com
Where the Sea Meets the Spice
Tucked away in South Fremantle, Copper Chimney occupies a beautifully restored corner site, just a short stroll from the historic Arnott’s factories and within earshot of South Fremantle’s vibrant café precinct.
Inside, the space is warm and inviting. Earthy tones, soft lighting and playful contrasts. Traditional Indian lamps beside patterned marbled floors lend the room both charm and character. The décor is eclectic yet thoughtful, blending old-world richness with a fresh, modern touch that makes you feel instantly comfortable and at ease.
On this occasion, we dined at lunchtime with a singular focus: seafood. Rather than sampling the full breadth of the extensive menu, we homed in on the ocean-sourced options, a refreshing detour from the usual Indian restaurant experience, where the abundance of choice can sometimes overwhelm. What we discovered was a vibrant spread of bold flavours, layered textures and unmistakable finesse from the kitchen, each dish thoughtfully executed with a respect for balance.
We began with the Prawn Kola Urundai – South Indian-style prawn meatballs, fried until golden with a delightfully crunchy exterior and served alongside a subtle garlic mayo. They were light, flavoursome and the perfect opener, well-seasoned without being overpowering, with a comforting, homestyle appeal.
Next came the Tandoori Roast Barramundi, marinated overnight in yoghurt and aromatic Indian spices, then grilled in a tandoor. Presented with a splash of tangy red sauce and a squeeze of lemon, the fish was tender and held its own without too much embellishment.
The standout dish of the afternoon however, was the Fish Pollichathu. Mixed in a sweet-and-spicy pollichathu masala, the fish was tender, deeply flavoured and beautifully finished. Served with the optional butter-glazed naan, it was the kind of dish you reluctantly share and secretly hope to keep for yourself. This was comfort food at its best, with layers of warmth and depth in every bite.
From there, we moved to the Prawn Moilee, a South Indian-style curry swimming with plump, juicy prawns and tempered with coconut milk. Subtle yet satisfying, it had just enough richness and saltiness to round out its bright, aromatic flavour profile. A cold Kingfisher Premium beer would have been the ideal companion to complement the dish’s creaminess.
Although our visit was seafood-focused, we could not resist ending with the Chef’s special, Meat Thali, a lunchtime favourite that delivers excellent value at $25. Featuring butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, dahl, a vegetarian curry, basmati rice, garlic naan, papadum, raita, bhuja mix and a sweet to finish, it is a generous platter that easily satisfies, especially when paired with one of the shared mains. It is the kind of dish that offers both variety and comfort.
Copper Chimney impresses not only with its commitment to traditional Indian flavours, but also with its confident interpretation of South Indian seafood dishes. Chef Elance Fernando’s vision shines through in every plate, reminding diners that when given room to shine, Indian cuisine offers far more than just the familiar favourites.
While we primarily focused on Seafood Lunch, I have tried some of the vegetarian specialties in the past. The Masala Dosa was a standout. The dosa itself possesses a wonderfully light and crispy texture, and the potato filling is exceptionally flavourful and well-seasoned.
The accompaniments were equally impressive. The lentil soup is both hearty and comforting, and the coconut and tomato chutneys taste incredibly fresh, providing a delightful and contrasting burst of flavour to the dosa. South Indian Dosas are indeed a particular specialty at Copper Chimney, and we thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of our dining experience.
Whether you are a die-hard tandoori lover or a seafood adventurer in search of something new, Copper Chimney is absolutely worth the detour.
By Cam Allen
