It’s been two years since our last visit to Perth, where we first visited our son when he embarked on his university education there right after the lifting of the Covid travel restrictions. Over these two years, he has settled in nicely and, during this visit, he took us to some of his favourite eateries that he discovered during his time there.
I’ve compiled the best places we visited in this post, which I hope will be useful if you’re planning a trip to Perth. Together with the details of our last trip, you will probably be able to find a few nice places to eat there!
Burgers and Pizzas
Wonderful Smash Burgers at Bad Love (West Leederville)
One place I had wanted to visit was Bad Love Burger. James had been telling me about this place, which serves excellent smash burgers, so it was the first place we went when we landed in Perth. The burgers were outstanding. As far as smashed patties go, these are probably the best I have come across. They managed to achieve a superb crust on both 110g patties, which is the holy grail of smashed burgers.
The meat is a special blend procured from a local butchery that provides the perfect fat-to-meat ratio for producing that crispy crust. If I had any complaint, it would be that the beef flavour could be more intense. However, all the house-made sauces are really good, and for the buns, they use the famous Martin’s Potato Rolls, probably the most famous burger buns in the world, thanks to Shake Shack. 4.5/5
The loaded fries were unfortunately won’t as loaded as we expected.
Bad Love Burger Co
3 & 4, 39 Harrogate St, West Leederville WA 6007, Australia
Map and Details
Napoletana-styled Pizzas at Canteen Pizza (Applecross)
I have written about Canteen Pizza during our last trip when they were located by the beach at Cottlesloe. Since then, they have relocated to Applecross. Although we are missing the sea breeze, the new location is larger and there is adequate seating. The pizzas are very good, probably some of the best you can find in Perth. They are the classic Napoletana style pizza made by pizzaiolos who hail from Italy. If you are looking for place to enjoy authentic Napoletana pizza, then this is it.
Canteen Pizza
32 Ardross St, Applecross WA 6153, Australia
Map and Details
Cafes and Bakeries
Croissants at Pelican Croissanterie (Willagee)
James has been into croissants recently, and according to him, this is the best croissant he has found in Perth so far. Pelican Croissanterie has only been open for one and a half years and is the brainchild of Rob and his Japanese wife, Toshi. They were previously the pastry chef owners of Harvest Patisserie in Scarborough, which they sold two years ago.
This delightful bakery is known for incorporating Japanese elements into their baked goods, like their mentaiko baguette. Their croissants are very good, though I wouldn’t say they are the best I’ve ever come across. Still, if you’re craving a nice croissant, this is a great place to go. They have limited seating outside the bakery and often sell out by lunchtime, so go early to avoid disappointment. 4.25/5
Pelican Croissanterie
1/9 Archibald St, Willagee WA 6156, Australia
Map and Details
Sherbet Café & Bake Shop in Maylands
Our quest for the best carrot cake in Perth led us to Sherbet Café & Bake Shop in Maylands. If you’re looking for a true old-school bakery, this is the place! The café’s vintage décor, adorned with photos and medals of a WWI veteran (Could that be Mr. Sherbet?), adds to its cozy and inviting atmosphere. They offer a delightful array of freshly baked goods. They are all handmade on-site in small batches using high-quality ingredients like Madagascan vanilla beans, French Valrhona chocolate, and fresh seasonal fruit. The seating area is quite spacious, so we easily found a table when we arrived just before lunch.
The carrot cake, however, didn’t quite meet my expectations. The cream cheese frosting was too sweet, lacking the creamy buttery flavor I was hoping for. The red velvet cake was also a bit dry. Nonetheless, at $9.20 for a generous slice, it’s more economical than the smaller slices we found elsewhere for $7. Despite this, I would still recommend Sherbet for those seeking a nostalgic bakery experience. 4/5
Sherbet
206B Whatley Cres, Maylands WA 6051, Australia
Map and Details
Secret Garden Cafe at Angelo St
We stumbled upon Secret Garden while looking for a cafe along Angelo Street in South Perth. We were surprised to discover that behind its unremarkable facade lies a serene urban oasis. This place can best be described as a hole-in-the-wall that opens into a lush garden space with tranquil water features. The place feels a little makeshift with artificial plants lining the walls alongside the natural, unkempt greenery which ironically adds to the charm of the place.
The food is not bad. It is pretty old school and we enjoyed their spinach and ricotta puff. I must say their chips are good! Not somewhere you need to specially include in your itinerary but worth visiting if you are looking for a quiet place for a cup of coffee while in the South Perth area.
Secret Garden Cafe
64 Angelo St, South Perth WA 6151, Australia
Map and Details
Corica – Classic Apple Strudel
Corica’s Apple Strudels were all the rage in the 90’s and most people will buy back several boxes as gifts when they visit Perth. They are probably the inspiration for Ritz’s Apple Strudel in Singapore! This iconic treat features thin layers of flaky dough filled with a generous mixture of tender, spiced apples and creamy custard. Corica Pastries should rightly be recognized as a Perth institution for making the Apple Strudel into a global phenomenon.
Although the buzz over Apple Strudels has waned somewhat in recent years, it should still appeal to those of us who still look forward to receiving a box of Apple Strudel from friends returning from Perth! It was good but wasn’t as great as I remembered. Then again, most things are like that, no? 4/5
Note: They don’t have any seating available and the Apple Strudels are sold in half or full portions so its really something which you buy and eat at home.
Corica Pastries
106 Aberdeen St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Map and Details
Steaks and other Dinner Places
Meat & Wine Co
If you’re seeking a stylish steakhouse, Meat and Wine Co in the heart of the city is the place to go. We were recommended this restaurant on our last trip but couldn’t secure a table. This time, we made sure to book early! The African-themed decor creates a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a memorable meal.
We were pleasantly surprised by the perfectly cooked pork and lamb ribs, and the sides were excellent as well. While their selection of steaks is impressive, we found the wagyu rump to be a bit of a letdown, not quite living up to our expectations. Unfortunately, the butter-aged ribeye was out of stock, or we might have opted for that instead which should have made it a perfect steak experience. 4.25/5
Meat and Wine Co.
Ground Floor/108 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Map and Details
Brown St Grill
If you’re looking for a more casual steak experience away from the city center, Brown Street Grill is a great choice. Located within a working brewery, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy nicely charred dishes paired with a selection of boutique beers. We were particularly impressed with the miso butter cabbage, char-grilled octopus, and carrots.
Unfortunately, the T-bone we ordered was a bit too lean although it was really nicely charred. The selection of steaks is limited, we only had two to choose from, but the meat selection is always changing so next time, we’ll have to make sure we order something with a higher marbling score! 4.25/5
Brown Street Grill
100 Brown St, Perth WA 6004, Australia
Map and Details
IL LIDO Italian Canteen
Il Lido is a relaxed Italian restaurant situated by the beach at Cottesloe, and it’s one of James’ favorite spots. Described as a “canteen,” the restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere where you might find yourself seated next to other diners. The food is excellent, and we particularly enjoyed the charred octopus, eggplant parmigiana, and Italian sausage pasta. 4.25/5
The Pork and Veal Polpette however did not quite agree with us. Perhaps we’re just not used to the herb mix used in making the meat balls.
Il Lido Italian Canteen
88 Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011, Australia
Map and Details
James Parker Sushi and Sake (Northbridge)
We had our best Japanese meal at James Parker Sushi and Sake. This classy restaurant, located on the outer perimeter of the buzzing nightlife region of Northbridge, was a great recommendation from one of James’ churchmates. We especially enjoyed the deep-fried Pork Belly Kakuni, Unaji on hotplate, and Aburi Hotate sushi rolls (Volcano Roll 8, not in picture). In fact, almost every dish was excellent, with exception perhaps of the Saikyo Yaki Gindara that didn’t quite hit the mark for us.
We expected to see Chef James Parker behind the sushi bar, but it turns out the restaurant is run by two Japanese chefs and is simply named after its location at the corner of James and Parker Streets. Ah, so neh! 4.5/5
James Parker Sushi and Sake
2/182 James St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Map and Details
Tokyo Butchers
If you are planning to cook, this little butchery in Northbridge, Perth’s Chinatown, is a great place to pick up some Australian Stone Axe wagyu as well as Japanese Kagoshima wagyu. Their 500g pack of Stone Axe wagyu costs A$65 while a mix of Japanese and local Wagyu will set you back A$85. The quality is very good, though the meat thickness of the different cuts varies with some more suitable for shabu shabu, while others are sliced thick for yakiniku. I recommend just going for their Stone Axe wagyu which is excellent value and the quality is very good. 4.25/5
Tokyo Wagyu Butcher
447 William St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Map and Details
Frementle
Fremantle, often referred to as “Freo” by locals, is a vibrant port city located at the mouth of the Swan River. The city’s well-preserved 19th-century architecture and weekend markets are the main reason to visit the place. However, if you want to get away from the crowds and do a bit of thrifting and cafe hopping, it’s still a good place to visit especially since it is only 30 mins from the city centre.
Wild Bakery
According to Google, some of the best meat pies can be found at this bakery in Fremantle, so we decided to visit on a Tuesday when street parking is plentiful. While the meat pies were good, they didn’t quite live up to the hype. However, I did enjoy the ham and cheese croissants. The sausage rolls, on the other hand, are best avoided. 4/5
Wild Bakery
346 South Terrace, South Fremantle WA 6162, Australia
Map and Details
Run Amuk Hot Dogs
If hotdogs are your thing, Run Amuk is a great reason to visit Fremantle. This charming eatery is run by Emily and Jodey (that’s him in the photo), who hatched the idea over a campfire. Their gourmet hotdogs are crafted with passion and given quirky names like Dirty Scoundrel, Cheeky Boy, and Minx.
What really caught my eye was their wall of die-cast cars. Jodey told me they started with one car when they first opened their doors in 2011, and the rest were all donated by their customers! If you’re a die-cast car collector looking for a missing piece, this might be the place to visit. Just remember to bring enough cars to tempt the owner into an exchange!
The hotdogs are very good, though I am not as bowled over as some who claim they are the best in all of Western Australia. I have a sneaking suspicion that there might be an even better one out there waiting to be discovered. 4.25/5
Run Amuk
386A South Terrace, South Fremantle WA 6162, Australia
Swan Valley
One of the great things about Perth is that its vineyards are only a 30-minute drive from the city! Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region and a premier destination for food and wine enthusiasts. The valley offers a rich tapestry of culinary delights and handcrafted beverages, and you can easily spend the whole day enjoying wine tastings at family-owned vineyards, sampling artisanal chocolates, honey, and cheeses, and dining at gourmet restaurants surrounded by picturesque landscapes.
However, I have to tell you that we didn’t manage to see any swans there, although we have been told, that they are around, somewhere!
Charming Cafe – Padbury’s Cafe and Restaurant
On the way to Swan Valley, we made a quick detour to Padburys for brunch. The restaurant is housed in a beautifully restored heritage building and provides a cozy yet refined atmosphere perfect for enjoying a meal.
We were really impressed with their Rosti (Pad’s Hash), which was prepared a little differently: thin, rolled up, with a cheesy filling and super crispy on the outside! The accompanying poached egg was perfectly cooked. Their soufflé pancakes were also done exceptionally well. We were told that the place is owned by a Vietnamese couple who happen to be chefs. No regrets! 4.5/5
Padbury’s Cafe and Restaurant
114 Terrace Rd, Guildford WA 6055, Australia
Map and Details
Honey sampling at the House of Honey
If you’re visiting Swan Valley, be sure to include House of Honey in your itinerary, even if you’re not Winnie the Pooh. We had a wonderful time there tasting honey and learning about the lives of honey bees. They offer a wide range of local raw honey, with their Jarrah honey being the most celebrated and unique to the region.
Jarrah honey, produced from the nectar of the Jarrah tree (Eucalyptus marginata) native to Western Australia, is renowned for its distinctive flavor, high levels of antioxidants, and antibacterial properties. Since its medicinal benefits were discovered, its price has been rising, and it is often compared to the famous Manuka honey. Perfect place to pick up some gifts for family and friends back home! 4.5/5
We picked up a bottle of Jarrah Honey (500g) with a TA+20 score (A$45.25) and a Lavender infused Honey (500g) for A$27.45. A TA +20 score is the equivalent of UMF 10+ and MGO 83-263.
House of Honey
867 Great Northern Hwy, Herne Hill WA 6056, Australia
Map and Details
Wine tasting at Garbin Estates Wine
Not many wineries are open during the middle of the week, but we managed to visit Garbin Estate Wines, a family-owned winery that embodies the rich history and personal touch often found in Swan Valley’s boutique wineries. Founded by Duje and Matija Garbin, who arrived as migrants from Croatia, the estate is now run by their son, winemaker Peter Garbin, along with his wife, Katrina, and their sons, Joel and Adam.
The Garbin family is deeply involved in all aspects of the winery, adhering to a philosophy of hands-on premium winemaking coupled with personal service. We were greeted by the very pleasant Katrina, who conducted the wine tasting session for us and left with gladdened hearts and a few bottles of wine! 4.25/5
Garbin Estates Wine
209 Toodyay Rd, Middle Swan WA 6056, Australia
Map and Details
Short Video of 14 Places we went
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