Where to Eat, Drink, Stay & Play in Perth
By Sitchu
A gem of a city that delights at every turn, Perth is changing in a big way and there is so much to experience during a weekend in the West. Lucky for you, Sitchu have done the hard work and put together the best places to eat, drink, stay and play in Perth.
A place where nature collides with a dash of urban cool, Perth has well and truly shaken its small-town vibe to become a buzzing metropolis that lives life on a global scale. Never short of sunny days, Perth has an enduring vibrancy that wafts through the city centre and its many villages as effortlessly as the sea breeze.
The places to visit and things to do in Perth are endless – from the edgy bars and restaurants of Mount Lawley to the stylish streets of Subiaco, discover Perth’s pulsing food and nightlife scene, all before you even head over to the coast.
And although Perth is one of Australia’s most isolated cities, it’s progressive, outward-looking and takes a lot of pride in its indigenous culture. With an explosion of street art, small bars and a global foodie scene, Perth ticks every box on the bucket list,– and we’re not the only ones who think so. More and more, Perth is becoming a destination driven by tech-savvy hotels, stylish eateries and a creative energy that’s hard to beat. So, whether you’re looking for a seachange or simply planning a weekend away, here’s why Perth should soar to the top of your travel list.
Atop one of the finest hotels in town, Wildflower blends indigenous culture of seasonal changes with contemporary fine dining. Their menu revolves around the six seasons of the indigenous Noongar calendar – Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang – meaning, Wildflower’s farmer and forager-driven menu changes aligns with the ebbs and flow of nature’s bounty. Fittingly, a large mural depicting the bushland features in the light-filled interiors of the main dining room, while the outdoor terrace overlooks Swan River and the CBD.
COMO the Treasury, Level 4, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth
In a city that prides itself on its line-up of global eats, Bivouac pulls rank with its Eastern-inspired dishes. Their menu is designed to be shared, and each dish reflects their regional origins, but with Bivouac’s interpretation of the traditional recipes – think Spiced Freekeh, Babaannessi’s Harissa Cuttlefish and Whole Goat Shoulder. But that’s not all this small Northbridge restaurant does well. Their walls are a blank canvas for local and emerging artists to exhibit their work, which brings a creative energy that’s constantly evolving to their interiors.
198 William Street, Northbridge, Perth
An old-world cocktail bar with a healthy dose of refinement, Bar Lafayette’s moody interiors are decked out in vintage decor and leather chesterfield seats, fitting of a late-night bar with high-end service. The bartenders, who have ranked in the Top 100 Bartenders of Australia, serve drinks from a menu that is overflowing with luscious cocktails and spirits. Plus, the food from the bar menu comes directly from neighbouring W. Churchill – Perth’s very own Churchill-inspired restaurant and bar.
Brookfield Place, 125 St George’s Terrace, Perth
Sitting across three floors of a historic flour mill, The Flour Factory is an inner-city public house, and its home to Perth’s legendary gin wheel, where you can either roll up and spin the wheel yourself or let the bartender take control. Whatever number you land on deciphers which gin you’ll be served – but don’t worry, with over 100 to choose from, you won’t be disappointed. And if you’re after a cool hangout for your next event, check out The Flour Factory’s hidden rooftop bar, The Sherry. It’s part lounge, part outdoor terrace in a lush rooftop garden.
16 Queen Street, Perth
King Park and Botanic Gardens
Smack bang in the middle of Perth’s CBD is one of the biggest city parks in the world, King Park and Botanic Gardens. The park itself has a sprawling network of well-trodden bushland trails, manicured gardens and cafes that look out over Canning and Swan rivers, plus there are a treetop bridge, playgrounds and picturesque memorials.
Cottesloe Beach
Pristine beaches of turquoise water and soft sandy shores, Perth’s beaches are postcard-perfect. A standout among the many is Cottesloe Beach, namely because it is an ideal spot for swimming, surfing and snorkelling, but it also boasts some great waterfront cafes and eateries that sit in the shade of Norfolk Pines. It’s a short 20-minute drive from the city centre, making it a popular day-trip.
After the wild success of its hotels on the east coast, QT went cross-country. Inspired by the way desert meets the sea in WA, Perth’s rendition of QT features plenty of plants and eye-popping brights. The restaurant dishes up local produce, while the roof is the highest in the city. Each of the 184 rooms is equipped with QT Gel Beds, entertainment systems and dark stone bathrooms, with the QT Executive Corner being the room to get. It’s also the king of convenience, located in the middle of Perth’s CBD; you will be surrounded by some of the city’s best eats and drinking spots.
133 Murray Street, Perth
The work of design powerhouse, Arent&Pyke, Alex Hotel is a curated collection of 74 guestrooms which has been designed around the way people travel – from compact rooms of 15sqm to extra-large rooms of up to 27sqm. Plus, there are bunk rooms and family rooms and ones that come with private balconies. But, it’s the shared communal spaces that make the Alex Hotel a standout. Spread throughout the hotel, you are encouraged to leave the sanctuary of your room and spend time in the lounge areas, roof garden and outdoor terraces, all of which are popping with colour.
50 James Street, Perth
For more awesome things to do in Perth and hundreds of other travel destinations across Australia, head straight over to Sitchu.