Part One of our guide to everything to eat and drink south of the river.
When considering dining south of the river it’s easy to jump to Fremantle, and for good reason: many of our top bars and restaurants are found there. But there’s a hugely populated corridor south of the city that often gets overlooked. Thankfully, there are plenty of southern venues worth your dining dollar.
Here’s some recommendations to get you started, in geographical-ish order. Stay tuned for part two of this list, with more suggestions to come.
Social Manna
Just south of the city at the edge of Vic Park is Social Manna, one of Perth’s best and friendliest cafes that has just celebrated its fifth birthday. Why is it so good? At its heart is owner and chef Sandro Puca, who started his career with Russell Blaikie and David Coomer, and went on to hold head chef roles at Il Lido and Rochelle Adonis. Yes, that means the desserts are good too.
253-255 Albany Highway, Victoria Park
Izakaya Tori
A recent addition to Victoria Park, Izakaya Tori is a Japanese street-food bar that serves a wide range of bites and shared dishes at reasonable prices. Expect to find plenty of karaage, yakitori, hot pot and their signature eel fried rice, a perfect match with a Japanese beer or a highball. Make a beeline with friends before word gets out.
610 Albany Highway, Victoria Park
Angelo St Market & General Store Melville
Not only are these sister stores two of our finest gourmet supermarkets, they also make some of the best continental rolls in Perth. Daily roll-specials are cryptically described on Instagram – quite intentionally – but you won’t be disappointed. Our pick is the Godfather, which has everything you could want in a sandwich and more.
67 Angelo Street, South Perth; 446 Marmion Street, Myaree
Two Hands Noodles Shop
Another venue that needs little introduction, Two Hands regularly finds itself at the top of Perth noodle lists. Specialising in Malaysian flavours and fresh noodles made daily, it’s the kolo mee and Sarawak laksa that take top billing, but there’s plenty on the menu, including sticky fried fish wings or lobak to keep diners – ranging from students through to families of regulars – coming back.
4/2 Downey Drive, Como
Chicken Lab
There’s plenty of decent KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) to be found around town, but one of the newest is also one of the best – Rivervale’s Chicken Lab. As you would expect, there are plenty of sauces on offer (the chilli-packed Red Devil is intense but not crazy) and a few Korean side dishes, such as tteokbokki or kimchi dumplings. Don’t sleep on the snowing cheese chips, either, which bring added decadence.
49 Great Eastern Highway, Rivervale
Cosy Del’s
Another worthy entrant in this year’s guide, Cosy Del’s flies a little under the radar, but it should be high on your southern to-dine list. It is indeed cosy, and the kind of intimate bistro-style restaurant that we don’t seem to have any more. The Northern-Italian inspired dishes are designed to be shared (think octopus spiedino or charred greens with creamy ricotta), and the panna cotta remains non-negotiable.
15 Lathlain Place, Lathlain
Ah Beng Indonesia
There are many places to choose from when taking your chances in the Carousel food precinct, but few of the venues have caught diners’ attention as much as Ah Beng – so much so, it was awarded one star in this year’s guide. The menu is big, but the offering adds up to some of the state’s finest Indonesian fare, including the smashed-up fried chicken dish ayam geprek, loaded with house sambal. There’s even plenty to offer vegan diners. Don’t let the location fool you; this is a dining experience worth battling the crowds for.
Level 2 Rooftop Dining Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Highway, Cannington
Canteen Pizza
A Perth institution that needs little introduction, Canteen Pizza has recently opened a new venue in Applecross, and it stands out among the venues in the crowded Ardross Street precinct. Open from breakfast until late, Canteen Pizza offers a wide range of dough-based treats (and a well-stocked bar). Pizza is the highlight, of course, but the lunchtime porchetta panini is worth a mention.
32 Ardross Street, Applecross (opposite The Good Grocer)
Crumbs Patisserie
Just a few doors down from Canteen is Crumbs Patisserie, which produces pastries that hold their own against any national Insta-powerhouse pâtisserie. Thankfully, there’s plenty of substance behind the style. Go for a cube croissant, stay for a coffee and something savoury – the salami Danish is excellent if you’re in the mood.
32 Ardross Street, Applecross
Rym Tarng
A worthy entrant in the 2024 WA Good Food Guide, Rym Tarng not only serves some of Perth’s best Thai food, it’s also one of our friendliest restaurants. It may be 16-seat small (we strongly suggest booking ahead), but don’t let the size deceive you; many of the crew are ex-Long Chim, the larb is fiery and addictive, and you’ll be planning your next visit while you’re there. Folks close enough to take away are very lucky indeed.
Shop 8, 258 Canning Highway, Bicton
DJs Willagee Lunch Bar & Bibra Lake Lunch Bar
Both of these venues have been included to prevent arguments about which makes the best banh mi; we suggest you try both and make your own decision. Glamorous they are not, but they’re both constantly busy and the outstanding products do the talking.
84 Archibald Street, Willagee; 40 Port Pirie Street, Spearwood
Hulme Court
A curious stretch of road that runs between Leach Highway and McCoy Street in Myaree, Hulme Court is a stretch of shops where you’ll find hidden gems among real-estate offices, tattoo parlours and mysterious wholesalers. There’s a definite Asian focus, with notable inclusions being Chop Chop BBQ, and Krunchy for a Korean hot dog. Worth exploring for a casual lunch, with plenty of bubble tea on offer to cap it off.
Myaree
Suppa Club
You’ve probably seen Suppa Club soups around Perth at markets and in supermarkets; they’ve been around for eight years, after all. They recently opened a “Gourmet Soup Bar” that serves six gluten-free soups daily: two meat, two vegetarian and two plant-based. Hot tip: Friday is bread-bowl day.
5 Hayden Court, Myaree
Brother of Mine
Just off the Freeway in Baldivis, sizeable cafe Brother Of Mine is a great stop for coffee and refreshments when you’re heading south, or even just peckish when in the area. Coffee is roasted in-house and the breakfast and lunch menu is extensive. Keep an eye on their Instagram, as there’s usually a decadent special to be found.
61 Makybe Drive, Baldivis
