Cultural core: The Best Northbridge Restaurants and Bars

Clinging to the fringe of Perth CBD, Northbridge remains one of Perth’s most eclectic, electric and exciting food and drink precincts. It’s a true melting pot of cultures and heritage—where long-standing institutions sit side by side with fresh faces. 

You’ll find old-world spice merchants like Kakulas Brothers, the historic (and iconic) Italian deli Re Store serving lunchtime conti rolls and handmade pasta, and across the road, butcher David Torre continuing his family’s legacy with a meticulous array of premium cuts.

Up the northern stretch of William Street, Asian grocers and noodle houses signal a strong Asian influence, while down at the southern end, you’ll hit the heart of Chinatown. In between it all, small bars and restaurants squeeze into laneways and heritage buildings, adding their own flair to the ever-evolving patchwork of Northbridge.

It can be a little overwhelming to know where to start—so we’ve put together this guide to the best places best bars and restaurants in Northbridge.

The Best Bars in Northbridge 

Ezra Pound 

Down a tucked-away alley off William Street, look for the red Negroni sign glowing above the door—that’s your cue you’ve found Ezra Pound. With its speakeasy feel and rustic, Prohibition-era setting, this small bar is a favourite among Perth’s bartenders. Negroni aficionados, take note: you’ll find one of the city’s best right here.

Address: 189 William Street (Williams Lane), Northbridge

Pica Bar

A staple of the Northbridge scene, Pica Bar keeps things casual with a leafy beer garden, fairy lights, and a come-as-you-are attitude. It’s all about local beer on tap, well-priced wines, and a menu that delivers no matter what you may be after—from share plates to share with a crowd to a steak sandwich many say is Perth’s best.

Address: 51 James St Mall, Northbridge

The Standard 

There’s always something going on at The Standard. Its multi-level garden is a leafy city oasis that includes a rooftop with skyline views, perfect any time of day. Cocktails are a strong suit, and the Mediterranean-inspired menu—led by acclaimed Brendan Pratt—lets produce do the talking.

Address: 28 Roe St Northbridge

Astral Weeks

There are few bars in Perth like this lo-fi listening bar tucked away in the lanes of Chinatown. Step inside and the first thing you’ll see is a DJ spinning vinyl in front of a wall of records. It’s dark and moody here, with tables softly lit with candles. Choose a glass from the ever-changing chalkboard wine list, settle in, and let any worries of life dissipate to the mellow spin of records.

Address: Shop 12, 66 Roe St, Northbridge

Mechanics Institute 

The team behind the bar at Mechanics Institute know their spirits—and how to mix them. Tucked between Northbridge buildings, this small bar leans into its industrial feel, with an alfresco, four-tier deck lined with wooden picnic tables and steel balustrades. The cocktail menu changes regularly, so there’s always something new to try.

Address: Via rear laneway between James St & Francis St

The Best Asian Restaurants in Northbridge

Authentic Bites Dumpling House

With no reservations, you’ll always see a line snaking out the door at Authentic Bites Dumpling House, full of customers hankering for plates of steaming hot dumplings. If there’s one thing you absolutely have to order, it’s the pork and prawn wontons in spicy peanut sauce—trust us, you won’t want to share.

Address: 145 Newcastle St, Perth

Fortune Five 

Open for more than two decades, Fortune Five remains a go-to for lovers of yum cha and Cantonese classics. Barbecue pork buns, delicate har gow, and crisp spring rolls make for banging kickstarters, but the main event—the Peking duck—steals the show. It arrives with crisp skin and tender meat carved tableside, ready to be wrapped in thin pancakes with hoisin sauce and spring onion.

Address: 108A James St, Northbridge

Thanh Dat Vietnamese Noodle House 

Thanh Dat Vietnamese Noodle House is renowned for their beef short-rib pho, braised for 24 hours until fall-apart tender—which can be elevated with bone marrow and premium wagyu, if you feel so inclined. Vegan versions of pho are also available and full of flavour, filled with a variety of mushrooms and tofu. Meanwhile, their rendition of the iconic Vietnamese broken rice dish, com tam, is one of the best in town. 

Address: 425 William St, Northbridge

Tra Vinh Vietnamese Restaurant 

For decades, Tra Vinh has been a go-to for authentic Vietnamese fare. No frills—just consistently excellent food. The menu covers it all, from steaming bowls of pho served with generous sides of bean shoots, lemon, and mint so you can personalise your bowl, to braised duck egg noodles and a variety of broken rice dishes.

Address: 149 Brisbane St, Perth

Shanghai Street

Take a seat at Shanghai Street and be mesmerised watching chefs pleat dumplings fresh to order. The xiao long bao comes highly praised, but if you want more than dumplings, the mapo tofu is worth your time.

Address: 63 James St, Northbridge

S&T Thai Restaurant

Northbridge is a hub for excellent Thai cuisine, but it’s at S&T Thai where one dish in particular stands out: the Issan pork soft bone soup. This fiery and herbaceous soup hails from Northeastern Thailand and comes piled high with tender braised pork, lemongrass and galangal alongside generous helpings of fresh coriander, lime and chilli.

Address: 347 William St, Northbridge

Baan Baan

Baan Baan brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia with its home-style Thai cooking and a menu dominated by dishes designed for sharing. Favourites include grilled pork cheeks sticky with tamarind sauce and gaeng hung lay: a Northern-style curry of fall-off-the-bone beef ribs fragrant with ginger and pickled garlic.

Address: 172 Newcastle St, Perth

Tosaka Ramen Bar 

Tosaka’s tori paitan ramen is reason enough to visit. Made with a deep chicken broth simmered for 10 hours, it’s a light but flavour-packed foamy soup, brought to life with house-made spring onion oil. Add silky chicken chashu and jammy soy-soaked eggs for the complete experience.

Address: 305 William St, Northbridge

The Best Dinner Restaurants in Northbridge

No Mafia 

Since 2014, No Mafia has been a go-to for an Italian fix in the heart of Northbridge. The menu draws inspiration from across Italy, starting with antipasti like Roman-style arancini and mortadella with gnocco fritto, before moving onto handmade pastas, from tagliolini with calamari and ’nduja to hearty pappardelle with braised duck and mushrooms.

Address: 252 William St, Northbridge

Bivouac 

Bivouac serves a blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine in an intimate, art-filled bistro. The menu is full of fresh dishes filled with the aromatic spices these cuisines are renowned for. Start with halloumi glazed in pomegranate molasses and yuzu and black seed honey and the za’atar-dusted flatbread, before moving on to slow-cooked beef ribs in date and red wine sauce or braised goat shoulder with caponata. 

Address: 198 William St, Northbridge

Ah Um 

Hidden within Astral Weeks, Ah Um is an intimate 25-seat spot defined by minimalism—dim lighting, a laid-back soundtrack and a small menu that packs flavour. Oysters come with calamansi kumquat, dhufish served with sake beurre blanc, and eggplants are dressed in miso bearnaise. With a glass of natural wine in hand, it’s the perfect date night that is set to impress. 

Address: Enter via Astral Weeks—Shop 12, 66 Roe St, Northbridge

Fallow

With Brown St Grill’s Stuart Laws and his team at the helm, Fallow is a carnivore’s delight housed in a heritage building on William Street. Meat takes centre stage here with dry-aged steaks leading the way, but the snacks shine too—think sticky wagyu rib fingers with Thai-inspired crying tiger sauce and crunchy prawn toast with a white miso aioli. To wash it all down, the beer offering is impressive with a collection of rare, cellared craft beer on offer. 

Address: 314 William St, Northbridge

Double Rainbow

On the first floor of the theatrical entertainment venue, The Rechabite, Double Rainbow dishes fun and flavour through a Korean-inspired menu. Alongside Korean stuffed chicken wings and 250g wagyu sirloin, there’s an impressive lineup of vegan dishes—from vegan duck bulgogi or zucchini flowers in tempura batter with whipped tofu and yuzu kosho. With a group? Skip the stress and go for the Hang Sang menu and let the team bring their best to your table.

Address: 224 William St, Northbridge

La Cholita 

La Cholita is a Northbridge staple, always buzzing and always reliable. Guacamole with crispy tortillas hit the table the moment you sit down—the perfect snack while you weigh up which taco you will order (Baja fish or pork belly with orange chilli salsa perhaps?). A spicy verde margarita goes hand-in-hand. 

Address: 279 William St, Northbridge

Edward and Idas

With WAGFG Chef of the Year Blaze Young at the helm, this is bar dining fare like no other. Classics are elevated—housemade currywurst sausages are their take on the bangers that sit atop mash, all dressed with onion gravy, while the beef and Guinness pies come with a bone marrow chimney in the centre. 

Address: 269 William St, Northbridge

Sauma

With nearly a decade under its belt, Sauma remains a Northbridge favourite with bold flavours and a buzzing atmosphere. Crisp-shelled pani puri is made even more enticing with an optional tequila shot, and the onion and cauliflower bhaji are a must. The chicken tikka aachari delivers herbaceous char, while slow-cooked goat curry (bone-in for maximum flavour) and eggplant bartha bring the richness. 

Address: 200 William St, Northbridge

James Parker

James Parker stands as one of Perth’s most consistently excellent Japanese offerings. Diehards will opt for Omakase at the counter, but the standard a la carte packs plenty of interest. From precision-diced sashimi to plates of lacy tempura and nigiri, best savoured with a flight of sake.

Address: 182 James St, Northbridge

Margot’s 

Margot’s is a cocktail bar, wine bar, bistro and delicatessen all in one. Martinis are a speciality here, best sipped with a dozen oysters with Margot’s hot sauce or house charcuterie plate. For something more substantial, there’s beef tartare with anchovy extract or Robbie’s lasagne with wagyu ragu and parmesan cream.  

Address: 434 William St, Northbridge

Wines of While

The best way to experience Wines of While is alfresco on William Street, sunlight dappling as you sip a glass of minimal-intervention wine from the ever-changing chalkboard list. Snack on small plates of white beans with bottarga, panisse with pecorino and work your way through to the casarecce with beef and pork ragu. 

Address: 458 William St, Northbridge

Vincent Wine 

A palpable sense of joie de vivre fills the air at Vincent Wine, delivering authentic French bistro fare. From freshly shucked oysters to duck and pork rillettes served with sourdough and classic cornichons, the menu complements the stellar by-the-glass European wine offering. The simple yet effective bistro staple of steak frites is hard to go past. 

Address: 465 William St, Northbridge

Not Technically Northbridge, But Close Enough

Peasants Paradice

For something pleasantly different, head to Peasant’s Paradice and let chef-owner Dwight Alexander guide you through the bold flavours of his African heritage. Start with injera flatbread, eggplant lemon dip, and mango pickle, then try South African Cape Malay beef mince curry or berbere-spiced chicken.

Address: 197 Brisbane St, Perth

Bar Love 

Right next door to Peasant’s Paradise is Bar Love, WA Good Food Guide’s Bar of the Year—perfect for a pre-dinner drink or nightcap. With pink and orange interiors, record covers, and quirky bric-a-brac, it’s full of retro charm. The Peaches and Cream Negroni—a playful twist on the classic—is a must-order. 

Address: 195 Brisbane St, Perth

Leadlight 

In the former home of Ruin Bar, the team behind Pica Bar and Percy Flints opened Leadlight late in 2024—an American tavern-inspired spot that hones the feel of a trusty neighbourhood local. The food leans into elevated pub grub: think baked vodka pasta with nduja and stracciatella, and steak and chips served with curly fries for a fun twist, as well as pizzas on rotation. Local wine and beer producers are well represented on the drinks list.

Address: 165 Beaufort St, Perth

Tom’s Providore 

For an afternoon aperitivo, head to Tom’s Providore. Light, bright and airy, this wine bar and providore is the kind of spot you wish was around the corner—perfect for a lazy wine and charcuterie in the afternoon or a wind-down before heading home, especially on Thursday jazz nights.

Address: 290 Beaufort Street, Perth