Home to some of Perth’s/Boorloo's coolest cafes, restaurants, bars and shops, Leedy may be small but she’s really carved a space in our hearts over the years. The Leederville strip is brimming with everything from bite-size tapas and the ultimate grab-and-go lunches to iconic pub meals and contemporary share plates.
At Urban List, we've seen this bustling innercity dining mecca evolve over the years, and we're glad to say it's really in its comeback era right now thanks to a bunch of new openings. To help guide you on all the latest, here’s our pick of Leederville’s best restaurants and bars to hit right now.
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Romulus
Image credit: Romulus | Instagram
The charming Sayers cafe site in Leederville has gone through quite the transformation since Mirko Silvestri—the same Roman-born legend behind beloved Mount Hawthorn Italian joint, LupoLab—scooped up the spot last year. It's now a chic little Italian wine bar pumping out good booze and sexy Mediterranean-leaning snacks, pastas and plates that'll scratch every Euro summer itch. Start with a glass of wine and a serve of the parma ham wrapped dates filled with taleggio and walnuts—it's the perfect little sweet, salty, creamy mouthful.
Yalla Bala
Image credit: Yalla Bala | Instagram
After selling out at pop-ups across Perth, we've finally scored a permanent spot from legend Benjamin Kotkis and the Yalla Bala crew, and it's quickly become Perth's biggest lunch crush.
You'll find them pumping out Middle Eastern eats from a small takeaway window down Electric Lane, with iconic menu items like chicken shawarmas (IYKYK) and falafels wrapped up in the fluffiest pita bread you've ever tried. Plus, bowls piled high with super fresh ingredients and homemade everything, including Yalla Bala's famous hummus and pickles courtesy of Perth's pickling queen, The Epicurean Foodie.
You can also order and eat in Servo’s courtyard, and as someone who has done this many, many times, I can confirm a pita in one hand and a pint in the other is a near-perfect lunch scenario.
Hermanos En Tacos
Image credit: Hermanos En Taco | Facebook
The crew behind Hermanos En Cantina in Mount Lawley are bringing the Tex-Mex goods to Leedy with their newest restaurant and bar on Oxford St. Gear up for slow cooked pork carnitas, beef brisket nachos, jerk chicken salads and bowls of hot queso. Best of all, you can throw on an hour of free flowing frozen margs for a measly $30 each from 12pm every damn day. Yep, this is happening.
Lima Cantina
Image credit: Lima Cantina | Supplied
A bright new Peruvian cantina has set up shop on Oxford St and with Lima-born Miguel Bellido and Head Chef Daniel Salcedo behind the opening, you know you're getting the real deal experience here. We're talking handmade empanadas, chicharron and ceviche, with traditional dulce de leche to top off your meal. Oh and pisco, lots of pisco.
Powell's Fromagerie
Image credit: Powell's | Elle Borgward
A wine and cheese bar with a whole lotta heart, Powell’s welcomes its customers like old friends. Cosy, cool and comfortable, it's the passion project of owner Jas Powell, who named the venue after her late dad as a tribute to family, connection and legacy. “He was sad the family name wouldn’t carry on, so I decided to put it on the wall and keep it going forever,” she says.
From the thoughtful interiors (burgundy ceilings, conversation-starter coasters and dozens of disco balls) to the ever-changing wine list and cheese selection that hops from the UK to Austria and everywhere in between, each detail is carefully considered. But according to Jas, the house-made focaccia often steals the limelight. “We make it fresh daily—it’s always the first thing to fly out of the kitchen,” she says. “Oh, and obviously the cheese plates. If you’re coming to Powell’s and not eating cheese, then what are you even doing?!”
Add in Mumma Powell working the bar treating everyone like family and it’s clear why Powell’s has quickly become a local favourite for after-work drinks, date nights and catch-ups.
Tora
Image credit: Tora | Elle Borgward
If you're chasing a super special culinary experience, Tora is the place. The tiny 10-seater omakase restaurant has just opened down Electric Lane, right next to Powell's. Just think intimate, elevated dining with seamless service and unbeatable kitchen skills, with a menu that changes with the seasons—reflecting the Japanese philosophy of 'shun' which is all about enjoying food at its peak of flavour.
Bunn Mee
Image credit: Bunn Mee | Instagram
Okay okay, considering Bunn Mee is only open for lunch this place is probably more cafe/lunch bar than restaurant but we had to slip in a mention. Head here for some insanely delish banh mi and other Vietnamese nom noms, all cooked up by the supremely talented Jenny Lam (of Masterchef fame) and the fam.
Phat Lon
Image credit: Phat Lon | Instagram
If you do crave Bunn Mee-style flavours after dark, you can always head to Phat Lon. Brought to us by the same crew, this lively little spot is serving up Vietnamese tapas and drinks in a bright and friendly setting.
Upperhand Burger
Image credit: Upperhand Burgers | Instagram
One of our fave burger joints has landed on the Leedy strip. Upperhand Burgers are serving up their unique style of burgers, boba and booze, with some of the finest food and drink deals around. We're talking $5 cheeseburgers every Wednesday, 90c wings every Sunday and $5 pints all day, every day. Who could say no?
Pappagallo
With ingredients imported straight from Italy, the menu at Pappagallo in Leederville is jam-packed with authentic Italian goodness but you can never go past one of their iconic pizzas. Make sure you prepare your 'dessert stomach' too—you'll definitely want to hang around for the sweet stuff.
Will St
Image credit: Will St | Supplied
Will Meyrick, the chef-owner behind super popular Balinese establishments Sarong and Mama San (to name just a couple), has brought a taste of Bali to Perth—opening his very own place right here in Leederville. From rich curries to punchy salads and slow cooked meats, you'll find loads of flavour-packed Asian share plates here, inspired by Meyrick's extensive travels.
Servo
Image credit: Servo | Supplied
Servo is the beautiful all-day restaurant and courtyard bar within the Leederville Precinct, boasting a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-hybrid menu (cleverly dubbed Medi-Eastern, props to the marketing team) by executive chef Christopher Bottega.
First, fill your table with mezze: oysters, dips, cured meats and more. Next, move on to the larger share plates such as the baharat lamb shoulder with zhoug, labneh and pomegranate. According to venue manager Pete Callow, the lamb is the one that always disappears first. “It’s a great showcase of how we want people to experience the restaurant—tearing, sharing, mopping things up with wood-fired bread. That plate always comes back clean.”
When the meal wraps, the night doesn’t have to. “We love seeing people drift out to the yard bar after dinner to enjoy the music, the atmosphere, and a few more cocktails,” says Pete.
Naber
Image credit: Naber | Supplied
Naber is split into two unique spaces, with an intimate date-night restaurant out front and breezy back-alley courtyard bar slinging fun and affordable cocktails, punchy snacks and untapped disco vibes that will keep you there all day and night.
Vikka
Image credit: Vikka | Instagram
Pizza, hummus, yummy nibbles—eating at Vikka feels much like heading round for family dinner at someone's who actually knows how to cook. No surprise considering it's all family-run by a bunch that have longstanding roots in Oxford St. Backed by an inclusive ethos, it's the kind of place everyone feels welcome, especially considering the awesome vegan and vegetarian options on offer.
Mon Japanese Bistro
You might struggle to get a seat at this bustling little Japanese bistro, but trust us it’s worth holding out for a table. Take your pick from classic bentos, donburis and Japanese curries, as well as slurp-worthy udon noodles, and super fresh sashimi and sushi rolls. Pair your feast with some sake or a glass of umeshu (plum wine) and tell us you’re not already dreaming of travelling to Japan for real.
Pinchos
Image credit: Pinchos | Supplied
The perfect spot for a quick and light dinner (and let’s be honest, some epic people watching), Leederville restaurant Pinchos dishes out big on flavour tapas that won’t break the bank. The delicious morsels (like chorizo with honey and cheese, smoked almonds and marinated olives) start at just one buck, which leaves you plenty of dough to grab a carafe of sangria to wash it down with and a Portuguese tart to finish.
Kitsch
Cosy, mysterious and oozing Leederville cool, Kitsch is the perfect spot if you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track. Sit under the huge frangipani tree adorned with lanterns and chow down on flavoursome, Asian-style eats while slamming back a few cocktails.
The Garden
Image credit: The Garden | Instagram
A Leedy institution, The Garden's 2023 glow-up brought a fresh energy to its leafy dining room and a renewed focus on Italian-style dining.
Executive chef Christopher Bottega’s menu is inspired by the long Italian Sunday lunches of his youth that brought the family together around the table. The Franklin River roast porchetta comes with golden rosemary potatoes and a zingy fennel salad, while the seafood spaghetti marinara is piled high with Shark Bay crab, local fish and juicy tiger prawns. “They’re designed for sharing,” says venue manager Bradley Fraser. “Best enjoyed as a long and lazy weekend lunch, with some time blocked out in the afternoon for a nap.”
Step outside, the beer garden is permanently buzzing with locals enjoying pints, woodfired pizzas and pinots.
Duende
If you’re on the hunt for the best restaurants in Leederville, get yourself to Duende. Romantic, sexy and dishing out some of the best tapas in Perth, Leederville restaurant Duende is a Spanish hot spot that also boasts a pretty serious wine list. It's practically screaming date night.
Fibbers McGee
Opened in 1998, Fibber McGees Irish Pub and Steakhouse has become a Leederville mainstay for good reason. Yes, the craic is always on point at this humble pub, but it's the food that sets it apart. Not only is 90% of their produce made in house—we're talking cultured butter, sauces, glazes, pickles, bread, sausages, and more—but they also own and operate their own certified organic farm in the Perth Hills where they raise their own cattle, and also dry age, butcher and cure their own meat inhouse. No wonder their steaks are the best in Perth.
Thugs Fried Chicken
Owned by local DJ Karl Blue and sitting pretty in the heart of Leederville, this hip-hop-themed fried chicken joint is hard to pass up. The menu is layered with hearty comfort food and we are digging the names of each dish just as much as the food. Take the GusFace Killah for example; a beastly burger or waffle stack made with not one but three Angus beef patties topped with American cheddar, two slabs of crispy bacon, pickles, jalapenos and barbecue sriracha.
Once you've made your way through Leedy, check out the best restaurants in Mount Lawley.
Main image credit: Will St | Supplied