Home to some of Perth’s best cafes, restaurants, bars and shops, our beloved Leederville may be small but she is fierce! Fun, quirky and super cool, the past couple of years has seen new life injected into the Leedy strip in the form of loads of new openings, making us fall in love with this hip little hood all over again.
Leederville’s proximity to the CBD, Lake Monger and some of Perth’s most beautiful suburbs in nearby Mount Hawthorn, North Perth and Mount Lawley may make this one of Perth’s most desirable suburbs to live but Leederville is also the home and playground of a mixed bag of patrons—definitely one of the reasons we love it so much!
So without further ado, here’s our pick of Leederville’s greatest treasures, from Leederville’s best restaurants to watering holes and the best Leedy shopping. Here’s everything you should be eating, drinking, buying and doing in this eclectic little hood.
Ria
A much-loved local haunt (and one of my all-time fave restaurants in Perth), this authentic Leederville Malaysian restaurant has firmly entrenched itself as an Oxford Street stalwart. Ria translates to happy which is exactly how you’ll be feeling when you roll out of here. And roll out you will if your waiter has anything to do with it. Order the roti, the Chinese shredded beef and a rendang and thank me later.
La Vida Urbana
From the legends that brought us El Publico, La Vida Urbana in Leederville is dishing out the same tasty Mexican eats with a slightly more casual vibe. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you're in for a Mexican spin on your favourite breakfasts and scrumptious street eats for lunch and dinner at this Leederville restaurant. Order the nachos, you won't regret it!
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, Duende is a Spanish hot spot that also boasts a pretty serious wine list. It’s also one of my favourite date night spots and I don’t think there’s much better than parking yourself at the bar at Duende and settling in for the night. Open for brekky, lunch and dinner, brunch items range from eggs to drool-worthy doughnuts while the prawn and chorizo paella balls and mushrooms with gorgonzola and walnuts are my pick of the tapas.
Gusto Gelato
Perth gelato joint Gusto Gelato prides itself on making ‘oh my god, I’ve died and gone to heaven’ gelato every day and lordy lord, are they succeeding. Making everything from scratch using the freshest ingredients, Gusto owner Sean Lee learnt his craft in Italy (he actually went to gelato university!) and has already amassed a huge fan base for his delicious and authentic gelato. You can’t go wrong with any of the flavours on the extensive menu—probably best you try them all then.
Three Sisters
Vietnamese restaurant Three Sisters is dishing up traditional beef pho, rice vermicelli noodle bowls (all topped with a crunchy spring roll), delicious rice paper rolls and some of the most amazing banh mi I have seen in a while. They also do an awesome vegan pho with goji berries, lily flowers, shitaki, enoki and tofu so your vego friends don’t have to miss out!
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 drool-worthy pizzas. Make sure you prepare your 'dessert stomach'—you'll definitely want to hang around for the sweet stuff!
Low Key Chow House
Get ready for an Asian fusion feast at buzzy Leederville restaurant Low Key Chow House on Oxford Street. The menu is all about sharing, which is a good thing because you’re gonna want a bit of everything. Try their Mantou Buns—delicious (not soggy!) steamed bun parcels stuffed with savoury caramel pork belly, coriander and crushed peanuts—and why not round out the night with gooey deep fried ice cream parcels topped with salted caramel. OK, and maybe some sake. If you’re after casual eats with your crew, Low Key Chow House is one of the best restaurants in Leederville.
Sayers
Sayers is one of the best cafes in Leederville, and you can’t really call yourself a Perthite until you’ve lined up at this cafe for one of their epic brekkies. Always crazy busy, this Leederville local is worth the wait (although it might be worth setting your alarm early so you don’t have to!) With a cosy feel, mismatched décor and an always evolving menu featuring locally sourced produce, you'll want to come back time and time again. Famous for their hearty brekkies, they also serve up awesome coffee, tasty lunch treats and a drool-worthy range of cakes.
Pixel Coffee Brewers
Leederville cafe Pixel is brewing some of the best coffee in Perth and what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. You’ll feel a sugar high coming on from just looking at the amazing layer cakes, but with flavours like chocolate and peanut butter, and white chocolate and rose, you’d be mad not to indulge.
Pinchos
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. That’s the night before pay day sorted then.
Kitsch
Cosy, mysterious and oozing Leederville cool, Kitsch is the perfect Perth bar for your next date night 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. Go to Kitsch on a Tuesday for the $15 Pad Thai special and stay for the yummy cocktails (because, Tuesday!).
The Garden
A Leedy institution, Perth pub The Garden's open-plan space (and really good shoe-string fries) lends itself to laidback Sundays with mates. With plenty of classic pub grub and an extensive drinks list, it’s the perfect spot to soak up Perth’s summer vibes or cosy up in winter. They do pretty bangin’ pizzas here too and the jugs of Pimm’s are the bomb come summer.
Bill's Bar & Bites
I never thought I’d ever be stepping foot back into the ol’ Leederville Hotel but this Perth bar has really grown up in recent years. All exposed brick walls, dim lighting and eclectic furniture, Bills Bar & Bites is cosy and cool and they do a pretty epic cheese and charcuterie board. Best of all, there’s not a cage dancer in sight.
The Blue Flamingo
Inspired by the colourful and playful California and Palm Springs style with a heavy South American vibe, The Blue Flamingo in Leederville will bring back all those warm, fuzzy summer holiday memories. Dishing out South American street food like grilled wings with jerk mayo, street corn and bigger plates like Cuban pork sandwich and martini chilli mussels, this place does not disappoint.
Varga Girl
Cutting edge fashion haven Varga Girl is one of Perth’s best boutiques, offering Australian and international clothing, accessory and giftware labels. The bright and airy space is dedicated to decadent style that is well worth whipping out the credit card for—just think of it as an investment.
Hunter Store
If you’re even a little bit obsessed with shoes or handbags, you'll no doubt be well acquainted with Hunter Store in Leederville. Stocking what is arguably Leederville's most beautiful women’s shoes, bags and jewellery, this effortlessly chic store is home to on-trend shoes, statement handbags and purses, sunglasses, watches and jewellery. Guys, don't forget to check out Hunter Store Man around the corner.
Urban Depot
Looking for a present for that hard to please friend? Leederville boutique Urban Depot is your spot. The Oxford Street staple has an array of clever gifts, homewares, clothing and accessories—think watches and wallets, boutique Australian designer clothing, retro-inspired kitchenware, lust-worthy jewellery and kitsch gifts. This treasure trove of a shop has a great atmosphere, is always well-stocked, and is open until 10pm every day. Boom.
Remedy
Leederville homewares store Remedy is all about the ‘slow shopping movement’ and the folks here encourage you to take the time to wander through and really enjoy the colours, textures and scents in the shop. Remedy’s range includes local and internationally sourced botanical skincare, simple yet considerate ceramics, illustrated linens and beautiful and practical gifts.
Black Plastic
One of my fave Perth shops, kitsch Leederville store Black Plastic is my go-to for hilarious cards, cool yet functional homewares, knick knacks and silly novelty items. With heavy pop culture references and an ever-changing range of cult items, pop by whenever you’re in Leederville because the guys here always have new wonderful and wacky items just waiting to be discovered.
Luna Cinema
Screening all the latest art, alternative and foreign flicks (plus films in the outside courtyard in summer), Leederville cinema Luna is a Perth institution and the beating heart of Leedy. Eclectic and boasting some pretty cool art deco décor, grab a bevvie in the adjoining Luna Lounge (and a choc top for the movie, obvi) before settling in to one of the tiny cinemas. Go on a Monday for Luna’s double screening or Wednesday when tix are super cheap!
Air Yoga
Doing yoga on the floor is fine but why not up the ante and get out of your comfort zone? Classes at Leederville yoga studio Air Yoga focus on a progression of movements designed to build muscle tone and flexibility using a hammock for support. Feeling adventurous? Give an AirSupremacy or headstand class a go, just remember to wear tighter fitting clothes (no-one wants you flashing your privates!)
Want more of the best restaurants in Leederville? Search ‘Leederville restaurants’ in The Directory!
Image credit: Nancy Hanna