From its glimmering coastline and holiday-like atmosphere to its scrumptious eats and rowdy nightlife, Scarborough delivers more than a few reasons for the average punter to flee their coop for the weekend and see what’s up.
To bring you the best of Scarborough, we’ve teamed up with Jim Beam so you can make the most of summer and craft your ultimate coastal hit list with your crew.
Eat
Two Slices Sandwich Bar
Image credit: Two Slices Sandwich Bar | Instagram
This new-age sandwich bar has sent Perth into a bit of a spin, with people willing to waste away their weekend in the queue. And look, we can see why. Fluffy focaccias, super fresh herbs (grown in-house), top tier continental meats and spreads a plenty—they make building your own special version of the perfect sanga easy. Oh and they've got coffee nailed too.
Livid Skate Cafe
If you're chasing a good spot to haul up an iced latte, head to Livid. The cafe slash skate shop and gallery has a solid community around it and a legendary coffee crew to keep you fueled all day. When you get hungry, don't sleep on the vegan brekky wraps.
Knead Bread & Coffee
Image credit: Knead Bread & Coffee | Instagram
This family-run micro bakery is a local fave, and it doesn't take long to see why. Vegan cinny scrolls, insane focaccia, banging bagels and arguably the best sourdough around—the quality baked goods alone would place Knead Bread & Coffee firmly in our must-visit list, but it doesn't hurt that the coffee is damn good as well with good alternative milk options and batch brew too.
General Public Co
This little community hub has quickly become iconic in the Scarborough area and is perfect for anything from a morning coffee run to celebrating a family birthday or just grabbing a pizza and a drink with mates. With 15 different delicious sourdough pizzas to pick from, choosing what to eat is going to be the hardest decision you make.
SKØL
Set up in the back courtyard of Drift Cafe, SKØL means “cheers” in Norse, so it should come as no surprise that it is Scandi-inspired all the way, from the menu to the clean-cut minimalist decor and welcoming laid-back vibes. The menu favours natural wines and house-crafted brews along with charcuterie boards and share plates, plus, let's not forget their signature shell cocktails.
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Betty’s Burgers
Image credit: Betty's Burgers | Instagram
Hailing from Noosa, Betty’s Burgers is a beachy burger shack with a focus on serving wholesome burgers, made fresh for each order. And let us assure you, they're some of the juiciest, tastiest burgers going around, so we're oh so glad to see them land in Scarbs, right down from the beach.
Il Locale
Scarborough joint Il Locale has your next pizza night covered, with plenty of saucy thin crust goodness from either the Pizze Rosse (pizza with red sauce) or Pizze Bianche (pizza with cream sauce) menu to get stuck into. We're pretty obsessed with their Quattro Formaggi pizza, filled with juicy gorgonzola, mozzarella, ricotta and parmigiano.
Drink
Bodega
This charming little wine bar comes from the same legends behind Il Locale and as you'd expect, the food and drink offering is just as good. Leaning on the team's Mediterranean heritage, the menu has a changing list of share plates straight outta Southern Europe. Think: grilled octopus, patatas bravos, hummus, burrata and fattouche salad. All perfect for nibbling on over a glass of something good from the classic-leaning wine list.
El Grotto
You really can’t go wrong with a place that serves up Mexican street food by the beach alongside a cocktail list that's heavy on the tequila and mezcal. Throw in some live music and regular deals like $8 fried chicken, $5 schooners and $10 cocktails and you have yourself a deal, hombre.
Indian Ocean Hotel
The iconic Indian Ocean Hotel is a pretty chilled out space for a few drinks, with live music on most nights, pool tables and a backyard pool that’s seen more than its share of boozed up pool parties. When you get hungry, they’ve also got Toastface Grillah in there, so you can sop up the alcohol with a cheesy sanga or two.
Oceans 6019
If you’re looking for a beachside venue that has it all, Oceans 6019 is where it’s at. From karaoke nights and ping pong competitions to live gigs and unbeatable grub, it’s a pumping yet laid-back place with something happening every single night of the week. You can’t go wrong with one of their reliable burgers or pizzas, plus Oceans 6019 will be pouring Jim Beam all summer long for you and your mates to enjoy.
Scarborough Beach Bar
Brought to us by the same crew as Market Grounds and The Peach Pit, Scarborough Beach Bar is where you want to head for laid-back drinks with your posse. The coastal pub serves everything from salads and burgers to sangas and pizzas, including banh mi bowls, kingfish crudo and a decadent seafood platter.
The Galway Hooker
An Irish pub right by the beach, The Galway Hooker is the place to go for a hearty pub meal and a pint of Guinness. There's chicken parmi, bangers and mash with Irish pork sausages and classic curry chips that really should find their way onto everyone's table. For the ultimate pub experience, head to one of their quiz nights or live music gigs with your mates. Keep up to date on their Facebook page to catch the latest events.
Things To Do
Scarborough Beach
Image credit: Scarborough Beach | Cold Nips on Instagram
Let’s get the most obvious thing out of the way first. If you’re heading to Scarbs, you should be locking in a decent amount of time on sand and in the water. Slap on your sunscreen, go for a cold plunge and settle in with a good beach read or take your board out for surf—either way, you’ll agree this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Perth.
Scarborough Beach Pool
If you’re not so keen on all that sand and salt water, head straight to Scarbrough’s stunning beachside pool for a few laps. The water is a practically balmy 27 degrees, thanks to its year-round heating and entry will only set you back $8.
Scarborough Sunset Markets
Image credit: Scarbrough Sunset Markets | Instagram
On every Thursday night through summer, Scarbrough Sunset Markets are arguably Perth’s best night markets. Drop by from 5pm to feast on all the market eats including dumplings from Freo fave, Emily Taylor, and shop homemade goods from 30 artisan retailers before grooving on through to the Beach Club for beachside DJ dance parties. This year they've also launched a brand new series of free fitness and wellness classes if you're keen to get a little bit of a sweat on.
Whale Playground
Have some kids in tow? Let 'em loose on the Whale Playground. Inspired by stories from Nyoongar culture, each part of the huge beachside playground has been designed to spark creative play for all ages with endless elements to climb and adventure through.
Rendezvous Film Club
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Image credit: Rendezvous | Tristan McKenzie
Scarborough is adding to its summertime allure with a brand new rooftop cinema situated 24 levels above the beachside action, on top of the iconic Rendezvous Hotel. Boasting panoramic ocean views, premium snacks and movie-themed cocktails crafted by Four Pillars, the Rendezvous Film Club is screening every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through summer. The program is out now, and if you wanna make a night of it they've even got a lovely little accom package going too.
Scarborough-Trigg Heritage Trail
Combine the surfer and fishermen-laden coastline of Scarborough and Trigg beaches with the serene bush trails of the Trigg Bushland Reserve and you’ve got one heck of a hike. The Scarborough—Trigg Heritage Trail is sign-posted and made up of the three-loops totalling about 7.3km, making it one of Perth's best coastal walks to tick off your list.
The Hundred Pilates
Image credit: The Hundred Pilates Collective | Instagram
Pristine views over Scarborough Beach might just be enough to distract you from the serious burn you'll be feeling in your tush at The Hundred Pilates Collective. With a reformer studio, mat room and rooftop terrace, the timetable is packed to the brim. Choose your vibe and let the friendly, supportive instructors lead you through.
Scarborough Beach Surf School Perth
Discover the joy of surfing with Scarborough Beach Surf School where you’ll discover quality, safe and fun lessons for all ages and experience levels. Founded in 1986 and held at one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, you know it’s going to be legit. So get your rashie on, channel your inner Kate Bosworth a la Blue Crush and get surfing.
Serene Day Spa
Fluffy bathrobes and herbal tea are just the beginning of your experience at Serene Day Spa, with a whole host of treatments to choose from like spa mosaic enveloping wraps and aromatic massages to hydrotherapy spa and beauty treatments—there are endless feel-good opportunities to be had.
Places To Stay
Rendezvous, Scarborough
Rendezvous is the perfect beachside hotel complete with soaring views from the Club Lounge, spacious balconies, a stunning lagoon-style pool with ocean views, and even tennis courts. There are also nine different room types so there’s bound to be something for every kind of traveler.
Indian Ocean Hotel
Image credit: Indian Ocean Hotel | @valentine.g.photography
This retro motel is hardly fancy, but damn is it a vibe. Scoop up a room and lean into the 70s nostalgia before heading downstairs for live music, pints and toasties.
Ramada Vetroblu
Located in the heart of Scarborough, Ramada VetroBlu offers sweeping views of Western Australia's world-class beaches and breathtaking sunsets. Offering one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments, this place is perfect for a couples getaway or a weekend staycation with friends or fam.
Scarborough Airbnbs
Prefer to have more of your own space? We get it. There are some straight up stunning Airbnbs dotted around Scarbs that'll let you make the most of the cruisy coastal life. Like this beach villa with its own heated spa, this gorgeous ocean front apartment or this laidback coastal character home.
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This summer, Jim Beam is bringing the coastline to your coaster, popping up on the beachside with gigs, good times and community events in partnership with Surfing Australia. Check out more of Jim Beam events and summer happenings here.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Jim Beam. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Main image credit: Scarborough Sunset Markets | Instagram