With stylish new wine bars aplenty to dining experiences with Michelin-star chefs at the helm, it’s hard to imagine Perth was ever dubbed Dullsville by Lonely Planet.
Not only have we well and truly shaken off this reputation, but we continue to add to our thriving hospitality scene with an eclectic array of new bars, restaurants and cafes. Here are some of the newest additions to Perth’s line up of dining hotspots.
Volare
Maylands
Meaning ‘to fly’ in Latin, this new bar is set to jet to the top of the list of new spots to try for a wine and bites.
The European aperitivo inspired venue, inside the former Swallow Bar space, transports the tastes of destinations such as the Amalfi coast to the heart of Maylands.
Dishes such as chicken liver pate cannoli and negroni glazed octopus with caponata are the brainchild of head chef Luca Minetti, who hails from Piedmont in Italy.
The stylish bar — with an art deco feel and plenty of plants — comes from the team behind bright and buzzy Neon Palms in Northbridge, so you know you’re in for a fun time.
Terrarium
CBD
Amongst the hustle and bustle of the big smoke sits this new inner-city oasis Terrarium, a two-story cocktail and spirits bar that is as serious about its plants as it is its drinks.
The lush and leafy bar with rooftop area is owned by Xander Stucken, who was formerly slinging drinks at The Ritz, Long Chim and Bar Lafayette, and partner Verity Coles, who also worked at the Flour Factory.
The food and drink offering brings a unique array of flavours together — from a steak tartare with white chocolate béarnaise and lightly pickled watermelon radish to a rotating cheese board with accompaniments — as well as the cocktails such as the Rosella with Offshoot coffee dripped Aperol, or the Toucan with fruit loop cereal milk.
Pretty Good Pizza
Northbridge
You know a new venue is going to be pretty good when it’s owned by the fellow behind popular venues Jetty Bar and Eats, The Quarter Acre Hotel and formerly Alex Hotel and Shadow Wine Bar.
Miles Hull’s latest venture — aptly named Pretty Good Pizza — is a contemporary take on the old-school Aussie take-away pizza joint.
There is a playful array of toppings — the California Love is a riff on the controversial ham, pineapple and mozzarella whereas the vegan Express Yourself option is topped with pumpkin, marinated capsicum, salsa verde and pine nuts — on top of 28-hour dough, with gluten-free options too.
Diners have the choice to sit and listen to 80s hip hop, or pop over to its sister venue Ruinbar next door and enjoy a slice with a cold beverage in the beer garden.
Kozy
West Perth
This new restaurant with chef James Park at the helm has us very intrigued.
With two Michelin stars gained in South Korea under his belt, as well as stints at Wildflower and Skol, Park is bringing refined dining that merges Korean, Japanese and European flavours to West Perth.
The picture-perfect dishes almost look too good to eat, though we think anyone lucky enough to dine there will manage it. Kozy is open on Saturdays in October.
Tom’s Providore and Wine Bar
Perth
There are not enough spots in Perth with decent, filling salad options (this is the hill I’m willing to die on) so when Leederville salad heaven Tom’s closed it was a sad day for those who feel the same.
Thankfully owners and siblings, Lara and Tom Lukich, didn’t put their 25 years of experience in the food industry to waste.
Their new venture on the corner of Beaufort and Brisbane Street has quickly gained fans across Perth since opening in July.
As well as their beloved salads, there is a selection of cheese, meats and dishes sourced in WA and across the world, plus a selection of wine, juices and coffee. It will be hard to go home without a full and happy stomach here.
The Flaming Galah
Fremantle
Adding to Freo’s already impressive line-up of eclectic food and drink venues comes this very Aussie-sounding new bar.
Touted as Fremantle’s first queer bar, it is set to be an equally safe space as it is loud and flamboyant.
Behind the bar, set to open sometime this month, is Leala Brekalo who previously ran the Local Hotel and Little Creatures, as well as her wife and business partner Babs.
Middle Swan
There is nothing like a trip to the Swan Valley to make you feel like you’re on holiday, and this stunning new addition to the region is like a breath of fresh air from the moment you enter.
Estate at Chapel Farm features a brewery, distillery, winery and restaurant inside a striking building that used 100-year-old timbers, handpicked stone and stained glass windows from the 1800s.
The food and wine offering though is firmly set in the now, with grazing and woodfired pizza options available to be enjoyed at the bar or overlooking the brook.
Subiaco
Perth is surely close to becoming the wine bar capital of Australia with our growing number of excellent spots to select from.
Lums is one of our newest and most popular spots, attracting locals and wine lovers alike with its range of artisan drops.
The cozy space with original floorboards, exposed bricks high ceilings and lovely natural light features an thoughtful wine list that pairs perfectly with charcuterie and shared bites.
Subiaco
Hospitality king Clint Nolan has ventured out of his beloved Northbridge — where his popular La Cholita, Sneaky Tony’s and Henry Summer draw massive crowds — to open this new bar and eatery.
Described as La Cholita’s “grown-up sister”, the stylish spot has a lighter and brighter fit out to its more moody sibling, and the menu is a fusion of Mexican and Californian with a hint of Japanese, Korean and Middle Eastern flavours.
Located in the former Rice Baby site, it also has a vast range of tequila.
The Bassendean Hotel
Bassendean
This venue may be close to 90 years old, but, it has undergone a $7 million renovation, so we think it qualifies as new again.
Across its two levels the historic pub now features six bars as well as a kid-friendly courtyard with playground and beer garden.
There are plenty of traditional elements poking through — original beams, fireplaces and exposed brick — as well as modern touches such as the sports bar and updated menu with classic pub fare as well as some refined snack options.