What’s happening in Perth food news this week
Hungry for what’s happening in Perth’s food and hospitality scene?
Here’s a deliciously snackable selection of the latest in Perth food news:
Even more Mane!
We’ve long-extolled the virtues of specialty bottleshop, beer mecca and all-round legends Mane – and we were stoked to discover that there’s even more Mane in the works! Opening at Bicton Central Shopping Centre next month, the store will join the impressive foodie neighbourhood that includes Fins, Princi Butchers, Rym Tarng, Hunter Bread, Venn Coffee, Pluck Salad and Fresh Provs.
Ribs Lane opens in Subi
Subi just keeps popping up in our inboxes, with a seemingly constant influx of new venues to keep us well-fed. The latest is Ribs Lane, which opened at the end of last year following the BBQ rib-induced frenzy of its Mount Lawley location opening. Since that initial location opening, they’ve expanded their offerings to also include crazy feasts like a one metre-long pizza (devour it in 30 minutes and you’ll win free food for a year), seafood boils and more.
Napoleon Street’s newest negronis
Another opening from the tail end of 2024, Cottesloe welcomed negroni bar Coccodrillo to Napoleon Street. From the former owner of Mount Hawthorn favourite Pappagallo, Coccodrillo is mixing up a signature menu of negronis and spritzes with a twist, Italian share plates and indulgent pastas. That ain’t all though – just 100 metres away, Coccodrillo Pizza & Vino is also set to open at the end of January!
Subi Continental says “see you soon”
One of the many mammoth 2023 openings that brought Subi’s eating and drinking back to life following its years of hibernation (and one of our fave spots for an alfresco wine and snack), Subi Continental has hit pause… But it’s not goodbye forever! The venue closed their doors last week, and are set to reopen later in the year following a refresh.
An icon says farewell…
We reckon that just about every Perth business deal of the ’90s involved a long lunch at Coco’s – and now, after more than 35 years, the South Perth icon and celebrity haunt has announced they’ll be closing their doors later this month.
“As we are unable to extend our lease it is with heavy heart that we will be closing the business from Sunday 19th of January,” the venue wrote on social media late last week. Customers who have made bookings for after the 19th will have their deposits refunded.
Wards stays up late
We’re big fans around these parts of a cheeky brunch at Wards – and we’ve been waiting with bated breath for the time that they can finally start a dinner service. Well, the wait is over! The start of summer saw them kick off a series of Friday dinners, which has now expanded into Thursday-Saturday nights. Expanding on their signature lunch menu, it’s a pleasing, oft-changing selection of Euro-ish plates: think warm bread with French butter and saucisson, stracciatella with charred cherry tomatoes, “London” roast chicken, skirt steak with peppercorn sauce (don’t miss out on a serve of those amazing chips to go with!) or a old-school burger. Don’t forget about their rather tempting wine list, too…
Say hello to Rotto’s newest two restaurants
Heading over to Rotto this summer? Not only did Lodge Wadjemup officially open their doors on Boxing Day, but the hotel’s two new eateries also opened ahead of schedule on December 19. Overlooking the salt lake and with, as you’d expect, stunning sunset views, Sunsets Bar and Dining brings an all-day, Mediterranean-inspired menu to the island, while casual coffee and soft serve kiosk Pelican is positively drenched in summer nostalgia.
Margaritaville, searchin’ for my long lost shaker of salt…
Leederville’s spiciest, juiciest festival is back for the fifth time, with the return of Margaritaville to the Garden, Servo and Leederville Hotel later this month. The biggest edition yet, you’ll have your pick of self-guided margarita adventures, endless refills alongside Mexican feasts, and a Latin take on the precinct’s signature Oyster Club Unlimited. ¡Ay, caramba!
Catch up on all of the best openings of 2024!
Didn’t quite manage to stay on top of all the bars, restaurants and cafés that opened over the past year? We don’t blame you: there were so many exciting new venues that we could barely keep up ourselves! Check out our best new restaurant, bar and café openings of 2024 roundup over here.
Yeah the boil!
Seen one too many seafood boil mukbangs on your TikTok feed and need to have one yourself? Yeah the Boil has launched – bringing some truly extravagant seafood boils to bars across Perth, as well as limited orders for having at home. They’re only just starting out, but we reckon this pop up is going to pop off in 2025.
Masseria opens in Margs
Bringing together a pedigreed chef (Ben Jacob) and winemaker (Larry Cherubino) for Italian farmhouse dining on Caves Road – read our full write up on Masseria here!
Japanese-inspired late night lounge Zypher is now open
Opening over the weekend, Zypher will take you from drinking and dining into late night revelry – all under one roof, hidden down a city laneway. Read our full write up here.
Jooey’s smashes into Laika this summer
We hope you’re feeling hungry, because Chef Jooey is launching another pop up at Laika. First there was fried chicken waffles, then poké bowls, and then teeteringly high pancake stacks… And next up is Jooey’s Burgers. Available exclusively on weekends during summer, the lineup includes an extra-cheesy cheeseburger with Oklahoma-style smash patties on a croissant bun, a mushroom and truffle burger with truffled mushrooms, a poutine burger with smoked cheese, crispy fries and rich gravy on a pretzel bun, plus a tteokgalbi brekkie muffin, which puts a Korean spin on a classic beef patty brekkie muffin!
Northbridge’s Henry Summer to call last drinks before Christmas
Northbridge’s lush beer garden Henry Summer closed their doors at the end of 2024 – but it’s not the end for this urban oasis. Read our full write up here!
Magic Apple, up late
Magic Apple has been popping off since opening in October – and you can count us amongst the crowds that have been sipping and snacking at the psychedelic beachside café. Now that they’re well and truly up-and-running, they’re extending their hours to 9PM, so you can enjoy dinner and the spectacular Cott sunset every night! Dinners kicked off from Wednesday, December 11… If you ask us, we reckon booking ahead would be a sensible idea!
Voi Voi has opened in Bassendean
A brand new pizza and pasta bar opened in Basso in December, from the same crew as Mount Hawthorn’s Il Falco! Read our full write-up here.
Charim Korean brings elevated gisa sikdang to Northbridge
Quietly opening back in November, we’re excited for the arrival of Charim to Northbridge. Chef Hyun channels his 18 years of experience to elevate the tradition of gisa sikdang. Directly translating as “driver restaurant”, gisa sikdang are popular amongst Korea’s taxi drivers, and known for their comforting, unpretentious style of food. Charim’s signature is their Je-yuk Bokkeum: stir-fried pork with a sweet and spicy marinade, paired with a selection of seven house-made banchan – but you also can’t go past the pork jowl bossam, which pairs tender pork jowl with house-made kimchi and barley ssamjang.
All you need is love! Lovers opens in White Gum Valley
We’re head over heels for this retro-inspired diner that just opened in White Gum Valley – from the same team as Good Things and Double Double coffee. Read more here!
Ruinbar’s transformation is complete
Back in October, Northbridge’s Ruinbar called last drinks – two-and-a-bit years after first opening their doors. It wasn’t goodbye forever, though! The same crew from Picabar took over in August 2023, and they’ve just reopened as the Leadlight – with a re-jigged menu (Cheeseburgers with calabrian mayo! Conti rolls! Steaks with curly fries and béarnaise!) and courtyard reno. It sure is a dangerous day to be a cold beer…
FOUND. Subi has opened their doors!
FOUND. emerged in 2022 with a bang – announcing their role in one of the most-talked about projects of the last few years, an ambitious brewery at East Perth’s Girls School redevelopment that aimed to bring the regional experience to the inner city. After that ambitious project was put on hold indefinitely, they set up shop at their leafy Byford brewpub – and now, they’re expanding even further with a new pop-up in Maylands that opened earlier in the year, and a Subi brewpub that’s just opened their doors!
Taking over the former Golden West site on Hay Street, the venue and its 15-hectolitre brewery have been given an upgrade over the past six months, including a shmick reno to the courtyard just in time for summer. Able to host 350 beer-lovers across its indoor and outdoor spaces, you can expect to taste a whopping 24 taps of FOUND beers, alongside a geographically-diverse, crowd-pleasing menu from head chef Ian Macintosh – think elevated takes on Dagwood dogs and burgers, New-York inspired pizza, and deliciously decadent snacks like ox tail donuts.
Ongrill brings bibimbap, and KBBQ to Bulwer Street
A stroll in Highgate over the weekend meant an impromptu visit to the just-open Ongrill – read our full write-up here!
Heading down south this summer?
Make sure to visit Lunch Shack – a lunch bar going above and beyond in Margaret River’s industrial area. Read our full write-up here!
Miss Chow’s has come to Margs!
WA’s stunning South West has always been one of the world’s great eating and drinking destinations – but lately, it’s been going from strength to strength! The latest addition is the unmistakable Miss Chow’s, who will be taking up residence at the picturesque Edwards Estate in Cowaramup. Opening in November, you can expect the same vibrant flavours and atmosphere of Miss Chow’s Perth dining rooms in a spectacular regional setting – rolling green vineyards and wide blue skies paired with dishes like Margaret River venison tartare and soy-cured egg yolk, crispy dumplings filled with Amelia Park lamb or sang choy bao made with smoked Wagin duck.
“We saw an opportunity to offer something a little different,” said Miss Chow’s restauranteur Jacquie Chan.
“Modern Asian food with a relaxed feel. Margaret River has amazing dining options, but we believe the blend of approachable Asian dishes with great local wines and a beautiful vineyard setting brings something new to the mix.”
“It’s a stunning place with a strong food and wine culture that we’ve wanted to be part of for a long while. Partnering with Edwards makes this project even more meaningful, and we feel it’s the ideal location to bring this concept to life.”
Lola’s is launching a slice window!
We’ve been staunch supporters of Lola’s since they opened back in 2023, and we reckon you’ll be in the same boat if you’ve tried their crispy-edged, oh-so-cheesy Detroit-style pies or nostalgia-meets-artisanal classic pies. We’ve got great news, hot outta the oven for you: every weekend for the summer, they’ll be slinging slices from a brand new to-go slice window on Market Street. Swing past every Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 12-2:30PM and thank us later.
The former Tiger Lil’s is reopening this summer!
Are you old enough to remember partying at Tiger Lil’s? (We are!) The old CBD party haunt is entering a new era this summer after years laying dormant, transforming into multi-level contemporary pub Lil’s. Read our full write-up about it here!
Serpentine Falls Tavern has reopened!
Following a six year closure, Serpentine Falls Tavern officially softly reopened at the start of November. Over 120 years old, the pub underwent significant renovations before reopening – tackling everything from re-pointing exterior brickwork to totally gutting the kitchen and bathrooms. Just a few minutes’ from the super popular Serpentine Falls trail, it’s sure to become a favourite hike and pint combo while the Falls are still flowing!
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Off Licence takes up residence at BWB
Every time we think Beaconsfield Wine Bar might ease up, they launch another unmissable pop up that we have to get around! This time around, the stellar Off Licence will be taking up residence for the summer – offering a weekly changing dinner menu of chef Drew Dawson’s favourite dishes every Thursday-Sunday, starting back on November 14. Clear your calendars and head down there!
Little Creatures is opening at Elizabeth Quay!
Big news for city-slickin’ beer lovers: Little Creatures is opening a huge new venue in Elizabeth Quay. Read our full write up here.
Header Image: Ribs Lane
Got some food news we need to know about? We’d love to hear about it – drop us a line at food@perthisok.com!