From surfside eats to upscale cocktails, Western Australia delivers an eclectic dining and drinking scene worth exploring. Here, we discover where to wine, dine and unwind.

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When you’re after woodfired pizza, a sunset spritz, or a moody bar with top-shelf spirits, this guide introduces specific venues—starting with a standout local favourite—where quality, vibe, and regional character meet.

General Public Food Co – Community-Focused Dining In Scarborough & Inglewood

At the heart of two Perth suburbs—beachy Scarborough and inner-urban Inglewood—General Public Food Co strikes a balance between laid-back ambiance and gourmet execution. Known for its fermented sourdough base and locally sourced toppings, the menu revolves around artisan pizzas ($19–$26), all-day brunch options, and handmade doughnuts.

In Scarborough (5/19 Doric Street), the breezy courtyard attracts post-surf crowds and casual families, while Inglewood’s corner location (882 Beaufort Street) caters to commuters and locals in need of woodfired warmth. Both venues serve WA craft beers from Feral Brewing and Gage Roads, along with rotating natural wines and espresso-based drinks. The service is informal, but passionate—reflecting its founder-led philosophy.

You won’t need to book unless you’re planning to visit on Friday evenings. Budget $30–$50 per person for a relaxed, high-quality meal. The team also sells pizza dough and bagels to-go—a nod to its sourdough roots. You can find more information on generalpublic.com.au

Republic Of Fremantle – High-End Distilling Meets Social Dining

A 35-minute drive from Perth lands you in Fremantle’s creative quarter, home to the Republic of Fremantle, a working distillery, cocktail bar, and kitchen. Opened in 2020, it produces its own vodka and gin from local Verdelho grapes—making it one of Australia’s only “grain-to-glass” urban distilleries.

The bar’s aesthetic is polished-industrial: dark terrazzo, brass accents, and a massive copper still glowing in the back. Cocktails like the “Verde Gimlet” or “Bloody Jasmine” average $21, and there’s a guided tasting flight ($29) for newcomers.

The dining menu, developed by ex-Fleur chef Emily Jones, is elegant but shareable: think kingfish crudo ($24), charred eggplant with tahini ($17), and wagyu beef tartare ($29). Bookings are recommended for dinner, especially Thursday through Saturday. Expect to spend $60–$100 per person depending on drinks.

Wines Of While – Minimalist Natural Wine Bar In Northbridge

If you prefer unfiltered, low-intervention wines and good bread, Wines of While in Northbridge is your haven. This no-reservations wine bar has built a cult following since opening in 2018 for its moody ambiance and curated Euro-Australian wine list. Bottles start at $50; by-the-glass pours range from $12–$18.

The menu changes weekly but centres on thoughtful, seasonal plates: think fennel and orange salad, anchovy toast, or handmade pasta with goat cheese. There’s no music—just the hum of conversation and the clink of Riedel glasses. Seating spills onto William Street, especially in spring.

It’s walk-in only, so arrive before 6 pm if you want a table. Solo diners, dates, and artists frequent this spot. Budget $40–$80 depending on your thirst.

Besk – Subterranean Tap House With Global Reach In West Leederville

Tucked beside a bottle shop, Besk is part neighbourhood bar, part culinary lab. Its rotating tap list features 20 beers—local and imported—while the back fridge boasts rare lambics, Japanese stouts, and experimental Aussie brews. Most pints range $10–$14; bottles can hit $45+.

The interior is sleek and subterranean with warm timber, exposed concrete, and an open kitchen serving upscale pub fare. Popular dishes include the hot honey fried chicken burger ($24), seasonal ceviche ($26), and mushroom miso rice bowl ($21). Vegan and gluten-free options are marked.

It fills up after 5:30 pm, especially on weekends, but staff keep things moving. Expect high energy, knowledgeable bar staff, and a demographic of foodies, beer nerds, and casual creatives. Set aside $50–$90 depending on food and bottle selections.

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Liberty Alive – Small Bar With Big Energy In Perth CBD

Liberty Alive, formerly known as Tiny’s, rebranded in late 2024 with a sharper focus on sustainable cocktails and nightlife energy. Located inside QV1 Plaza, this bar blends live DJs with a punchy drinks list built around WA botanicals and native ingredients.

Cocktails include the “Desert Lime Negroni” ($20), wattleseed espresso martinis ($19), and rotating barrel-aged specials. Food options are concise but clever: beef tartare tostadas ($15), grilled tiger prawns ($24), and za’atar flatbreads ($10).

The interior is edgy—with neon lights, street-art murals, and a half-indoor, half-patio layout that works rain or shine. Thursdays and Fridays get loud after 8 pm. This is not a quiet date spot—it’s where you go to meet up and catch momentum. Cover $60–$80 per person for a full night out.

The Flour Factory – Gin-Centric Dining With Rooftop Views

Located in a 100-year-old former flour mill on Queen Street, The Flour Factory fuses Perth’s colonial architecture with one of the most extensive gin collections in the country. The three-storey space includes a bustling main bar, casual dining area, and the rooftop “Sherry”—a leafy terrace with city skyline views.

Popular with the CBD after-work crowd, the venue specializes in gin cocktails like the Flour Power (Four Pillars Shiraz Gin, Cocchi Rosa, lemon, whites) and classic G&Ts using local spirits such as West Winds or Old Young’s. Gin flights start at $25 and rotate monthly.

The kitchen offers modern Australian bar fare with tapas leanings: try the duck fat potatoes ($14), gin-cured salmon ($23), or their group-friendly Feed Me menu at $55pp. Weeknight gin masterclasses often sell out, and “Bottomless Gnocchi” Wednesdays bring in a younger crowd.

Bookings are wise for weekends and rooftop events. Expect to spend $50–$80 per guest depending on cocktails. It’s a lively, stylish venue for group hangs or weekday indulgence.

Mechanics Institute – Rooftop Burgers And Laneway Cool

Hidden above a laneway in Northbridge, Mechanics Institute delivers one of Perth’s most iconic small-bar experiences. Accessed via a nondescript stairway behind William Street, this rooftop bar mixes reclaimed timber, graffiti murals, and barstools warmed by fairy lights.

It’s known for its burger collab with downstairs eatery Flipside—order the “Chilli Jam Bacon Burger” ($18) and have it delivered straight to your rooftop table. Seasonal cocktail specials like the Salted Plum Negroni ($19) and Cinnamon Manhattan reflect its offbeat but clever menu.

The crowd is a mix of uni students, creatives, and longtime locals. There’s no dress code, no bookings, and often no space after 6:30 pm—arrive early or expect to queue.

Beer taps rotate WA microbrews like Rocky Ridge or Otherside; prices sit around $12–$15 per pint. DJs and low-key acoustic sessions run Thursday to Saturday. The vibe? Gritty, welcoming, and always a little wild.

Budget $35–$60 for food and drinks. It’s not polished—but it doesn’t try to be. That’s the point.

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Endnote

Western Australia’s bar and dining culture isn’t just about venues—it’s about discovery. New openings in regional towns like Albany and Denmark are expanding the scene beyond Perth, with microbreweries and vineyard eateries gaining ground. Whether you’re chasing hidden rooftops or coastal cellar doors, WA’s hospitality future is just getting started.