Northbridge is the coolest residential district in central Perth according to my research so I got an AirBnB there for a week. You’ll find some of the more avante garde restaurants here and it also serves as the city’s Asiatown with lots of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese businesses. There are lots of great boozers too. Here are some of my favourites, there are lots more on my map.
Lot Twenty (Intermediate B+), 198-206 William Street, www.lot20.co
This gastro pub is a nice little spot. I’d like to come back try some other things off the menu but I was brought here by the promise of great oysters from Jerry Fraser the (self-dubbed?) ‘King of Oysters’. He’s at different pubs on different days so check his movements on oystershucker.com.au. He’s a nice chap and very happy to chat.
It was to be my first experience of local oysters and I wanted to learn as much as I could from him. For $25 he gave me a mixed half dozen of Rocks (not the same as UK Rocks apparently) and Pacifics which, like all Aussie oysters are farmed.
The Rocks won hands down (B+) being more creamy and salty than the Pacifics, although they were pretty decent too (B).
I really wanted to try the local Angasi mud oysters but these are only available in the autumn apparently.
It was fun listening to Jerry talk about his time working in oyster bars in London. His personal opinion is that Scottish Lock Fyne oysters www.lochfyne.com are the best in the world which is something I need to test for myself.
Shadow Wine Bar (Intermediate B+), 214 William Street, shadowwinebar.com.au
This is a great place to try West Australian wines although with full priced servings of only 100ml, I could only justify one visit.
I had the Spagehettini with crab, tomatoes and the tiniest capers I’ve ever seen (B+).
The Woodlands Wilyabrup Valley Chardonnay was truly excellent (A) but I felt the pours were a bit stingy at $10 per 100ml glass. The total bill came to $54. Not cheap but I’d definitely go again.
Okay Vietnamese (Intermediate B+), 6/457 William Street
There are many Vietnamese restaurants in the neighbourhood but this is defintely a good one.
I enjoyed their raw beef Pho Tai soup (B+). Wish I’d had time to try the rest of the menu.
Ichiraku (Elementary B), 43 Monger Street, www.facebook.com/ramenichirakuperth
There are better ramen-ya bars in the CBD but this is the best in the neighbourhood. I had the ‘Signature Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen’ and a rack of five Gyoza dumplings (both B) for A$25.50.
I wouldn’t bother with Oceans (C) at 62 Roe Street. It’s fine at a pinch but their broth doesn’t cut it for me.
The Re Store (High Intermediate A), 72 Lake Street, www.facebook.com/therestore.northbridge
This big old deli is great for getting stuff to take home, especially wine. I’m sure the café is good too.
They have an even bigger and better branch at 231 Oxford Street in Leederville. m.facebook.com/restoreoxford
GOOD PUBS IN NORTHBRIDGE:
Brass Monkey Hotel (Intermediate A), William Street corner of James Street, www.thebrassmonkey.com.au
A nice old pub with lots of different bars with areas for playing pool, watching sports, sitting outside or being quiet. It’s centrally located on the city side of the neighbourhood.
The Brisbane Hotel (Intermediate A), 292 Beaufort Street, www.thebrisbanehotel.com.au
The spacious beer garden often features good house music DJs from abroad. Think this might be one to avoid though.
The Standard (Intermediate B+), 28 Roe Street, www.thestandardperth.com.au
Their terrace is a great place to watch the sun go down. Food looks good.
Picabar (Intermediate B+), 51 James Street, www.picabar.com.au
A popular drinking spot near the Cultural Centre where a lot of people can sit outside under a big tree.
Hyde Park on William Street is a nice place for a leafy walk. Lots of interesting birds and plants, and jacaranda in spring.
So lots to eat and drink, see and do in Northbridge! It’s such a great neighbourhood, wish I could have stayed longer.
Off to Freo next!