We’ve put together a list of our favourite things to do over a weekend in the big apple of the west. Featuring the best eats, coffee spots, nights out and activities Perth has to offer, check out these local gems.
BEST EATS
You’ve gotta break bread before (and ideally after) you spill milk. You might as well eat good.
PEGGY’S
High on our hit list whenever we’re in town, Peggy’s in Fremantle serves up some of the best sandwiches in the west. They do their own take on a brekkie mcmuffin (which, paired with an iced coffee, is essentially an elixir of life if you’re nursing a hangover), but look further down the menu for the real magic and be sure to get a donut to go. We’ve been using Peggy’s coasters since our last visit because we a) love sandwiches, and b) enjoy the design reference to the P emoji. Free YSL!
AUTHENTIC BITES DUMPLING HOUSE
A classic, cheap and cheerful local dumpling house, Authentic Bites is a certified Perth institution. The line never lies and there’s always a line. Wait times usually aren’t too bad though and the dishes are more than worth it.
CLAREMONT HOTEL
Who doesn’t love a pub feed? The Claremont Hotel does all the classics with distinction and if you’re feeling fancy also has a typically WA penchant for seafood. YUM. Its bottomless high tea is also a big hit, just be sure to book ahead and remember to down a few waters between drinks.
A TREAT
If you’re looking for something extra delicious, you’ll often hear, ‘you’ve gotta go to Wildflower,’ but you can also check out all of WA’s hatted restaurants right here. Go ahead, treat yourself.
DAMN GOOD COFFEE
LA VEEN
Situated on King Street’s boutique shopping strip in the city centre, La Veen Coffee is right up there for the best drop in Perth. It’s a walk-ins only type of joint with coffees and pastries and that’s it. The coffees and pastries are THAT GOOD.
THE OTHERSIDE
Great for coffee dates, brunches or a pre-festival caffeine fix, The Other Side in Claremont/Cottesloe/Swanbourne (it’s kind of in the grey space between all three – hence the name) is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. A firm favourite for all your cafe classics.
GESHA
Of all the coffee shops to choose from in Fremantle, we’ve got a soft spot for this local haunt. Freshly roasted on site, which you can literally see happening before your eyes, every coffee at Gesha is a masterclass in Italian methods and machinery.
THINGS TO DO
ROTTNEST ISLAND
Home to one of our most precious national treasures, the quokka, you could do way worse things in life than a Rottnest Island day trip. We’ve never really understood the expression ‘cute as a button’, but these lil dudes are CUTE and well worth the short ferry ride from Fremantle. Once on the island, you can rent bikes, snorkelling gear, paddle boards and more, or just enjoy things at your own pace.
COMEDY LOUNGE
Have a laugh with your mates at one of Perth’s most iconic live performance venues. Conveniently located on Murray Street in the CBD, Comedy Lounge is our go-to for giggles with live standup Wednesday through Saturday nights. The pizzas are good and the drinks are too. Just don’t sit in the front row unless you’re in the mood for a roast. Consider yourselves warned.
AGWA
Get in touch with your creative side at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Housing the State Art Collection as well as a revolving door of exciting exhibitions, a day at AGWA is a day well spent. Make sure you pop upstairs to check out the open-air sculpture walk as well as the view from Perth’s largest rooftop venue. A sunset drink should be on the cards.
AFTER DARK
BENNY’S FREMANTLE
If you’re looking for a drink and a dance in Freo – that’s what we’re calling ‘Fremantle’ from here on in the article (bc at this point we’re basically locals) – Benny’s is the spot. Make the most of the live music and DJ sets with your mates on Friday and Saturday nights. There’s no such thing as too much fun, right?
THE VAULT
If you feel like basement doof this is the spot to go, The Vault has live drum & bass, house, garage and techno sets on the weekends so you can dance, dance, dance to your heart’s content
SHOPPING
CLAREMONT QUARTER
Fancy a spot of shopping? Claremont Quarter is your one-stop destination for everything from beauty for Spilt Milk makeup and recovery to last-minute outfit inspo or a grocery run, and is a couple cuts above your average shopping centre.
KING STREET
Here’s the go. Murray Street Mall and Hay Street Mall have got all your classics and they’re open air so you can enjoy some sun while you shop. If you’re looking for something a little bit special, we’d recommend the short walk to King Street where you’ll find coveted local retailers like Highs & Lows and Hypnotise alongside international luxury fashion houses.