The Sitchu Awards 2025 Winners: Western Australia

The 2025 Sitchu Award winners are in and Vin Populi took out Best Date Night Spot, Light Years was named Best New Restaurant Opening, and Chu Bakery earned the title of Best Bakery. After counting thousands of votes from readers across Western Australia, all nine category winners and their runners-up have officially been crowned. These are the venues, businesses and neighbourhood heroes that WA locals say make everyday life a little more special.

The Sitchu Awards 2025 WA Winning Categories

Best Date Night Spot in Perth 2025

The restaurants, rooftop hideaways, or bars that set the stage for unforgettable evenings.

Winner: Vin Populi

From the team behind No Mafia and Balthazar, Vin Populi feels like stumbling into a romantic neighbourhood trattoria somewhere on the Italian coast. Set amongst charming heritage-rich buildings in Fremantle’s West End, the restaurant hums with Italian-accented staff, vintage Italo-pop and the clatter of shared plates. Forget printed menus: each day’s offering is handwritten on a giant chalkboard, with seasonal antipasti, housemade pasta and produce-driven dishes taking centre stage.

Fremantle

Runner up: Sonny’s Bar

Neighbourhood wine bar Sonny’s does date night dining exceptionally well, with cosy interiors that call for share plates and numerous glasses of wine. Seasonal WA ingredients are celebrated across award-winning Head Chef Sofika Boulton’s menu: crudos made with fresh local seafood dressed in house-made vinegars, charred kipfler potatoes served with koji crème fraîche and wood-fired pork collar doused in preserved olive leaf jus. The specifics change often, but it’s always delicious.

Mount Hawthorn

Best Deli or Sandwich Spot in Perth 2025

Where the sandwiches are stacked high, the flavours bold, and tomorrow’s cravings are guaranteed.

Winner: Two Slices Sandwich Bar

Home to some of Perth’s most viral creations between bread, Two Slices Sandwich Bar is a solid choice for Perth’s best sandwiches. Each one starts with fresh-baked, fluffy focaccia, before being piled high with your choice of quality fillings, from Italian meats and cheeses to fresh salads, herbs and house-made creams. Pair with a pistachio or tiramisu iced latte from their drinks list and enjoy down at the beach for a true taste of WA at its best.

Scarborough

Runner up: The Re Store

With 90 years and four generations of conti roll making to its name, The Re Store feels so ingrained in the fabric of WA life, we’d quite frankly be lost without it. Praised for its fully customisable rolls, authentic Italian ingredients (think freshly sliced meats, cheese and antipasto fillings) and consistently great value, The Re Store is wholly deserving of its legendary status.

Leederville & Northbridge

Best Bakery in Perth 2025

Those irresistible loaves, pastries, or cakes you’ll happily queue for.

Winner: Chu Bakery

There’s pretty much always a queue at Chu Bakery, but it’s hardly surprising. Led by husband-and-wife team Ryan and Seren Chu, the French-inspired bakery’s twice-baked croissants, brioche doughnuts (the salted caramel doughnut is a standout), baguettes and seasonal delights are always worth the wait. Plus, the line generally moves quite quickly, and with Hyde Park right across the road, you can take your coffee and treat and enjoy them picnic-style on the grass.

Highgate

Runner up: Last Crumb Cake Co

Last Crumb Cake Co is the neighbourhood bakeshop dreams are made of. Just picture cabinets stacked with wildly creative (and generously sized) cakes, hearty pies and flakey artisanal pastries, all backed by a country-style charm and genuinely warm service. Some of the standouts include their signature cinnamon scrolls, carrot cake cheesecake and curry chicken pies, but the list of quality sweet and savoury treats feels endless.

Bassendean

Best Neighbourhood Bar in Perth 2025

A glass of local vino, a crafted cocktail, or the easy hum of your favourite haunt.

Winner: Besk

Few venues blur the line between local pub and neighbourhood bar quite like Besk. The West Leederville favourite pairs 26 rotating taps, a smart by-the-glass wine list and an expertly curated bottle shop with Head Chef Tom Harper’s fire-led menu of contemporary share plates. The result is a neighbourhood haunt that feels equally suited to a quick drink, a long lunch or an impromptu night out with friends.

West Leederville

Runner up: Lums Wine Bar

Set within a heritage-listed 1920s terrace on Hay Street, Lums Wine Bar is made for relaxed afternoons, weekend sips and romantic date nights. The wine list is extensive, with local faves through to international drops (many of which are available by the glass), and all pairs perfectly with the Spanish-inspired share plates on offer.

Subiaco

Best Region For a Weekend Escape in WA 2025

A close-to-home getaway with standout eats, scenic allure, and undeniable local character.

Winner: The Margaret River

Home to pristine surf and swimming beaches, world-class wineries and some of the state’s best destination diners, all just a few hours’ drive south of Perth, Margaret River remains one of Perth’s go-to weekend escapes. Days here feel delightfully unhurried: morning beach walks, meandering drives through ancient forests, tasting sessions overlooking sprawling vineyards and outdoor baths beneath star-studded stars.

Runner up: The Great Southern Region

Located about 4.5 hours southeast of Perth, The Great Southern rewards effort. A longer drive opens you up to a world of wildly beautiful natural wonders: rugged cliffs, majestic 400-year-old canopies and migrating whales. Add some of the state’s finest seafood and exceptional cool-climate wines like Riesling and Shiraz, and you’ll find all the excuses you need to make the trip.

Best New Restaurant Opening in Perth 2025

The newcomer already winning hearts and setting the bar high.

Winner: Light Years

The East Coast favourite’s first WA outpost has been one of Perth’s most anticipated openings in recent memory, and thankfully, Light Years has delivered. The sleek new restaurant pairs modern Asian flavours with immersive interiors and an atmosphere that leans heavily into fun. Crowd-pleasing dishes like snapper sashimi, crispy pork belly and wagyu beef rendang sit alongside inventive cocktails, making it just as suited to group celebrations as spontaneous weeknight dinners.

Perth CBD

Runner up: Cantina di Lulu La Delizia

When one of Perth’s most beloved Italian restaurants opens a wine bar next door, expectations are understandably high. Fortunately, Cantina di Lulu La Delizia delivers. The cantina channels the same love of Italian food found at Lulu La Delizia, but in a more casual setting, with oversized panini, aperitivo-friendly snacks, daily pasta specials and excellent drinks all designed for lingering a little longer than planned.

Subiaco

Best Coffee Spot in Perth 2025

From perfectly pulled espresso shots to artisan brews, the cafes that get it right every single time.

Winner: Community Coffee Co

Part cafe, part community hub, Community Coffee Co has built a loyal following on consistently excellent coffee and genuinely welcoming service. Whether you’re grabbing a quick takeaway or settling in for a slow morning, the team takes its brews seriously, working with quality beans and skilled baristas to ensure every cup hits the mark. For a delicious start to your day, you also can’t go past their egg sandos (add hashbrown and fermented chilli sauce) and gloriously naughty sausage and egg muffins.

Subiaco

Runner up: Micrology Coffee

For coffee lovers who like to geek out over origin, processing and flavour profiles, Micrology Coffee remains one of Perth’s most respected names. Roasting its own beans and serving carefully crafted espresso and filter coffee, the Osborne Park institution has spent years setting the standard for specialty coffee in WA. The fact that it still feels approachable is part of its enduring appeal.

Osborne Park

Best Small Local Business in Perth 2025

Lifestyle, Beauty, Fashion, Wellness — the boutique and independent spots that bring personality, purpose and real community presence.

Winner: LA LUNA

More than just a boutique, LA LUNA has cultivated a loyal following through its thoughtful approach to style and retail. The beautifully curated Inglewood store is filled with decor, accessories and lifestyle pieces chosen for their quality, longevity and effortless appeal. Whether you’re refreshing your home or searching for the perfect gift, it’s a place that makes shopping feel inspiring again.

Inglewood

Runner up: Arrival Hall

Since landing in Northbridge in 2019, Arrival Hall has become one of Perth’s most distinctive lifestyle destinations. The beautifully curated cafe and design store brings together homewares, art, books and decor from local and international makers, alongside creative brunch plates and top coffee, all within a light-filled heritage building. Whether you come to shop or eat, you’re bound to leave inspired.

Northbridge

Best Foodie Suburb in Perth 2025

The neighbourhoods that pack a serious punch, serving up big flavours from hidden cafes to local culinary gems.

Winner: Fremantle

Few suburbs can rival Fremantle’s dining credentials right now. From destination restaurants and bustling small bars to long-standing institutions and neighbourhood cafes, the port city offers remarkable variety within a highly walkable pocket. Whether you’re chasing market eats, handmade pasta, fresh seafood or a perfect bakery bite, there’s always another great meal waiting around the corner.

Runner up: Mount Lawley

Mount Lawley continues to prove that great hospitality doesn’t need to be confined to the CBD. Anchored by Beaufort Street, the suburb packs an impressive concentration of restaurants, bars, bakeries and cafes into a relatively small stretch. On any given day, you can move from specialty coffee to long lunch, aperitivo and late-night snacks without ever needing to move your car.

What Are the Sitchu Awards?

The inaugural Sitchu Awards set out to celebrate the places that shape the way we live, dine and play across Western Australia, from the bakery that starts your morning just right to the neighbourhood bar that feels like a living room.

Here’s how it worked: nominations opened to Sitchu readers across WA, giving the community the chance to put forward the spots that truly matter to them. Sitchu’s editors then curated five finalists across each of the nine categories. Voting then re-opened, with thousands of reader votes determining the winners. The results are entirely reader-driven; no editorial panel, no paid placements.

FAQs About the Sitchu Awards WA 2025

Who won the Sitchu Awards WA 2025?

The nine category winners for WA in 2025 were: Vin Populi (Best Date Night Spot), Two Slices Sandwich Bar (Best Deli or Sandwich Spot), Chu Bakery (Best Bakery), Community Coffee Co (Best Coffee Spot), Besk (Best Neighbourhood Bar), The Margaret River (Best Region for a Weekend Escape), Light Years (Best New Restaurant Opening), LA LUNA (Best Small Local Business), and Fremantle (Best Foodie Suburb). Community Coffee Co and Chu Bakery were among the most celebrated, each earning strong reader support across Perth.

What is the best weekend getaway from Perth in WA?

The Margaret River region was voted the best region for a weekend escape in WA by Sitchu readers in 2025. Located a few hours south of Perth, it is recognised for its world-class wineries, pristine surf beaches and strong restaurant scene, with days that feel genuinely unhurried from morning beach walks through to tasting sessions overlooking sprawling vineyards. The Great Southern Region was named runner-up, sitting around 4.5 hours southeast of Perth and noted for its rugged natural scenery, exceptional cool-climate wines and some of the state’s finest seafood.

What is the best foodie suburb in Perth?

Fremantle was voted the best foodie suburb in Perth by Sitchu readers in 2025, recognised for the remarkable concentration of dining it packs into a highly walkable area. It covers significant ground across occasions and price points, from destination restaurants and natural wine bars to neighbourhood cafes and fresh seafood, with Vin Populi — the 2025 Best Date Night Spot winner — among its standout venues. Mount Lawley was named runner-up, with Beaufort Street offering one of Perth’s strongest concentrations of restaurants, bars, bakeries and cafes in a compact stretch.

What is the best bakery in Perth?

Chu Bakery in Highgate was voted the best bakery in Perth by Sitchu readers in 2025. Led by husband-and-wife team Ryan and Seren Chu, the French-inspired bakery is known for its twice-baked croissants, brioche doughnuts and seasonal pastries that regularly draw a queue, with Hyde Park directly across the road making it easy to enjoy your order picnic-style. Last Crumb Cake Co in Bassendean was named runner-up, recognised for its generously sized cakes, artisanal pastries and signature cinnamon scrolls.

What is the best new restaurant in Perth?

Light Years took out Best New Restaurant Opening in Perth for 2025, as voted by Sitchu readers. The East Coast favourite’s first WA outpost pairs modern Asian flavours with immersive interiors and a high-energy atmosphere in the CBD, with crowd-pleasing dishes like snapper sashimi, crispy pork belly and wagyu beef rendang making it equally suited to group celebrations and spontaneous weeknight dinners. Cantina di Lulu La Delizia in Subiaco was named runner-up, bringing a casual Italian cantina format next door to the much-loved Lulu La Delizia.

How were the Sitchu Awards 2025 winners chosen?

The Sitchu Awards 2025 were entirely reader-driven. Sitchu’s community was first invited to nominate their favourite venues and businesses across nine categories. After nominations closed, Sitchu’s editors curated five finalists per category. Voting then re-opened, with thousands of reader votes from across Western Australia determining the final winners. There was no editorial panel involved in the outcome and no paid placements — every winner reflects what WA locals genuinely love.

Now that you’ve caught up on Sitchu’s 2025 award winners, check out the best new restaurants in Perth and the best new cafes and bakeries in Perth.