Drink, Dine & Brunch: The Best Restaurants in Perth's Northern Suburbs

With younger couples looking to buy their slice of the Perth coastal lifestyle but priced out of go-to beachy areas such as Cottesloe and City Beach, investing in the Northern Beaches areas of Watermans Bay, Mullaloo, Hillarys, Trigg and North Beach has found new appeal. They're also quickly becoming the coastal city epicentres for those living in surrounding suburbs.

Once the home of retirees and more established families, and playing host to a few tired restaurants and suburban cafés, independent, creative retail and hospitality offerings are now opening up left, right and centre, and just a few streets back from the water.  

The food and drink scene in particular is expanding to tasty new heights. So, without further ado, these are the best restaurants in northern suburbs Perth. 

Mister D'Arcy

Artisanal yet cheeky, fresh flavours come alive at Mister D'Arcy in North Beach, where elegant service meets timeless charm. Surrounded by vintage furniture and warm lighting, this inviting spot boasts a world-class wine list and innovative cocktails, all set against a backdrop of cool music and blazing open fires.

Indulge in freshly shucked oysters and a delectable selection of sashimi, perfect for sharing. The atmosphere is effortlessly romantic, making it an ideal place to unwind with someone special.

Plus, their dedicated gluten-free menu adds an impressive touch, ensuring everyone can enjoy the culinary delights.

97 Flora Terrace, North Beach

Spinifex Brewing Co. 

Nestled along West Coast Drive, Spinifex North Beach boasts panoramic views of the stunning Indian Ocean. Soak in the sun, sand and golden evening sunsets while enjoying their sophisticated ocean fare, premium craft beers, wines and cocktails.

Delightful breakfasts and takeaway coffees are also popular here, and the welcoming team enjoying placing refreshing new twists on their dishes, typically inspired by native Indigenous botanicals and local ingredients.

Sitchu Tip: We love their Thursday to Sunday cocktail happy hour, from 3-5pm, or settling in for a tasty parma and pint with their Friday special. 

251 West Coast Drive, North Beach

SKOL, Scarborough

A hidden slice of Scandi on the fringe of Scarborough, SKOL is a gorgeous bar to recline in post-swim, and enjoy a fancy feast of gravlax and oysters, stracciatella with heirloom tomatoes and peaches, charred carrots with carrot puree, dukkah and yoghurt, and boards of charcuterie and cheese. All mopped up with some delicious charred bread, of course. Expect natural wines and Scandi-inspired cocktails too. Light, bright and airy, and with service that's friendly and completely lacking in pretension, it's one of the best spots in the northern coastal 'burbs to drink and dine, to cheers and have a good time. 

35 Ewen Street, Scarborough 

El Grotto

You’ll find some of Scarborough’s best Mexican food at El Grotto on the Esplanade, and it’s the perfect place to grab a casual and delicious meal in the northern suburbs.  

This breezy beachside gem has been known to host a fiesta or two, with live music, DJ sets and an impressive list of cocktails and spirits. Be sure to say 'salud' with glasses of sangria, spicy margs and mandarin spritz and tuck into barbacoa octopus empanadas and bowls of queso, guacamole and chips. 

5/148 The Esplanade, Scarborough

The Lobster Shack

While this one’s a tad further out than the rest (about two hours’ drive from Perth), it’s absolutely worth the drive (especially as the drive is along the coastline). A family owned company, The Thompsons’ Lobster Shack is the complete surf lifestyle experience - from tours of the factory to guided seal-watching trips, SUP hire, and of course, the award-winning seafood creations. The Cervantes Octopus Salad is a winner, as is the WA fresh abalone, but if you want the real Shack experience, you have to go either the Lobster Shack Roll (with their special fishermans’ sauce) or the small whole lobster with garlic butter. Round out the day with a Simmo’s Ice Cream cone and a swim at Hansen’s Bay Beach. 

37 Catalonia Street, Cervantes

Regular Coffee Company

A nice little gem if you’re on the road and slightly more inland than the coastal highway, and perhaps headed into the city for work, RCC is a perfect pick-up coffee on your commute spot. Or sit down and enjoy your brekkie over the paper, with an all-day breakfast menu and all-day brunch on weekends, and fresh home-made burgers for the office lunch run for anyone working in the Carine area. Artisan coffee from local roastery Twin Peaks, and the availability of batch brew, elevates this spot into something special.

Located at 2/10 Gemstone Boulevard, Carine, just off Marmion Avenue

The Little Bay

Sunshine, swing chairs, and service with a smile—The Little Bay is a standout cafe and restaurant in northern suburbs Perth. Sitting pretty in the scenic Watermans Bay, this spot offers a delightful menu of locally sourced, sustainable, and seasonal dishes, alongside craft beers and wine.

With its bohemian coastal chic interiors, The Little Bay is a visual treat—think indoor plants, white-washed décor, and rattan accents. Don’t be surprised if you spot a photoshoot while you enjoy your meal!

Brunch reigns supreme here, so be prepared to queue—or relax in a hanging basket chair with a coffee while you wait. Their cocktail selection is perfect for a laid-back afternoon, complemented by lunch options like chicken thigh skewers with truffle butter, grilled peach salad with stracciatella, and irresistible shoestring fries. Simple yet expertly crafted, The Little Bay is a must-visit!

33 West Coast Drive, Waterman’s Bay

CANTEEN 

An upmarket beach kiosk, CANTEEN is the barefoot little sister of Island Market, the perfect spot to grab a coffee and a bacon and egg roll and get on your way, or sit down out front with the seabreeze and enjoy a sit down breakfast: the smoothie bowls, or the maple-cured bacon and eggs are local favourites. From 11, grab something more filling - tuck into a halloumi burger, fish and chips or a salad. A playground next door,  a kids menu, as well as plenty of carparks, make it a great family-friendly option.

364 West Coast Drive, Trigg

Island Market

With plenty of room and stellar views of Trigg Beach, Island Market is a go-to for nice lunches with friends and birthday dinners. Its pink hued, Miami-style interior theme adds edgy undercurrent to its airy coastal chic vibe.

This is the primo place to relax with friends and share a woodfired pita, or a plate of squid or oysters, or something more upmarket and hearty, like steak or pork belly. A substantial wine list takes you from Margaret River to Greece, with an ‘island’ theme to the international wine choices, as well as a lick of Levantine wine to match the cuisine. Whatever you do, don’t pass up the passionfruit semifreddo for dessert.

364 West Coast Drive, Trigg

The Beach House

Loved by locals, this beachfront restaurant and bar is severely underrated on the restaurant map, and is an ideal spot for a long lunch or afternoon session. Designed by the award-winning Studio Gram (who were shortlisted by the Australian Interior Design Awards for this space) the interiors at The Beach House are a soothing mix of natural timbres, tan leathers, with dark green leather bench-seats and foliage, and muted terrazzo tabletops. The building is designed especially so you can watch the waves of the Indian Ocean roll in; with unmatched views from every aspect of the venue.

Come for the breezy oceanfront location, stay for fridges packed with the craftiest choices and the sharing-style menu offering an array of creative seafood options and inventive takes on staple dishes. 

Simply put, it's one of the best restaurants in Northern Suburbs Perth to catch up with mates, dive into a long lunch or have dinner with the family. 

Eden Beach Foreshore Park, 100 Aurora Esplanade, Jindalee

Dandelion

From the team behind The Standard, The Royal, Fleur, and Willi’s, Dandelion is a vibrant addition to the Perth drinking and dining scene, boasting a fun and flirty wine list alongside a rotating tap selection across two stylish bars. The venue features its own in-house distillery, Dandelion Spirit Co., crafting artisanal spirits that elevate their cocktail menu to must-try status.

Sip on the refreshing Lychee-ini Dandelini, made with Dandelion Vodka, lemongrass, lychee, and elderflower, or enjoy The Passionate Ex—a perfect blend of Dandelion Gin, Prosecco, Campari, and passionfruit for those warm Perth afternoons.

The culinary offerings shine with dishes from the ‘Over Fire’ menu, showcasing perfectly charred delights like Vietnamese roasted half chicken and WA rock lobster with tangerine vinegar butter. The small dish menu is equally tempting, and don’t miss the Dandelion gin and mandarin sorbet for dessert. Dandelion truly promises an unforgettable dining experience!

West Deck Food Precinct, Westfield, 200 Karrinyup Road, Karrinyup

Good Company Bar

The West Deck food and dining precinct at Karrinyup has brought inner-city culture to the suburbs. With a Miami Beach aesthetic and a beer hall atmosphere, Three Pound Group’s Good Company offers the ideal spot for lunch with friends, an after work drink, or a pre-or-post movie meal, with the cinema just next door.

Craft beer brands abound (Running With Thieves, Bevy Brewing, Little Creatures) and are perfectly paired with pizzas, fish tacos, bao buns and hearty salads.

Head in on a Saturday for Motel, a bottomless brunch with three-course share style menu with three perfectly paired cocktails, plus two hours of Prosecco, wine and beer.

West Deck Food Precinct, Westfield, 200 Karrinyup Road, Karrinyup

After enjoying a bite to eat at one of the best restaurants in northern suburbs Perth, continue your feasting adventures with a visit to the city's best restaurants, or indulge in a sweet or savoury pick-me-up from one of the top bakeries in Perth.