Few suburbs in Perth possess the same culinary pull as Fremantle. Beyond its thriving art scene, heritage-listed buildings and white sand beaches, our free-spirited port city is home to dozens of restaurants and bars worth the trip into town.
Leafy green courtyards, hidden wine bars, finessed French bistros, no-fuss Italian eateries, locally loved watering holes, and many more gastronomic gems… if you know where to look, there are plenty of spots that’ll have you coming back for seconds. Here are the very best places to dine and drink in Freo.
Vin Populi
“Shall we start with a Negroni?” A question that’s less of a suggestion and more of an unofficial house rule of Fremantle’s beloved pasta palace. Here on High Street, you’ll find consistently warm service, a regularly refreshed wine list (running comfortably into the triple digits) and a timeless Italian menu scribbled onto a chalkboard inside the stunning heritage building. Add some of the best handmade pasta on this side of the equator, and you’ll understand why Vin Populi remains one of Australia’s most adored dining rooms.
Patio
It’s hard not to have a good time at Patio. The effortlessly cool and cordial barstaff that know their regulars by their nickname, the serious selection of lo-fi wines, the local-and-loved DJs spinning vinyl on the reg, and the clever, saucy plates by the ever-brilliant Paula Gálvez, everything here works in harmony. Take a seat in the dog-friendly courtyard and while away the hours, making your way through both the drinks and food menu, like a self-paced degustation.
La Lune
East Fremantle’s polished Parisian brasserie is straight out of a French fantasy. Marble tables perch on chequerboard tiles, the unmistakable hum of French floats between waitstaff in chic striped uniforms, and diners spill out onto the street, sipping seemingly endless pours of Champagne. Chef Oskar Pinter’s French fare carries the same flair: classic caramelised onion tarte topped with tomatoes and warm brie, tender bavette served with a saucière of bearnaise, and a mountain of golden frites, and the obligatory mound of chocolate mousse to finish.
Capri
Right in the heart of Freo on the Cappacino strip, Capri has been serving generous plates of spaghetti, hearty proteins, and fresh seafood for more than 70 years. Much of the charm remains unchanged: the striped awning beckons passersby in for pasta, diners are greeted with complimentary soup and crusty bread as a welcome ritual, and the majority of the mains sit well under the $40.00 mark. A notable change has arrived this year, though. While Capri has long been a BYO institution, September saw the introduction of a liquor license, offering a carefully curated, concise selection of Italian and local vinos by the glass and bottle for the first time since 1954.
Nieuw Ruin
In a creaky cottage on Parry Street, Nieuw Ruin delivers one of Fremantle’s most charming food and wine experiences. In the kitchen, culinary queen Blaze Young creates nostalgic share plates with big, bold flavours, exclusively using locally and sustainably sourced produce. That might mean nannygai crudo (a mild, flaky white fish) with a refreshing strawberry and tomato gazpacho, Yearling striploin with a deeply savoury red wine jus, or ham hock terrine with a peppery tarragon jelly. Pull up a pew at the bar and chat to one of the certified wine guys, take a seat on the terrace with a hot date, or book the private dining space for any occasion worth celebrating.
Ode To Sirens
For a hi-fi listening bar that hits all the right notes, head down High Street to Ode To Sirens. This 70s-inspired hotspot combines refined Greek-centric mezze plates, balanced cocktails (appropriately named after the world’s biggest and best songs and artists), and both local and European wines, all set to a soundtrack of spinning vinyl. Ideal for first dates, groups of mates, or solo sips, this is one of our all-time favourite spots in Freo.
Madalena’s Bar
📍406 South Terrace, South Fremantle
Just a few sandy steps back from the beach, Madalena’s is a product of South Freo’s sun-soaked, salt-kissed charm. Downstairs, seafood is the star of the show — Fins Seafood, specifically. Chef and co-owner Adam Rees has partnered with the local, sustainable seafood supplier to create a fresh, fluid menu that changes with the catch of the day, complemented by dozens of natty wines. Upstairs at the walk-in-only bar, you can find both bespoke and classic cocktails, small share plates. and postcard-perfect views of the sun setting over South Beach.
The Norfolk Hotel
A staple in Freo’s social scene, The Norfolk Hotel is the relaxed, welcoming pub we all wish was our local. You’ll meet all walks of life at this buzzy corner venue: young professionals having long, lazy lunches; family gatherings with dogs in tow; dates sharing stories, slices, and Chardonnay in the beer garden; and hospo workers making the most of its seven-day-a-week midnight close time. There’s meats and beats on offer, too, with a wood-fired open smoker churning out terrifically tender slow-cooked brisket, and the downstairs basement bar Frankie’s that comes to life every Friday.
Lions and Tigers
Could this be the best modern Indian cuisine in Perth? Competition is fierce in our sunny city, but Lions and Tigers is a hot contender. Down a quiet street just off South Terrace, head chef Jason Goodorally is cooking up spice-heavy share plates that are as colourful and creative as the dining room. Think fragrant curries, lamb rendang samosas, stracciatella chaat, leek and fennel onion bhajis, and the famed sourdough naan — affectionately referred to as Steve — that is worth a visit alone.
Manuka Woodfired Kitchen
There are few places in the country that can cook over coals like this decade-strong dining room. Unpretentious, welcoming, and warm — thanks in no small part to the woodfired oven at its heart — Manuka’s menu shifts with the seasons, prioritising whatever produce is at its peak. From smoky, caramelised vegetable plates to juicy wood-roasted chicken with moreish miso sauce, every dish showcases the magic of fire-fuelled cooking, while the blistered woodfired flatbread remains a much-loved constant.
Percy Flint
📍211 South Terrace, South Fremantle
Your favourite bartender’s favourite bar. Named after the building’s original owner way back in the 1930s, Percy’s dishes out craft beer, classic cocktails, a sharp wine list, and elevated pub grub that punches well above its weight (including one of Perth’s most superior steak sandwiches). Get in early to snag a seat in the leafy beer garden and prepare to bump into everyone you’ve ever met in Fremantle.
Pearla & Co
📍25 Leighton Beach Blvd, North Fremantle
The latest addition to Freo might just be the most exciting opening in Perth this year. Anchored just across from Leighton Beach, Pearla & Co marks chef Scott Bridger’s return to the coast, bringing a seafood-led menu shaped by long-standing relationships with local fishers, growers, and suppliers. That means glistening sashimi from under-the-radar species, whole fish cooked until the skin crackles, and charcoal-grilled octopus lifted with an umami-rich sauce. Book your table today and be among the first to discover Fremantle’s newest seaside standout.
Mons. O’Shea
Since Rosie O’Grady’s shut up shop almost a decade ago, there has been a distinct lack of craic in Fremantle. That was, of course, until along came the charming Irish pub Mons. O’Shea in August of this year. If you didn’t know better, you’d think that it had been sitting on the Cappuccino Strip for generations: the walls are adorned with vintage Guinness posters, green velvet pews form the banquette seating, and the furniture has been hand-picked from antique shops, giving the pub that cosy, lived-in feel that new venues can rarely replicate. Come for a perfectly-poured Guinness, stay for the craic, and leave with a unique Irish collectable from the attached shop.
Mojo’s Bar
📍237 Queen Victoria St, North Fremantle
If it’s been a minute since you last went to a gig at Mojo’s, consider this your sign to swing by again. Since changing ownership in early 2025, the North Freo live music institution has undergone a serious glow up. The once-faded space has been given a fresh lick of paint; the bar now boasts tap beers; a record store has replaced the artists’ old green room; and a flash new sound system has replaced the tired, old one. There’s more on the way, too, with a food menu in the works and the sunny courtyard getting a refresh. Whether you’re catching a band, grabbing a drink, or buying some vinyl, Mojo’s is the place to be this summer.
Emily Taylor
📍19-29 Henderson St, Fremantle
West Australians from far and wide make the pilgrimage to Emily Taylor for good reason. Hidden beside the markets, Freo’s Asian-fusion headquarters serves up some of the tastiest dumplings, duck, and drinks in town. There’s a sun-soaked courtyard for catch-ups over cocktails, while inside, the always-buzzing dining room is a date-night dream. No matter the occasion, your first visit will almost certainly inspire a second.
H&C Urban Winery
Only in Freo can you stumble off the street and straight into a working winery. In the old Mother space, the large, lofty warehouse has been transformed into Urban Winery—the leafy, light-filled hangout designed for long lunches, late-night tipples, and many, many glasses of wine. Wooden barrels line the walls, plants cascade from the ceiling, and sunshine pours in at every angle. Up front, 400 punters can settle into 25+ wines by the glass, 100+ by the bottle, a dozen beers on tap, and a menu of clever snacks and dialled-up pub hits by Gord Kahle, one of Perth’s sharpest chefs.
