Vic Park is one of the best places in Perth to experience footy fever. Nestled on the southern banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan / Swan River, the cultural hub is packed with restaurants, pubs, bars, and unique retailers so there’s certainly no shortage of places to perch with a pre-game pint. Why not make a day of it and plan your journey to and from the world-class stadium to include a visit to the heart of Vic Park on Albany Highway.
We’ve done the legwork — so you don’t have to — and rounded up the best places to stop for a bite and a tipple. One thing is for sure, you won’t be disappointed.
Cafés and Restaurants
Neho
With a menu designed to be shared, Neho specialises in Southeast Asian cuisine with a range of inexpensive small-plate and snack dishes fusing Chinese, Japanese, and Korean flavours that hit the spot. Think rendang short rib, Thai barbeque pork, tofu goreng, and fried chicken wings.
Bentori
Bentori is a cracking Japanese eatery, brought to you by the same guys as the popular neighbourhood dessert bar, Bar Spoon. We’re talking traditional teishoku sets, and all things teriyaki chicken rice bowls, sushi, vegetable tempura, and pork gyozas. As well as the affordable eats, it’s BYO, so if you’re on a budget, you’re in luck!
Catalano’s Cafe
For casual Italian eats, the family-owned Catalano’s is a winner with generous portions and affordable options. You’d be crazy to look past the extensive selection of pasta and woodfired pizza. But if meat is more your thing, there’s rib eye, chicken schnitzel, and veal parmigiana, too.
Water Margin Chinese Restaurant
For sweet and sour pork, honey chicken, and satay beef, head to Water Margin Chinese Restaurant. They also know their way around mapo tofu, double-cooked pork slices, and gong bao chicken.
Pubs and Breweries
Vic Park Hotel
Set in the heart of Victoria Park, the Vic Park Hotel has been standing since 1927 and recently underwent a massive $2.3 million revamp including a brand-new beer garden. It’s the perfect place to pull in for a pint and lip-smacking Brazilian-inspired eats among an aesthetic blend of modern and heritage architecture. Think salt and lemon pepper calamari, cauliflower bites, classic cheeseburgers, steak sandwiches, and the iconic chicken parmigiana.
Boston Brewing Co
The team at Boston Brewing Co are guaranteed to keep you fed and watered with a killer range of their own brews, wines, and cocktails. Food-wise, expect share plates including crispy Brussels sprouts, baked brie, and Moroccan lamb meatballs. As well as more substantial offerings like pan-fried gnocchi, roast pork belly and char-grilled porterhouse steak.
Broken Hill Hotel
Fusing historical architecture with a modern ambience and delicious fare, the 1898-built Broken Hill Hotel is a destination adored by blow-ins and locals alike. Here, you can pick a perch and catch all the action on the big screens throughout the Sports Bar and Main Bar, plus live music in the Garden Bar. Food-wise, expect a diverse menu of fresh and locally sourced ingredients, including mixed mushroom gnocchi, fried chicken burgers, beetroot halloumi salad, and bangers and mash.
Balmoral Hotel
Vic Park’s favourite local pub, Balmoral Hotel has plenty of screens and a gorgeous beer garden setting that’s perfect for a pre-game beverage. They’ve also got a Spicy Tommys Margarita on the menu made from in-house chilli tequila if you really want to get fired up while cheering on your team.
Specialty Retail
Vic Park is home to a variety of gift stores, quirky boutiques, bookstores, and fashion and retail outlets across the town. Whether you’re looking for something for the kids, your better half, or yourself, here are some of the must-stop shops.
Bookworms and art fanatics
Packed with popular reads and those harder to find, bibliophiles (or book lovers) will feel right at home in Crow Books.
While music enthusiasts can get their fix of old and new vinyls, cassettes, turntables, and accessories at Rhubarb Records, which has been buying and selling since 2013.
Check out what’s going on at the Victoria Park Arts Centre which regularly holds exhibitions, events, and classes for people of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds, and browse the gift shop selling the creative works of WA artists.
Or pop into Delights of Siberia for unique knick-knacks like matryoshka dolls or collectable spoons.
Green thumbs
Partial to gardening or a flower fanatic? You’ve got options! If you’re looking for a gift for someone with a green thumb, GreenBunch is a gorgeous florist, café, plant and gift store located in the heart of East Victoria Park.
Alternatively, if you’re into homewares, self-care, or gardening, Urban Revolution is all about sustainable, ethical, and quality local products.
Fashion
Fashionistas are sure to leave Vic Park a little more stylish than they arrived. Woven and Willow stocks a fabulous range of Australian labels including Shona Joy, Staple the Label, Elka Collective, and more.
But if you’re in the market for a new pair of kicks, premium sneaker store 1OFF is not a bad place to start.
