Experience a world of events and cuisine thanks to Perth City’s Eat Drink Perth celebrations.
The eating extravaganza that is Eat Drink Perth is now in full swing and we have until April 23rd to enjoy many fantastic foodie events and specials across the city.
This food lover’s festival provides a great opportunity to expand your culinary horizons and sample foods from many different countries. There’s a real international flavour to the Perth dining scene these days and this shines through in the Eat Drink Perth line up.
So get ready to enjoy delicious dishes from around the world, without having to leave our fair city – I hope you are hungry!
Markets and Festivals
Twilight Hawkers Markets
These markets are such a crowd pleaser and every Friday evening you see Forrest Place overflowing with happy visitors, wandering from stall to stall making the hard decision of what to have for dinner. And it is tough to choose, with the delicious aromas drifting throughout the city from all the Forrest Place action, you have your taste buds kicked into gear before you arrive! With a range of entirely tempting sweet and savoury dishes on offer from 40 countries you can feast your way around the world…and will probably need more than one Friday visit to get through everything you’d like to try.
Dates: Every Friday in April
Where: Forrest Place
Time: 4.30pm to 9.30pm
Price: Free entry
More information: www.visitperthcity.com.au
Buddha’s Birthday & Multicultural Festival
The Buddha’s Birthday Festival is organised by the Buddha’s Light International Association of WA and the Fo Guang Shan Temple of WA (IBAWA) and is a notable cultural event on the Eat Drink Perth calendar. This event will be held down on Langley Park and aims to promote peace and harmony and everyone is welcome to attend. Those who head along will enjoy ceremonies, cultural dances, displays and a vegetarian food fair will also be available. One to keep in mind if you are keen to learn more about Buddhism and to enjoy some different cuisine!
Dates: April 16 and 17
Where: Langley Park, Perth
Time: 10.00am to 8.00pm
Price: Free entry
More information: http://bliawa.wix.com/buddhabirthday
Thai Songkran Festival
Do you like Thai food? I’m definitely a fan. I really enjoy the fresh, lively flavours and that careful balance between sweet, spicy and sour. If you enjoy it too, then another Eat Drink Perth event to keep in mind is the Thai New Year celebrations.
The Songkran Festival will include numerous food stalls along with a water blessing ceremony, Thai boxing, music and dance, rides and the Miss Songkran beauty pageant.
Date: April 17th
Where: Russell Square, Northbridge
Time: 11.00am to 4.00pm
Price: Free entry
More information: www. taawa.org.au
Yum Cha in the Park
The very last day of Eat Drink Perth and rounding out an epic run of foodie festivities is the return of the very popular event ‘Yum Cha in the Park’.
A vast array of Asian deliciousness, including dim sum, bubble tea and Asian desserts will be available under colourful lanterns and amongst picnic tables on the Piazza lawn. Think of all your favourites – crispy fried squid, delectable steamed pork buns and many a dumpling…. I’ll take a dozen please – yum! A great one for families, with live music, Chinese movies on the big screen and plenty more entertainment. There’ll also be a lion dance, which if you’ve never had the chance to see, is definitely worth heading to the city for!
Dates: April 23rd
Where: Northbridge Piazza, cnr James and Lake streets, Northbridge
Time: 11.00am to 7.00pm
Price: Free entry
More information: http://visitperthcity.com/events/yum-cha-park
Eat Drink Perth City Tours:
One other way to enjoy Eat Drink Perth and embrace the multiculturalism of our beautiful city is to take a food tour. I love food tours. Even locals can learn a thing or two when a resident expert walks you through the back streets and lets you in on a secret or two from the foodie scene. Two excellent tours through Northbridge give you this sneak peek at the amazing Asian cuisine that this suburb, which is a mere stone’s throw from the CBD, has to offer.
Asian Exploration Adventure with Food Loose Tours
Discover the wonderful world of authentic Asian fare and find the best places to eat in the vibrant neighbourhood that is Northbridge.
Dates: March 22 and 29; April 5, 12 and 19
Where: Northbridge
Time: 6.45pm to 10.00pm
Price: $39
Bookings: www.foodloosetours.com.au
Northbridge Ramble and Relish with Wandering Wok Tours
Explore Asian cuisine and discover the art, history and architecture of Northbridge while sampling dim sum, Turkish delight, Chinese roast pork, Indian sweets and more.
Dates: March 24; April 7, 9, 21 and 23
Where: Northbridge
Time: 11.00am to 1.00pm
Price: $65
Bookings: via [email protected] or 0417 019 343
Dinners and Drinks
Several restaurants and bars around town are also flying global flags as part of Eat Drink Perth and it highlights the incredibly diverse cuisine options we have in Perth…It is the most fantastically, wonderfully delicious and isolated city in the world. Get eating!
THAI! Long Chim Thai Cocktail Masterclasses
David Thompson opening his Thai street food venue in Perth was just the best. What a venue. The fit out is magic and I particularly love all the flashy wall art they have here, there and everywhere. It’s a welcoming space. So why not head along to take a walk on the Thai wild side and learn a little more about Thai style cocktail mixing with Long Chim’s James Connolly. It’s paired with David Thompson’s bar menu, so sure to be a very informative and delicious evening.
Dates: April 3 and 10
Where: Long Chim, State Buildings, cnr St Georges Tce and Barrack St, Perth
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Price: $80
Bookings: via [email protected]
Ireland! Ireland Rising
Such a unique event, complete with Irish music and a harp! Whisky Live has sourced six unique whiskies to commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising. At St George’s Cathedral, it is sure to be something different. The luck of the Irish to you!
Dates: April 10
Where: St George’s Cathedral, 38 St Georges Tce
Time: 5pm to 8pm
Price: $60
Bookings: www.perthcathedral.org.au
GLOBAL! World of Whisky Tour
Three countries and a special drink…. whisky fans this tour is for you! Learn about whiskies from Tennessee, Australia and Japan on this exclusive tour that will see you visit Varnish on King, Helvetica and Canton Bar.
Dates: March 23 and 30; April, 6, 13 and 20
Time: 6.30pm to 10pm
With: Two Feet & a Heartbeat Tours Time: 6pm to 7pm
Price: $100
Bookings: via www.twofeet.com.au/perth-city
ITALY! Pop Up Pizza Bar at Lalla Rookh Bar & Eating House
Lalla Rookh’s Courtyard and Public Bar will be transformed into an Italian style Pizzeria for Eat Drink Perth. I’ve seen the menu and I basically want one of everything. I lie….. I want two, especially of the capricciosa and the prosciutto please. If you haven’t tried the amazing pizza from Lalla Rookh then this is your chance to chillax in their EDP pizza bar.
Dates: Wed 16 Mar 2016 – Sat 23 Apr 2016
Where: Lalla Rookh, Lower Ground, 77 St Georges Tce, and Sherwood Court, Perth WA 6000
Time: 11:30am – 10:00pm
Bookings: 08 9325 7077
GLOBAL! Around the World with Food & Wine
Frasers is a restaurant with one of the best views in Perth. Towering above the CBD in its Kings Park setting, it is an entirely lovely place to enjoy a meal. This event offers a Mediterranean-style dinner which features five tapas-style dishes created by head chef Rhys Jones, which are paired with premium wines. Delightful!
Dates: April 21
Where: Fraser’s Restaurant, 60 Fraser Avenue, Kings Park
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Price: $120
Bookings: www.frasersrestaurant.com.au/aroundtheworld
PERU! Hands-On Pisco Masterclass
Get hands on with this class and learn how to whip up a cocktail with the Peruvian spirit Pisco. This masterclass at Public House Perth is sure to be a fun evening and with the two cocktails you make, there are expertly matched bites. Pass the cocktail shaker!
Dates: April 12
Where: Public House Perth, Shop 2, 263 Adelaide Tce, Perth
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Price: $30
Bookings: www.publichouseperth.com.au
Food Specials
Now along with all these markets, festivals and creative events during Eat Drink Perth, there are also some food specials on daily at several restaurants around town. These give you a chance to make your lunch a country hop experience from day to day. So where to hop?
JAPAN! Sushia three-course menu, $48
Creamy jalapeño popcorn prawns, robatayaki pork rib with spicy momoko sauce and sweet potato chips, and creamy black sesame surprise with caramelised cashews and vanilla ice cream.
I’ve tried this three course menu and can vouch for its deliciousness. One to keep in mind if you are looking for something a little more upmarket. Interesting flavours, beautiful presentation and exceptional value for the quality. I think I could eat a bucket of their popcorn prawns, loved them!
Where: Sushia Izakaya, Shop HLG103, Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Tce, Perth
Time: Thursday, Noon-3pm and 6pm-11pm; Friday, Noon-3pm and 5.30pm-Midnight; Saturday, 5.30pm-Midnight
Price: $48
Bookings: 9322 7771
FRANCE! Blackbird Restaurant three-course French dinner, $65 per person
A French dinner to share between two with a charcuteria board, choice of chicken pot-au-feu or fish and moules mariniere with truffled frites, dessert and glass of French wine.
Bonjour Blackbird! A romantic little venue tucked away in Claisebrook Cove, if you haven’t been here before, then this $65 three course special, which includes a glass of wine sounds like the perfect excuse for a visit. There’s something wonderful about French food…could have something to do with all the butter [Symbol]
Where: Blackbird Restaurant, 4/10 Eastbrook Tce, East Perth
Time: Tuesday to Sunday, from 5pm,
and Sunday, Noon-3pm
Price: $65
Bookings: 9225 7880
INDIA! Indian Street Cart Menu, $48
Cheese naan, tandoori salmon and chicken, house plate to share, jackfruit curry, slow-cooked lamb saag and mango ice cream (kulfi).
Escape to India for a tasty street food style dinner with a visit to Sauma in Northbridge. I’m such a fan of the intensely rich spices in Indian food and there is something so magical about dunking warm naan bread into the sauces, again and again. I find my plate is always very clean when I eat Indian. Leave no sauce behind!
Where: Sauma, 200-206 William St, Northbridge
Time: Tuesday to Wednesday, 5pm-10pm, and Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 10.30pm
Price: $48
Bookings: 9227 8682
CHINA! Wonton Destruction, $3.50
They’ve done such an exceptional job with the refurb on Lucky Chan’s, Perth’s first crowd funded venue. It’s a really fun space. And if you haven’t been to check it out yet, then head on in during Eat Drink Perth to try out their fresh wontons. Made fresh each day, they’ll be focused on seasonal ingredients and you can order as many as you fancy….. or save room and also tackle a bowl of their ramen. Yum.
Where: Lucky Chan’s Laundry & Noodlebar, 311 William St, Northbridge
Time: Monday to Thursday, 5pm to late, and Friday to Saturday, Noon to late
Price: $3.50
Bookings: 9227 8921
ITALY! Olive Oil and Burnt Orange Gelato, $6
The ever creative Chico Gelato team have launched a new flavour, exclusive to Eat Drink Perth – Olive oil and saffron with a burnt orange caramel swirl, made in conjunction with York Olive Oil Co. An Italian classic with a local flavour spin. Mamma mia, pass me a cone!
Where: Chicho Gelato, 180 William St, Northbridge
Time: Monday to Wednesday, noon to 10pm;
Thursday to Saturday, Noon to 11pm, and Sunday,
11am to 10pm.
Price: $6
VIETNAM! Le Vietnam Bahn Mi & Drink, $12
An authentic bahn mi close to what you’d get in Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam ham, French pate, eggy mayo, soy, fish sauce, pickled veggies, coriander and chilli garnished with pork floss.
Vege Tofu Sweet Chilli Plum Banh Mi and Drink, $12
One for the vegetarians, this Vietnamese roll comes with pickled carrots, cucumber, coriander and chilli. Also available with chicken instead of tofu.
Meatlovers, vegetarians and all around fans of Bahn Mi, Le Vietnam has all teams covered with their tasty special on offer during Eat Drink Perth. Pick up a Banh Mi and a Drink for $12 at either of their Perth stores. All those lovely fresh Vietnamese flavours carefully arranged in a roll. Great to grab for a lunch on the go.
Where: Le Vietnam, 80 Barrack St, Perth, Monday to Friday, 6am to 3pm, and Saturday, 8.30am to 2pm. Also at 92 William St, Perth, Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm, and Saturday, 9.30am to 3pm.
Price: $12
Bookings: 6114 8038
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! New York City Hotdog and Cola, $8
Tasty American frankfurt with tomato sauce, spicy mustard, caramelised and oven-dried onions topped with cheddar, gourmet diced bacon, chipotle sauce and jalapeños.
Game City Café has decided to wave the flag for America on the international food front and for Eat Drink Perth is offering a classic New York City Hotdog, with a spicy kick. Up the heat factor on your hot dog with chipotle, jalapenos and spicy mustard. Thankfully the cola should cool your taste buds down afterwards!
Where: Game City Cafe, Shop TR2/3 Raine Square, 300 Murray St, Perth
Time: Monday to Friday, 6.30am to 7pm and Saturday, 1pm to 6pm
Price: $8
So there is still plenty to enjoy in the next few weeks on the food front. Head out, enjoy the festivities and try something new. Always good to expand your foodie horizons. Dig in!
Visit Perth City’s Eat Drink Perth http://visitperthcity.com/eatdrinkperth website for more information
