If you’re not local to Fremantle, it might not register as a place to go to often when you’re looking for a delicious bite or tasty beverage. But trust us when we say some of Perth’s best venues can be found here.
Enjoy bar-hopping, stay for a weekend away or just tick them off over time; either way, you’ll be thankful for the tastebud treats coming your way.
1. Strange Company
Small bites, share plates and exquisite cocktails. That’s totally the vibe at Strange Company on Nairn Street. The tapas menu will please the fussiest of palates; as will their cranking wine list.
It’s a must-visit when in Freo thanks to the vibrant atmosphere, option of cosy nooks to squirrel away or basking space in the sunshine. Whatever your tastes lean towards, make sure you treat yourself to one of their signature drinks, like a refreshing Aperol cocktail or Yoplait Fizz (vodka, pomegranate, creme de mure, watermelon, lemon, whites).
- Location: 5 Nairn St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: strangecompany.com.au
2. Darling Darling
Located on Henry Street in Fremantle, Darling Darling is definitely a blink and you’ll miss it entry – but you’ll want to look hard because it’s oh so worth it.
Stroll along outside and look for the hole in the limestone wall that is situated within the old Sadleir’s heritage-listed building. This dive bar has a real sea feel to it with timber rafters and nautical theming. Quench your thirst and practice your best pirate impression while enjoying a refreshing ale.
- Location: 1/36 Henry St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: facebook.com/darlingfreo
3. Emily Taylor
Part of the Warders Hotel, Emily Taylor Bar & Kitchen is modern fusion-Asian cuisine with cocktails to match.
Here you’ll find dishes like lobster and truffle dumplings, rendang stuffed crispy bao and mushroom mapo doufu. On a sunny day, hang out in the courtyard – but don’t worry if the rain comes, the inside is spacious with plentiful seating.
- Location: 19-29 Henderson St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway, delivery
- Website: emilytaylorbar.com.au
4. Nieuw Ruin
Making its way up the ranks of Perth’s best wine bars since opening in 2021, Nieuw Ruin is home to an impressive list of 250+ bottles of wine- many of which you won’t find on your standard wine menu.
Brought to you from the team behind Foxtrot Unicorn, the wonderful little bar is set in a charming old heritage cottage with a breezy verandah and high ceilings that pull you in with a warm welcome. Pair all this with a fancy pub fare menu from head chef Blaze Young and you’ve got a winner.
- Location: 12 Norfolk St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: nruin.com
5. Tonic & Ginger
We have a big fat crush on Tonic & Ginger.
Chef Leigh Power is whipping up a mouthwatering menu of Asian fusion bursting with hot, sour, salty and sweet flavours in the two-storey Old Synagogue venue. If you simply can’t choose from the extensive menu, you can grab the Feed Me option for just $66pp and put it in the very capable hands of the chef.
- Location: 92 South Terrace, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: theoldsynagogue.com.au
6. Ronnie Nights
It might be a small bar, but there’s no denying that Ronnie Nights has big personality! Relax downstairs with friends while enjoying a beer or wine; or head upstairs where the party is often cranking.
The Chilean food vibe, as well as the burgers, make this Market Street venue a real contender. So either kickstart your evening here or finish it – regardless you’ll have a great time.
- Location: 75/77 Market St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: ronnienights.com.au
7. Duck Duck Bruce
The brunch game at Duck Duck Bruce on Collie Street is nothing short of excellent for those in the know. First things first – it’s dog friendly. So your meal is going to be full of distraction if you’re anything like us and want to creep on all the furry creatures milling about in the courtyard.
The menu’s names are fun and whimsical, with dishes like ‘Auber Jean is Not My Lover’ and ‘Orange is the New Stack’. But beyond that, the food is just really delicious. It’s full of interesting flavour combinations and comforting.
- Location: 18 Collie St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: duckduckbruce.com.au
8. Gage Roads
There’s no better place to perch up on a sunny day with a cold pint in hand.
Gage Roads is WA’s biggest and arguably most successful brewer, and they set up permanent shop in Fremantle right by the waters edge. The vibes here are summer bevvies, and visitors can chill in the beer garden, enjoy some local eats, and send the little ones off to the playground.
- Location: Peter Hughes Dr, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: gageroads.com.au
9. Lions and Tigers
From the same owners as Duck Duck Bruce, Bannister Street’s Lions and Tigers is another epic Freo offering. Their menu states quite clearly that here they are ‘devotees of flavour above all else’, and we couldn’t agree more.
Things we can’t stop thinking about: the sourdough naan with whipped ghee, the burrata with dal makhana, and the wagyu beef skewers with fermented chilli. My oh my, this place is a true treasure.
- Location: 8 Bannister St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: lionsandtigers.com.au
10. Madalena’s Bar
When it comes to wine and seafood, Madalena’s on South Terrace is the destination to visit. They’re wildly clever when it comes to making fish, prawns, scallops and co shine in a modern and bold manner.
Fins Seafood’s produce fills the menu, and the fresh, sustainably caught goods are respected and elevated. For the vegetarians out there, you should definitely put this venue on your list – these guys know how to make their vegetables truly sing.
- Location: 406 South Terrace, South Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: madalenasbar.com.au
11. Republic of Fremantle
Enjoying the sea breeze and rich maritime history is one way to celebrate our port city, but then there’s also Republic of Fremantle and their excellent distillery. Whether you’re a vodka or a gin fan, or somewhere in between – they have you covered.
Order up a plate of Wagin duck liver parfait or wagyu tongue and wash it down with a G&T (where the spirit was made on-site). It’s distinctly of Fremantle in essence, and a great way to spend more hours than you’d like to admit.
- Location: 3 Pakenham St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: republicoffremantle.com
12. Percy Flint
Good grub, good tunes, good bevvies and very good times. That’s totally Percy Flint’s modus operandi, and they have it nailed. This small bar in South Freo is one for both locals and visitors; with a warm, welcoming interior and beer garden that’s perfect to soak up some sunshine in.
Named after the 1930s owned, make yourself at home with a ‘Disco Juice’ cocktail (Buffalo Trace bourbon, peach schnapps, passionfruit, lime, and mint), and enjoy yourself – you won’t need to try hard to make that happen!
- Location: 211 South Terrace, South Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in
- Website: facebook.com/percyflintsouthfreo
13. La Cabana
A uniquely Western Australia take on coastal Mexican cuisine, South Freo’s La Cabana Bar & Taqueria has developed a huge fan base, and with good reason. If you ever tried food truck Eat No Evil, you’ll already be familiar with what they do.
There’s the cocktails for one, but there’s also some truly excellent dishes like their cevice tostada (a must order) and coconut battered fish taco. For a truly Instagrammable snap, make sure you get their corn tentacles too – they look crazy and taste even better.
- Location: 400 South Terrace, South Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: lacabana.com.au
14. Bumplings
Masterchef fans rejoice: beloved contestant Brendan Pang hasn’t just won hearts on the screen, but also right here in Fremantle thanks to his mastery of dumplings. With a Mauritian and Asian background, he has taken the humble (but oh so popular) dish and turned it into a true art – slinging out interesting flavours and impressive technique.
You can find Bumplings in an Airstream in the Sunshine Harvester Works (a communal dining space) – and the menu isn’t just limited to these bite-sized morsels, there’s also rice and noodles, and Pang’s famed chilli oil too.
- Location: 1 James St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway, delivery
- Website: bumplings.com.au
15. Two Stacks
Another Sunshine Harvester Works venue you need to check out when in Freo is Two Stacks.
These guys do burgers, and boy they do them do them well. Smashed patties (who doesn’t love a crispy, lacy edge), cheese and all the right trappings to make it utterly scrumptious. And don’t forget their Nashville style hot chicken tenders which are crunchy and juicy, all at the same time.
- Location: 1 James St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway, delivery
- Website: twostacks.square.site
16. Bread in Common
If you’ve dined at any of Perth’s great eateries, odds are you’ve had Bread in Common’s baked wares. Their hand-shaped, preservative-free breads are baked daily with the use of organic flours, salts, spices and fruit, and a slow sourdough process. But that’s not all this West End eatery offers – their menu and drinks list is totally charming on its own.
Best enjoyed by sharing the different plates and a cheeky tipple. For those who are non-alc, there are some grand booze-free options, like their watermelon nectarine tonic.
- Location: 43 Pakenham St, Fremantle
- Price: $$$
- Options: Dine-in, takeaway
- Website: breadincommon.com.au
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