Mount Hawthorn’s best restaurants for a night out without the Leederville crowds

Why I eat in Mount Hawthorn

When Leederville is packed on a Friday night, I keep driving a few minutes north to Mount Hawthorn. The stretch of Scarborough Beach Road around The Mezz, and the top end of Oxford Street, have some of the best-rated restaurants in Perth’s inner north, and it’s usually easier to get a table and a park.

It’s a good mix too. In a few blocks you’ll find proper Italian, Japanese tapas and some of the best Cantonese food in the area. These are the places with the strongest reviews, and the ones I’d send friends to.

Spritz Spizzicheria Italiana

Spritz, in The Mezz, is the most reviewed restaurant in Mount Hawthorn, and for good reason. It’s a busy, friendly Italian place with pizza, pasta and a gelato bar attached. Start with an Aperol spritz, which comes with a little antipasto board, then go for the agnolotti filled with veal and mushroom, which regulars rave about. Save room for gelato on the way out.

“Spritz is, without a doubt, the best Italian restaurant we’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at.”

Amanda S, Tripadvisor review

Ha-Lu for Japanese tapas

Ha-Lu on Oxford Street is one of my favourite spots in the inner north. It’s Japanese izakaya-style, so you order a few small plates each and share. The grilled octopus, okonomiyaki, wagyu tataki and chicken karaage are all worth ordering. Serves are small, so plan on four or five dishes between two, and keep an eye on the drinks list, as wine isn’t cheap.

“An absolute gem of a place to eat.”

M. Tanner, Tripadvisor review

Taste Elements for Cantonese

Taste Elements is a newer Cantonese restaurant on Scarborough Beach Road. It does roast duck and roast goose, steamed seafood dumplings, and some more upmarket dishes like black truffle shrimp fried rice. It’s a good one for a family dinner where everyone shares.

“Best Chinese food outside of Hong Kong.”

Dee Jey, Tripadvisor review

Tamarind for Cambodian and Thai

Also in The Mezz, Tamarind is a long-running local favourite for Cambodian and Thai food. It’s relaxed, good value and easy to walk into after a bit of shopping.

Getting there

Mount Hawthorn is about 10 minutes from the city by car. The Mezz has a car park, and there’s street parking along Oxford Street and the side streets. Glendalough train station is a short walk west along Scarborough Beach Road, and buses run along it too.

If you want to keep going, it’s a short walk down Oxford Street into Leederville. See my guide to Oxford Street in Leederville, or try yum cha and dumplings in Morley.

Featured image: -wuppertaler, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons