Every neighbourhood needs its local go-to eats and watering holes—the places not too far from home that hit the spot, every single time.
It's even better when those spots are found near your other community hubs. Anyone who has had to zip through the aisles of their local shopping centre hungry, knows there’s only so much browsing you can do on an empty stomach.
Fortunately for those out-and-about when the hunger hits, Hawaiian centres—found across Perth—are pulling more than their weight in the food department. These suburban hubs are home to some seriously tasty eats that are worth the trip alone. "The best part? These spots champion the local and the unexpected—think indie gems and cult-fave eateries, not cookie-cutter chains.
With that in mind, let us introduce you to just some of the legends behind your local community go-tos.
Spritz Spizzecheria
You can hear Spritz Spizzecheria’s co-owners Mario Tolardo and Franco Tambasco before you can see them. The larger-than-life hospo veterans have customers returning to the Mount Hawthorn hotspot again and again thanks to their round-the-clock enthusiasm, consistently great service, and authentic Italian fare and coffee.
The pastas come al dente, the antipasti is generous, and the spritz? Made tableside with all of the theatre you’d expect from two of Mt Hawthorn’s biggest personalities. Pop next door to sister venue Affogato Gelateria for a scoop of pistachio gelato that might just steal the show.
Chomp 68
There’s something almost transcendent about a dish that's still audibly sizzling when it hits the table. At Basso’s Chomp 68, the Mongolian lamb arrives piping hot: smoky, spicy and spiked with just enough sweetness to keep you coming back for more.
Chef-owner Sunny Wong, who sharpened his knives at Perth institutions like Joe’s Oriental Diner and Crown’s Epicurean, opened this neighbourhood gem more than seven years ago, and his trusty wok hasn’t stopped since. Honourable mention must also go to Chomp 68’s mee goreng, spicy soft shell crab and creamy butter king prawn, which are every bit as satisfying as they sound.
Viet Long Noodle House
Long Nguyen has been feeding Perth with piping hot bowls of noodles since 2011, with a justified reputation for serving some of the best Vietnamese food in town. Nguyen came to Australia as a Vietnamese refugee in the 1990s, then settled in Cabramatta. There, his father opened his restaurant Viet Trung, which still operates today.
Nguyen then moved to Perth, and in 2011 he opened Viet Long Noodle House. After over a decade of serving hungry customers at Newpark Shopping Centre, he relocated to its new vibrant alfresco area during Hawaiian's Newpark redevelopment earlier this year and has never been busier.
The bún bò Huế (Vietnamese noodle soup) is legendary. Bold, aromatic, and wildly comforting, there’s no better way to warm up on a chilly Perth day.
Eccolo
Translating to ‘here it is’ in Italian, Eccolo has been quietly and confidently fueling northsiders with saucy plates of pasta for over 20 years. Helmed by husband-and-wife duo Maurizio and Mirella Palma, the authentic family-run restaurant is the kind of place where staff know their regulars by first name and there’d be a riot if any of the classics were taken off the menu.
Get a few slices of wood-fired pizza under your belt, twirl through a big bowl of silky tagliatelle or tuck into a tiramisu made with love, care and enough espresso to keep you going ‘til dinner.
Rocky Ridge Duncraig
Pouring fresh-from-the-farm pints, Rocky Ridge Duncraig is an offshoot of the wildly loved Busselton brewery. This brand-spankin’ tap house only started pouring in March of this year and has already won the hearts of thirsty locals with 40 different brews on tap.
As Australia’s first certified sustainable brewer, you can sip on a cold one with a conscience, knowing that the family-run team (five generations strong!) are committed to net zero emissions from the brewing process.
It's also 100% owned by Busselton locals Hamish Coates, Mel Holland and Colin Coates, the locally brewed beers are produced on the family farm (of five generations) and are created using ingredients sourced from within the farm fenceline. We’ll drink to that.
Mama Mochi
If you're yet to try these creamy, dreamy handheld treats at Hawaiian's Park Centre, you’re in for, well, a treat. Dreamed up by Angela Tran, the founder of other cult-favourites Bobaboba and Rodzilla, Mama Mochi has fast become a cult fave.
The hole-in-the-wall dessert bar serves seemingly endless flavours of ice cream wrapped in stretchy sheets of rice cake. It’s a centuries-old Japanese dessert that's relatively new to the western world but gained a whole lotta traction as of late—thanks to its highly ‘grammable aesthetic. And yes, they taste as good as they look.
Pauly’s Chicken & Ribs
There’s your regular, run-of-the-mill charcoal chicken, and then there’s Pauly’s. This Noranda go-to is the real deal, built on a Palestinian family recipe that co-owners Pauly and Nabil Babbah have perfected over years of slow-roasting chooks over jarrah coal.
The free-range, halal Lilydale birds are marinated for 24 hours so every bite is smoky, juicy and full of flavour. Add sticky lamb ribs, a fresh salad and a serve of chips and your next meal is done and dusted.
Taste Of Italy
Hungry? Head to Hawaiian shopping centres to find even more local eats, and maybe a little community connection while you're at it.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Hawaiian. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Spritz Spizzecheria on Facebook, Chomp 68, Eccolo and Mama Mochi on Instagram