What's not to love about Leedy, with its indie shops, alfresco dining, pubs and some of the best people watching in town?
Fleur Bainger is a freelance journalist with White Noise Media.
EAT
Kitsch | With its fairy-lit frangipani tree and its eclectic furniture, this modern Asian-Australian alfresco restaurant has a magnetic vibe. I've celebrated my birthday here more than once.
The Re Store | If I'm feeling patient, I line up at this bustling Italian canteen for excellent cold meats, cheeses, olives and wine. It's a slice of old Italy in Perth.
Studio Bomba | I rate the combo of cafe, gift store and clothing boutique in one whitewashed shop. Along with great coffee, its idiosyncratic wares are straight out of design magazines.
The Sweet Remedy Cafe | Leederville's newest cafe serves indulgent cupcakes that are the best I've had in Perth. I can't go past the salted caramel cupcake, filled with a wickedly gooey centre.
Ria | No surprises this place has just doubled its floor space: its sophisticated Malaysian dishes draw me right in. I've been meaning to try their Food Safari, being taken by rickshaw to Ria, Kitsch and Foam.
Sayers | I love their 'quality produce above all' mantra, and always struggle to pick between the famous choc-banana bread, or the rosti potato and eggs breakfast.
Pinchos | This is my pick for a fast, flavour-packed dinner and I'm always impressed at the value for money. The PX mushroom dish is incredible and, if you ask me, the dukkah fried pork is a must.
Duende | Though they do a great breakfast, I love coming here for the mod Spanish tapas, cava and candlelight at night.
HaLu | I recently had the most delicious sashimi, coated in a sweet wasabi dressing and lotus chips, at this brilliant Japanese eatery. I'd eat it every day if I could.
WEE Bar | From pulled pork rolls to duck pies and chocolate fondue, I've never found anything I didn't like in this upcycled bar.
Iain Lawless is a chef and the previous owner of Lawless Cooking.
DRINK
Bill's Bar and Bites | A great bar – it has a really good sense of humour. I love the old-fashioned, nostalgic beers. It's not about the taste – it's about the story.
Kitsch | A great place to hang out in the garden under the frangipani on a warm night with a couple of cold beers.
Mr Chow's Saloon and Dive Bar | Low Key Chow House has a great vibe and good alcohol that complements all the food.
WEE Bar | This is a local bar for locals – as soon as you walk through the door, you're a local. It's got smashing wine, and is somewhere to take the missus. The cheese is always good, plus it's got a good selection of whiskeys for that last drink of the night.
The Paddo | As a local, I love going to the Paddo. It's the only place I can get away with swearing at the TV, drinking beer and hanging out with my pals.
Duende | A good place for date night with the missus if you want to do something a little bit fancier. There's a great choice of booze and good tunes.
The Garden | Good for a Sunday afternoon drink. The cocktails are good and simple, and it makes me feel young!
Fibber Mcgees | Late-night pub for me. It's where I usually go for my last couple of drinks, just to top me up.
Justin Bell is the owner of Jus Burgers, a Leedy institution since 2006.
SHOP
Urban Records | These guys sell great music that we use at Jus Burgers, and my wife and I love the clothes (dresses for her). They've got a cool range of quirky knick-knacks too. Love it.
Oxford Books | Every now and then I go to this bookstore. The last book I bought there was a brilliant cookbook called Jerusalem. They've got a great range of creative foodie books, plus if they don't have what I'm after, they always order it in for me.
Henry Hiccups | This place has really friendly, passionate owners – it's just a great fit for Leedy, with their awesome range of quality kids' stuff. My daughter loves this shop!
Harry & Gretel | I'm often told to go here by Donna, my wife, for those 'surprise me' gifts. They sell cool clothes for the savvy chick on the street.
The Re Store | I go here when I need that bottle of interesting plonk and quality Italian goodies for dinner. A one-stop foodie shop!
Unison Depot | I'm a bit of a trainer nerd, still, at 45 years old! The New Balance range always sucks me in to this store and, when inside, there's loads more to enjoy.
Remedy | This place is great for pressies. You spend $50 or $100 and you know you're going to get good quality. I always stock up on my v-neck t-shirts there for summer. They're timeless – they don't date!
Elsa Beilharz is the owner of kids toystore Henry Hiccups.
DO
The Updated Oxford Reserve | With a two-year-old in tow my new favourite is the newly refurbished Leederville playground. The new naturescape is complete with fort, slides and giant sandpit, plus plenty of seating for mums and dads. There's also lush green grass for a bit of lunchtime lounging, and chess and table tennis tables for something a little more competitive!
The Leederville Farmers Market | For fresh fruit and vegies and some of the best baby cos lettuce you will ever get. We are regulars at the farmers market on Sunday mornings, but the Shakshouka and croissants are what get us down there every week!
Lake Monger | It is hard not to be hypnotised by the waters of Lake Monger. With endless grass, basketball ball courts and playgrounds littered around the lake, it is a little oasis a short walk from the town centre.
Luna Leederville | We love the Luna cinema. With an eclectic mix of movies and international film festivals, Luna is truly a Leederville institution. The cinema is full of personality – my favorites are the small pleasures, such as enjoying a gin and tonic in one of the tiny cinemas, or lounging on a beanbag under the stars in summer.
The Community Spirit | I am biased because I own a shop and live a stone's throw from the heart of Leederville, but I feel Leederville's sense of community is alive and thriving. With almost all independent shops and restaurants, there is a special sense of community that does not exist in the big-box shopping centres.
