Northbridge is fast becoming Perth’s new favourite shopping destination and place to browse and chill out for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
This is old school shopping with an eclectic mix that reflects Northbridge’s history as an inner-city destination for various migrant waves, initially from continental Europe and more recently from Asia.
Think owner-operator boutique retailers, vintage clothing, second hand bookstores and European providores hidden amongst more than 200 small bars, restaurants, cafes and gelato shops. And right in the middle is the Perth Cultural Centre, with more bars plus the State Library, Art Gallery of WA and WA Museum providing endless exhibitions to browse at your leisure.
This Sunday (Dec 1), the City of Perth and Northbridge Common have organised the annual Christmas shopping Northbridge Treasure Trail promotion for William Street. Pick up a Trail Map at any one of the eight participating retailers. At each store you can receive a stamp on your map as well as a unique Christmas Card designed by local artists and a trails end, indulge in a free scoop of Gelato at Chicho Gelato.
Participating stores include: Ruck Rover General Store, Chachi, Planet Books, Retro 66, Oli. Clothing, Cosme Hut, Candyverse, Will.I.AM and Chicho Gelato.
Also on this Sunday, from 4pm to 8pm in the Perth Cultural Centre, you can also enjoy A Snowy Christmas complete with snow, festive lights, food trucks and a visit from Santa!
Here’s some of the highlights for your next lazy Sunday afternoon in Northbridge. To see what’s on in Northbridge on any given day, go to our Northbridge events guide.
Second hand, vintage and boutique clothing stores
Northbridge is home to an eclectic mix of second hand and vintage clothing stores, mostly centred around William Street.
Oli Clothing is a small clothing label founded in 2012 and specialises in hand-drawn and hand-printed tees. It is owned and operated by the Oli Clothing designer and in 12 years Oli has gone from a bedroom hobby to a hands-on 18-person team with a high street store in Northbridge. Oli’s Pre Loved Program utilises sustainable fabrics such as hemp, linen, and organic cotton to extend the life cycle of the clothing, allowing customers to return unwanted clothing to Oli to be up-cycles, resold and donated to Youth Futures in Perth.
Another essential stop is Will.i.AM Creative, a diverse and inclusive fashion experience when classic vintage meets new and modern street couture. This collective offers a truly unique, inclusive shopping experience that celebrates diversity in fashion.
For lovers of vintage styles, Fi & Co source vintage & preloved clothing, shoes, jewellery & accessories locally and worldwide.
Open since 2007, Retro 66 also offers a selection of vintage and street style pieces, including vintage denim, second-hand designer, vintage leather goods, shoes and football jerseys.
Owner-operated Ruck Rover on William Street is a local institution and has been a treasure trove of fashion and gifts since 2006. Their ranges are sourced from a wide variety of independent businesses from around the globe with a focus on design-led, ethical brands.
Also on William Street, Chachi Clothing is a carefully curated clothing and jewellery boutique with a wide range of popular Australian clothing brands such as Kivari, Shona Joy, Zulu & Zephyr, Faithfull, By Charlotte and so much more.
When you are done trying on clothes, Cosme Hut on Newcastle Street is Perth’s first specialty store for Korean and Japanese beauty and skincare products, offering a wide range of products from over 100 brands.
Best bookstores
Northbridge is home three of Perth’s most iconic bookstores.
Planet Books is the perfect stop if you’re looking for slightly left wing, quirky and unique reads. They support local and international writers who don’t always conform and are doing things just that little bit differently.
Muir Books is probably Perth’s most renowned book store for antique and rare books plus out-of-print books, maps, art, paintings, prints, photographs, posters and other artefacts.
Mainly Books sells second-hand paperback and hardback books. While they sell some older books, Mainly Books carries a more general range of genres including philosophy, art, general fiction, crime and travel at reasonable prices.
Sweet treats for the kids
Northbridge is home to a multitude of ice cream, gelato, US, European and Asian desserts.
Starting with ice cream, Kuld Creamery is inspired by its North American roots and provides original ice-cream flavours in small batches filled with cakes, cookies, caramels and fruit sauces. Persian family-owned business Cuccini is another ice-cream hotspot with lines of customers out the door. Using traditional Italian techniques, they’re creating original flavours like Matcha, Pumpkin spice and Pineapple basil.
For the ultimate unique gelato experience, Chicho Gelato is a Northbridge confectionery store specialising in international treats. Explore a world of unexpected flavours from the US, UK, Japan, and beyond, with candies, drinks and snacks you won’t find anywhere else.
For sweet treats, Candyverse is a Northbridge confectionery store that specialises in international treats. Explore a world of unexpected flavours from the US, UK, Japan, and beyond, with candies, drinks, and snacks you won’t find anywhere else in Perth.
Home of soufflé pancakes and signature tiramisu, Kumo Desserts is a local favourite amongst Asian-inspired dessert parlours in Perth. Another Asian dessert favourite is Korean Dessert cafe Hanabing with their unique assortment of Bigsu (shaved ice), premium soft gelato and Hot Korean desserts.
Fun things to do
From the cultural to pure dumb fun, beyond shopping, book stores and sweet treats, there are plenty of fun ways to spend time in Northbridge.
ESCAPE THIS is Perth’s highest rated escape room with quality sets, sound effects and challenging puzzles. Holey Moley Northbridge is an 18-hole, themed mini-golf course complete with cocktail bar, making it fun for adults and kids. Arcade games can be found at Timezone and also Planet Royale, complete with bar and restaurant.
At the Perth Cultural Centre you will find most of Perth’s cultural attractions. Check out the Localista Events Guide for your guide to what’s on at the WA Museum, State Theatre, State Library and PICA.
Local Providores
As a home for waves of European and Asian migrants, Northbridge is the home of boutique and wholesale providores.
Most famous and conveniently located on William St is Kakulalus Brothers, one of Perth’s first international European food importers with an impressive selection of grains, spices, nuts, beans and coffee all in a weigh and pay system.
Tran’s Emporium stocks quality ingredients and supplies for home-cooking and much of Perth’s Asian food industry with a multitude of authentic sauces, spices, herbs, rices, noodles and other treats.
There are plenty of others, including the Re Store and Tom’s Providore & Wine Bar which unfortunately are not open on Sundays.
