I’ve been meaning to write this post for a few years now, but finally I’ve got around to it. There are quite a few South African restaurants in Perth and further afield across WA too. I’ve done as much research online as I can to find them all and compile them into this one comprehensive list for you to easily find them.
There used to be a couple which I loved but have sinced closed – Baby Mammoth was one of our favourites, and Zebra’s had a true African ambience and menu too – we tried crocodile there for the first time!
But luckily we still have a few South African restaurants in Perth and beyond, from The Leopard Lodge in Carabooda to Majuba Bistro in Albany.
South African Restaurants In Perth
Eagle Falls Spur
Situated on Wanneroo Road, Eagle Falls Spur in Wanneroo is a family owned and run steakhouse that provides a family friendly environment with indoor play area for kids. It serves the same classic South African dishes that have been on the menu since the first Spur opened in Cape Town way back in 1967.
Whether you choose burgers, steaks, ribs or chicken dishes, they’re all done in the South African traditional way – flame-grilled, because you and I both know that it just tastes better. Salads, prawns, calamari and surf and turf also compliment their menu as well as their all-time favourite chicken schnitzels and various mouth-watering starters.
Don’t miss the dessert menu which includes our South African favourite – a Dom Pedro!
On Mondays and Tuesdays kids eat free – and that’s their main meal plus a dessert, which is great value these days where every cent counts.
They even have the classic Chico the Clown dessert – I mean are you even South African if you’ve never had a Chico the Clown dessert from Spur for your birthday?
Squires Loft
Squires Loft is a popular South African themed restaurant for the meat lovers of Perth.
Proudly calling themselves “The Steak Specialists” Squires Loft in Hay Street Subiaco are said to serve some of the best steak in Perth and, to showcase its South African heritage, the juiciest boerewors dishes too.
The first Squires Loft opened in 1992 in Church Street Brighton VIC. They then expanded the franchise to Subiaco, Western Australia in 2011. Their founders came up with a winning formula, in delivering traditional South African flavours to Australia.
Their menu includes a good array of steak, pork, lamb, and chicken dishes that come with a side salad, chips or baked potato plus seven delicious side sauces to choose from. The only let down I feel is havning no South African wines on the menu to complement the steak dishes, although there are plenty of local WA wines on offer. They do allow BYO wine though, but the corkage fee is a hefty $20.
The Olive Estate
Nestled among the olive groves, the South African owned and managed Olive Grove Tearoom is a delightful place to enjoy a good breakfast, hearty meal or just have tea with the yummiest selection of home-baked treats you’ve ever seen.
Located within the lush green Swan Valley, The Olive Estate itself offers great options for hosting private functions. Also offering stylish accommodation and superb food it makes the ideal base to explore the picturesque Swan Valley region if you’re looking for a staycation in the valley.
The Leopard Lodge Steakhouse
Situated in Carabooda, just 10 minutes from Joondalup, the Leopard Lodge Steakhouse aims to provide a truly authentic African game lodge ambience, while serving a range of traditional South African dishes.
Originally owners Mark and Theresa began their restaurant journey opening The Keg and Bean by in Joondalup back in 2006. In 2008 they rebranded at the Serengeti African Grill, before relocating in 2010 to it’s current location in Carabooda.
Among the various cuts of meat, chicken, seafood and vegetarian dishes, you’ll find nostalgic dishes like Cape Malay bobotie with yellow rice, boerewors, Zulu oxtail slow-cooked in a 3-legged Potjie pot, and the legendary Durban curry served with the traditional sambals, desiccated coconut and sliced banana.
A popular option here especially for first time visitors is the Tribal Feast Platter for 2 people, which includes:
- Juicy 250g Rump steak with your choice of sauce
- Beer battered chips
- Boerewors sausage
- Mielie pap with Monkey Gland BBQ sauce
- Bobotie & yellow rice
- Succulent chargrilled chicken with herb & garlic dressing
- Roast veg of the day
An awesome array of desserts include a warm Voortrekker (Malva) pudding served with ice cream, banoffee pie, genuine lemon meringue pie and for those (like me!) who can’t decide on just one dessert, you can get a whole dessert platter which includes them all!
The Meat & Wine Co
Conveniently situated in the heart of the city at the old Palace Hotel close to the Perth Underground, the mod interiors and African-theme decor of The Meat and Wine Co somehow blend in beautifully with the nostalgic charm of this historic building.
They have an impressive range of grass or grain-fed and wagyu steaks, basted with their secret Africa-inspired baste and perfectly cooked to your personal preference. And all of course expertly paired with their extensive range of wines.
They have a specific South African wine list too, which includes the likes of Klein Constantia, Thelema, Porcupine Ridge and Boekenhoutskloof (which is an eye-watering $150 for a bottle of their 2021 Chocolate Block Syrah Cab Sav).
Also serving a wide range entrees, seafood, vegetable and salad dishes as well as several South African inspired dishes such as biltong, boerewors, peri-peri prawns, Portuguese chicken, and my favourite the Dom Pedro, makes the Meat and Wine Company a most popular eating joint in Perth.
We’ve been a few times and never left disappointed – you can read about our first visit to this amazing restaurant back in 2018 here.
My Place Bar & Restaurant
If you’re looking for a joint specialising in authentic West and Southern African dishes that are meant to fill you up, My Place Bar & Restaurant is the place go.
Conveniently situated in the heart of Perth’s CBD, it’s owned by Alexander David, who has 15 years of experience in hospitality across Africa and Australia.
They serve one of the most diverse menus I’ve ever seen. From bite size flavour bombs to huge plates of hunger busters loaded with unusual, but oh so tasty African spices.
They have a South African spicy stew with boerewors, African style oxtail stew, and sadza with veggies, while for those who are a little less adventurous, they have a range of pizzas, burgers, crispy chicken, seafood and a bunch of other tasty snacks.
Great for lunch, dinner or even just for a cocktail or two.
South African Restaurants Outside Perth
Hippo Lakes Café & Farm Shop, Chapman Hill
Situated at Chapman Hill about 16 kms from Busselton, the Hippo Lakes Café and Farm Shop provides the perfect stop for some peace and tranquillity enjoying a breakfast, lunch or a morning coffee and chocolate brownie, surrounded only by nature.
Providing a tranquil setting for functions or special occasions, they also offer light meals and picnic hampers to be enjoyed under the trees along the placid lake shoreline.
The Hippo Farm Shop stocks a delectable range of tasty treats, gifts and local produce and is known for its famous Fat Hippo range of chutneys and other South African delicacies.
The Hive Café at Little Eeden Honey Farm & Apiary, Mooliabeenie
Hidden among a 100-acre rural landscape of beautiful gardens and surrounded by exotic birds and farm animals, Little Eeden Honey Farm & Apiary is the perfect weekend family getaway, being a mere hour’s drive northeast of Perth.
A wonderful venue for weddings and functions, as well as onsite dining, serving a wide range of dishes, including several South African delicacies. Gardens and play area are a haven for kids as they mingle with turkeys, peacocks, pheasants and other farm animals.
Being surrounded by orchards, wineries and wildflowers, the cafe stocks an extensive range of locally-produced unprocessed honey and various other local produce. For campers, it is also a stunning base to set up camp and explore this region.
Majuba Bistro, Albany
Named after the Majuba foothills back in their home country, South Africans Johan (Michelin-trained chef) and Andrea opened the Majuba Country Lodge and Majuba Bistro in Albany in 2020.
The refined décor brings a sense of calmness and contributes to a fine dining experience. While they don’t serve South African classics, their European-inspired cuisine provides an interesting range of dishes. The European style is reflected in several classic French offerings like duck a’ l’órange and bouillabaisse
Being on the doorstep of some of Australia’s finest wineries, an extensive range of quality wines feature on their wine list, but just one South African red features at the time of writing – a 2019 Porcupine Ridge Syrah.
South African Shops Serving Food
Cape To Cairo
For a true taste of South Africa, Cape to Cairo is the place to go. Stocked with almost all the SA brands you’ve grown to love, they have a great selection of gifts and food items to cure any South African of the heaviest dose of homesickness.
On their shelves you’ll find many flavours of boerewors, biltong, dry wors, Simba chips and Ghost Pops, Mrs Ball’s Chutney, Jungle Oats, All Gold tomato sauce, Ouma rusks and of course, Black Cat peanut butter. Milk tarts and lemon meringue pies, samosas, chilli bites and tons of other SA bits and bobs fill the rest of the store to the brim.
Be warned, you may just end up spending more than you originally planned!
Read more on my blog about Cape To Cairo here.
South African Essentials Joondalup
Situated in Winton Road, Joondalup South African Essentials is another gem of a store stocking an extensive range of South African products from koeksisters to now-famous Faf deKlerk underpants and everything in between.
South African owners, Adam and Nicole Foot opened their store over 20 years ago and have been putting a smile on the faces of thousands of Saffa emigrants ever since, from the moment they walk into their store.
Springbok jerseys, caps, car stickers and paraphernalia aplenty for the sports fans, while all your grocery brands you’ve grown up with, are all stocked here. A range of meat products like steaks, ribs and wors are always available, as well as snacks, biltong and droewors, which are made weekly.
Sweet tooth addicts will love the malva puddings, Melk tart and peppermint tarts, while the aromas of boerie rolls, samosas and typical SA spices permeate the air of this nostalgic store.
Kalahari A Taste Of Africa
What started as a small family business in 2010 has grown into a thriving “oasis” for South Africans living in Perth who sometimes find themselves missing home.
Originally started by husband-and-wife Fritz and Julienne Arnold, it’s now owned by Charlie and Jenny, who run this popular and well-known café, shop and bottle store. They stock tons of South African products, including much-loved grocery brands, a range of meats perfect for a braai and of course, a mouth-watering range of biltong and droewors that must accompany every Springbok game.
Kalahari A Taste Of Africa boasts a wide menu from toasted sarmies, to typical SA favourites, like bobotie vetkoek, pap and wors, lamb curries and the all-time favourite, Durban Bunny Chow. Basically, South Africa on a plate.
Their registered bottle store, aptly named “Soweto Shebeen” stocks over 150 imported SA beers, ciders and wines. Names like Nederburg, Meerlust, Old Brown Sherry and Klipdrift are sure to stir a few memories.
Kalahari Wanneroo
Situated in Wanneroo Road, Kalahari Wanneroo is a family owned café serving a wide range of Aussie type breakfasts and lunches, some with a South African twist as well as straight up typical South African dishes. These include vetkoeks bursting with delicious fillings, boerewors, pap and sheba (spicy tomato relish with a little bite), fragrant lamb curry, and many other SA favourites.
They also have a good selection of desserts, koeksisters, coffees and their own range of chilli sauces inspired by Portuguese peri-peri sauces from Mozambique.
A retail section provides all their meals to take home, plus a wide selection of meats, South African groceries, great gifts and biltong, of course.
Village Hut Café Woodvale
The Village Hut Café in Woodvale is a wonderful place to meet for cup of coffee, breakfast or lunch and taste some delicious South African and non-South African treats.
Currently run by South African Hermien, some of their typical South African favourites include oxtail and mash, Russian and chips, lamb Bunny Chow and the old classic boerie roll.
They also have a great range of home-made cakes and desserts like good old fashioned milk tart and peppermint crisp tart. Being a South African shop, biltong, dry wors, koeksisters and stuff are staple stock items here.
African Heritage Duncraig
Situated in Duncraig Shopping Centre, African Heritage is another favourite for expats and locals, providing some of the tastiest South African boerie rolls and hamburgers, all cooked on their braais.
Vetkoeks, Bunny Chows, samosas, as well as great biltong and dry wors, complete the picture.
They also have a good supply of South African goodies and the yummiest milk tarts, fudge and other sweet treats.
Have I missed any South African restaurants in Perth or WA? Send me your favourite South African restaurant in Perth to include or add it in the comments below.
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