Open Air Affair: Where to Find Alfresco Dining in Subi

Wine, dine, and get your daily dose of vitamin D in these sunny Subiaco alfresco venues with the guidance of Monique Ceccato.

Yiamas Perth
26 Denis Street, Subiaco

You can almost smell the salinity of the Adriatic at Yiamas. Between the olive trees, fledgling vines, and mismatched bentwoods on the alfresco, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were, indeed, somewhere in coastal Greece. Your palate will take you there, too, with ancient Greek-inspired dishes that any yiayia would be proud of – think sour cherry dolmades, tzatziki, and homemade loukaniko sausages. Even a handful of renowned Greek wine varieties are on the menu, including a Cretan Assyrtiko and tannin-heavy Macedonian xinomavro.

The Wholefood Circus

107 Nicholson Road, Shenton Park

Spy whimsical, circus-themed murals and bunting waving in the breeze, and you’ve found The Wholefood Circus, part local providore and part cafe. Inside, you’ll find all manner of hot sauces, gelatos, and fresh produce for purchase, much of which is used in the cafe’s kitchen. Try before you buy, and sit down to a hearty breakfast in the sun. During the summer months on Thursdays and Fridays, the garden turns into a magical dinner spot with an ever-changing menu for sittings at 5.30 and 7.30pm. Expect dishes like gnocchi with mushroom ragu and truffle oil and chicken involtini – reservations absolutely essential for these very special Circus nights.

The Little Pantry

206 Nicholson Road, Shenton Park

An outdoor dining area that welcomes four-legged friends will always be a winner. In fact, Little Pantry is so pet-friendly that they’ve even taken to selling puppacinos and locally-made dog accessories to cater for them. You and your dog are welcome to claim one of the tables at the front of the café or in the walled courtyard area to the rear, and while your pup enjoys their treat, you can enjoy yours. Keep it snack-sized with a freshly baked cookie and coffee, or stay for a more substantial bagel or huevos ranchos breakfast. They have also started holding Memory Cafes once a month in association with Alzheimer’s WA with support from the City of Subiaco.

Dilly Dally/Bar Loiter

87 Rokeby Road, Subiaco

Dilly Dally’s moody, cosy interior is the perfect place to hunker down in winter. But, come summer, the second-storey balcony is the place to be. It faces busy Rokeby Road, but still feels somewhat secluded thanks to the treetop canopies gently obscuring the view. You can easily while away the afternoon here, sharing a honey and kale porchetta pizza and sipping on raspberry and prosecco spritz. For a change of scenery, head out back to Bar Loiter’s alfresco. The drinks list is the same, but the atmosphere is entirely different.

Chez Jean-Claude Patisserie

333 Rokeby Road, Subiaco

Summery strawberry tarts always taste better with a side of sunshine. Enjoy the complimentary pair at always-popular sweet spot, Chez Jean-Claude, where finessed pastries and outdoor seating are ample. There’s a great selection of interesting smoothies to sip on while you’re there – we love sour cherry or peach – or stick with the old faithful order for an additional caffeine kick. A word of warning: leaving without an extra eclair or two is pretty much impossible.

Café Melograno

67 Heytesbury Road, Subiaco

Sunday mornings spent out front of Café Melograno feel like a Sunday morning spent on a friend’s porch. There’s something so charming about the mint green cafe with its bullnose roofing and semi-residential location. Grab a quick coffee in the sunshine through the side window, or join the locals sipping smoothies and reading the weekend paper over breakfast. All the usual suspects appear on the menu, as does a chicken burger and steak sandwich for those post-10:30am diners.

Subiaco Hotel

465 Hay Street, Subiaco

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to drinking and dining outside at the Subiaco Hotel. The restaurant’s alfresco looks out on Hay Street and is the perfect space for a classic yet refined pub lunch with friends. On the Rokeby Road side, the front bar spills out onto the pavement, where you can sit and enjoy a pint while watching the world go by. The final rooftop space is somewhat of a Subi secret, available for larger group bookings and functions.

Subi Continental

10A Rokeby Road (under ONE Subiaco), Subiaco

Behind some Scandinavian-style timber-clad planters, you’ll find the spacious Subi Continental alfresco. Like the tavern inside, it’s a clean and unfussy space, with just the right amount of quirky detail – a long, curved bench seat and pops of minty green – to create visual interest. It’s a breezy spot to kick back for after-work pints and an even better spot to catch some sun while slurping back freshly shucked oysters and a glass or two of Veuve Clicquot. The chicken rillettes are a stand-out bar snack (according to editor Gabi Mills).

Accent Café

292 Hay Street, Subiaco

Picking Mediterranean favourites is like trying to pick your favourite child. Rather than singling one country and cuisine out, Accent Café has combined many to create a bumper menu of French, Italian, and Spanish dishes. There are creations like huevos y haloumi (eggs with halloumi), polenta porridge for breakfast, and capsicum, tomato, and olive bruschetta for lunch. Of course, you can dine inside, but finding a seat in the vine-covered Spanish-style courtyard is a real treat on a balmy summer’s day.

Piccolo Trattoria

361 Rokeby Road, Subiaco

Subiaco couldn’t be further from Southern Europe. But, while this humble Italian trattoria on Rokeby Road isn’t overlooking the Piazza San Marco, it’ll undoubtedly take you there in spirit. Quintessential red and white checkered tablecloths set the scene, with shrubbery in large terracotta pots doubling down on the Italiano style. Nonna-esque cooking completes the ‘taste of Italy’ component, with the kitchen serving beloved hearty dishes such as pasta con gambieri (pasta with prawns) and casarecce con polpette (pasta and meatballs).

Honourable mentions

Where we’d recommend you pull up a chair

Lady of Ro – the perfect spot for a night under the stars, sampling their share-style Greek menu.

Juanita’s – a slab of Luke Foyle’s legendary parfait, a glass of chilled rosé and skinny chips makes this a summer stalwart.

Bar Amelie – if you’ve caught a show, Bar Amelie is your go-to for a nightcap on the Rokeby Road deck after the curtain falls.

Bar Banter – a cheeseboard and cocktail alfresco venue which ticks all the boxes.

Lulu La Delizia – a world-class, award-winning restaurant – fight to get a table on the pavement this summer.

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