Lisa O’Neill takes a stroll down one of Subiaco’s streets and discovers what makes it tick.
This quiet nook of Subiaco is having a renaissance of sorts with its corner cafe hosting very photogenic bottomless brunches, one Greek restaurant out and instantly replaced with another (and scoring very highly when newspaper critics come to call), and whispers of new shops ready to fill the empty spaces of Denis and Forrest Streets in coming months. There are plenty of reasons to visit this off the beaten track Subiaco hot spot, many of which involve your stomach. Yiamas (cheers) to that!
1. Yiamas
26 Denis Street, Subiaco
Did the street cred of Denis Street immediately skyrocket when the Community Coffee Co. dynamos launched their smoking hot Greek restaurant Yiamas last year? We think yes.
Co-owners Michael Roach, Phillip Arnold and Laurence Greenfield saw an opportunity to offer some authentically Greek coal-grilled meat favourites, an adventurous wine list from across the Mediterranean and make mullets cool again (the fish variety, of course).
While many Subi locals wept at the closure of long-time favourite George’s Meze, their tears swiftly evaporated as the space was rejuvenated, one of the most beautiful bathrooms in Perth was installed and tzatziki, dolmades and fire-roasted fish and lamb were served here again – albeit featuring a few fresh twists.
An evening or weekend lunch here is best started with an icy Yiamas spritz or olive leaf martini and finished with a perfectly sweet slice of Eleni’s baklava. In between, feast upon the sour cherry dolmades, hummus with braised lamb and charred eggplant and haloumi koupes (fried pastries). Or, better yet, dust your hands of choice and simply order the ‘Giorti’ feast option and let the chefs spoil you with their favourite dishes.
Verdict: It’s the Aegean literally on our doorstep.
2. Cake and Coffee Co
4/1 Forrest Street, Subiaco
This small but mighty café is run by the passionate Claire Keenan, a culinary artist who creates her cakes, savoury tarts and fresh salads from sustainably sourced, all-natural ingredients. Keenan opened her cafe five years ago and makes every creation lining her shelves. The beetroot, sweet potato and feta with chia seed pastry is one of the most wholesome lunches you’ll find in Subi, especially with one of the daily salads by its side. The cakes range from, well, anything your heart desires, as Claire offers custom-made ordering including gluten-free options, but the exotic Persian Love cake, strawberry black pepper cake or chocolate orange cake are our picks.
Verdict: Arrive hungry and open to adventures in baking.
3. Mimosa
1 Forrest Street, Subiaco
One of the first cafes in Subiaco to dish out top notch coffee as Milkd, (now renamed as Mimosa) still absolutely delivers on the brew front but has expanded its offering to both a la carte and bottomless brunch and lunch, seven days a week. Celebrate a birthday, baby shower or just life in general over a two-hour window with free-flowing cocktails, an appetiser and main. The local faves are the brunch gnocchi with spicy shakshuka ragu, soft egg and sauteed spinach, the wagyu beef burger or all the veggies in Mimosa’s superfood salad. Make sure you book ahead, as this light and bright café gets popular especially around the weekend.
Verdict: Insta beautiful creations from a venue that pretty much created the current craze for bottomless brunches.
4. Fast and Delicious – Chinese Takeaway
1/1 Forrest Street, Subiaco
You’ve got to love a place that lives up to its name. Fast and Delicious Chinese Takeaway, open for both lunch and dinner, has a menu with a Japanese influence but with less oil and a lighter touch. It also features chicken katsu don and a teriyaki option for lunch bowls, but there are also plenty of classic Chinese options to whet the appetite of a traditionalist. The sticky deliciousness of honey chicken is done to perfection here, plus you’ll find sweet and sour pork (or choose from a large list of proteins), chow mein and king prawn fried rice to round out a hearty selection. Fast and Delicious is the best option for Friday nights in but be warned – they’re closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Verdict: A takeaway that takes you away to a higher place, taste-wise.
5. A Little Wax Shop
2/1 Forrest Street, Subiaco
If you are a stickler for waxing studios to deliver their essentiall services in a subtle way then you’re in luck? A Little Wax Shop is the answer to your privacy-loving prayers. Owner Stacey Bell is all about great service and plenty of discretion with zero signage and simply a tell-tale green couch in her front window to alert new customers where she is (tucked neatly between Cake and Coffee Co and the Chinese takeaway). The menu features top to bottom waxing options, eye lash and brow tinting, and a smaller selection of waxing services for men, too.
Verdict: No need to shout about your next Brazilian – owner Stacey will keep mum.
6. Sora Hair Boutique
3/1 Forrest Street, Subiaco
It’s common to see the amusing sight of alfoil-clad heads wandering into Mimosa for takeaway cappuccinos. They’re happy customers of Sora Hair Boutique, with owner Taylar Roberts and team known for creating the dreamiest shades of blonde from their equally beautiful salon. They also create an incredible range of colours, offer hair and make up packages and those alfoil shapes evolve into beautifully blow-dried manes. Students – run don’t walk, Sora offers those studying a very generous discount.
Verdict: If your ambition is to be blonde this autumn, Sora will tease your tresses to perfection.