Last Updated on March 19, 2026 by Home in the World
With its stunning Mediterranean-esque Claisebrook Cove, lush riverside parklands and close proximity to the city centre, there’s a lot to love about East Perth. It’s one of the nicest parts of Perth for recreation and dining.
The latter has really had new life breathed into it of late, with no less than 3 eateries opening their doors and launching themselves onto the local restaurant scene in the second half of 2025. And the best bit? They’re all very different and international, making for an eclectic mix of options to savour.
I have tried all three, so read on to find out more about what to expect from these new(ish) restaurants in East Perth.
Sangria on Swan
Say hello to a new fusion tapas restaurant in East Perth! Located by picturesque Tea Tree Lagoon, Sangria on Swan serves up delicious bites for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
Brought to you by the owners of Vividh in Westminster, the menu is extremely varied, from speciality Indian pani puri, Bombay-style scrambled eggs and naan bites, to tapas tacos and arancini, to staples like avocado on toast, pancakes and grilled chicken burgers. The chicken skewers are also to die for!
And with a name like Sangria on Swan, you’d better believe there’s free flowing sangria, along with plenty of other creative cocktails. It’s a veritable gourmet journey around the world.
I particularly liked the fact that there were numerous vegetarian/vegan options, including a decadent vegan brownie for dessert. But if you’re keen to keep the Spanish vibes going, try their scrumptious churros for dessert.
The presentation and food quality were excellent, as was the value for money.
With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a casual bite, leisurely sundowner or coffee & cake. Get multiple tapas to share with friends or order your own individual main.
The whole approach is very can-do and the staff are extremely obliging. We asked to have the breakfast pancakes as dessert after lunch, and they duly delivered. I’ll definitely be back because there’s so much on the menu I still want to try!
📍 Sangria on Swan, 4/10 Eastbrook Tce, East Perth
🕒 Open: Wed-Thu 4pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-9pm
The Drops & Co
They say good things come in small packages, and that is SO true for this place. The Drops & Co has already been a long-time institution at the Fremantle Markets, but it has now opened a second location at a cosy, community-oriented space on Royal Street, East Perth.
Drawing on their Brazilian heritage, their specialities are their DELICIOUS coxinhas (a Brazilian drop-shaped croquette-like snack), which come with a chicken or cheese filling. I’m honestly still thinking about them. They were THAT good.
They also serve a number of other savoury pastries (Brazilian pies, hello!), plenty of coffee (there’s even a takeaway coffee window), plus daily lunch specials that include soups and – adding a Belgian/French twist – croque sandwiches.
And please do yourself a favour and try something from their cakes cabinet. Many of them are home-baked, and they are delectable. I tried the Brazilian flan, chocolate & carrot cake, and raspberry & white chocolate muffin. I’m yet to go back to sample the pistachio & lemon cake!
Get your goodies to go or stay a while and enjoy the cosmopolitan vibes; there are several tables and booths inside the compact but stylish interior, as well as a vibrant mini alfresco area and parklet out the front – with soft Brazilian music playing in the background. It’s such a vibe!
Amazingly friendly and welcoming staff, incredible food, great value for money – The Drops & Co literally ticks all the boxes. Can’t wait to return!
📍 The Drops & Co, 2/113 Royal St, East Perth
🕒 Open: Mon-Sat 6.30am-2.30pm, Sun 7am-2pm
Nico Japanese
The newest of these restaurants in East Perth, opening at the end of 2025, is Nico Japanese. This small but high-quality eatery serves up modern Japanese with an occasional Italian twist, sourced from local Australian produce. What a fusion!
In reality, the menu is predominantly Japanese, specialising in premium seafood (including dry-aged local fish for sashimi and grill), teishoku set meals and delicious Wagyu-based dishes.
I tried the kuro kosho rigatoni (see what I mean about the Italian twist?!) with melt-in-the-mouth wagyu and kombu butter. It was such a unique combination and yet it worked so well. Packed full of flavour without being overbearing.
We also sampled the salmon donburi and wagyu donburi, both of which were practically overflowing with fresh salad, beautifully cooked pieces of salmon and wagyu respectively, and traditional Japanese rice at the bottom, along with a small miso soup. Veritable bowls of wholesomeness that temporarily transported me back to Japan.
I was so stuffed after my pasta, I couldn’t fit in their dessert of matcha tiramisu (there’s that fusion again), but it’s definitely on my agenda for next time!
Owner LJ, who hails from Korea but is married to a Japanese lady, has done a great job at creating the vibe of a little Japanese eatery while delivering high-quality, meticulously prepared food in a cute indoor-outdoor space, complete with wooden tables and stools.
📍 Nico Japanese, 25/60 Royal St, East Perth
🕒 Open: Tue 5-8.30pm, Wed-Sat 11.30am-3pm and 5-9pm, Sun 11.30am-3pm and 5-8.30pm
Final thoughts on the 3 new(ish) restaurants in East Perth
It is so nice to have this new injection of restaurants in East Perth, especially when they’re all unique in their own way.
From the casual lakeside ambiance of Sangria on Swan and its wide range of flavour-filled Indian-tapas fusion bites, to the funky Drops & Co with its original Brazilian snacks and colourful kerbside dining, to the premiums seafood and Wagyu delights of Nico Japanese, these restaurants truly span the gamut in terms of cuisines, vibes and pricing. There really is something for everyone.
I’d certainly recommend all three, and look forward to seeing how they evolve. If you’ve tried any of these restaurants in East Perth yourself, let me know what you thought of them in the comments.
** This post, like everything else on this website, has been written entirely by me. No ChatGPT or any other AI tool has been used. It takes longer to create, but I value 100% human-generated content and I hope you do too! **
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That’s a lot of yum to indulge in. Great reviews and love the photos too
It sure is! Thank you – glad you appreciated the photos!