The Garden Leederville — Restaurant in Leederville

If you ask me, the Garden is the jewel in the Leederville crown. And that’s not something I say lightly – I really like it here. Located on Newcastle Street in the bustling heart of Leederville, the Garden is a modern and funky inner-city bar brimming with energy.

Oh, and if the Garden is the jewel, then the Leederville precinct – made up of the Leederville Hotel, the Servo, Grand Cru Wineshop, the Red Room and Yalla Balla – is the crown.

Aptly named, you’ll find a multitude of plants throughout the Garden. This makes for a chilled and relaxing atmosphere. The plants are well placed and blend in seamlessly, enhancing the atmosphere without overpowering it. There’s also a really cool mural on the left as you walk in.

I visited on the Friday of the Labour Day long weekend for an after-work drink. It was quite busy when I got there around 4.30 pm. There was a mix of after work crew and people catching up with friends. I also noticed that someone had booked tables for a person’s leaving drinks. By the time I left around 5.30 pm, the energy had picked up and you could feel an excitement in the air.

The Garden is a great venue anytime, especially in the late afternoon when the sun is shining. Plus, the way it’s been designed allows for a lot of natural light. That the location is already outside helps with this. But there are also plenty of comfy looking undercover spots, including some tucked away to the side. It's super open and spacious too.

I ordered a corona with lime at the bar. I was served promptly by a friendly staff member. You also have the option to order from the table via a QR code.

There are plenty of seats to choose from. You’ve got high tables made of concrete with funky coloured stools, along with cushioned benches. There are also more traditional wooden tables and chairs. Throw in some outside seating on Newcastle Street and you’re spoilt for choice.

The bar has an at times bare, almost industrial feel to it. Exposed metal beams and tilt up, frosted windows make for an unusual design. But it works well, perhaps because the abundance of greenery offsets the cold metal features. There are also those funky light fittings – the ones with the exposed filament – scattered throughout the venue. Another design element is lots of brick, which provides a nice contrast to the industrial theme.

As a whole, the venue’s design is great. Generous use of wood panelling and greenery provides a natural, warm feeling. Together with wooden garden beds and a mix of wooden and concrete tables, you end up with an eclectic design that melds together to create a welcoming space. Oh, and did I mention the coy pond? 😊 It’s just to the right after you come in via the main entrance. Very cool.

On drinks – let’s just say that between tap and bottled beer, as well as cider, wine, spirits and cocktails, you’re never going to go thirsty! Oh, and the food menu is great too. There’s a great range of choices and, at only two pages, choosing a meal is easy. With bar bites that include chips, fried squid and fish tacos, and desserts like gelato and brownies, there’s something for everyone.

Then you have more substantial meals like burgers, pasta, a couple of steak options and fish. There’s also a great selection of pizzas, including ‘the Gamberi’, which sounds like a character from ‘the Sopranos’! Either that or someone from a Martin Scorsese film. 😉

Overall, the Garden is a great spot. Whether it’s an after-work drink, lunch or dinner, you’ll have a good time here. There are good vibes, good food and a great selection of drinks on offer. And with a design that effortlessly blends cold industrial features with warm welcoming ones, you get to hang out in a really cool space.

This venue would suit singles, couples, or a group of friends/ colleagues looking for a good night out.

PS - see latest photos just added from a fantastic dinner I had in the restaurant on 8 March 2025. It has an Italian themed menu. The food was amazing and the service was impeccable. I highly recommend it. I'll be back because it was Molto bene!...

If you don't feel like reading through my rant, just be aware that we were asked to handover our credit card for running a tab.

We've been there before, outside and in the restaurant (this is about restaurant) and every time it was quite OK. What has changed? The manager? Anyway, if you want a Fawlty Towers experience you might just find one there:) I am talking about the restaurant, not the actual garden. So what happened? No water but glasses, I got up and asked for it and got it (tap water), no problem. Can I order the salt&pepper squid? No sorry, the kitchen is not ready yet. When will it be ready? 12 pm. Looking at my watch: It's 5 to 12?? Ok if you are prepared to wait.... Of course I am, thanks Can I have a slice of plain ciabatta bread with my food? No, the chef doesn't like modifications. Disappointed. The waiter comes again and offers the slice of bread, for a charge of $4. Nooooo thanks, $4?! I started feeling sorry for him, he looked stressed. Food and drink came swiftly, but then we were presented with a tab number on a card, which we were supposed to refer to with further orders. I guess that helps them keeping track if you buy things from the outside stalls, or they are afraid we are doing a runner? They wanted us to surrender a credit card to run the tab! We did not want to order any more drinks and we never let our credit cards go out of sight, would you? Can we just settle the bill now, I asked? No. Well, I said, forget the credit card thing, it's not going to happen. Then the waiter got the manager. The manager insisted and in quite an arrogant way. They do not want to settle the bill at the restaurant right now but out at the bar we could. Well... So my wife walks to the bar and settles the bill there, lucky she scrutinised the amount as they had overcharged us on the wine.

The food was ok and the prices reasonable but the attitude and tone of the staff is pretty much, you know, Basil Fawlty like. Needless to say that we could not really enjoy our food and left the place in a bad mood. I see many pre-paid petrol stations these days. Maybe the pre-paid restaurant will be next?

I'd advise you not to let your credit card get out of sight. You may be even held responsible by your bank, should fraud occur. I know that hotels and car hire companies demand a credit card scan, but they don't take away your...

I visited The Garden in Leederville during a trip to Perth in March 2024. We headed there on a Saturday night around 9pm to catch up with some friends over drinks, and the venue was buzzing with a lively crowd. It was a great mix of people dining and enjoying the evening atmosphere.

We walked there as a friend lived locally, but there were parking spots available nearby. At that time of night, parking appeared to be free, though most of it is paid during the day. The entrance is accessible, with both ramp and stair options leading into the main outdoor seating area. Our group of eight managed to grab a table near the bar. It was a bit of a squeeze at first, but after checking with staff, we were able to combine some tables to make it work comfortably.

We didn’t order a full meal, but we did grab a few woodfired pizzas to share and they were delicious. The base was crisp, and the toppings were fresh and simple in the best way. I’d love to come back and try more from their menu, as the food options looked pretty enticing. After pizza, we stuck to drinks and made the most of the night as closing time approached. The cocktail list was decent, with a good range on offer, though nothing wildly unique or experimental. Still, they were enjoyable and well made.

What really stood out to me was the service. The staff were lovely, friendly, upbeat, and clearly enjoying the energy of a weekend shift. Even when someone in our group accidentally broke a glass, they handled it calmly and kindly. They also gave us a heads up for last drinks and made sure everyone was looked after without rushing us out the door.

The Garden is definitely on the pricier side, but it delivers a modern, classy vibe with a spacious outdoor setting and a great atmosphere for groups. I know they also run a variety of events like bottomless drink packages and weekly specials, so it’s probably even better value during those times. While there’s nothing particularly unique or quirky about the venue itself, it’s a solid spot for a casual night out or a relaxed dinner with friends. If you’re in Leederville and looking for a lively, stylish spot to unwind, The Garden is definitely...