Sunny Scarborough Guide: Beach Vibes, Eats & Family Fun
With breezy cafés, an ever-active foreshore, and endless ocean views, Scarborough nails that iconic Perth beach vibe.
The Vibe
Scarborough crackles with beachside energy, blending laid-back surf culture and lively foreshore events. It’s a hotspot for those seeking sun, ocean air, and an active outdoor lifestyle, with a community that radiates a friendly, welcoming spirit. The suburb’s esplanade and vibrant gathering spots make it popular with both locals and visitors all year round. Positioned 14km northwest of Perth’s CBD, Scarborough hugs a prime stretch of coastline and is easily accessed via main roads and public transport. It’s ideally placed for a quick city trip or a sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Where to Eat & Drink
El Grotto is a Mexican-inspired bar known for bold cocktails, street tacos, and a buzzing live music scene that runs late into the night. With cool coastal décor and a friendly crowd, it’s beloved by locals for its relaxed beachy vibe and eclectic events. Be sure to try their spicy margarita.
Right on the Scarborough Esplanade, La Capannina offers ocean views and classic Mediterranean fare from sunrise to sundown. Perfect for laid-back brunches and sunset Aperols, the breezy indoor–outdoor seating adds to its charm. Don’t miss their ricotta hotcakes.
Toastface Grillah Scarborough brings quirky charm and gourmet toasties to Scarborough’s café scene. Offering inventive sandwiches and great coffee in a relaxed alfresco setting, it’s become a neighbourhood go-to. The Triple Cheese toastie comes highly recommended.
A classic beachside haunt perfect for post-swim refreshments, The Sandbar serves laidback meals, local craft beers, and unfussy cocktails just steps from the sand. Locals love the relaxed terrace and daily happy hour as the sun goes down, especially their Sandbar Fish & Chips.
Held on the foreshore throughout the warmer months, Scarborough Sunset Markets are a vibrant celebration of global street food, local produce, and live entertainment. It’s the place to snack, shop, and soak up buzzing community vibes by the ocean.
Things to Do
Swim laps or splash with the family in WA’s only geothermally-heated, open-air beachside pool at Scarborough Beach Pool. Popular with fitness enthusiasts and families alike, it offers a safe, year-round swim spot.
Catch open-air concerts, summer movies, and free community celebrations in WA’s iconic beachfront Scarborough Amphitheatre. It’s a great spot for live entertainment with a sea breeze and stunning ocean sunsets.
For families, Whale Playground is a hit, featuring climbing structures, a giant whale, slides, and breathtaking ocean views. It’s perfect for kids to roam and unleash their energy.
Browse local makers, graze on fresh eats, and soak up festival vibes at the foreshore’s Scarborough Sunset Markets every Thursday in summer. It’s ideal for foodies, families, and anyone chasing that ‘endless weekend’ feeling.
Free & Easy
A favourite for swimmers, surfers, sunset-watchers, and picnickers, Scarborough Beach is Perth’s quintessential stretch of sand. Its buzzing foreshore and spectacular dusk colours make it a local gem.
Sunset Hill’s grassy slopes just north of the Amphitheatre are the go-to spot for Sunset Hill picnics with friends or just unwinding while admiring the ocean horizon. It’s renowned for its jaw-dropping sunset views.
Relax at the cleverly designed Whale Playground, a nautical-themed play space loved by families for its interactive elements and sweeping sea views.
A Bit of History
Scarborough’s story begins in the early 20th century, originally developed with holiday cottages drawing city dwellers to the coast. Named after the North Yorkshire seaside town, its character evolved as permanent residents and entertainment venues arrived. The modern suburb is now defined by its bustling esplanade, lively events, and beach culture, with recent redevelopments transforming the foreshore for locals and visitors alike. Historic influences can be seen in its blend of old beach shacks and modern apartments, and the now-iconic Rendezvous Hotel—first opened as Observation City in 1986—continues to be a landmark on the coastline.
Scarborough shines with its blend of coastal buzz, community fun, and unforgettable sunsets. Whether you visit for breakfast, a swim, or a summer market, Scarbs always serves up something special by the sea.