A vibrant pavement coffee culture exists in Perth, and Fremantle's South Terrace is home to the aptly named Cappuccino Strip. There is also an abundance of international cuisine and lots of possibilities for Aussie dining experiences, such as: eating fish and chips from a converted tram in Fremantle, sampling the excellent Asian food in Subiaco (Perth), enjoying a seafood barbecue in the bush or partaking of a culinary feast in a waterside restaurant along the Swan River.

Regional specialities:
• Excellent seafood comes from the coast around Perth, including king prawns, rock lobster (locals call this crayfish), dhufish, jewfish or barramundi, and special freshwater lobster called marron.
• Tropical fruits are abundant - especially banana, mango and papaya.
• Pearl meat, a prized delicacy that consists of the shell muscle of pearl oysters.

Regional drinks:
• There are excellent local wines from Swan Valley, Mount Barker and Margaret River.
• Matilda Bay and Little Creatures beers are gaining an international reputation.

Northbridge is a large entertainment district just outside Perth's central business district, and easy to reach from bus and train stations. It's better not to walk around here alone as it can get a bit seedy at nights. Mainstream drinking holes are found here but better, stylish bars and laid-back pubs are in Mount Lawley, Leederville, Cottesloe and Subiaco.

Fremantle has an impressive collection of huge, Federation-style character pubs in its historic streets. There are many nightclubs in the Northbridge area and also down in Fremantle. You'll find club venues to cater for all music tastes, including mainstream, hardcore, gay and alternative beats. The large Burswood Resort and Casino complex is also only minutes from Perth city centre.

Subiaco and Perth itself are the best places to find performance arts. There are some lovely old art-deco cinemas screening art-house movies and, in summer, outdoor cinemas set in lush parklands open their doors - ideal for Perth's climate.

Best buys are Argyle diamonds, opals and Aboriginal art. James Street mall in Perth city is good for boutique shops. Subiaco is also good for high-end fashion and decent souvenir hunting. Shops are open all day Saturday and some shops in the suburbs are also open 'late night' on Thursday. Shops in Perth and Fremantle are open Friday and Sunday nights.