St John Street and Cafe Quarter

One of Perth’s most iconic areas, St John Street and the Cafe Quarter seamlessly blends speciality shopping with culture, history and a vibrant cafe and cocktail scene.
Street Signs Web St John Cafe

Nestled around the historic heart of the city and overlooked by the striking architecture of St John's Kirk, the area offers a lively mix of independent businesses, artisan food and drink, and welcoming spaces to relax and explore throughout the day.

From stylish coffee spots and bustling brunch destinations to boutique retailers and evening cocktail bars, the Cafe Quarter has become one of Perth's most distinctive social and cultural hubs. 

Full of character and creativity, the area combines historic surroundings with a modern independent spirit, making it a popular place for locals and visitors to meet, shop, dine and experience the atmosphere of the city centre. 

Independent Retail

A beautiful, pedestrianised zone, St John Street has earned its well-deserved reputation as one of Perth’s luxury hotspots, home as it is to both TB Mitchell and Timothy Hardie the jewellers. Other speciality retailers include the Highland Health Store, Banks of Perth, and The Rose House.

See All See All
A smiling man and woman wearing denim aprons which have 'Osteria Bau Bau' embroidered on them in beige lettering. They are standing in front of a building with a green sign which reads 'Osteria Bau Bau in yellow writting.
Osteria Bau Bau

Perth
A woman wearing a green apron stands outside a cafe with two large windows decorated with baubles, ferns, and festive decorations
The Rose House

Perth
A smiling woman wearing a pink jumper stands outside a shop with two large windows displaying assorted clothing and small gifts
Wilkies

Perth
A large window looking into a dimly lit room with a bench, two arm chairs and a tall shelf, decorated with potted plants
Bramblers

Perth
A man with grey hair wearing a green shirt leans against a doorway painted the same shade of green outside a shop
Highland Health Store

Perth
A smiling woman with brown hair wearing a pink jumper stands with her arms crossed outside a window displaying winter clothing
Banks of Perth

Perth
Tbmitchell12
T.B. Mitchell

Perth
A black and white shop front with signs written in gold cursive font and two large windows displaying a collection of fine jewellery
Timothy Hardie Jewellers

Perth
A man wearing a grey jumper stands outside a shop painted light green with a large window displaying bottles of alcohol
Malts & Spirits

Perth

Restaurants, Cafes and Bars

The variety and quality of eateries, wrapped around the stunning architecture of Perth Museum and St John’s Kirk, offer a laid-back, continental atmosphere and allow for a side of people-watching with your cocktail, lunch or evening meal! 

From artisan coffee and relaxed brunch spots to stylish restaurants and evening drinks, the Café Quarter has become one of Perth city centre’s most popular destinations for food, drink and socialising throughout the day.

See All See All
A smiling man and woman wearing denim aprons which have 'Osteria Bau Bau' embroidered on them in beige lettering. They are standing in front of a building with a green sign which reads 'Osteria Bau Bau in yellow writting.
Osteria Bau Bau

Perth
Traditional Indian metal bowl filled with pilau rice and topped with white sauce, parsley with other meal in blurred background
Rishi's Indian Aroma

Perth
A smiling man wearing a black shirt which has 'Monterery Jack's' embrodiered on it in white lettes. He is standing in front of a building which has a black and gold sign which also reads 'Monterery Jack's
Monterey Jack's

Perth
Cooked lobster sitting on a bed of risotto garnished with garden cress
Crido's Restaurant

Perth
A white building with red accents and collumns. The sign says Cafe Tabou. There are brown wooden plant boxes with flowers in them.
Cafe Tabou

Perth
A smiling woman wearing a brown t-shirt and black appron. She is holding a tray with a navy teapot, a white cup and small jug of milk.
Hinterland

Perth
A smiling man in a black polo shirt and black apron standing next to a smiling woman wearing a black long sleeved t-shirt and a navy blue apron with the words Artisan Espresso & Wine Bar on it.
Artisan Espresso

Perth
A green building with white accents. It has a white sign which reads 'Olive Tree'. In the window it has decals advertising their pizza. It also has dark grey outdoor seating.
The Olive tree

Perth
A woman wearing a green apron stands outside a cafe with two large windows decorated with baubles, ferns, and festive decorations
The Rose House

Perth
A large window looking into a dimly lit room with a bench, two arm chairs and a tall shelf, decorated with potted plants
Bramblers

Perth
A smiling women wearing a pink t-shirt and balck blazer standing outside a purple building with the words Coffee & Things painted on it in lilac.
Coffee & Things

Perth
A white building with a black doorway, It has some dark grey outdoor seating.
Kirkside Bar

Perth
A smiling man wearing a black polo shirt which reads 'The Venue' in white embroidery is standing in front of a beige building with sage coloured accents
The Venue

Perth
A man wearing a grey jumper stands outside a shop painted light green with a large window displaying bottles of alcohol
Malts & Spirits

Perth
Perth Museum Image Report by Greg Holmes Photography 15 low res jpg
Stone Café at Perth Museum

Perth
A smiling man wearing a grey shirt and jumper stands outside a cafe with purple signs and a large canopy in Perth
Willows Coffee Shop & Restaurant

Perth

Perth Museum

Perth Museum officially opened its doors in March 2024. Through a series of permanent exhibitions and carefully curated special events, this world-class cultural and heritage attraction promises to captivate visitors, and to shed light on the fascinating stories that have placed Perth and Kinross firmly at the heart of Scotland's illustrious history.

Housed within the beautifully restored former Perth City Hall, Perth Museum combines striking architecture with immersive galleries, interactive displays and nationally significant collections. As the permanent home of the Stone of Destiny, the museum offers visitors the chance to experience one of Scotland’s most important historic objects while exploring the people, places and events that have shaped Perth and the wider nation through the centuries.

Visit
Perth Museum
Perth Museum

St John Street and Cafe Quarter FAQ's

St John Street and Perth’s Café Quarter are known for their vibrant mix of cafés, restaurants, cocktail bars and independent businesses set within one of the city’s most historic areas. The quarter combines food, culture and heritage with a lively social atmosphere throughout the day and evening.

Perth’s Café Quarter is centred around St John Street and the area surrounding St John's Kirk and Perth Museum in the heart of Perth city centre. Its central location makes it easy to explore alongside nearby shopping streets and visitor attractions.

Visitors can enjoy everything from artisan coffee and brunch cafés to contemporary restaurants, wine bars and cocktail venues. The area offers a varied mix of independent businesses serving Scottish produce, international cuisine and relaxed dining experiences.

St John's Kirk, dedicated to St John the Baptist,  is the oldest building in Perth. The earliest historical record of the church is a grant from King David I in 1126 but it is thought to be older than this.

St John's Kirk has a long detailed history. During the Middle Ages the Kirk held great royal significance, with the heart of King Alexander III being buried there in 1286 after he died falling off his horse in Fife.

The Church is most famous for its role in beginning the Scottish Reformation. In 1559, John Knox presented his revolutionary sermon against the idolatry of the Scottish monarchs at St John's Kirk. This lighted the fire of the Scottish Reformation and the aftermath saw the Siege of Perth which sacked the town's monasteries and solidified a political force against the Catholic Queen Regent, Mary of Guise. 

Perth Museum explores the history of Perth and Scotland through interactive exhibitions, nationally important collections and immersive displays. The museum is home to the Stone of Destiny alongside galleries covering archaeology, culture, art and local heritage, making it one of the city’s key visitor attractions.

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