Australia's Eurovision Song Contest representative, the band Voyager, is on a mission to show off its home state. The band members have already been hard at work, showcasing some of Western Australia's natural beauty spots – Hutt Lagoon and Nature's Window – in the music video of their song Promise.
But when they're not touring, they are voyaging through their hometown, Perth, by the plate.
Roadtrip pitstops
Voyager rehearsing 'Promise' for Australia as part of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. Source: Chloe Hashemi / EBU
When making frequent trips from Perth to Bunbury, drummer Ashley Doodkorte can't go past a trip to a local bakehouse.
"The Miami Bakehouse has been a staple on that route for years, and their pies are a must-get, sometimes on the way there and back," Doodkorte says. "My favourite is the chilli beef pie because they do not skimp on the jalepeños. It's perhaps not the wisest choice for a long drive, but too irresistible to pass up."
Always make room for tapas
After being in Madrid for the Eurovision pre-party, guitarist Simone Dow's love of Spanish food was rekindled.
"We are extremely fortunate to have a fantastic tapas bar in Leederville named Pinchos. It's also super easy to get to by public transport, a short walk from Leederville train station, so you can leave the car at home and make a day of it," Dow says.
The restaurant offers a selection of classic Spanish tapas and cured meats. It also has a $12 paella lunch special every Wednesday.
Dow's go-to dish is the carrilleras.
"The carrilleras, slow-cooked beef cheeks, port wine and cauliflower purée, is to die for."
A banh mi and coffee fix
Bass guitarist Alex Canion starts his day with life's simple pleasures, like a Vietnamese banh mi and coffee.
"Every day needs to start with coffee, so I'd head down the road to Willing Cafe [Willing Coffee] in Mount Lawley for a breakfast bagel and delicious oat milk long macchiato," Canion says.
"When lunchtime comes around, I drive into Leederville to get Three Sisters Vietnamese Tuckshop. They have the most delicious banh mi and Vietnamese iced coffee."
Wurst of all
Lead vocalist Daniel Estrin may be far from his German hometown of Buchholz in der Nordheide, just out of Hamburg, but he can still satisfy his cravings for German food nearby.
"A fantastic currywurst at Elmar's Smallgoods on Beaufort Street [in Perth's Highgate] is a hop, skip and jump away," Estrin says.
GUIDE TO WURSTS
Wonderful wursts: A brief guide to German snags
When his cravings have been satisfied, he likes to keep it local, walking around the nearby neighbourhoods of Northbridge and Highgate to enjoy worldly flavours.
"I'd start with a coffee and a fantastic bagel at Get Ya Fix [in Perth's CBD], and possibly a twice-baked raspberry croissant at Chu Bakery [in Highgate] if I can skip the queue," Estrin says.
"I'd then pop in for a late morning vegetarian banh mi at U&I on William St or have a buffet lunch at People's Cafeteria, which I think is Northbridge's best-kept secret." He also visits Golden Choice Perth Fresh Market for fresh rambutan to sweeten the palate."
Curry nights are a must
Guitarist Scott Kay savours a taste of India at a local institution between pub nights.
"Growing up in Wembley, I was spoiled for choice with food," Kay says. "Multiple pubs like The Wembley Hotel [in Wembley] and The Herdsman [in Churchlands] serve up great fare and are easy to find. However, I believe the area's dark horse is Shalimar Curries Wembley, a tiny hole-in-the-wall type establishment with the best curries I've had anywhere."
The lamb saag is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the paneer butter masala is sweet, complex and "ridiculously moreish".
"Shalimar may just be the best place I've eaten at, period.
Watch on SBS and SBS On Demand
The 67th Eurovision Song Contest is held from Tuesday 9 May - Saturday 13 May 2023 in Liverpool, and will broadcast in Australia at the dates and times listed below:
LIVE early morning broadcasts on SBS and SBS On Demand
Semi Final 1 – Wednesday 10 May at 5:00am AEST
Semi Final 2 – Friday 12 May at 5:00am AEST ** FEATURING VOYAGER**
Grand Final – Sunday 14 May at 5:00am AEST
Note: Following the live broadcasts, the semi-finals and grand finals are expected to be available to stream at SBS On Demand from the following times:
Semi Final 1: 12:00pm (noon) on Wednesday 10 May
Semi Final 2: 12:00pm (noon) on Friday 12 May
Grand Final: 3:00 pm on Sunday 14 May
Prime time broadcasts on SBS and SBS On Demand
Semi Final 1 – Friday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST
Semi Final 2 – Saturday 13 May at 7:30pm AEST ** FEATURING VOYAGER**
Grand Final – Sunday 14 May at 7:30pm AEST
#Eurovision2023
THE LATEST FROM SBS FOOD
Your Eurovision party menu, thanks to past winners
