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A number of talented chefs have recently returned to Perth from overseas, bringing international trends, abilities, and standards with them. This influence, coupled with a healthy push for seasonal, local produce, has given the Perth dining scene an exciting shot in the arm. Throughout the young city's history, waves of immigrants from Italy, the former Yugoslavia, and Asia have also delivered cultural authenticity to the more traditional eateries. A British handover, fish-and-chips, remains one of the beach-going state’s favorite picnic meals.
Expect to find Western Australian wines on the wine list when dining in most licensed restaurants in Perth and, of course, in the Margaret River wine region, where first-class food is matched with highly regarded vino.
Many restaurants and cafés have alfresco dining. Tips aren't expected, but an extra 10% for exceptional service is welcome, particularly since Perth suffers from a sometimes justified reputation for below-par service.
Tucked away on the fringes of the Busselton central business district, this popular family-owned Mediterranean-inspired eatery is much loved for its rich pasta dishes, thin-crust pizzas, and soul-comforting, slow-cooked favorites like beef bourguignon and coq au vin. Before you get overexcited and order everything on the menu, remember to leave room for dessert—like dream-worthy chocolate mousse and tiramisu.
In the heart of the settlement is the island's only pizzeria and cocktail bar. Sit on the deck surrounded by fig trees and munch on hand-stretched pizza, yummy pasta, and healthy salads. Frankie's on Rotto is family-owned (and named after the owners' son) and family-friendly with a kids' menu from 11 am. They also do breakfast in summer 8--11 am. Delivery is available on weekends. Tip: Watch the crows, they will try to steal your meal.
Locally famous for freshly made pastries and decent coffee, this central bakery does a roaring trade every day of the week. It may be the tasty treats that get people through the door, but it's the cute little quokkas on the deck who encourage patrons to stay awhile.
Quokkas are extremely friendly, but it is a fineable offense to feed them.
To call someone a “good egg” is a high compliment in Australia and it's a fitting name for this busy, modern café that opened its doors in 2018. With amazing coffee, a delicious, healthy menu, a kids' play area, and gift shop all housed in a two-story, modern, industrial-style setting, this is the place to be for Sunday morning brunch.
Tucked away in Globe Lane is this casual eatery serving delicious Chinese fare in a modern communal dining setting. On provided iPads, scroll through the menu, order, pay at the counter and wait for your lunch to be served. This place is perfect when you don't have a lot of time or just want a quick bite to keep you going as you explore Perth's downtown.
When you visit a sleepy seaside village like Augusta, you'd expect a decent feed of fresh, local fish and seafood, and that's exactly what you'll get at Blue Ocean Fish and Chips. The small haunt serves dhufish, bronze whaler, and yellowfin whiting, and is decorated in a nautical theme, complete with fish decals and mini seagulls, deck chairs, shells, and sand. Expect long lines and wait times during peak season.
The Pizzale family has owned and run this Freo restaurant for more than 50 years and it's here where you'll be treated to an old-style Italian meal. Don't expect flashy decor or fancy lighting—the focus is on the food. It's strictly BYO so bring a bottle of wine or beer (a small corkage fee applies) as the restaurant is not licensed to serve alcohol.
No visit to Fremantle is complete without a stop at this locally famous fish-and-chippery that was once featured on a postage stamp. Housed in a boathouse-style building fronting Fremantle's lovely Fishing Boat Harbour, this joint serves the real thing: fresh oysters, mussels, crabs, fish, lobsters, and crispy chips. No wonder they're experts—they've been doing it since 1903.
The pastoral setting over the dammed waters of Wilyabrup Brook, encircled by olive groves in the midst of the Brookland Valley Vineyard, is almost as compelling as the cuisine—French bistro fare mixed with tropical influences from the northern Australian town of Broome. Executive chef and restaurant owner François Morvan makes use of prime local produce, creating a variety of mouthwatering dishes created especially for lingering lunches.
Reserve a seat by the window, or on the wooden deck that juts out over the picturesque dam.
The original owner, the late Gino Saccone, was so passionate about coffee that he closed his tailor shop to open this cappuccino-strip property with a busy alfresco terrace. Now, the iconic café insists it serves the best coffee in Perth, and let's face it, it's pretty good---plus you can get a bowl of soul-comforting pasta or authentic cannoli.
This blindingly white, fortlike property was once the official summer residence for the governors of Western Australia but today it's decked out in Astroturf and bench seats as the island's social hub. Since the addition of the Samphire Rottnest resort, Hotel Rottnest no longer offers guest rooms. But it will live on as everyone's favourite pub and restaurant with epic views of Thomson Bay. The popular main bar is open all day and serves bistro-style meals along with craft beers, cocktails, and wine.
The British celebrity chef and good food crusader Jamie Oliver has a long-established relationship with Australia, so it's no wonder he opened a restaurant in Perth. Fun, fresh, and fabulous, Jamie’s Italian serves fantastic value with every dish.
This Fremantle restaurant looks like everyone's vision of a run-down, weather-beaten Maine diner. With uninterrupted harbor views, authentic nautical bric-a-brac, and great food, you can't go wrong. Recommendations include the salt-and-pepper squid, stuffed tiger prawns, and chili mussels. An outdoor section with umbrella-covered tables serves "Joe's to Go" takeaway food from a smaller, fish-and-chip-style menu.
You'll recognize this place by its giant, multicolor zebra mural on the external wall, which was commissioned by a local artist. Inside, take a seat at one of the colorful communal tables that are surrounded by dividers made from plumbing pipes and then enjoy classic and healthy café eats like Bircher muesli, free-range eggs, burgers, or Ootong & Lincoln's ever-popular coffee-and-cake special.
Sometimes you don’t need to dab foams or spread purees across a plate to impress; sometimes you just have to serve up consistently good, hearty fare that fills the belly and doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket. The crowds at this pub are testament to the fact that Settler's got the formula right, be it a thick scotch fillet cooked to perfection or a vegan plate of joy featuring a lentil patty, ratatouille, and brown rice. The awards keep piling in, too. They've been commended for their wine, beer, and hospitality. The kitchen often closes at 8:30 pm so get there earlier
Simmos has been delighting locals and visitors since 1993 when a father and son teamed up to put their Irish ice-cream recipe to the test. Some people thought they'd gone mad, but now this ice creamery and fun park is a popular excursion for families and sweet tooths. They have so many flavors of ice cream and sorbet that you'll have a difficult time choosing. Past flavors include apple pie, mascarpone with fig, mango macadamia, and gingernut biscuit. They also serve vegan ice cream. There's coffee to go, and—for the kids—a great playground, with games including an 18-hole minigolf course. Bring a blanket to have a picnic in the shady grounds.
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