Perth Restaurants

The restaurants and cafés of Perth reflect this city’s energetic outdoor lifestyle and are currently in the midst of a revival, which can be seen in the huge number of great places to eat. There is a diverse selection of restaurants, reflecting the city’s ethnic influx from all over the world. Most of the eateries are housed in quaint buildings or along the water, with wonderful views. Eating outdoors is a big part of dining out in Perth, thanks to the glorious year-round weather.

Local cuisine

Although Perth’s cuisine has certainly been shaped by the postwar European immigration and the strong presence of Asian and African cultures, an indigenous west coast style of cooking has steadily emerged. This new Perth style blends Asian, African and native Australian herbs with French and Mediterranean cooking to bring out the best of the local produce. It is common to see kangaroo, emu and venison on the menu, alongside the incredible variety of seafood available from the western coast.

Additionally, there are dozens of ethnic restaurants in the city, where you can find everything from dim sum in a traditional Asian teahouse to Moroccan and North African fare. The many cuisines of Asia dominate the overall dining scene here, so you won’t run out of options if you enjoy food.    

Where to eat

The dining centre of Perth is in Northbridge, where you can find dozens of reasonably-priced restaurants in all shapes and styles. Popular areas for fine dining include Hay street in Subiaco; Beauford street in Highgate; and Oxford street in Leederville. Many of the restaurants in Perth enjoy stunning views over the waterfront and most of the eateries have an outdoor seating area. The Marine Parade, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Crawley district and Kings Park all offer some of the best water views in the city.

If you are looking for a budget meal, check out one of the many Asian teahouses in Northbridge, where the food is cheap and delicious. For the most authentic Chinese and Cantonese food, head to the impressive Chinatown district in Northbridge. Besides the great Chinese fare, you can find plenty of Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean cuisine. For the ultimate sunset dinner, try one of the coastal resorts along the famous Sunset Coast. These restaurants always have stunning views ad are set in a relaxed, beachside atmosphere.

Most restaurants and cafés in Perth are open from 07:00 to 22:00, with Sundays and Mondays being the most common days to close. Most places in the city take reservations, which are recommended. Tipping is optional, but an extra 10 per cent is always appreciated. The dress code in Perth is relaxed and casual at nearly every place you dine, reflecting the city’s overall attitude. Many restaurants have a B.Y.O (Bring Your Own) policy for alcohol, with ‘B.Y.O’ signs indicating that it’s perfectly fine for you to bring your own bottle of wine to dinner.