Quick answers — eating in Perth
- Best restaurant overall
- Nobu Perth
- Best value
- Manuka Woodfire Kitchen (AUD 80-140 | USD 55-95)
- Strongest cuisines
- Modern European, Japanese, Steak & grill, French
- Dishes to try
- Fish and Chips, Local Seafood Platter, Rottnest Scallop Pie, Xiao Long Bao
- Booking window
- For Perth's top fine dining, booking 2-4 weeks in advance is advisable, especially for weekend evenings. Popular times fill quickly, so plan ahead to secure your preferred slot.
Bookings for acclaimed restaurants are essential, often weeks in advance for weekend sittings. Dress codes range from smart casual to elegant, rarely formal. Tipping is not customary in Australia but is appreciated for exceptional service. Dinner typically commences between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, with later sittings common on weekends.
Modern European
Best modern European restaurants in Perth
Modern European is the catch-all for kitchens that borrow technique from France, produce from their own region and ideas from everywhere — usually tasting-menu only.
Balthazar
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Australian · Perth CBD · AUD 100-180 | USD 65-120
Balthazar, a long-standing fixture in Perth's dining scene, offers a refined and intimate experience in a stylish, subtly lit basement setting. Known for its sophisticated modern Australian cuisine, the menu showcases seasonal Western Australian produce with a focus on elegant technique and flavour balance. It's a consistently praised destination for special occasions.
Order: Daily Market Fish, Beef Fillet
Wildflower
Acclaimed local fine diningContemporary Australian · Perth CBD · AUD 160-250 | USD 100-170
Matthew Sartori
Perched atop the Como The Treasury hotel, Wildflower offers panoramic city views and a menu inspired by the Indigenous Noongar six seasons. The kitchen's commitment to hyper-local ingredients, often foraged, and native Australian produce, is evident in every meticulously crafted dish. The elegant, light-filled space complements the innovative and thoughtful cuisine.
Order: Wagyu with Davidson Plum, Local Marron
Millbrook Winery Restaurant
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Australian · Jarrahdale (Perth Hills) · AUD 120-180 | USD 80-120
Guy Jeffreys
Millbrook Winery Restaurant, set amidst the scenic Perth Hills, provides a captivating vineyard dining experience focused on sustainability and estate-grown produce. Chef Guy Jeffreys is renowned for his 'no-waste' ethos and ever-changing menu dictated by the vast kitchen garden. It’s an idyllic escape offering refined, seasonally driven cuisine complemented by award-winning wines.
Order: Seasonal set menu (changes daily based on harvest), Estate Lamb
Japanese
Best Japanese restaurants in Perth
Japanese rooms range from counter omakase, where you eat whatever the chef cut that morning, to kaiseki menus built around the season. Counters are small — book early and arrive on time.
Nobu Perth
Acclaimed local fine diningJapanese-Peruvian · Burswood · AUD 150-300 | USD 100-200
Sean Connolly (for Crown Perth restaurants, though Nobu has its own distinct kitchen leadership)
Nobu Perth, located within the luxurious Crown Towers, offers an innovative Japanese-Peruvian fusion experience. The sleek, sophisticated dining room, with its views of the Perth cityscape, provides an elegant backdrop for a menu celebrated for its delicate balance of flavours and artful presentation. It's a culinary institution in the city's high-end dining landscape.
Order: Black Cod Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeño
Steak & grill
Best steak and grill restaurants in Perth
Grill rooms are about sourcing and fire: ask where the beef comes from, how long it was aged, and order one cut to share rather than two on separate plates.
Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Australian Steakhouse · Burswood · AUD 120-250 | USD 80-170
Corey Costelloe (Group Executive Chef)
Rockpool Bar & Grill stands as a premier steakhouse experience in Perth, housed in a grand, Art Deco-inspired setting within Crown Perth. It champions dry-aged, ethically sourced beef and an impressive wine list. The restaurant combines a commitment to quality ingredients with impeccable service, making it a benchmark for luxurious dining in the city.
Order: David Blackmore's Full Blood Wagyu, Wood Fired Prawns
French
Best French restaurants in Perth
French cooking is still the backbone of fine dining almost everywhere — expect sauce work, butter, precise service and set lunch menus that cost a fraction of dinner.
Fleur
Acclaimed local fine diningFrench-Japanese · Perth CBD · AUD 130-220 | USD 85-150
Chase Weber
Fleur, nestled within The Royal Hotel, presents a charming and theatrical dining experience with its opulent, jewel-toned interiors. The cuisine artfully blends French techniques with Japanese influences, resulting in dishes that are both beautiful and deeply flavourful. It offers a memorable and distinct departure from conventional fine dining, with excellent service and creative flair.
Order: Duck Liver Parfait with Sauternes Jelly, Dry-aged Duck
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Perth
Toastface Grillah
A popular spot for gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches with creative fillings and good coffee, perfect for a quick, satisfying bite in the city. Expect to pay around AUD 10-15.
Little Cultures
Offers refreshing and healthy acai bowls, smoothies, and frozen yogurt. A great option for a light breakfast or snack, focusing on fresh ingredients. Prices typically range from AUD 12-20.
Authentic Bites Dumpling House
Renowned for its handcrafted, authentic Shanghainese dumplings, including xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and pan-fried varieties. A bustling, casual spot for delicious and affordable eats. Dishes around AUD 12-25.
Kailis Fish Market Cafe
A Fremantle institution for fresh fish and chips, seafood platters, and grilled fish, served casually by the water. Perfect for a classic Aussie seafood experience without breaking the bank. Mains around AUD 20-35.
Viet Hoa
A long-standing Vietnamese restaurant in Northbridge, famous for its generous portions of pho, vermicelli salads, and other traditional dishes. It's a reliable choice for flavourful and inexpensive dining. Meals typically AUD 15-25.
Local dishes
What to eat in Perth
Fish and Chips
A quintessential Australian takeaway, featuring freshly battered or crumbed fish (often local snapper or barramundi) served with crispy hot chips. Best enjoyed by the ocean with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt. Try it at C Restaurant, offering a refined version with stunning city views, or a beachfront shack in Cottesloe for the authentic experience.
Local Seafood Platter
Perth's proximity to the Indian Ocean means an abundance of fresh seafood. A platter often includes grilled or fried fish, prawns, calamari, mussels, and sometimes local crayfish (lobster). Enjoy this fresh bounty at restaurants along Fishing Boat Harbour in Fremantle, such as Kailis' Fish Market Café, for an authentic taste of the ocean's offerings.
Rottnest Scallop Pie
A popular and unique treat found almost exclusively on Rottnest Island. This savory pie features whole scallops cooked in a creamy sauce, encased in golden, flaky pastry. It's a surprisingly delicious and filling snack, perfect for refueling after cycling around the island. The Bakery at Thomson Bay is the iconic spot to try one.
Xiao Long Bao
These delicate Shanghainese soup dumplings are a must-try in Perth's vibrant Northbridge district. Filled with seasoned pork and a rich, savory broth, they are steamed and served hot. The skill lies in carefully biting a small hole to sip the soup before enjoying the rest of the dumpling. Authentic Bites Dumpling House is highly regarded for its rendition.
Bush Tucker Inspired Dish
Experience modern Australian cuisine with native ingredients, often referred to as 'bush tucker'. This could include anything from wattleseed-crusted lamb to dishes featuring finger lime or kangaroo. These ingredients offer unique flavors and a connection to indigenous culinary traditions. Wildflower at the State Buildings offers exceptional, seasonally-driven interpretations.
Avo Smash
A ubiquitous and beloved Australian breakfast or brunch staple. Smashed avocado on sourdough toast, often topped with feta, dukkah, cherry tomatoes, and a poached egg. It's a fresh, healthy, and satisfying dish. Find excellent versions at cafes throughout Perth, particularly in suburbs like Subiaco or Leederville, such as Ooh Coffee.
Marron
A freshwater crayfish native to Western Australia, renowned for its sweet, delicate flesh. Marron is a gourmet delicacy, typically grilled or pan-fried with minimal seasoning to let its natural flavour shine. It's best sampled at high-end restaurants during its season (usually summer and autumn), offering a unique taste of the region's freshwater bounty.
Perth Gin
The craft gin movement has boomed in Perth, with many local distilleries producing unique, botanical-infused gins. These often incorporate native Australian botanicals like lemon myrtle or quandong, offering a distinct local flavour profile. Visit a distillery like Old Young's Distillery in the Swan Valley for a tasting, or find local gins in well-stocked bars across the city.
How to book a table in Perth
- · For Perth's top fine dining, booking 2-4 weeks in advance is advisable, especially for weekend evenings. Popular times fill quickly, so plan ahead to secure your preferred slot.
- · Many higher-end establishments may request credit card details to secure reservations, especially for larger groups or tasting menus, with a no-show or late cancellation fee.
- · Some fine dining restaurants offer excellent value lunch menus, often a shorter tasting experience or an a la carte selection at a more accessible price point than dinner.
- · Be mindful of no-show policies; cancelling within 24-48 hours may incur a fee. Always communicate changes promptly to avoid charges and maintain goodwill with the restaurant.
FAQ
Perth restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Perth?
Nobu Perth in Burswood is the benchmark table — Japanese-Peruvian, led by Sean Connolly (for Crown Perth restaurants, though Nobu has its own distinct kitchen leadership), acclaimed local fine dining, around AUD 150-300 | USD 100-200 per person. Order the Black Cod Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeño
Where is the best modern European restaurant in Perth?
Balthazar in Perth CBD is the modern European table to book in Perth (AUD 100-180 | USD 65-120 per person). Other strong options: Wildflower, Millbrook Winery Restaurant.
Where is the best Japanese restaurant in Perth?
Nobu Perth in Burswood is the Japanese table to book in Perth (AUD 150-300 | USD 100-200 per person).
Where is the best steak and grill restaurant in Perth?
Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth in Burswood is the steak and grill table to book in Perth (AUD 120-250 | USD 80-170 per person).
Where is the best French restaurant in Perth?
Fleur in Perth CBD is the French table to book in Perth (AUD 130-220 | USD 85-150 per person).
Where can I eat well in Perth without spending a fortune?
Manuka Woodfire Kitchen is the best-value table on this list at roughly AUD 80-140 | USD 55-95 per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Toastface Grillah, Little Cultures, Authentic Bites Dumpling House.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Perth?
For Perth's top fine dining, booking 2-4 weeks in advance is advisable, especially for weekend evenings. Popular times fill quickly, so plan ahead to secure your preferred slot. Many higher-end establishments may request credit card details to secure reservations, especially for larger groups or tasting menus, with a no-show or late cancellation fee.
What food is Perth famous for?
Fish and Chips, Local Seafood Platter, Rottnest Scallop Pie, Xiao Long Bao, Bush Tucker Inspired Dish — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. A quintessential Australian takeaway, featuring freshly battered or crumbed fish (often local snapper or barramundi) served with crispy hot chips. Best enjoyed by the ocean with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt. Try it at C Restaurant, offering a refined version with stunning city views, or a beachfront shack in Cottesloe for the authentic experience.
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