Longevity in the Perth dining scene should be celebrated far more than it is. In this list, I’m celebrating the best Perth restaurants that may have fallen off the foodie radar but are well worth revisiting.
The Perth hospo hype-train is real. Whether you choose to step off it, or not, is up to you. Every time a new venue opens, we’re bombarded with it on socials. It’s “The Best Perth” this or that… but is it really? How about the iconic spots that have been quietly going about their thang for the past decade or more? Those cafes and restaurants are still very deserving of a visit and a little hype themselves.
In a city that’s always sprinting toward the next shiny fit-out and neon-soaked small bar, I find comfort in the stalwarts that have seen it all before. These are the dining rooms that survived the boom, the bust, the ‘rona and everything in between, relying not on a viral TikTok moment but on the steady rhythm of consistent service and a solid menu.
These Perth restaurants are the keepers of Perth’s culinary soul. Found tucked away in suburban pockets or standing firm on city streets, be sure to book a table at a couple. We want these favourites around for many more years to come.
Here’s my list of the best Perth restaurants, all around for 10+ years, that are worth re-booking:
Best Perth Restaurants – CBD & Inner City
Sauma – Northbridge
Chef Gurps brings a vibrant, modern Indian pulse to the corner of William Street. Sauma has spent years proving that Indian cuisine can be both street-food playful and elegantly refined. Their goat curry and pani puri shots remain essential Northbridge fuel for anyone looking to spice up their night out. See my review.
Petition Kitchen – Perth CBD
Anchoring the historic State Buildings, Petition Kitchen continues to set the gold standard for inner-city dining with its clever, produce-driven plates and bustling atmosphere. Whether it’s a quick business lunch or a long, wine-fueled dinner, the kitchen’s ability to make simple ingredients sing has kept it relevant long after the initial 2015 opening buzz faded. See my review.
El Publico – Mount Lawley
Long before every second small bar had a taco menu, El Publico was schooling Mount Lawley on the art of authentic Mexican flavours and high-end mezcal. The neon donkey still glows bright, beckoning those in search of Mexican bites, Tequilla, and some of the best tacos in town. See what was one of my very first reviews in 2013, terrible photos and all.
Duende – Leederville
As Leederville’s original tapas pioneer, Duende has maintained its moody edge while serving up some of the most consistent Mediterranean bites in the precinct. This was an ‘old favourite’ of mine back in 2013 and dinner can easily evolve into a three-hour feast of chorizo, manzanilla olives, and their legendary doughnuts. See my review.
Wildflower – Perth CBD
Perched atop the Treasury building, Wildflower continues to define West Australian fine dining by revolving its menu around the six Noongar seasons. The views over the city are breathtaking, but it’s the sophisticated use of native botanicals that keeps this rooftop destination in a league of its own. See my 2016 review.
The Heritage Brasserie – Perth CBD
With its soaring ceilings and old-world charm, The Heritage feels like a slice of Manhattan dropped right into the heart of St George’s Terrace. The wine bar and restaurant remain a bastion of classic European technique, where the service is as polished as the glassware, and the steak never goes out of style. See my review.
Apple Daily Bar and Eating House – Perth CBD
Named after the Hong Kong newspaper, this Print Hall favourite has been dishing out punchy, vibrant South-East Asian flavours to the corporate crowd for years. The share plates are well worth booking a table at the multi-level venue. See my 2013 review.
Post – Perth CBD
Located in the original General Post Office franking room, Post offers a contemporary take on the classic Italian osteria within the grand State Buildings. It’s a masterclass in understated elegance, focusing on clean flavours and high-quality ingredients that make it a reliable city favourite for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. See my review.
The Standard – Northbridge
The Standard, one of my favourite bars, managed to turn a Northbridge “backyard” into a stylish urban oasis, complete with a shipping container deck and oodles of lush greenery. The bar has had its fair share of evolutions over the years. Originally a modern-Australian, then an Asian diner, their kitchen consistently punches above its weight. Now serving up creative, Mediterranean-inspired dishes that pair perfectly with a cocktail. See my 2015 review.
Mayfair Lane – West Perth
Part posh gastropub, part cosy local, Mayfair Lane has become the heartbeat of West Perth’s dining scene under the watchful eye of its expert sommelier owner. Whether you’re there for a modern British meal or a world-class bottle of red, hand-picked by owner Foni Pollitt, the hospitality here is always top tier. See my review.
Best Perth Restaurants – South of the River
Millbrook Winery – Jarrahdale
The “No-waste Mondays” philosophy at Millbrook isn’t a trend; it’s a way of life that has seen the Jarrahdale estate become a pilgrimage for lovers of garden-to-plate dining. With a menu dictated entirely by what’s bursting from the soil that morning, every lunch here was grown in the Perth Hills. Join one of chef-ambassador Guy Jeffrey’s masterclasses, to really immerse yourself in this inspiring foodie spot. See my review.
Rustico Tapas & Bar – Rockingham
Bringing a slice of the Mediterranean to Rocko foreshore, Rustico has been the go-to for shared plates and sangria-soaked afternoons for well over a decade. Their commitment to authentic tapas makes it easy to forget you’re in the southern suburbs and not tucked away in a Spanish laneway. See my review.
Nobu – Crown Perth
The global heavyweight hasn’t lost an ounce of its luster since arriving at Crown, still serving up the definitive Black Cod Miso to a glam crowd. It remains a “special occasion” spot where the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours is executed with world-class precision. See my review.
Bread in Common – Fremantle
Housed in a beautifully converted warehouse, this Fremantle stalwart changed the game with its communal tables and wood-fired ovens that produce Perth’s most addictive sourdough. Years later, the smell of baking bread and the glow of the hanging lights still make it one of the most inviting dining rooms in the West. See my review.
Rose and Crown – Guildford
When we’re talking longevity, it doesn’t get much greater than Perth’s oldest pub. Lunch in the beer garden at the Rose and Crown is always a treat, even on the 14th visit. Here, historic brickwork meets the shade of trees, and the occasional plane flying overhead. It’s the quintessential spot for a relaxed pub meal, and if you haven’t tried their pies, you must! See my review.
Best Perth Restaurants – Western Suburbs
Marumo – Nedlands
Securing a seat at this minimalist Nedlands fine diner is famously like winning the lottery, but the reward is a meticulously crafted omakase that remains one of Perth’s most intimate dining experiences. Chef Moe Oo’s unwavering dedication to seasonal precision has kept this tiny sanctuary at the top of every local foodie’s bucket list for years. See my review.
Samsons Paddock – Mosman Park
This neighborhood favourite in Mosman Park has built a loyal following through its clever “share and pair” philosophy, matching boutique whiskies and wines with seasonal small plates. It’s the kind of warm, wood-accented local that every suburb wishes they had on their doorstep. I love seeing that their steak tasting plate is still on the menu too, after the spot first opened in 2014. See my review.
Bib and Tucker – Leighton Beach
With the Indian Ocean practically lapping at the floor, Bib and Tucker offers the quintessential WA dining view alongside a menu that champions the “rotisserie and wood-fire” approach. No longer owned by founders Chef Scott Bridger and swimmer Eamon Sullivan, it’s still a great choice for a post-swim breakfast or a sunset dinner where the food is as fresh as the sea breeze. See my 2013 review.
Tsunami – Mosman Park
While many know it for its extensive sake list, the back-room Fuku Omakase at Tsunami offers one of the most authentic and theatrical Japanese dining experiences in the state. “Ko” means “Son of” in Japanese and so it makes sense that Tsunami Ko is found next to the popular Japanese restaurant Tsunami. It’s a hidden gem that has been quietly perfecting the art of teppanyaki. See my review.
The Shorehouse – Swanbourne
The swish Shorehouse is the place to sip a wine, freshly chilled in the brass bathtub, from under an iconic yellow-striped umbrella. The menu is always a bright, coastal celebration of Josper-cooked meats and fresh seafood, which makes every dish feel a little bit special. Originally opened by the hospo group behind Beaufort Local and Enrique’s School for to Bullfighting (remember them?!), now owned by the powerhouse Kailis Hospitality Group. Shorehouse is my go-to for a birthday lunch with a view. I’ve been a few times over the last decade or so, but my 2021 lunch was most memorable – thanks to the best dessert I’ve eaten in Perth! See my review.
Chez Pierre – Nedlands
A bastion of silver service and Gallic charm, Chez Pierre has been Nedlands’ portal to Paris for decades, serving up the kind of unapologetic French luxury that never goes out of style. From the tableside crêpes Suzette to the rich, buttery escargot (which have to be tried), Pierre and his team have mastered the art of the long, indulgent lunch that never skips a beat. See my review.
Lulu La Delizia – Subiaco
Chef Joel Valvasori’s homage to his Friulian heritage has made Lulu La Delizia a national (and even international) treasure, famous for pasta so silky it’s practically legendary. This small, soulful trattoria proves that when you do one thing perfectly, like their hand-crafted pasta, it never gets old. I’m just so glad I dined there before my gluten-intolerant diagnosis! See my review.
Monsterella – Wembley
Since firing up its ovens in 2016, Monsterella has become the heartbeat of Wembley, proving that a simple formula of hand-stretched dough and a “BYO and chill” vibe is the ultimate recipe for sliced success. It’s a chaotic, flour-dusted joy of a restaurant where the ‘Milliano’ pizza remains a fave and the crusty garlic bread is as comforting as a warm hug. See my review.
Itsara – Nedlands
Hidden in plain sight on Stirling Highway, Itsara offers a refined take on Thai cuisine amongst its lush, tropical garden-style dining room. Head Chef and co-owner Itsara Pracharoenwattana has a PhD in plant molecular biology and grows most of the kitchen’s vegetables and herbs. See my review.
Lapa Brazilian Barbecue – Subiaco
The waiters at Lapa have been carving succulent, flame-grilled meats tableside since the days when Subiaco was the undisputed jewel of the Perth dining scene. This churrascaria is a carnivore’s carnival where the endless parade of picanha and coracao de frango never fails to draw a hungry crowd. See my review.
Il Lido Italian Canteen – Cottesloe
Occupying a prime slice of real estate across from Cottesloe Beach, Il Lido is a bustling, but sophisticated Italian canteen with one of the best wine lists in the state. It’s a high-energy hub where the salt air meets bunch, lunch or dinner, maintaining its cool even as the tides change. See my 2014 review.
Best Perth Restaurants – North of the River
Sittella Winery – Swan Valley
Overlooking some of the most picturesque vines in the Swan Valley, Sittella has long been a favourite for those seeking a refined lunch with a view. Their veranda is the perfect setting to pair award-winning sparkling wine with a menu that celebrates the very best of local valley produce. See my review.
Pinchos – Leederville
This pint-sized powerhouse has never lost its shine over the years, or the frantic, friendly energy of a true Spanish pintxos bar. It’s the best place in Perth to grab a cheap snack and a bottle of cava while people watching. Chicharrones is my must try – a plate of deep-fried pork belly, dusted in cumin. The deliciously crisp pork belly is tender and moist. So simple, and SO good. See my review.
Leapfrogs – Wanneroo
Nestled within the Wanneroo Botanic Gardens, Leapfrogs has been the go-to for wood-fired pizzas, craft beers and good times for locals for years. It’s a relaxed, unpretentious spot where the atmosphere is as vibrant as the surrounding glow-in-the-dark mini golf course. See my review.
Even with over a decade of dedicated dining under my belt (over 13 years of writing, if you’re really counting), the Perth foodie scene moves at such a pace that some of the most respected institutions have still eluded me. Here are the spots that have been killing it for years that are still firmly at the top of my personal “to dine” list:
- Three Coins – Mount Lawley: A family-run Italian trattoria that has been the heart and soul of the Beaufort Street strip for years.
- Balthazar – Perth CBD: A moody, art-deco bolthole tucked into the Lawson Apartments since the late 1990s, famous for its wine list and sophisticated dining.
- Shadow Wine Bar – Northbridge: A chic, architecturally stunning sanctuary that treats classic European bistro fare with a modern, Northbridge edge.
- No Mafia – Northbridge: A high-energy slice of Southern Italy on William Street that remains a non-negotiable destination for sun-drenched snacks and Mediterranean wines. I still remember being so impressed with owner Emma, from her days heading front of house at a fresh Apple Daily. I need to get here!
While the “new and now” certainly has its place, and I love a sticky beak around a newly opened venue, there’s nothing like an old favourite. From the dining rooms that defined our special occasions to the no-frills eateries that have been perfecting the same signature dish since the early 2010s, these venues prove that longevity is the ultimate prize. Let’s be mindful about choosing local, skip the queue for the latest pop-up and return to the places that built Perth’s palate.
What are your best Perth restaurants and dining rooms, over a decade old, that have stood the test of time? Let me know in the comments below!