Feature by: WA Good Food Guide
A suburban standout serving landmark Malaysian
WA has such a variety of cultures, so when it comes to eating and drinking, the range really impresses. Walk up William Street at night and a range of scents and sounds fill the air as you pass Chinatown, then some of the Perth’s leading wine bars, ramen houses and Vietnamese eateries. A little further from the city, in North Perth, you’ll find KCH. Led by a former fine-dining chef with Malaysian roots, the food treads a line between traditional dishes – think laksa, chicken curry or noodles – and modern ideas. It’s fast, it’s no frills, but there’s a youthful energy to this place that should put it right at the top of your list for casual dining in the West.
KCH
Unit 41, 10 Angove Street, North Perth
thekch.com.au
A Margaret River fine-diner that's a true destination
There are countless days to be spent around Margaret River traipsing through wineries, stopping at beaches and exploring the coastline, but no itinerary is complete without a meal at Vasse Felix. The restaurant is right at the top of its game, with a locally sourced, refined menu showcasing the best produce from the Margaret River region. Each course is a masterclass in skill, flavour and execution.
Vasse Felix
Cnr Caves Road & Tom Cullity Drive, Cowaramup
vassefelix.com.au
The local wine bar making waves
With the line between bars and restaurants becoming increasingly blurred, it’s no surprise that the state now has a wealth of venues that could be called both – think Liberté in Albany, Casa or Vincent Wine in Perth and Lady Lola in Dunsborough just for starters.
A pasta bar that's among the nation's best
A pimped-up Subiaco trattoria with a keen eye for pasta, Lulu La Delizia should be right on the top of your list for all kinds of occasions. It’s a place to dine solo and soak up the atmosphere as much as it’s perfect for a group looking to go all in on a set menu. Dishes might seem simple, but there’s way more going on behind the scenes: tiramisu comes kissed with grappa, clams come tossed through saffron spaghettini, and the wine list is something to be envied.
Lulu La Delizia
5/97 Rokeby Road (Forrest Walk), Subiaco
lululadelizia.com.au
A Karridale farm-to-table restaurant
If you have time for one more stop on a trip to the South West, make it Glenarty Road in Karridale. More laid-back and rustic than your typical winery restaurant, it’s the sort of place to graze on a platter of garden vegetables and house-made charcuterie, dip into the estate wines, then feast on the restaurant’s own lamb, cooked over wood fire and served with salt-baked carrots. Finish, of course, with a stroll around the paddocks.
Glenarty Road
70 Glenarty Road, Karridale
glenartyroad.com.au
The seaside seafood specialist
Is there a better place to eat fish in Australia than right here in Fremantle? Walk up to Madalena’s from South Beach as the late afternoon sun dips over the water and everything feels in place. The seafood, much of it sourced from nearby, is pristine, and prepared just right: think barbecued Albany sardines with salsa verde or scallops with almond and mandarin. The wine list is forward thinking and perfectly pitched to go with the food, while the small plates, from chicken-liver parfait to fried school prawns, make snacks and drinks just as enticing as a full meal.
Madalena’s
406 South Terrace, South Fremantle
madalenasbar.com.au
The stylish bistro that loves to bend the rules
Le Rebelle doesn’t do things by halves. The cheese on the menu? Chef-owner Liam Atkinson made it. His partner Sarah Atkinson on the floor plays host, waiter, sommelier and DJ as well as the best of them. The wine list leans new-wave with a heavy dose of classics. Then there’s the food, which doesn’t shy from big flavours – think duck frites served with Béarnaise, quail with caviar and corn or a clever riff on honey king prawns. A bistro that's become a favourite among Perth diners.
Le Rebelle
676 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley
lerebelle.com.au
The seasonal specialist in a heritage building
The beautifully restored heritage State Buildings, right in Perth’s CBD, is worth a visit just to gawk at the architecture, but it also houses some of the city’s sharpest dining. Head upstairs to Wildflower for the most refined offering, where chef Matthew Sartori draws on the six seasons of the Noongar calendar to present dishes that go deep with their flavour and delight with their intricacy. Want a marker for what contemporary WA dining looks like? Start here.
Wildflower
COMO The Treasury, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth
wildflowerperth.com.au
A landmark Perth hotel for food, drinks and entertainment
Up the other end of town from the State Buildings, the redevelopment of The Royal Hotel has been just as impressive. Set within a beautifully restored heritage building, the precinct combines contemporary hospitality with historic charm. Whether you're stopping in for a drink, a meal or a night out in the city, it's a popular destination that showcases the evolving energy of Perth's CBD.
The Royal Hotel Perth
531 Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000
theroyalhotelperth.com.au
A lively dining destination in Highgate
Si Paradiso made its name as a bar first and foremost, but it has since cemented itself as one of Perth's most popular dining destinations. Thanks to a talented kitchen team and a menu designed for sharing, it's a place where great food, drinks and atmosphere come together seamlessly. Start with kingfish crudo with fermented pineapple, follow with grilled prawns and local stracciatella, then share a puffy pizza topped with mussels and spicy ’nduja. Add fun, fresh drinks and a lively atmosphere, and it's easy to see why Si Paradiso continues to draw crowds.
Si Paradiso
1/446 Beaufort Street, Highgate
si-paradiso.com
Reviewed in July 2026.