Must-see restaurants in Western Australia

  • Sauma with al fresco tables, Northbridge.

    Sauma

    Perth

    Punchy Indian street-food flavours feature at this corner location in Northbridge that always has the windows open wide. Interesting antiques surround the…

  • Duende plain frontage, Leederville.

    Duende

    Perth

    Sleek, candlelit Duende occupies a quiet corner site just off the buzzing nexus of Leederville. Stellar, modern-accented and good-value tapas offer a…

  • Mary Street Bakery frontage, Mt Lawley.

    Mary Street Bakery

    Perth

    Crunchy and warm baked goods, artisan bread and interesting cafe fare combine with what may be Perth's best chocolate-filled doughnuts at this spacious,…

  • Hummus Club, Northbridge.

    Hummus Club

    Perth

    If you can nab a seat on the open-air balcony, consider yourself lucky. Hummus Club has become one of Northbridge's coolest foodie haunts, not least for…

  • Kakulas Bros, Northbridge.

    Kakulas Bros

    Perth

    A local institution since 1929, this fragrant provisions store overflows with sacks and vats of legumes, nuts, dried fruits and olives, plus a deli…

  • Little Willy's, Northbridge.

    Little Willys

    Perth

    The name here pertains to the cafe's petite size, and the fact it sits on William St – don't get any funny ideas. Grab a footpath table and tuck into…

  • Tak Chee House, Northbridge.

    Tak Chee House

    Perth

    With Malaysian students crammed in for a taste of home, Tak Chee is one of the best Asian cheapies along William St. If you don't have a taste for satay,…

  • Kailis Bros, Leederville.

    Kailis Bros

    Perth

    A big fresh-seafood supplier with attached cafe. Go in just for a stickybeak: the staff are always happy to pick up a live yabby or marron (local…

  • Boucla frontage, Subiaco.

    Boucla

    Perth

    A locals' secret, this Greek- and Levantine-infused haven is pleasingly isolated from the thick of the Rokeby Rd action. Baklava and cakes tempt you from…

  • Viet Hoa, Northbridge.

    Viet Hoa

    Perth

    Don't be fooled by the bare-bones ambience of this corner Vietnamese restaurant, or you'll miss out on the fresh rice-paper rolls and top-notch, steaming…

  • Coast

    Fremantle

    A breezy laneway fluttering with green fern walls heralds the entry to Coast, a sprawling, multizoned bar-cafe and kiosk that oozes chilled beach vibes…

  • Brika

    Perth

    Presenting a stylish spin on rustic Greek cuisine, off-the-main-drag Brika is a load of fun. The whitewashed interior is enlivened by colourful…

  • Leake St Cafe

    Fremantle

    Access this compact courtyard space by walking through the Kakulas Sister deli, and find some of Freo's best coffee and an ever-changing menu. Healthy…

  • Treehouse Tapas & Wine

    West Coast Australia

    A relaxed owner-run tapas restaurant serving up excellent small dishes, a decent wine list and good nonalcoholic drink choices including local sparkling…

  • Canvas

    Fremantle

    Freo's loveliest, licensed cafe is in the shaded courtyard of the Fremantle Arts Centre, with a menu channelling Middle Eastern, Spanish and North African…

  • Print Hall

    Perth

    This sprawling complex in the Brookfield Pl precinct includes the Apple Daily, featuring Southeast Asian–style street food, the perfect-for-leaning Print…

  • Bathers Beach House

    Fremantle

    This grand building overlooking Bathers Beach is a bustling bistro, with a seafood-heavy menu and chilled wine and craft beer. Mussels are glazed with…

  • Riva

    Rottnest Island

    Keep it salty at Riva, the upmarket restaurant at Karma Rottnest: prawns, calamari, oysters and salmon all receive an elegant touch of the Med, plus there…

  • Oceanic Bar & Grill

    West Coast Australia

    Fronting onto the boardwalk overlooking Mandurah's safe Swimming Beach, Oceanic is big, bold and brassy. Sport flickers across the screens above the bar,…

  • Mason & Bird

    West Coast Australia

    Named after a couple of Hills timber-mill pioneers, Mason & Bird is an efficient, contemporary cafe next to the visitor centre, cooking with local artisan…

  • Esplanade Hotel

    West Coast Australia

    There's an air of sophistication about this old hotel. Breakfast (until 11.30am) is good value, then the Empire Bar's all-day menu blends old classics…

  • Vineyard Kitchen

    West Coast Australia

    Sit inside the earthy farm-shed tasting room at Brookside Vineyard, or out by the brook with the chirping cicadas, for Vineyard Kitchen's top-notch…

  • Angel Falls Grill

    Perth

    The pick of Shafto Lane's ethnic restaurants, Angel Falls Grill brings a taste of South America to WA. Salads and meat dishes are served with arepas (flat…

  • Chu Bakery

    Perth

    Chu makes a great stop before or after exploring nearby Hyde Park. The coffee is excellent, the doughnuts superb, and the sourdough bread recommended if…

  • Balthazar

    Perth

    Low-lit, discreet and sophisticated, with a cool soundtrack and charming staff, Balthazar has an informal vibe that's matched by exquisite food and a…

  • Peninsula

    West Coast Australia

    There's been a pub here since 1911; the 'Pen' is the latest incarnation, a sassy 21st-century bar at the base of the Sebel Mandurah, with a shady beer…

  • Jules Cafe

    West Coast Australia

    Putting a hippy spin on heritage York since 1990 (Che Guevara poster, World Wildlife Fund sticker, trance tunes, patchouli incense…you get the picture),…

  • Mother

    Fremantle

    The beautiful warehouse this vegan, organic and sustainable cafe inhabits is less hippy than you might expect. Boost your energy levels in the concrete,…

  • Leeuwin Estate

    West Coast Australia

    An impressive estate with tall trees and lawns gently rolling down to the bush, Leeuwin Estate offers behind-the-scenes tours, wine flights and tastings,…

  • Little C's Pizzeria

    West Coast Australia

    In a twin-business arrangement with the Sandpiper Bar & Grill next door, Little C's does takeaway small-town discs with witty, rock-and-roll names to keep…

  • Moore & Moore

    Fremantle

    An urban-chic cafe that spills into the adjoining art gallery and overflows into a flagstoned courtyard. With great coffee, farm-direct produce, good…

  • Tiisch Cafe Bistro

    Perth

    High ceilings and white walls inspire a European ambience at this leafy CBD cafe. A serious drinks list includes cold-brew coffee, matcha latte and…

  • See Salt

    Exmouth

    Easy-breezy daytime options, expanding to dinners later in the week during the peak season. Kickstart your morning with chilli eggs or a bowl of…

  • Padbury's

    West Coast Australia

    A wall of WA wine, chunky heritage floorboards, brick arches and broad flagstone pavers greet you at Padbury's, an upmarket cafe-restaurant at the base of…

  • Cott & Co Fish Bar

    Perth

    This sleek seafood restaurant and wine bar is part of the renovated and historic Cottesloe Beach Hotel. Order local oysters and a glass of Margaret River…

  • Restaurant Upstairs

    West Coast Australia

    With its interior decked out with photos from the owners' global wanderings, the classiest dining spot in town does wonderful things with local seafood…

  • Quiet Life

    West Coast Australia

    Sit outside under the grapevine at this sweet old cottage, now a hip cafe serving up outstanding speciality coffee and delicious filled bagels (such as…

  • Tall Timbers

    West Coast Australia

    Tall Timbers' upmarket pub food stretches from gourmet burgers to confit duck, but its real point of difference is wines from all over southwest Australia…

  • Mrs Jones

    Southern WA

    Settle in with locals and tourists at this spacious spot with high ceilings and exposed beams. There's interesting cafe fare, often with an Asian or a…

  • Little Hanoi

    West Coast Australia

    Contemporary Vietnamese comes to the northern end of the Rockingham strip, with lofty ceilings, industrial lighting and walls adorned with conical straw…