Perth has a vibrant food scene filled with distinct flavours, personalities, and restaurants that continue to set the bar for Australian eateries.
Whether it’s the level of talent that our city produces or the isolation from other states that has turned Perth into a melting pot of culinary creativity, our food scene keeps getting better and better.
Here are the top 13 Perth restaurants we recommend you try when you’re out and about in the city.
Our recommendations are based on a few things: the ambience, unique personality, popularity, and food quality.
One thing they share in common: you’ll want to go back.
The top 13 restaurants in Perth
There was a time when the best restaurant lists were full of fine dining and French-inspired eateries. While there’s still a place for this type of food, times have changed. Much like perms and shoulder pads, we’ve moved on.
What you’ll find on our list is a diverse range of the best restaurants in Perth that run the gamut from refined fine dining to fast casual, with detours through different cuisines along the way.
Balthazar
Balthazar is one of the original new waves of Perth fine dining, and it’s still going strong. Located in the Art Deco Lawson building, it’s every bit the elevated dining experience, offering modern Australian fare that changes seasonally.
The Wagyu beef tartare is a classic, and the kangaroo with goat curd, fig, and macadamia is exquisite. It’s the perfect spot for a slow, romantic dinner, and bookings are essential.
Price: Mains start at $39.
fleur
Fleur is located inside the Royal Hotel. A dark, moody restaurant, it’s perfect for romantic dinners.
A European-inspired menu nods to its French heritage, with a few delightful surprises to keep you guessing. The miso mushroom doughnut is a decidedly different starter, with coal-roasted market fish or dry-aged duck rounding out the menu. To make it an experience, try the seasonal six-course tasting menu.
You can walk in for a drink, but it’s best to book for dinner.
Price: Entrees start at $20, and mains at $36.
Garum
Nestled in the historic Hibernian Hall, Garum mixes modern Perth sensibility with a touch of heritage class.
In this Osteria-style dining hall, the food pays homage to classic Roman cuisine. A soul-healing Cacio e Pepe shows how special a simple dish can be, and tender porchetta with celeriac and apple slaw is a must-try.
Paired with a wine list that transports you to some of Italy’s best wine regions, Garum is a place to indulge mindfully.
Price: A pasta dish starts at $32, mains from $48.
The Heritage
The Heritage lives up to its name. High, airy ceilings and tall windows give views overlooking Brookfield Place in a beautifully restored 1920s fit-out. It’s a classic feel wherever you sit.
It boasts a simple European-inspired menu, with firm nods to Asian delicacies. Discover scallop crudo with avocado and fermented kale, eggplant adobo with fried sweet potato and Vietnamese mint, or lamb with pearl barley, dried apricot, and olives.
And with one of the country’s best wine lists, it’s best to reserve a table so you don’t miss out.
Price: Mains start at $39.
Hifumiya / Izakaya Jigoro
Shop 2, 100/104 Murray Street Perth
Hifumiya and Izakaya Jigoro may seem like one restaurant, but they are actually two separate establishments with different dining experiences.
Hifumiya is tucked away down Ginza Nana Laneway just off Murray Street, bringing an authentic Japanese dining experience to Perth. With no reservations, it’s walk-ins only, with the line out the door a testament to the quality of the food.
Hifumiya dishes up a range of authentic hand-made udon noodles—this is simple food done beautifully, like the classic kitsune udon.
But at night, it transforms into a bustling Izakaya, swapping the udon for authentic bites and mains that are designed to be served with drinks. This is a genuine taste of Japan right here in Perth.
Price: Small dishes start at $5, and larger dishes start at $8.
James Parker Sushi & Sake
2/182 James Street, Northbridge
James Parker Sushi and Sake dishes up succulent sashimi and sushi unmatched in Perth. This is a high-end contemporary Japanese dining venue, and the prices reflect that.
But the moment you step inside the round wooden entranceway, you know you’re in for something unique. A vibrant hum belies the upscale nature of the restaurant.
Try the sashimi assortment or browse the menu and choose something different, like the diced sashimi topped with natto—fermented soybeans—and egg yolk.
This is a place you need to book.
Price: Expect to pay around $20 upwards for a dish.
Le Vietnam
The best restaurants don’t have to dish up fancy food. They just have to be good. Le Vietnam doesn’t disappoint, serving some of Perth’s best Bánh mì on beautifully soft bread rolls.
You’ll find a careful selection of traditional Bánh mì stuffed full of house-made pâté, signature pork, Vietnamese ham, pickles, and coriander. There’s Peking-style chicken or crispy pork and plenty of exciting options for vegetarians and vegans, too.
It’s the perfect lunchtime indulgence paired with a classic Vietnamese iced coffee. But be warned, there may be a line out the door.
Price: Bánh mì starts at a very reasonable $11.
Long Chim
State Buildings, corner of Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace
Long Chim is located in the basement of the State Buildings and has risen to become Perth’s premier Thai restaurant. It delivers big, bold flavours, fast service, and a casual atmosphere that belies its top-quality fare.
This is street food, elevated. Be sure to try the spicy (very spicy) Chiang Mai larp, and the sour orange prawn curry. Pair it with one of the creative signature cocktails to remove the heat while adding a layer of decadence you won’t experience anywhere else.
Walk-ins are available, so it’s a place you can experience on a whim.
Price: Dishes are moderately priced, starting at $19 for a starter and $22 for mains.
Papi Katsu
Lower Level, 125 St Georges Terrace
Papi Katsu flips the script. This is maximalist modern Japanese dining at its finest. Dark, almost sci-fi-inspired neon lighting and fitout, along with thumping electronic music, greet you.
The food is no less impressive. The lunch and dinner menus feature a range of fresh sashimi, and larger plates offer up classic Japanese food with its own twist, like duck tsukune.
Or book in for their omakase chef’s table menu, a 2.5-hour journey through traditional Japanese cuisine made with local WA produce.
Bookings are essential.
Price: The prices are on the higher end—the omakase is $275 per person—but it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Post
Post is yet another sensational restaurant tucked away in the State Buildings. It’s a low-lit restaurant with a formal air, softened by the down-to-earth staff and spectacular food.
Post is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering seasonal contemporary Italian food. Indulge in mouth-watering antipasti, but save room for the mains. The tuna tartare bucatini and scampi lobster taglioni are a must-try, and even the humble triple-cooked potatoes are out of this world.
This is all paired with an extensive wine list and mouthwatering classic Italian cocktails. It’s the perfect date night spot, so we recommend booking.
Price: Mains start at $39.
Sentinel Bar & Grill
Sentinel Bar & Grill exudes old-world charm while its menu remains modern. A sophisticated restaurant and bar, think dark timber and moody lighting.
They’re open all day, serving up breakfast and lunch, but it’s the evening where it shines. Inspired by classic bistro food, the char grill is the menu’s centrepiece. Discover mouthwatering Wagyu sirloin, scotch fillet, or rib-eye cooked to perfection with your choice of sauce and sides.
This is classic food done exceptionally well. Make your bookings online.
Price: Mains start at $39, with a char-grilled scotch fillet from $65.
Shadow Wine Bar
Shadow Wine Bar is exactly what it says: dark and mysterious, and it serves up some sensational wines paired with excellent food to match.
Discover a range of succulent pastas, like the crab spaghettini. Or try something different with the crunchy fried mixed olives, or indulge in oysters with Calabrian-style hot sauce.
It’s the perfect date night location for a meal or just a stellar glass of wine. Walk-ins are available, too.
Price: Mains start at $19.
Wildflower
State Buildings, 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth
Although this option isn’t directly in the CBD, we couldn’t leave it out. Wildflower takes the crown as one of Perth’s most spectacular fine-dining restaurants. Sitting at the top of the State Buildings, with stunning views out over the CBD and the Swan River, the almost minimalist decor lets the exceptional service shine.
But it’s the food that sets Wildflower apart. The menu is carefully and thoughtfully planned using local produce to celebrate the six seasons of the Noongar calendar, paired with a wine list over 20 pages long.
The show’s stars are the four, six, and eight-course tasting menus. Discover Manjimup marron with bush tomato and coastal succulents or Margaret River wagyu with bush mint, turnip, and mountain pepper.
This is one you have to book for. But it’s a meal you’ll never forget.
Price: A two-course lunch costs $69, and a four-course tasting menu costs $140.
Discover Perth’s best restaurants
When dining out in Perth, there’s something for everyone. You’ll find it here whether you’re after a simple yet innovative lunch, planning a romantic night out with food that sets the mood, or like something a little out there.
With a wide range of dining options just a short stroll from RAC Arena, you can enjoy a delicious meal or grab a drink before your event, whether in the mood for a casual bite or a fine dining experience.
Plus, with Perth City’s vibrant mix of shopping, cultural attractions, and scenic spots all within easy reach, why not turn your outing into a full day of exploration?
Wander through the charming laneways, visit iconic landmarks, or simply soak in the lively atmosphere before heading to your event.