The best restaurants in Perth’s CBD
Perth may hold plenty of hidden gems across our sprawling suburbs, but the city centre’s vast number of next-level eateries is pretty hard to resist.
Whether you’re schmoozing a client or finding a sultry spot to take your next Hinge date, here are just some of our favourites:
Apple Daily
We’ve written the descriptor “multi-level venue” a fair few times in the past couple of years – but when it comes to a behemoth, multi-venue operation in Perth… Print Hall was ahead of the game. After changing hands and relaunching in 2023, Print Hall’s Asian-influenced Apple Daily has undergone its own transformation (or three), reborn with a new menu and reinvigorated approach. With a flavours drawn from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan and the Philippines, Head Chef James Wong manages to keep a tight rein on dishes, bringing a sense of clarity to the geographically broad influences. (We also have to give a shout out to John, whose elegant service is the proverbial cherry on top.)
Heritage Wine Bar
With its crisp white linens, bentwood chairs and monochrome palette, Heritage Wine Bar has the classic good looks its name would suggest. Devoid of any trendy gimmicks, the menu has a distinctively European flair without being beholden to tradition – think steak tartare with black garlic and bonito, crudo with a zesty topping of candied lemon, yoghurt and za’atar, or a lunch-break friendly burger.
131 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Long Chim
A visit to Long Chim will always turn up the heat. The Thai street food mecca has become an institution of sorts since opening its doors in 2015 – and for good reason. Bringing a slice of Bangkok to the State Buildings’ basement, the menu practically slaps you in the face with flavour.
State Buildings, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth
Hifumiya / Jigoro
It’s a testament to the quality of Hifumiya’s offerings that – in spite of its hidden location down a laneway running between Murray and Wellington Streets – it’s become a cult favourite amongst Perth noodle lovers. While their lunchtime offerings are excellent, in the evenings the restaurant changes its name to Jigoro and takes a pivot to traditional izakaya fare – think seared stingray fin, monkfish liver, fermented squid guts and sea grapes with ponzu. Immaculate vibes.
McLean Lane, 100-104 Murray Street, Perth
Balthazar
Polished, yet accessible. Business appropriate yet gives you a wink. This timeless dining room gives you all the confident, New York-y, money-never-sleeps vibes you’d hope for, but with an approachability that’s all West Australian. Tartare, terrine, kangaroo loin and duck fat potatoes tick all the hedonistic boxes, not to mention that impressive wall of wines.
6 The Esplanade, Perth
Petition
Jack-of-all-trades is often used disparagingly, but in this case, we use it as the highest complement: what can’t Petition do? Whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee, a long lunch, or a convivial dinner with friends, Petition is always there, with a thoughtfully executed menu that showcases the best local produce on offer. (Don’t skip the broccoli salad!)
State Buildings, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth
Santini
You just can’t overlook Santini’s dazzling dining room, with those caramel-y terracottas and rich blue hues that transition effortlessly from the bright approachability of a long lunch, into the dimly-lit deliciousness of dinner service. The Italian menu manages to balance its accessibility with a focus and attention to detail that ensures any less-favourable hotel dining cliches are satisfyingly avoided. Inner-city slickness, paired with a vibrancy that’s classically Mediterranean-Australian.
QT, 133 Murray Street, Perth
Fleur
Having relaunched at the start of 2022 with a new, French-leaning menu – we have a reinvigorated appreciation for The Royal’s decadent dining room. Decked out in sumptuous velvet, Fleur boasts a polished dining experience that blends the old-world with the new-wave: think miso mushroom donuts, indulgent scallops topped with lardo and caviar, or beef tongue French toast. (For an extra special treat, enjoy the grandeur of tableside crêpes Suzette.) Plus, they’re now making it even easier to indulge, opening for Friday lunches with a new “Fleurburger” special that’s certain to have you clocking off early.
531 Wellington Street, Perth
Wildflower
Wildflower might be Perth’s crowning jewel of fine dining. Fittingly perched atop the State Buildings with stunning views over the city and the Swan River, the menu journeys through the six Noongar seasons and fittingly utilises uniquely Western Australian ingredients. The luxe Treasury Buildings surrounds and refined fit out certainly don’t hurt.
State Buildings, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth
Nippon Bar + Kitchen
Looks aren’t everything, but you certainly won’t be forgetting Nippon Bar + Kitchen‘s fluffy, flowering bar anytime soon. Holding its own against some of the city’s Japanese heavyweights – they’re serving up a selection that pays tribute to prefectures across the country. Their robatayaki is particularly worthy of note; grilled over charcoal, skewers of tiger prawns, chicken and M9+ wagyu are tender and flavourful, perfect for a quick bite with a drink. That’s the name of the game at Nippon: often izakaya becomes lost in translation, but the concept of grabbing a drink and a few bites to eat after work seems to be flourishing here.
QV1 Plaza, 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Rojiura Curry Samurai
These comforting bowls of Hokkaido soup curry have become a salve to gloomy winter days working in the city – and we’re not alone in thinking so! Rojiura Curry Samurai are Perth’s first eatery specialising in the regional curry, and each bowl boasts a mammoth assortment of veggies that’ll keep you nourished through the winter, alongside flavourful karaage, chicken Maryland or succulent pork belly. Not to be missed? The add-ons, which truly take this to the next level: garlicky fried broccoli, deliciously cheesy potato mochi or rice topped with soft-boiled egg and charred cheese.
4A Shafto Lane, Perth
Chuonkin
The north end of Barrack Street might not be the most illustrious part of town, but the aromatic, tender temptation of Chuonkin’s slow-cooked lamb shanks would be enough to entice anyone. Sticky ribs, crispy prawns, vibrant curries – we know where our next lunch break will be.
137 Barrack Street, Perth
Post
With a flair for showing off WA’s best produce, Post’s menu delicately balances between Old-World-Italian and Perth-right-now – while reflecting the restrained refinement of the State Buildings, of course. Stop by for mouth-watering after-work antipasti (buffalo mozzarella with pickled mushrooms, or a rosy plate of beef carpaccio?), or delve into their pasta offerings – think their now-iconic gnocchi, rigatoni with guanciale, chilli and tomato, or dive face-first into that veal cotoletta.
State Buildings, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth
Lalla Rookh
An impressive blend of Italian dining infused with the spirit of fresh WA produce, Lalla Rookh‘s menu is a lesson in relaxed decadence. And when it comes to wines, Sommelier Jeremy Prus stocks an award-winning offering of only the finest Italian and Australian offerings.
77 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King
If you’re going to do just one thing, you’ve gotta do it well. That’s the whole idea behind cult noodle chain Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King – ramen, and that’s it. Founded by Keisuke Takeda and attached to the Melbourne Hotel, arrive knowing that although you might have to wait for a seat, you will be richly rewarded.
33 Milligan Street, Perth
Nao
Perth ramen fiends will need no introduction to Nao Ramen. Since relocating from their original Murray Street digs, they’ve continued to set the standard. Choosing from four broth flavours (shoyu, miso, shio and spicy miso), four styles of noodles (original egg, green spinach, red chilli or black squid ink), as well as an array of extra toppings you can customise your order to make your perfect bowl of ramen. If it’s a hot day, check out their specialty cold ramen and tsukemen.
Shop 191, 580 Hay Street, Perth
Grand Orient
Another eatery attached to the Melbourne Hotel, Grand Orient brings some old-world glitz to the city. With a focus on Cantonese-style dishes, it’s a great dinner date if you feel like the theatrical grandeur of table-side Peking duck, all in a beautiful setting. Or why not stop by for a more glamorous weekend dim sum?
33 Milligan Street, Perth
Palsaik Namoo
Pork belly is integral to the Korean barbecue experience, and at Palsaik Namoo, you know you won’t be left wanting. Eight types of marinated pork belly to suit every taste, from bulgogi to garlic or chilli. If pork isn’t your thing, don’t panic – they’ve also got plenty of beef, fried chicken and of course, sides dishes to keep everyone happy.
78 Barrack Street, Perth
Samuels On Mill
Another restaurant that puts to bed any prejudices you may have against hotel dining, Samuels is one of the CBD’s sultriest hidden pleasures. A slick, dimly-lit dining room makes it the perfect destination whether you’re trying to impress a date or a client, alongside plenty of tempting lunch deals that bring it within reach for weekday exploration. The gnocchi is a classic in the making, but we’ve also got our eyes firmly fixed on that wall of wine for a takeaway treat.
14 Mill Street, Perth
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Short Order Burger Co.
There’s no better salve to a stressful day at work than some one-on-one time with a Short Order burg. A pop-up success story from low-key beginnings in Freo’s Sunshine Harvester Works, they’re slowly building a burger empire with pillowy-soft brioche, juicy grass fed beef patties cooked perfectly to medium rare, plus all the fixin’s. Honestly, what more could you ask for?
800 Hay Street, Perth
Andaluz
Remember the good old days, when small bars were a revelation to us, and we couldn’t get enough of those totally, soooo Melbourne laneways? Andaluz was right at the forefront of the small bar scene and has stayed there ever since. These guys nail classic tapas, with staples like patatas bravas, boquerones, calamares and more – but you’ll really want to suss out the specials board for some shining stars.
21 Howard Street, Perth
Header image: Fleur