Some of Perth’s Best Pasta Spots

I love it everyday, spa-ghetti bolo-gnese! We certainly haven’t moved past Peter Combe levels of enthusiasm for pasta, so here’s our favourite places in Perth to get the stuff.

Lulu La Delizia

How long does it take to become an institution? Although it only opened in 2016, Lulu La Delizia has quickly become synonymous with quality Italian fare – and we’re not alone in noticing. Adeptly toeing the line between a high-brow, cheffy approach and simple northern Italian classics, this refined and restrained menu is hard to look past. I’d tell you to get the chef’s special, but then again, everything else is so good, too.

Monsterella

How good does the pasta have to be for you to get it at a pizza place? Really good, it turns out. Especially when the pizza’s as top-notch as it is at Monsterella. It took months of FOMO, (and plenty of sneaky tastes from our friend’s plates) before we could tear ourselves away from our favourite pizzas (Milliano and Bufalina, if you must know) and acknowledge that yes, actually, it’s worth coming here just for the carbonara. Head down a few doors to sister venue Mummucc if you’re feeling a bit fancy.

Shadow Wine Bar

The intimate lighting, the vaulted ceiling, the drapery that seems to almost, maybe, allude to bed linen… the dining room at Shadow is one of Perth’s – dare I say it – sexiest restaurants. The menu manages to keep pace with the enticing interior, from pillowy gnocchi, Shark Bay crab spaghettini, pork and fennel cavatelli, or the picturesque prawn tortelli with vermouth and fennel. It’s enough to get you a little hot under the collar.

214 William Street, Northbridge

Francoforte

What better place to share a plate of pasta, Lady and the Tramp style, than down a Northbridge laneway? Francoforte has been capturing hearts with their super-simple pasta, and their continued expansion into neighbouring shops is a testament to how beloved they are. Carbonara, roo bolognese, kale pesto, polpetti… It’s hard to point out a shining star with a menu this tight.

Cecchi’s

Inglewood neighbourhood spot Cecchi’s has fast become a favourite amongst locals for their share-friendly Italian plates and charming courtyard. While the small plates are worth a trip by themselves, the pasta can sure hold its own. Head there for lunch on a weekend to take advantage of the aforementioned courtyard and their pasta deals – a plate of pasta and a glass of wine will only set you back $20.

Galileo

There’s something to be said for tradition. Galileo certainly upholds the old-world standards of hospitality, with a brigade of waistcoated staff and an interior untouched by passing trends. You can expect the same from its menu, with classic flavours like busiate with prawns and saffron, casarecce with braised onions, beef and pork ribs, and even hand cut square pici with wild boar and Tuscan sauce. Take your mum, take your dad, take your gran.

Capri

Speaking of old world – you didn’t think we’d overlook Capri, did you? Stepping into this family-run restaurant feels like stepping back in time, to bustling 50s Fremantle and all of its Italian glory. Prices are, suitably in line with this old-school approach: incredibly reasonable, if not unbelievably low at times. Now with four generations of Pizzales involved in the restaurant, Capri is as good as ever. In fact, its determination to stand strong against any changing whims of fashions might be its greatest strength.

il Lido

If you ever need to convince someone why Perth is great (or uh, OK!), just take them to il Lido. Beachside relaxation (and views), with an uncompromising approach to quality has made it a stalwart for Perth foodies – even though its touristy location means it could get away with being a lot worse. Each pasta dish is a loving ode to its produce, whether it’s spaghetti with nduja, white anchovy, mascarpone and lemons, crowd-pleasing blue swimmer crab linguine, or cavatelli with broccoli and sausage.