If you've explored places to eat in Perth, you'll understand the scale of the challenge we set ourselves in choosing just a few favourites.

Even when we limited ourselves to outdoor restaurants, Perth simply has too many to allow for a fair selection. So we’ve cheated by mentioning others within each category - at least you'll have plenty of choice! Like any good Perth restaurant guide, this one looks not just at the location, food and ambience, but the way each venue makes the most of its surroundings. For outdoor dining, Perth sits in the ideal environment, enjoying some of the balmiest evenings and most relaxing scenery you can hope to find in a capital city.

In this guide, we take you from the beach to the river, and right out into the winery region of the Swan Valley. Blessed with ocean, river and vineyard views, Perth has all the al fresco dining options you could wish for.

Perth Beaches

No Perth restaurant guide would be complete without a beachside venue where you can watch the summer sun set over the bluest of oceans.

Indian Ocean Brewing Co, Mindarie

Established in 2005, Indian Ocean Brewing Co have been providing quality craft beer brewed oceanside to the good people of Perth for 15 years, the extensive menu features Australian pub classics, pizzas, share plates and main dishes using only fresh and local produce.

We also like:

  • Straits Cafe, Scarborough- Overlooking the soft white sand of Scarborough Beach and the sparkling blue of the Indian Ocean, dine in elegance and comfort with unrivalled views of the city’s most beautiful beach. Straits Cafe serves a full buffet breakfast and dinner menu dedicated to the finest and freshest Western Australian produce, with a selection of contemporary Australian dishes that respect the fresh and simple flavours of the region.

Fremantle

Little Creatures, Fremantle

Cuisine: Lunch and dinner. Best known for its world famous beers, Little Creatures serves up tasty light food such as pizza, nachos and salads.

Ambience: The vast brewery creates a warehouse cafe style, young and funky, perhaps a little noisy and chaotic, but there’s pub-like outdoor seating front and back that has the buzz without the clamour.

Surroundings: Teetering on the edge of the ocean at Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour (aka Success Boat Harbour), along with several seafood eateries along the boardwalks, Little Creatures adds a piece of modern industrial character to the neighbourhood. The waterfront al fresco area is the place to be for views of the moored boats, cooled by fresh breezes in summer.

We also like:

  • Cicerello's, Fremantle - Open from 10.00am til late, this licensed fish ’n’ chip cafe is ideal for families wanting a wide choice of freshly caught seafood on the oceanfront.
  • Emily Taylor Bar & Kitchen, Fremantle - Emily Taylor tells a story of character and immense flavour. Expansive, lively, a world within a world, unseen from the street, enter the colour and culture of Emily Taylor set within tall limestone walls with a open courtyard area A fresh, architectural treasure of small tables through to communal dining alongside the vibrancy of high tables and bar service with an Asian fusion surprise menu on offer, plus Yum Cha styled brunch on the weekends.

Swan Valley & Perth Hills

When searching for the best lunch spots in Perth, do include the Swan Valley and Perth Hills. It's a little further to travel from Perth, but the rewards make it worth the effort. And if you can get there early for brekkie or stay on for dinner, so much the better! We looked at all our favourite wineries and breweries before selecting a top spot that's open all day:

Mandoon Estate, Caversham

Cuisine: Lunch and dinner. Choose from modern Australian fine dining (lunch and dinner), hearty brewery food (all day) or gourmet picnic on the lawn (weekends) - all beautifully complementing the wines and craft beers. Arguably the best lunch in Perth.

Ambience: A totally relaxing yet lively, family friendly venue. This is a fabulous place to get together with friends and relatives, or just have some quality time with the kids picnicking on the lawn.

Surroundings: The beautifully kept vineyards and grounds at Mandoon will wash away the city stress - the ideal spot for all styles of outdoor dining and simply to while away time soaking up the views and breathing in the fresh air of the valley. You can take a river cruise or scenic helicopter flight from the estate too, giving you an even wider experience of the estate and its surroundings.

  • Millbrook Winery, Jarrahdale - Very pretty surroundings within jarrah forest on the banks of the Serpentine, open for lunch Thursday to Monday, including seasonal local produce from Chestnut Farm
  • Core Cider, Pickering Brook - Lovely views from the deck overlooking the apple orchards, a cider heaven with a small but tasty lunch menu plus afternoon Sunday session (closed Monday, Tuesday)
  • Little Eeden Farm and Apiary, Mooliabeenee - Come and say hello to our resident cook Mark who prepares all fresh homemade meals and cakes with delicious coffee and smoothies. Sit amongst the beautiful gardens with a variety of inquisitive birds as your guests and taste the wonderful flavours of honey on offer.

On the foreshore

The broad and sweeping Swan River invites venues to capitalise on views and fresh air with al fresco dining. After looking all along the banks, we finally selected another newbie, this time in East Perth - an up-and-coming neighbourhood designed around the river:

18 Knots Rooftop Bar, Perth

Cuisine: Lunch and dinner. Cocktails, extensive vino list and a range of small dishes to larger share plates and individual dishes made with fresh and local ingredients.

Ambience: Exciting and indulgent with 360-degree views of our beautiful city and river, perfect to take in a stunning Western Australian Sunset.

Surroundings: This venue is a short walk from the heart of the city and boasts easy access from Elizabeth Quay.

We also like:

  • Captain Cook Cruises - If it's river-view dining you’re after, a Captain Cook lunch or dinner cruise on the Swan serves it up! Cruises leave from Barrack Square in Perth, or Victoria Quay in Fremantle (lunch cruises only).
  • Hearth Restaurant & Lounge, Perth - Hearth offers diners innovative Western Australian cuisine and exquisite flavours celebrating an unforgettable local food and wine experience, harnessing the power of nature and an open fire, billows of smoke and glowing embers, Hearth Restaurant is located in the lobby level of The Ritz-Carlton, Perth.