12 of the newest bars and restaurants in WA

Dine on Italian food in Margaret River, enjoy pan-Asian flavours in Perth, and savour a few top drops.

1. Frui Momento, Perth

Frui Momento means ‘enjoy the moment’. Just under three hours from Perth in the Margaret River region is where you will do just that at one of the most exciting destinations for dining in Australia right now. While the region has had gastronomic credibility for decades, restaurateur Seth James has upped the ante in Wilyabrup with his collab with winemaker Larry Cherubino, creating a venue that is as much about the wine as the food.

Food at Frui Momento, Western Australia — The venue is as much about food as the wine. (Image: Frances Andrijich)

The space includes a 50-seat restaurant and a raw bar and Champagne lounge where you can get a bump of caviar and glass of bubbles. The venue will have more than 200 wines from the Cherubino vault, as well as a selection of local and international drops. James spent eight years cooking at the critically acclaimed Wills Domain before decamping to Frui Momento. Expect local Albany scallops and scampi sourced from the state’s northwest at the destination diner – all rustic timbers and sandstone – which overlooks the stunning vineyard, lake and rose garden.

Flat lay of food from Frui Momento, Western Australia — Enjoy the moment at Frui Momento. (Image: Frances Andrijich)

2. Pirate Life, Perth

Known as ‘Architects of Revelry’, local hospitality group Sneakers & Jeans have flung open the doors to Pirate Life Perth , one of the city’s most vibrant new venues. The tribe at Sneakers & Jeans joined forces with Pirate Life co-founders Michael Cameron, Jack Cameron and Jared ‘Red’ Proudfoot to open Pirate Life Perth in the old Sony Centre, minutes from the city’s CBD. The sprawling space also serves great food and cocktails, some of which are flavoured with hops.

Drinks from Pirate Life Perth, Western Australia — Pirate Life Perth, one of the city’s most vibrant new venues. (Image: Pirate Life)

3. Old Young’s Kitchen, Swan Valley

It’s customary to corkscrew around the Swan Valley to sample wines grown in WA’s oldest wine region. But the state has a reputation for its premium spirits, too, with distilleries such as Old Young’s shaking up tradition while showcasing WA’s bounty. Chef Rohan Park (ex-Leeuwin Estate, Wills Domain) has been lured in to lead Old Young’s Kitchen , the diner adjacent to the distillery. And just like the old-meets-new approach in the distillery, Park experiments with ingredients infused with Old Young spirits and native flavours. Try the crocodile chorizo or burnt meringue with spent botanic crumb.

Top view of food, Old Young's, Western Australia — Old Young’s shakes up tradition while showcasing WA’s bounty. (Image: Danica Zuk)

4. Gage Roads Brew Co., Fremantle

Gage Roads Freo now has a new HQ in Fremantle port where the views match the pours. In addition to a solid selection of beers, foodies will also feel the pull of a pilgrimage to the new brewpub for dishes such as kingfish tacos and lobster rolls. Over $10 million has been spent to spruce up the cargo shed which was, up until recently, a ramshackle site – built in 1926 – on the Walyalup waterfront. Kick back in the revitalised space, made from jarrah and sandstone, to enjoy beers such as the Single Fin summer ale and Pipe Dreams coastal lager, which are both nods to Freo’s surfing culture.

Gage Roads, Fremantle, WA — The views in the new Fremantle Port HQ match the pours.

5. The Dam & Cannabis Botanical Distillery, Denmark

The grass is greener at Raintree, the 356-hectare property that is the new drawcard in Denmark thanks to its dynamic distillery and farm-to-table restaurant, The Dam . As well as being a working farm with 200 black Angus cattle, black truffles and marron, the diverse agri-business uses regenerative practices to harvest cannabis sativa (hemp) for its CBD Spirits that, despite being THC-free, are still pretty potent. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the venue, which has been constructed out of heritage timbers, hardwood sleepers and granite stone sourced from the Rainbow Coast.

The Dam & Cannabis Botanical Distillery, WA — The grass is greener at Raintree. (Image: The Dam & Cannabis Botanical Distillery)

5. Jetty Bar & Eats, Fremantle

Jetty Bar & Eats is all corrugated iron, sustainable lumber and concrete, a nod to the shipping containers that are so emblematic of the famous Fremantle port. The 120-seater bar is located on Fremantle’s East Street Jetty and the cool, timeless interiors designed by Kate Archibald celebrate that lovely locale. Prepare to see a mix of men with man buns, cute couples, and families at the vibing venue, located on the Swan River between the bridges overlooking the port.

Sit outdoors under a metal and bamboo-clad awning festooned with fairy lights or inside the light-filled space to enjoy bang-on bar bites such as patatas bravas or polenta and parmesan crispy whitebait and a substantial range of wines and cocktails.

Jetty Bar & Eats in Fremantle Perth — Enjoy a meal and a drink at Jetty Bar & Eats in Fremantle overlooking the Swan River. (Image: Danica Zuks)

6. Will St., Leederville

Kelp-aged kingfish, behl puri of charred broccoli, green mango and avocado, smoked eel betel leaf. If you were to scroll through the menu at Will Meyrick’s newest restaurant, Will St., you might think it’s tethered to his sister restaurants Sarong and Mama San, located on the tropical island of Bali. But the Scottish-born restaurateur has recently relocated from Indonesia to Leederville in Perth, opening Will St. in the former La Vida Urbana site, which has been reimagined by Paul Lim of Mata Design Studio. The 120-seater space mirrors the earthy tones of the Australian landscape, with grand sandstone walls, blackbutt timber floorings and artful displays of wildflowers.

Interiors of Will St, Western Australia — Will St. restaurant is a 120-seater space that mirrors the earthy tones of the Australian landscape. (Image: Shot By Thom)

7. FOMO, Fremantle

FOMO is a Russian Babushka doll of sorts, revealing different layers as you delve deeper into the labyrinth of atmospheric laneways. There’s an American-style bar, Australia’s first-ever dedicated fried ice-creamery and a mini golf course on the ground floor of the $270 million redevelopment of Walyalup Koort (Fremantle’s Kings Square). There’s also a games arcade for adults, dumplings and ramen, and a New York-style cookie joint. No need for fomo; park yourself on a bench and take in a slice of daily life as Freo locals parade along the pedestrianised mall.

Food at FOMO, Western Australia — FOMO reveals different layers as you delve deeper into the labyrinth of atmospheric laneways. (Image: Shot by Thom)

8. Isola Bar e Cibo, Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island has got a lot to offer beach bums, from its cute-as quokkas to its turquoise coves for swimming. And now visitors can let their salt-soaked hair down at Isola Bar e Cibo , where the après-beach scene is buzzing. Chill out with other bronzed and beautiful people at this toes-in-the-sand hang that takes its inspiration from the Isola di Capri on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Sit on the sprawling deck to enjoy easy beats from the house DJ while grazing on sublime WA seafood and sophisticated aperitivos. Reason enough to stay on Rotto until sundown.

View from the restaurant, Isola Bar e Cibo, Western Australia — Let your salt-soaked hair down at Isola Bar e Cibo. (Image: Isola Bar e Cibo)

9. Truffles, Pinot ’n’ Produce: Pemberton’s Earthly Delights

Gourmands visiting WA during truffle season are in for a treat with Earn Your Vino curating a series of Beneath the Surface events that give the prized fruit of the fungi top billing. Truffles, Pinot ’n’ Produce: Pemberton’s Earthly Delights is an all-inclusive package that includes four night’s accommodation at luxurious Stonebarn Lodge, as well as hands-on experiences such as a truffle hunt, a honey harvest and tastings and tours of local wineries, such as Picardy Estate.

Truffles, Earn your vino events, Western Australia — Earn Your Vino curated a series of events that give the prized fruit of the fungi top billing. (Image: Cassandra Charlick)

There are also guided hikes through towering karri forests where you will well and truly ‘earn your vino’. Wine and travel writer Cassandra Charlick and experiential tourism expert Stepan Libricky designed the series, held from 25–29 July, 8–12 August, and 22–26 August, to honour the premier food and wine producers in the state.

Earn your vino events, Western Australia — There are also guided hikes through towering karri forests where you will well and truly ‘earn your vino’. (Image: Cassandra Charlick)

10. The Beaufort, Perth

The Beaufort is a hip and happening hybrid hospitality venue that spans three levels and includes a beer and wine garden with rooftop terrace, modern Asian restaurant Lotus, and hidden cocktail bar, Cypher . Start with hot, sour, salty and sweet pan-Asian plates from the Lotus Feed Me banquet, before accessing the playful Candy Bar on the rooftop for a few cocktails and boogaloo on a dance floor surrounded by a tiered jungle. And, just when you think you’ve seen it all, stumble down to the subterranean speakeasy with your favourite squeeze via a secret entrance to enjoy live music and libations from one of the most extensive spirit lists in Perth.

The Beaufort outdoor dining, Western Australia — The Beaufort is a hip and happening venue for hybrid hospitality. (Image: Shot by Thom)

11. The Great Australian Red at Coward & Black

The Winston Cabernet Shiraz claret-style wine, which won Silver at the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards, is a blend of 70 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 30 per cent shiraz. It was made using hand-harvested fruit sourced from the Wilyabrup vineyard and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Cabernet shiraz is often referred to as ‘The Great Australian Red’ and the 2019 vintage is a great example of this rich, flavourful blend: think dark berries, plums and cedar notes with a lovely lingering finish.

The Great Australian Red at Coward & Black, Western Australia — Cabernet shiraz is often referred to as ‘The Great Australian Red’.

12. Bar Rogue, Perth

Bar Rogue has colonised the two-tiered space once home to Jungle Noir and Mykonos and given the Beaufort Street building somewhat of a grungy glow-up, adding to Mt Lawley’s status as one of Perth’s corners of cool. The newly realised bar is popular with Mt Lawley locals who head here for lobster tacos and cocktails. Brought to you by Liam and Sarah Atkinson of Le Rebelle, also on Beaufort Street, the dark, snug bar presents like a scuffed-up speakeasy with exposed brickwork, a mix of concrete and timber flooring and a cool statement chandelier.

Food items at Bar Rogue, Mt Lawley, Western Australia — The newly realised bar is popular with Mt Lawley locals. (Image: Jaqueline Van Grootel)

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.