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Perth restaurants with a view: from Cottesloe Beach to the CBD

Whether you’re after beach, river or city views, Perth has a growing number of restaurants that are a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds.

Perth has some of the world’s most pristine beach scenes, so it’s no surprise to see a slew of vibrant restaurants and cafes hugging the coastline. What you may not know though, is in addition to the seaside eateries capitalising on views of the Indian Ocean, there are also city restaurants offering views of the mighty Swan River and bustling city streetscapes. Here are 10 of the best restaurants in Perth with a view.

The shortlist

Best for long lunches: Cooee
Best fine dining: Gibney
Best wine list: Il Lido
Best family-friendly spot: Tom’s Italian
Best for late-night dining: Lil’s Rooftop Bar

Cooee

outdoor seating at Cooee, Perth
Pull up a chair and enjoy a picture-perfect lunch at Cooee.

Set on the banks of the Swan River, Cooee is one of Perth’s most picturesque restaurants. The outdoor seating overlooking the glistening Swan River makes it one of Perth’s best spots for laidback lunches, long afternoons, drinks with friends and idyllic dinners. The menu is mod-Aus restaurant, so expect contemporary dishes paired with a thoughtful drinks list filled with contemporary classics. Dogs are welcome on their riverfront outdoor terrace.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Hip and sunny

Address: 171-173 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth

Gibney

alfresco dining at the terrace of Gibney, Perth
Soak up pristine views of Cottesloe Beach at the alfresco terrace. (Image: Gibney)

Gibney is a sophisticated brasserie grill overlooking the pristine beaches of Cottesloe. Guests can dine in the stately main dining room, formal alfresco terrace, sun-drenched outdoor lounge or at the high tables of the grandiose main bar. The service is impeccably personal, with chefs emerging from the kitchen to present dishes to guests, and the bar director mixing drinks – like the Gibney Gibson or Smoked Negroni – tableside. The seafood bar and caviar bar add a whole new level of opulence to the already luxe experience.

Cuisine: Oldworld brasserie

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Sophisticated seaside

Address: 40 Marine Parade, Cottesloe

Il Lido

an Italian dish at Il Lido, Perth
Il Lido serves up excellent Italian fare. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Once a seaside 1930s art-deco cabaret hall on Cottesloe Beach, Il Lido is now an Italian-inspired espresso bar and restaurant – with one of the best views in Perth, no less. Hot tip: book one of their ‘Twenty Regions of Italy’ dinners where the chef offers four local dishes from one of the 20 regions of Italy, and the restaurant sommelier pairs each dish with a glass of wine from the region – all while the talented service team guides you through the journey.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Breezy artdeco

Address: 88 Marine Parade, Cottesloe

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Indigo Oscar

dining at Indigo Oscar Perth restaurant with a view
Sip on refreshing cocktails at this sun-drenched spot. (Image: Indigo Oscar)

Latin eats, flowing fizz and sunny tunes all day is how Indigo Oscar describes themselves – and they’re not wrong. This sun-drenched spot is literally on top of the white sands of Cottesloe Beach, and it capitalises on that enviable location with a vibrant Latin-influenced menu, fresh drinks list (including crisp cocktails, spiced sangria and Spanish/South American wines) and floor-to-ceiling windows to catch the sunset.

Cuisine: Latin-inspired

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Vibrant and energetic

Address: 99 Marine Parade, Cottesloe

Folly

the Folly rooftop bar with city views, East Perth 
The sky-high Folly rooftop bar rises 18 stories above the city. (Image: Tori Lill)

Eighteen stories high, you’ll feel like you’re well and truly in the sky at Folly rooftop bar. In the eastern end of Perth city, this sun-drenched rooftop space offers views of the Swan River and serves up laidback Italian dishes, alongside a selection of Australian wines, local and international beers, cocktails and a dedicated Spritz menu.

Cuisine: Relaxed Italian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Intimate elevated lounge

Address: Level 18/176 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth

Songbird Bar

the Songbird Bar and Lounge at Ritz-Carlton Perth
The stylish Songbird Bar and Lounge is perfect for sunset drinks.

Perched on the rooftop of one of Perth’s best hotels, The Ritz Carlton, Songbird Bar is a haven for delicious food, skilfully crafted cocktails and sweeping panoramic views of the Swan River. The tight menu features dishes like glazed WA lamb ribs, grilled WA octopus and a grilled Black Angus steak sandwich. The bar has also partnered with Rainfall Distillery to create a bespoke gin that is exclusively available at Songbird. The specialty gin has been distilled with native WA botanicals of pink finger lime, Geraldton wax, pepi leaf and sea parsley to produce a balanced mix of playful and zesty flavours.

Cuisine: Mod-Aus bar bites

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Urban wine bar

Address: 1 Barrack Street, Perth

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Bathers Beach House

a couple enjoying drinks set against panoramic sea views at Bathers Beach House, Perth
Bathers Beach House is a prime spot to perch with a sundowner in hand. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

As the only place in WA where you can enjoy a cocktail on the sand, Bathers Beach House has Europeanised the charming port of Fremantle, holding its place as the only absolute beachfront venue in Perth. With panoramic views, and a delicious and diverse menu of quality seafood, it’s an iconic spot to grab a bite on a hot summer’s day.

Cuisine: Coastal pub-grub

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Laid-back beachside vibes

Address: 6/47 Mews Rd, Fremantle

Lil’s Rooftop Bar

the restaurant exterior of Lil’s Rooftop Bar, Perth
The dreamy Lil’s Rooftop Bar is the ultimate spot for sunset drinks. (Image: Supplied)

Perched high above Perth, Lil’s Rooftop Bar brings playful sophistication to the skyline. The all-day menu leans into elevated share plates – think prawn casarecce, zucchini tagliatelle plus an enticing pizza list; paired with a stellar list of local and international wines, craft beers, and signature cocktails. Sundown is when Lil’s truly shines, with golden light bouncing off the cityscape and DJs playing into the night.

Cuisine: Contemporary share plates

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Skyline-chic buzz

Address: 437 Murray Street, Perth

Tom’s Italian

Overlooking the famed Tom’s surf break, this North Beach favourite pairs elevated ocean views with generous Italian classics. Settle in for woodfired pizzas, house-made pastas and seafood-leaning specials, best enjoyed as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean. It’s relaxed, lively and tailor-made for long, wine-soaked lunches or sunset family dinners.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Relaxed coastal trattoria

Address: 1 North Beach Road, North Beach

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Kirsty Petrides
Kirsty Petrides is a writer, wine-lover and cheese enthusiast. Whether she’s hunting down the best restaurant in Albania, foraging the Marrakech markets for spices or camping in the middle of Patagonian wilderness, she loves to seek out the authentic side of the places she visits, and share that with readers through her writing.
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Exploring an icon: inside the massive upgrade to Broome’s famous Cable Beach

(Credit: Tourism WA)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
    With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

    As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

    And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

    Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1
    Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

    The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

    Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

    Morning colours

    car on cable beach at sunrise
    Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

    When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

    Afternoon adventures

    camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset
    Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

    When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

    Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

    Evening degustation

    server at Cable Beach Club
    Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

    While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

    For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

    Beyond the beach

    Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

    Unmatched experiences

    Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach
    Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

    Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

    And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

    Dining discoveries

    Matso’s Broome Brewery
    Settle in for Matso’s famous ginger or mango beer. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

    For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

    Natural beauties

    Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome
    Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

    Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

    Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

    For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.