A fine dining experience celebrating WA’s flavours

By Kirsty Petrides
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Perched on the rooftop of one of the country’s top luxury hotels, Wildflower has lofty standards to live up to.

As the fine-dining venue of The State Buildings precinct – one of Perth’s best hotels and highly regarded as Perth’s ultimate luxury venue – expectations for Wildflower have always been high.

Add to that the A-team behind the scenes, including property developer Adrian Fini (the genius behind breathing new life into the precinct) who has an OAM and Western Australian of the Year award to his name for his contribution to Perth’s culture; Director of Food & Beverage Robbie McGowan, who comes from the ultimate hospitality pedigree including Matt Moran’s Aria and Peter Gilmore’s Quay in Sydney; wine aficionado and award-winning Emma Farrelly as Group Sommelier; and Head Chef Paul Wilson, who has worked everywhere from Copenhagen to Fiji, and even cooked for Oprah Winfrey.

All that to say – does Wildflower live up to the hype?

Location

Wildflower is located on the rooftop of COMO The Treasury within The State Buildings precinct, which is a collection of three interconnected heritage buildings in the heart of the CBD.

The buildings have a rich history spanning over 140 years, where they served various functions from a Post Office and Police cellblock to WA’s Treasury and office of the Premier and Cabinet.

the COMO The Treasury exterior

COMO The Treasury is home to Wildflower Restaurant.

After being vacant for many years, the State Buildings have been meticulously restored and reimagined by Adrian Fini as a vibrant luxury precinct. Today, they house a mix of lavish accommodations, bars, cafes and fine dining restaurants – the fairest of all being Wildflower.

the rooftop dining at Wildflower Restaurant

Head on up to the rooftop and dine in style.

Style and character

Wildflower capitalises on its sublime location with its floor-to-ceiling windows that flaunt sprawling views of Perth City and Swan River. As you expect from a fine dining venue, the restaurant sashays between refined elegance and contemporary charm.

The white polished marble floors are offset by deeply-hued velvet chairs, a rich oak arch that frames the chef’s pass, and murals of native trees that blanket the walls – no doubt serving as a nod to the local seasonal produce that informs the menu.

Wildflower is without a doubt the finest of dining, so the clientele is expectedly diverse – from business professionals and couples celebrating special occasions, to food enthusiasts and well-heeled locals who appreciate the restaurant’s commitment to showcasing the best of regional produce.

the contemporary interior of Wildflower Restaurant

The dining interior is contemporary in design.

Food

The food at Wildflower is a celebration of Western Australia’s rich heritage and seasonal produce, guided by the Indigenous Noongar calendar of six seasons.

Each season – Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, and Kambarang – brings different local ingredients and flavours, which are reflected in the food served.

a bowl of chocolate with river mint, yoghurt and mandarin at Wildflower Restaurant

Delight in chocolate with river mint, yoghurt and mandarin.

Expect dishes like line-caught snapper with native ginger, lemongrass and curry myrtle; Wagin duck with apricot, jarrah honey and lime; and south-west lamb with native salsa verde, celeriac and bush tomato.

Manjimup Marron dish, Wildflower Restaurant

Manjimup marron with pumpkin, curry leaf and nasturtium.

Diners choose from a four, six or eight-course tasting menu, with the option of a champagne and sparkling, wine pairing or a non-alcoholic drinks pairing. The restaurant also offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Whichever dining option you choose, don’t just expect food – expect a culinary journey that includes beautifully plated courses, each telling a story of the land and its bounty.

Drinks

Emma Farrelly is highly regarded in Australia’s wine circles for good reason – her taste and expertise are simply impeccable. The wine list at Wildflower is extraordinary, with all wines on the menu a true statement of the land in which they were grown and are sustainably produced, with integrity and respect.

The champagne and sparkling pairing is, unsurprisingly, predominantly French, while the wine pairing is a real global journey – all the way from Portugal and Japan to Margaret River and the Adelaide Hills. The restaurant also offers classic and seasonal cocktails, beers and local and international spirits.

a cocktail with hand-carved artisanal ice

Sip on an exquisitely crafted cocktail with hand-carved artisanal ice.

As fun as it is to peruse the seemingly endless wine list, we suggest relinquishing your right to decisions and leaving everything up to Emma by way of getting the degustation with wine pairing. The staff will bring each new drop to the table, explain how it pairs perfectly with the next dish, and leave you to enjoy.

a glass of Lemon Aspen Spitz, Wildflower Restaurant

Lemon Aspen Spitz pairs well with the Manjimup marron.

Service

The service at Wildflower is without a doubt superb. The waitstaff are attentive without being overbearing, professional without being pompous, and are only too happy to offer their advice – when asked – on food and wine selections. They quite literally personify hospitality, in the finest, most decadent way. You’d be hard-pressed to find another restaurant in Perth delivering this kind of top-tier service.

Access for guests with disabilities

Wildflower has an elevator to ensure accessibility for all guests, and the dining area is spacious enough to allow for extra space if required.

Family-friendly?

Wildflower is fine dining and the price tag reflects that – so if you have little ones in tow, it might be worth organising a babysitter so you don’t have to shell out for small humans who would prefer chips and toast anyway.

Details

Address: Wildflower, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth

Cost: Mains hover around $48, entrées $33, sides $14 and desserts $24. Cocktails are $20–$28, and wines by the glass range from $15 all the way up to $50.

Discover the best restaurants in Perth

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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Wonil Hotel Perth combines riverside living with a sense of purpose

    By Kirsty Petrides
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    Perched on the banks of Perth’s Swan River, the Wonil Hotel Perth pairs contemporary rooms and sweeping waterfront views with a sense of purpose that sets it apart.

    In a rare model for the hospitality world, Wonil Hotel Perth operates as a not-for-profit hotel, directing 100% of its net revenue toward medical and scientific research across Western Australia’s five major universities. So while guests enjoy the calm of riverside living, their stay also quietly contributes to the future of science, innovation and health in Australia. And it’s a refreshing stand-out in Perth’s hotel scene.

    Location

    an aerial view of Swan River, Perth

    The peaceful riverside hotel is set on the banks of the Swan River.

    Wonil Hotel Perth is located in the inner-city suburb of Crawley, a peaceful riverside locale about 10 minutes from Perth’s CBD. It’s positioned steps from Matilda Bay Reserve, where walking trails hug the shoreline and black swans glide along the water. From here, it’s a short drive or bike ride to Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay and the city’s arts and culture precincts. Though close to the action, the setting feels removed – quiet, leafy and surrounded by nature.

    Style and character

    the reception area at Wonil Hotel Perth

    The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of Matilda Bay.

    Named after the Noongar word for peppermint tree, of which there are many shading the riverbanks outside, Wonil Hotel Perth is the first Australian property in Accor’s Handwritten Collection. The overall style is minimal without being sterile – warm wood finishes, tactile furnishings and clever lighting create a relaxed, understated space that melts into its natural surroundings.

    The lobby is stunning, spacious and filled with inviting leather couches, well-stocked bookshelves and Indigenous art and sculpture work. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors open out onto a sheltered outdoor deck filled with tables and chairs overlooking the river. During the day this serves as the world’s most picturesque coworking space, but come 5pm, it’s where you’ll find most guests milling around, cocktails in hand.

    Facilities

    the library nook at Wonil Hotel Perth

    Spend time reading books in the cosy library nook.

    Wonil Hotel Perth leans toward a pared-back offering, focusing on what guests actually need. While there’s no on-site fitness centre, hotel staff can provide access to the nearby University of WA gym and pool. But why would you, when the hotel is in prime location for an outdoor workout. Walk along the trails that meander through Matilda Bay Reserve, run along the riverfront to the iconic Kings Park, or even tackle the nearby Kokoda Trail – a steep 150-step ascent designed to simulate the exhaustion and effort of the original Kokoda Track soldiers in WWII.

    The hotel includes West Kitchen & Bar, a small but well-curated restaurant, plus free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and secure paid parking. Limited parking is available on-site with an advanced booking.

    Rooms

    the premier king room with river view at Wonil Hotel Perth

    Each room is sleek and spacious with views over the Swan River.

    The hotel’s 66 rooms range from Standard to Executive and Premium, many with balconies and uninterrupted views over the Swan River, and some with interconnecting options for families or groups. My room was a Deluxe King with a balcony and river view.

    the bathroom at Wonil Hotel Perth

    Bathrooms are luxe and spacious.

    The space somehow manages to be both modernly sleek and warmly inviting – textured grey walls illuminated by warm sconce lights, an exposed concrete ceiling offset by rich timber accents, and a black wrought iron balcony met with earthy-hued, upholstered leather furnishings. The spacious king bed, roomy shower with luxe Mr Smith toiletries, and complimentary coffee add a special touch.

    Food and drink

    the outdoor terrace at Wonil Hotel Perth

    Gather for sunset drinks on the outdoor terrace.

    West Kitchen & Bar offers a truly local experience. When it comes to the drinks, you won’t find anything – wine, beer, spirits – from outside WA. Even the soda water hails from the west. The wine list sees big WA makers like Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager dance alongside smaller producers like Ironcloud, Singlefile and LS Merchants; with beers from local legends Gage Roads, Little Creatures, Beerfarm and Eagle Bay Brewing.

    The dinner menu features seafood, steak and small plates designed for sharing, showcasing local producers. Standouts are the Rottnest kingfish with ruby grapefruit, the barramundi with Tuscan cabbage and the Harvey beef tri tip with smoked bone marrow butter and red wine jus. For dessert, a unique take on a classic – spiced red wine pannacotta, served with poached pear and fresh honeycomb.

    Come morning, the hotel offers a curated selection of buffet breakfast options including seasonal fruits, homemade granola, pastries and sourdough. Plus, guests also get a choice of one item from the à la carte breakfast menu – the tomato bruschetta with balsamic, basil, feta and poached eggs on rye was exceptional.

    Does Wonil Hotel Perth have access for guests with disabilities?

    There are accessible rooms to accommodate guests with accessibility needs.

    Is Wonil Hotel Perth it family-friendly?

    Yes – the interconnecting rooms make family stays appealing, and the vast grassland and river foreshore of Matilda Bay Reserve are a beautiful spot for kids to run, splash and play in nature.

    Best for: Couples, families, business travellers

    Address: 21 Hackett Drive, Crawley