Wildflower Review: A Fine Dining Experience Celebrating Wa’s Flavours

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

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

A fine dining experience celebrating WA’s flavours