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

Kirsty PetridesBy Kirsty Petrides
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

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

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

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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7 Kimberley experiences that need to be on your bucket list

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    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