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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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8 secret places in Western Australia you need to know about

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    WA might be enormous, but the right insider knowledge brings its mysteries a whole lot closer.

    “Western Australia is a land of record-breakers,” says Carolyn Tipper, a Travel Director working on AAT Kings Western Australia tours. “It has the second-longest fault line, the second-largest meteorite crater, the second-fastest flowing river—it just keeps surprising you. And every area has its charm.”

    From tropics to deserts, Australia’s largest state is a land of extremes. You can’t see all of Western Australia in a lifetime, but with the right guide, you can discover its hidden pockets of magic.

    Carolyn wishes to reach her guests’ hearts. “I want them to enjoy and be in awe,” she says. “I want them to have the holiday of a lifetime.”

    1. Mimbi Caves

    You wouldn’t expect a Great Barrier Reef in the outback – but that’s what you’ll find at Mimbi Caves. Once part of a 350-million-year-old reef, these caves hold marine fossils, ancient Indigenous rock art, and Dreamtime stories shared by a Gooniyandi guide.

    “That’s when the real connection happens,” says Carolyn, who has taken guests through on the AAT Kings Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour . “When guests connect, not just with the land, but with the people who have called it home for tens of thousands of years.”

    Eye-level view of traveller exploring Mimbi Caves.
    Walk through ancient limestone passages. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    2. Kalbarri National Park

    Nothing prepares you for the Kalbarri Skywalk: a 25-metre platform jutting over Murchison Gorge, 100 metres above the red cliffs and river below. From July to October, join the AAT Kings Untamed Pilbara and West Coast tour to see over 1000 wildflower species paint the park, and listen as an Indigenous guide shares their uses, bush foods and medicine plants.

    “I want our guests to have an emotional experience,” says Carolyn. “It’s not just about seeing the land, it’s about stepping into the stories.”

    An aerial view of the Kalbarri Skywalk, one of the secret places in Western Australia, with visitors on the edge.
    Stand on the Kalbarri Skywalk in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    3. Hamelin Bay Wines

    Margaret River isn’t just a top wine region – it’s a winner in every category. Where the Indian and Southern Oceans collide, granite cliffs rise, limestone caves sprawl and Karri forests tower. It almost distracts from the world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

    Almost.

    Out of over 100 cellar doors, AAT Kings pick Hamelin Bay Wines as a favourite. Hosted tastings of small-batch wines on the Western Wonderland tour end with a group meal. The menu shifting with the seasons.

    “Get off the beaten track to one of WA’s most relaxed venues for some amazing red and white signature wines,” explains Carolyn, “accompanied with upmarket pub food.”

    Spectacular views.

    A person raising a glass of Chardonnay against a glowing Western Australia sunset.
    Sip world-class wines at Hamelin Bay in Western Australia. (Image: Getty)

    4. Wildflower Guided Walk, Kings Park

    Western Australia is home to 12,000 native plant species – 3000 bloom in Kings Park’s Botanic Garden. Stroll past Kangaroo Paw, Banksia and blooms from the Goldfields, Stirling Ranges and Kimberley. “The diversity of Western Australia is immense,” says Carolyn, who leads guests through on the South Western Escape tour .

    Couple enjoying the view from the Lotterywest Federation walkway at Kings Park and Botanical Garden.
    Wander among thousands of native plant species. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    5. Hoochery Distillery

    Did you know that between Kununurra and Emma Gorge lies the state’s oldest continuously operating distillery? Well, the oldest legal one. Set on a family farm, Hoochery Distillery was hand-built using materials found on the property, conjuring up award-winning rum from local sugarcane, wet season rainwater and yeast.

    Today, visitors can sample a hearty nip of rum, along with whiskies and gins – all crafted using traditional, labour-intensive methods. It’s the ideal way to soak up the ‘spirit’ of the Kimberley on the AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour .

    People enjoying a rum tasting at one of the secret places in Western Australia.
    Sample award-winning rum. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    6. Geraldton

    The wildflowers of the Midwest will make your heart blossom. In Geraldton, the Helen Ansell Art Gallery brings the region’s botanicals to life in vivid colour and intricate detail. In nearby Mullewa, wander bushland trails lined with everlastings and native blooms. Further afield, Coalseam Conservation Park bursts into carpets of pink, white, and yellow each spring. Do it all on the Wildflower Wanderer tour with AAT Kings.

    woman walking through Wildflowers, Coalseam Conservation Park
    Chase vibrant wildflower trails. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    7. El Questro

    Wake up after a night under the stars at Emma Gorge Resort, ready to explore the mighty beauty of the El Questro Wilderness Park. With deep gorges, thermal springs, and cascading waterfalls, time slows here.

    Join the AAT Kings’ Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour to drift through Chamberlain Gorge, where sheer sandstone walls glow burnt orange in the sun, archer fish flick at the surface, and rock wallabies peer down from ledges above. Then, step into Zebedee Springs, a secret oasis of warm, crystal-clear pools among prehistoric Livistona palms – a moment of pure, wild stillness.

    Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro.
    Wake to adventure at Emma Gorge Resort. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    8. Lake Argyle

    Once vast cattle country, Lake Argyle now sprawls like an inland sea – Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake, created by the damming of the Ord River. Scattered with over 70 islands, its glassy waters teem with life, like freshwater crocodiles, barramundi, bony bream, sleepy cod and over 240 bird species. That’s nearly a third of Australia’s avian population.

    Glide across the lake’s surface on a cruise as part of AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour , where the silence is only broken by the splash of fish and the call of birds. For Carolyn, this place is a perfect example of how WA’s landscapes surprise visitors. “Lake Argyle is a big puddle of water that became a game-changer,” she says. “Seeing it from a boat, coach, and plane is mind-blowing. It puts time, isolation and the sheer scale into perspective.”

    Aerial View of Triple J Tours on the Ord River, near Kununurra.
    Glide past islands on Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake. (Image: Western Australia)

    Discover more of Western Australia’s hidden gems and book your tour at aatkings.com.