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

Kirsty Petrides 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

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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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Australia’s second-oldest wine region is also one of its best, but you may not have heard of it

(Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    A 25-minute drive from Perth is all you need to be amongst generations of grape growers. 

    You might not know Swan Valley, but the vines here twist through almost 200 years of history. Today, plump grapes are still plucked, pressed by juice-stained hands and fermented into wine – a journey led by the same families who will pour it into your glass. And with that first taste, you’ve unknowingly become part of a generations-old tradition. 

    So, sit back and take a sip of a crisp white under that sun-speckled pergola and listen to the warbling of magpies – here’s what makes the Swan Valley so special. 

    Western Australia’s oldest wine region 

    Mandoon Estate bathed in the warm glow of sunset.
    Sip your way through Swan Valley’s rich wine heritage. (Image: Tourism WA)

    In 1829, the very year Europeans settled in Perth, the first vines were planted in the Swan Valley. Later, Croatian and Italian migrants blended their southern European winemaking traditions into the local viticulture, a combination that works so well in the Mediterranean climate here. 

    The result today is crisp, tropical Verdelho, dark, fruity Shiraz and plenty of Chenin Blanc – a third of the country’s Chenin Blanc is crushed here. 

    So where to start uncorking? Mandoon Estate has an Aboriginal art gallery and a sculpture trail, where you can taste an Indigenous food platter of smoked crocodile and emu sausages. 

    For a taste of the valley’s Italian heritage, head to Pinelli Estate Winery. Or, for something indulgent – and a little unusual, considering the inland location – RiverBank Estate Winery serves lobster straight from tanks, paired with that Chenin Blanc. 

    If you prefer something stronger in your glass, Talijancich Wines knows a thing or two about fortified drops: try its aged tawny, Muscat and liqueur Verdelho. 

    Sensational dining 

    A beautifully presented dish paired with champagne.
    Pair great food with a scenic winery setting. (Image: Tourism Caversham)

    The Swan Valley follows that great Australian wine-country tradition, with everything from unfussily fantastic pub meals and beer gardens to unexpected fine dining at cellar doors. 

    Start at Edgecombe Winery, which does brunch as well as drops. Their brioche French toast with raspberry and rhubarb coulis, poached pear and roasted pistachios will taste best when you’re perched at a table outside. Don’t forget to explore their orchard and wetland afterwards. 

    Pick up a box of freshly baked macarons from Maison Saint-Honoré (bien sûr) before heading to Valley Social for a North American barbecue-inspired feed. Chow down on beef brisket burnt ends and wash them down with a hemp-infused craft beer. 

    Baskerville Tavern is brewing beer again in the former Feral Brewpub. Order their Monday special – a classic chicken parmi – and try Slumdog Brewing’s regular range, including a tart blueberry sour made with fresh and freeze-dried berries. In winter, it’s time for their seasonal seven-malt stout, with notes of dark chocolate, coffee and caramel. 

    An unbeatable visitor’s centre

    In Guildford is the Swan Valley Visitor Centre in a restored 1866 courthouse. Its award-winning staff know everything about anything happening in the Swan Valley. Pick their brains (and pick up a free map) before setting off. But, check out the centre’s Welcome to Country mural by local Whadjuk artist Chloe Caylon first. 

    Scenic drives 

    Use that handy Visitor Centre map to get a bit of everything on the Swan Valley’s 32-kilometre scenic loop, which connects over 150 attractions. Think roadside produce stalls, art galleries and historic buildings. Just remember to organise that designated driver if you’re extra keen on the vineyard stops. 

    Other drops 

    If the thought of wine makes your temples pulse, there are plenty of other tipples to tickle your fancy. Txoko Brewing in Baskerville takes its name from a Basque gathering place for cooking, drinking and socialising. Work through its rotating beers and plates of Spanish croquettes and sardines, then settle on the grass while the kids let off steam in the playground. 

    AmberChes Spirits Distillery uses locally sourced botanicals and fruit to make saltbush gin, lemon myrtle gin and Gincello, a twist on limoncello. Try its award-winning sloe gin, which was named Australia’s best at the 2025 Gin Guide Awards. Better yet, have a go at making your own in a hands-on gin-blending and distilling class among the vines. 

    Historic architecture and an arts scene 

    Traditional art celebrating First Nations culture.
    Explore the stories behind the Swan Valley. (Image: Tourism WA)

    Next: Guildford. It is one of WA’s earliest colonial settlements – but the history here goes back much further. The Whadjuk Noongar people are the land’s Traditional Custodians, whose Dreaming tells of the Wagyl serpent creating the gum tree-lined Swan River. Today, Guildford’s original town layout remains largely unchanged. Follow one of four heritage walks past 19th-century buildings, galleries and James Street’s antique shops. 

    Take home pantry staples 

    The display counter at Margaret River Chocolate Company.
    Treat yourself to a chocolate-filled detour. (Image: Tourism WA)

    Sometimes the little stops are just as good as the big hitters. Pull over at Margaret River Chocolate Company for free tastings of white, milk and dark chocolate. Then stop by Harvey Cheese Swan Valley for Lemon Myrtle Ash Brie or St Duke’s Red. End at The House of Honey, where you can sample local honey and get buzzy on honey ice cream pancakes. 

    Nature and wildlife 

    A close-up of a koala in its natural habitat.
    Add a little wildlife adventure. (Image: Tourism WA)

    If the kids have had enough of winery lawns, save the bottles for later and head to Caversham Wildlife Park. Here, you can hand-feed kangaroos and meet koalas and wombats. Catch working sheepdogs and sheep-shearing demonstrations at the Farm Show. Elsewhere in Whiteman Park, hop aboard a vintage train or tram, or cool off in the splash pool. 

    Finish at Bells Rapids, where fuchsia grevillea, crimson bottlebrush and yellow wattles bloom each spring. 

    Start planning your culinary escape at swanvalley.com.au.