We are leaving in 10 days (yeah!) for Australia. I thought I'd check to see if there are any recommendations for good casual restaurants in Perth and SW area of Western Australia (Margaret River and Albany). We like pizza, Italian, seafood, breweries and good local food as long as there is a non-meat option.

We are staying in East Perth and we won't have a car while in Perth. It would be ideal if we can get there by public transportation. We will have a car while in the SW area.

Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marta,

Marta, I have emailed our friend Neil. His family own Brookleigh which is an equestrian centre just outside Perth (Upper Swan?). Neil moved out there from Vancouver a few years ago to open Stewart's restaurant at the centre. His place may not be convenient for you without a car, but he should have other recommendations.

I know he loves Margaret River!

Marta,

I asked our coordinator in WA for some suggestions - and here they are.

There are lots to choose from in East Perth and all within walking distance. Lamonts is very, very good (upmarket casual, lots of local produce). Kate Lamont is a wonderful "personality chef" here in WA and comes from a long line of Swan Valley winemakers. She has a restaurant in East Perth, Swan Valley (and winery) and in Margaret River. The Royal in East Perth is also very good (pub food). For casual Italian you should head into Northbridge, this can be accessed by the free city clipper which I'm sure goes to East Perth, or walking distance anyway, there is so much to choose from and they're all pretty good.

Chapter 1 in Subiaco is very good as is the Subiaco Hotel (great lunch place for star spotting). For the BEST Garlic Prawns you will ever eat in your life then you should go to The Witches Cauldron in Rokeby Road Subiaco, you'll need to book. There is also a fun Indian in Subiaco called Chutney Marys and a Pizza joint called Funtastico.

For Fish and Chips jump on a train and go down to Fremantle and visit Cicerellos on the harbour and then go to Little Creatures Micro Brewery which is sensational, they also do the most wonderful thin crust pizzas and award winning beer!

Simons is probably the best seafood and is in Northbridge otherwise Matilda Bay is lovely and looks out over the city (near UWA) in Crawley. Seafood places are quite expensive though. The other one which is very good is in Fremantle called the Red Herring.
Everyone does a vegetarian option.

In Margaret River everything is pretty expensive and you will need a car but you could go to Voyager, Vasse Felix, Amberley, Mad Fish.

There are lots of casual vegetarian places in the main street....left over from the hippies and the surfies era.

Wise winery just outside of Dunsborough is also very good and stunning views. There are so many wineries to choose from and they're all pretty good to eat at. LamontsThe RoyalChapter 1

Marta, here is Neil's reply: (I will PM his phone numbers to you)

I am just replying quickly in the interest of time for the travellers.

If staying in Perth without a car they will be restricted to downtown or taxi rides.
Perth taxis live up to Western Australia's other name of W.A. = Wait Awhile!!!
East Perth is within a walk of downtown, such as it is. Do not expect N. America downtown!!!

An interesting spot in the city is the old mint - still operating and producing gold coins I believe. They should plan a day to Freemantle. This is reachable by train, good and cheap. I would recommend not travelling after 7.00pm on the train. I have never had a problem but hear there can be. Otherwise they could go by boat from downtown, I believe. In Freo. (Freemantle - Australians shorten everything) The maritime museum is very interesting and there are some great coffee bars. (very Seattle, well, not really but as close as we get.)

The Swan brewery, back in Perth, is on the river. I hear mixed reviews on the service and food, however the location is prime!

I will try to get some eateries for them in the East Perth area. Their area is a "new area" which is full of trendies but nicely done, still lots of construction going on but intersting walks and buildings. I think they are going for a European feel. Always reminds me a little of Pimlico style buildings, in London. We are 40 minutes from their location - by car, about a $50 taxi ride. If they like breweries etc, I would recommend a day trip to the valley, preferably weekend as not all are open during the week yet. The valley is a lovely trip, and local! Breweries I would recommend would be Feral or Mash, both in the valley. Wineries would be Upper Reach or James Talianjich also in the valley. There really are many more and most good, just depends on time and ones own consumption rate!!! Restaurants would have to be Stewart's or Chester's.

Please give them my numbers and have them call when they arrive so I can give more advise/details. If they fancy a day in the valley I could get details on a tour on horse and wagon (covered) operated by a Swan Valley wagon tours. I always see them out and folks seem to love them. I know the owners.

Depending on budget the best to see in Margaret River would be the Voyager estate which is amazing and believe it or not brand new, yet looks centuries old. Amazing food, decent wine, in a gorgeous venue. Not cheap.

Others would be Watershed winery, Bootleg brewery, Margaret River chocolate factory (also in the Swan Valley) and I personally love Bunker Bay. This is a new hotel, mid to upper price point. Interesting architecture on a lovely beach. You can't actually see any of the buildings from the beach - a requirement of their planning permission. They have the BEST spa to pamper themselves in. I would wish for ours to be similar. Their restaurant is good, and views to the Indian Ocean. My fav. spot to watch the thunder storms that clatter around the coast!

Margaret River has many styles of accomodation venues. From B & B, to home rentals, to 4 star hotels. They also have a really good visitors centre in the town that has everything and is staffed by really helpful folks.

At this time of year the weather is all over the place. Today was a day for the air-con on in the car - yesterday I had the heat on! For sure the further South they go the wetter and colder it will become. Albany can blow your suntan off!!! Not sure the length of their visit but, as I say, if they call me upon their arrival I will do my best to be helpful. I will try to get more details to you soon or at least some helpful websites.

My mobile number is ****** or my restaurant number is ****** I would be only too happy to chat with them and if possible help them. I am in East Perth every Thursday for my coaching, but any time is good. Please feel free to give them my email too.

Hopefully this helps and I will try to get some downtown eateries. Fish here is good but not what you get on the West coast. Snapper and Emperor are my favs. Oysters okay - just not my thing. If they like golf we have the Vines resort course on our doorstep - home to the international Heineken classic.

Perth is a great place - just 10 years behind the rest of the world - which they are proud of.

Wow! Great information everyone. This is exactly what I'm looking for.

And thanks a lot Sheena for emailing Neil. We appreciate it.

Hi Marta,

Have just emailed a link to the Coral Coast region for your wild flower trip.

I agree with every recommendation stated, with a couple of exceptions. Fremantle (yes we do call it Freo) has an amazing array of eateries down by the Fisherman's Wharf area. Cicerello's is big on quantity, but sometimes lacks quality. My advice is to buy for one, and go back for more if you like it. Sometimes I find that they use too much oil in their frying process. Around that area you will also find other restaurants, eg Joe's Fish Shack and a Japanese restaurant, just to name two.

Margaret River area - Voyager is beautiful but they also charge for wine tasting. Not all wineries charge for their tastings. A great exception would be Happs Winery in Dunsborough. They offer a great selection of 'preservative free' wines and don't charge for tasting.

You will find most wineries with restaurants attached are actually in Metricup, just south of Margaret River. Please make the tourist information office your first stop and they will supply you with a detailed map of wineries, restaurants and attractions in their area.

Two breweries to check out are, Bootleg as suggested (which is in Metricup) and The Wicked Ale in Dunsborough.

For fine White Port, go to Cape Clairault winery (also Metricup) and The Woody Nook winery has a lovely Red Port aptly named 'Nooky Delight.'

Other non winery attractions are The Berry Farm, south of Margaret River. They make damper 'to die for.' The Lavender Farm uses their product in cooking. Try their lavender scones. There is Havava Coffee for coffee tasting, 2 x cheese factories, both belonging to the Margaret Cheese Co, however, one specialises in soft cheeses and yoghurt and the other one in hard cheeses. Check out their specials refrigerator for items close to their use by date. There is also a chocolate factory (pricey) but their tastings are free, an ice creamery in Dunsborough and the Candy Cow in Cowaramup make fresh honey comb. Yum!!

I agree that some restaurants can be pricey, but not all. Our family are not big spenders but like fine dining. Remember too, that we don't have a tipping policy in Australia. Our employees are paid good wages to give good service. They would be out of a job if they didn't deliver good service. However, we do sometimes tip something small if the service is EXCEPTIONAL.

If you want to meet the local residents of any country town you visit, stop off at the 'local' (slang for hotel or pub)and order a counter meal. This is not served at the counter, just ordered and paid for at the counter. Meals are usually subsantial (after all the locals eat there.)Prices are generally cheaper than restaurants.

If you want to try a true Aussie meat pie, buy only from bakeries. Some bakeries have speciality pies which can include crab meat, emu meat and other non standard fare. These bakeries compete annually at our Royal Show for prestigious awards, so you know they are good. Some bakeries are also small cafes, so you get the whole deal.

If I think of anything else, I will let you know. Good luck.

Elly