W: Busselton is also a bit of a drive, but we think its definitely worth it for the snorkelling enthusiasts. The warm Leeuwin Current down in Busso supports more than 300 tropical and sub-tropical marine species around Busselton Jetty. That’s a lot. As well as colourful fish, you’ll get to see loads of different corals and sponges.
W: Look, it’s not necessarily ‘Perth’ but it only takes a couple of hours to get up to Jurien Bay, so we’re including it. The Jurien Bay Marine Park extends from Greenhead to the south of Nambung National Park and is a snorkeler's delight. A huge shallow lagoon provides the perfect habitat for Australian sea lions, dolphins and fish, plus there are huge seagrass ‘meadows’ (yes, meadows that are underwater) inside the reef that are home to marine animals such as western rock lobsters, octopus and cuttlefish. AND within the marine park, there are dozens of magnificent islands that contain rare and endangered animals found nowhere else in the world. Totally worth the drive.
W: The Shoalwater Islands Marine Park is another snorkelling paradise for those in the south. It includes the waters of Shoalwater Bay, Warnbro Sound and a small part of Cockburn Sound, as well as a few islands. Reefs in shallow waters around the islands are popular snorkelling spots, but make sure you’re there before the sea breeze hits. You might catch a glimpse of Australian sea lions, bottlenose dolphins and even penguins.
W: Penguin Island is the South's favourite spot for a snorkel. Between the coast and the island is a calm stretch of water with some pretty fascinating wildlife. Seals and dolphins tend to frequent the area, and if you're lucky, you may even see the resident sea lions or penguins taking a dip. Tip: because of the seals and the fact that it's deep water, not shallow water like most other snorkelling spots, Penguin Island sometimes gets a ‘beware of sharks’ label slapped on it. But just remember boys and girls, you have more chance of getting in a car accident on your way to your snorkelling adventure than you do getting eaten by a shark.
W: Far, far up the deep north of Perth, you’ll find a small, tranquil place called Burns Beach. Don’t let the relatively small sandy area of this beach fool you, Burns Beach has a huge area of sheltered rocky reef that stretches north beyond the sand. You’ll get to catch a glimpse of regular reef fish, and if you're lucky, some dhufish as well which have been known to get up to around 10 kilos. That’s a big fish.
W: The Reveley has a cafe and restaurant, both of which are serving up delish eats. But if it's a killer view of Perth that you're after you'll want to head straight to the rooftop bar and grab a cocktail.
W: Sitting pretty down at Elizabeth Quay, it’s not just the views that will have your heart racing at The Reveley. Make sure you order the lemon curd amazingness that is the All Over Pavlova cocktail on arrival to get your taste buds flowing. Then, it’s a tough decision between their herb gnocchi with pumpkin and candied walnuts or the Cone Bay barramundi and crab risotto, so go with an eager over-orderer and call it a day.
W: One of the best rooftop bars in Perth, the rooftop bar at Lucky Chan’s Laundry + Noodle Bar doesn’t provide much of a view, but this intimate open-air space will win you over with its delicious cocktails and epic Japanese whiskey selection.
W: Tiki As FK is not your average tiki bar. With an unexpected outdoor terrace boasting epic views of the city, plenty of tropical cocktails and a few bar bites to line the stomach, you'll want to add this one to your tiki hit list stat.
W: What was once The Emerson, Prince Lane's three-floor bar is absolutely fabulous, but let's focus on the rooftop shall we? Think loads of greenery against the sparkling CBD skyline, and let's not forget the rooftop karaoke suite decked out with an uber-luxe tropical vibe.
W: Mechanics Institute's former bar manager has joined forces with the former head chef from Melbourne's Gingerboy to bring us another awesome rooftop bar. With amazing cocktails, delicious Asian inspired noms and views from six stories up, it's pretty hard to beat an afternoon at Sweetwater.
W: Altitude drinking at its finest, Bob’s Bar, named after larrikin Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, combines a killer city view with some awe-inspiring tipples. Skull a pint like Bob or order their monster KFC cocktail jug to ring in the summer.
W: Perched high above the rooftops of William Street, The Aviary sent Perth hurtling into the new age of high-altitude hospitality. Boasting the largest rooftop space in Western Australia, the views of the Perth city skyline from The Aviary's rooftop are next level. The oasis-like outdoor space is filled with lush trees, relaxed furniture and all of the jungle vibes—so there's a high probability you'll never want to leave.
W: Mechanics Institute’s tiered rooftop bar in the hidden, but by no means secret, alleyway behind William Street is a much-loved Perth drinking institution and one of Perth's best rooftop bars. One Epic Bloody Mary on this rooftop and you’ll swear you are kickin’ it in trendy Brooklyn.
W: This longstanding Freo favourite recently opened up their rooftop bar and we're oh so glad they did. With incredible 360 degree views over Fremantle, out past the cranes of the port and towards Rottnest, The National Hotel is the perfect spot to relax with an ice cold brew.
W: Grab a perch in the lush rooftop garden at Hadiqa and sip on a Turkish Delight Martini (with a real Turkish delight garnish) as you take in the views over Hibernian Place and wonder why anyone would live anywhere else.
W: Hadiqa is your answer to innovative, refined Middle-Eastern dining. Head here for a Friday night drink sesh after work and you’ll surely score brownie points with your colleagues. From the decor to the food and drinks, everything has been carefully curated to give you a taste of Moroccan luxury. Get yourself one of their signature cocktails—a Turkish Delight Martini or a Marrakesh Mojito—then dig into some juicy za'atar lamb kebabs, or the crowd favourite roasted cauliflower bites with ras el hanout and yoghurt.
W: It's tempting to take a seat downstairs at Double Rainbow but you'll kick yourself if you don't head all the way up to Hello Rooftop Bar for the raspberry sour bomb cocktail. It's light and refreshing and goes down like water; lucky it's on tap so you won't have to wait too long for the next one.
W: Petition Kitchen had us at parfait, parma ham and heirloom cauliflower. Oh, who are we kidding, they had us at their pineapple and coconut sour whisky cocktail and those leather couches we would really love to take nap on. For your information, this is probably less Tinder date material and more ‘happy anniversary’. Petition Wine Bar & Merchant and Petition Beer Corner are also just around the corner if you need somewhere for a pre or post dinner drink.
W: If you’re into homemade pasta, insanely good seafood and a banging salumi board then surely you’ve been to Lalla Rookh. If you’re lucky enough to be there when the gnocchi is on the menu, then no more decisions need to be made, you will be ordering that. And if the words ricotta bomboloni make you more excited than winning a competition on Instagram, you’ll want to head here as soon as possible. Lalla Rookh was instrumental in re-inspiring Italian cuisine in Perth and, with or without Valvasori’s pasta making hands of perfection, it still delivers every time.
W: The vineyard eschews a timber and glass Aussie bush vibe in favour of a more formal French aesthetic illustrated by everything from the manicured gardens and slightly austere dining room, to a degustation menu playing between "haute" Australian and classic French technique. Certainly the savoury dried pear of the 2015 Girt By Sea chardonnay is a winning match for sweet-fleshed barramundi left alone to do its thing barring the subtle addition of bitter nettle and a polite hit of dashi.
W: Wildflower is shifting our preconceived idea of ‘food for thought’. The menu is dictated by the environment and draws on the seasonal indigenous Noongar calendar. You’ll make a booking with the expectation to be blown away by the view, but in reality, it’s much more than that. The creativity of each dish will make you appreciate our Western Australian soil just a little bit more than the last.
W: QT's rooftop bar is pumping on the weekends. So much so you can hear the volume of boozed chatter rise as you ascend the hotel tower in the elevator. With gorgeous views of the CBD skyline and killer cocktails, this is certifiably the place to go if you want to party.
W: I’m surprised I haven’t heard more hype about the refurbished rooftop terrace at the much-loved gay club Connections in pumpin’ Northbridge. Leave the drag queen fuelled dance party inside to drink in million dollar city views with your wine, then go back to the drag queens. Because, drag queens.
W: It’s not exactly a bar but the Northbridge Rooftop Movies boast one of the best rooftops in Perth. When you park yourself on a beanbag amidst the colourful lanterns, AstroTurf and pink flamingoes, there can be no doubt that summer has arrived. Sip on your wine and take in the 360-degree views while watching a flick.
W: Mettams Pool is one of the most popular destinations for snorkelers in Perth. Why? Because the bay is sheltered from waves with a very handy rock formation that forms a bit of a ring around the ‘pool’. This means that the water is generally pretty calm and that a treasure-trove of amazing marine life can happily reside in this lovely, protected pool. You’ll likely find a variety of colourful reef fish hiding among the rocks, ranging from the size of your thumb up to hand-sized zebrafish.
W: Pretty much every beach on Rotto is worth snorkelling at, isn’t it? Being surrounded by reef, rocks and shipwrecks provides for an abundance of aquatic creatures. In fact, there are approximately 400 species of fish and 20 different species of coral within the Rottnest Island Marine Reserve. That’s a lot of fish and coral to look out. Better get cracking ASAP, kids.
W: The Heritage. Maybe we love it because you immediately feel like you’re in a Parisian bistro along the Seine. Or maybe we love it because you feel like you’re part of the Boardwalk Empire set. Or maybe we just love it because it’s doing really remarkable things for Perth’s fine dining scene and bringing a piece of historic architecture along the terrace back to life. So let’s just go with D) all of the above. We’re all about the Westholme wagyu rump cap. One question though: must we share?
W: Yes ok, it’s a bar, we know that. But if you’ve eaten at Varnish On King you know as well as we do that it deserves a spot on any list of the best restaurants in Perth’s CBD. Known for their whisky and bacon flights, can we recommend you just take a second to sit down and order the beef tendon crisps with ash mayo, the braised brisket with pickled okra and the lamb rump with a side of the best cornbread you’ll ever eat. Finish it all off with the peanut butter cup dessert and a Rye Of The Tai-Gurr cocktail.
W: If you’ve been treating The Flour Factory like a bar instead of a restaurant you’ve been doing it wrong. Yes, the gin bar is the best thing to happen to Friday after work drinks in a long while, but once you try the food, you’ll be so swept up in how the chef can make potatoes taste and look so good, you’ll wish they were listed on the ASX so you could buy in.
W: If you’re planning a dinner on the company credit card then we’d suggest you choose Sushia Izakaya and the omakase menu. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, this place is not your average Japanese joint, so if you’ve done Nobu more times than you can count, shake things up and head to this fine dining restaurant for a feast and some very inventive cocktails.
W: While the Print Hall combo is old news, the food coming out of it certainly isn’t. Apple Daily is still going very strong. If it’s been a while, here’s a refresher—it’s a little less south-east fusion and a little more of a collaborative Asian affair with additions from Korea, Japan and India popping up on the menu. But don’t worry, the old classics are still there. We’re talking pulled pork pancakes with Asian slaw, snapper dumplings with a tom kha broth and drunken noodles with prawn, chicken and Thai basil.
W: The shift in partnership has resulted in a welcome change to Balthazar. It’s out with the white linen tablecloths and in with the wood and leather from team No Mafia and the menu is seriously next level. Rest assured, you can still get Bread In Common treats with house butter.
W: Garum is Chef Guy Grossi’s best gift to Perth. Think Roman classics with a touch of Grossi’s magic and the years of experience he brings to table, and you have the makings of one of the best restaurants in the city. While pretty much everything on the menu shows off WA’s amazing produce, it is head chef Mario Di Natale’s aesthetic for modern Italian cooking that really puts this place on the map.
W: La Cholita offers a Mexican feed to rival the best in the biz Down Under. Fun, friendly and open til 2am on Friday and Saturday nights, Northbridge’s La Cholita is sure to satisfy your late night fish taco and tequila hankering.
W: Vans in Cottesloe has been around for eons – and for good reason. This eatery offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks in a chilled out, open plan bistro. I recommend the Angus sirloin steak.
W: No Mafia in Northbridge has a cheeky name and an impressive authentic Italian menu. Italian Australians have added so much to the food scene, and No Mafia is Perth’s testament to that. Check out their imported Italian wine list.
W: Lady of Ro is a Subiaco favourite, and offers the chance to sample some of the West Coast’s mouthwatering fresh seafood. It serves up specials like King Prawns and octopus late into the night.
W: Lucky Chan’s Laundry & Noodle Bar is another Northbridge haunt – man, that area has some great bars and restaurants! Some of the best Asian food in Perth, funky laundry-inspired decor and a rooftop bar. Enough said.
