As 2024 comes to an end, WAGFG’s Tessa Gallagher picks out the dishes, snacks and drinks that most stood out to her along the way. Call it an unofficial Best of List, seen through the eyes of the WA Good Food Guide managing director, for whom eating, drinking and discussing, is part of the job.
My Instagram story archive got a solid working out looking back on my best eats of 2024 and it turns out, I’m just a simple gal who has seemingly indulged in a bread and fries tour of WA in 2024. Whoops.
This year’s food adventures were packed with highlights, but there are some dishes that have taken up permanent residence in the part of my brain reserved for truly unforgettable food moments. WA’s dining scene has delivered yet again, with so many restaurants, bars, and cafes stepping up and absolutely blowing me away.
I kicked off the year strong with an enduring favourite: the sesame burger from Annapurna Wholefoods in Margaret River—proof that healthy doesn’t have to compromise on flavour. Down the road, I was happily transported to Southern Italy for several slices of Pizzica’s authentic Pizzica woodfired pizza. Meanwhile, you can’t visit Margaret River and not have a brekky burger from White Elephant Beach Cafe while overlooking the always stunning Gnarabup Beach.
Testun
Back in Perth, Bar Vino’s cheesy flatbread and seasonal crudités gave me dreamy Italian summer vibes, while around the corner, Testun’s lemon market fish crudo and charred broccolini, washed down with a negroni, confirmed that Beaufort Street’s Inglewood end is absolutely having a moment. Celebrations at Post at the State Buildings included plenty of standout dishes, but the triple-cooked potatoes with black garlic mayo easily stole the show at my mum’s 70th birthday dinner.
And then there was Bagel-O’s poppy seed bagel with jalapeno cream cheese. Yes, I queued for it at their new Subiaco outpost. Yes, it was worth it. And yes, their iced coffee deserves its own shoutout.
Madalena’s
A sunny afternoon at Madalena’s in South Freo paired perfectly with their Goldband snapper, while over at Vin Populi, the trifecta of mortadella, octopus, and spaghetti polpette was a truly delicious experience. Honestly, there aren’t many better places to sit with a plate of something yummy and a glass of something fizzy. Over in East Freo, La Lune’s cheeseburger hit the spot (side note: does eating in such an aesthetic environment make the food taste better? I think yes).
Isola
A mid-year jaunt up north saw me tucking into an incredible prawn linguine at Bill’s Bar in Coral Bay, while over on Rottnest, Isola’s insanely cheesy cacio e pepe kept the carb train rolling in the most satisfying way. How lucky are we to have Rottnest?!
Jolli Macarons brought some unexpected but welcome sweetness to the West Leederville scene, with the birthday cake macaron earning its spot as a post-swim favourite for my kids. Meanwhile, Monday nights at Besk proved why they’ve become an institution: their steak night is a must (just book early). In Leederville, Gather Bakery’s brownie reminded me why baked goods are an art form, while I introduced out-of-town relatives to the fun atmosphere and big servings of Spritz Spizzicheria. Sometimes you just need a Chicken Parmigiana topped with spaghetti napoletana y’know?
Willi’s
The hot honey Detroit-style pizza from Willi’s in the city is one of the best new additions to the pizza scene this year, while Monsterella remains a firm favourite (I can never go past the Milliano). Next door, Mummucc’s chicken cotoletta was crunchy and full of flavour.
When it comes to fine dining, Wildflower’s six-course degustation once again proved itself to be a masterclass in thoughtful, elegant eating, and in Mount Hawthorn, Casa’s charcoal-grilled flank steak with black garlic bordelaise (accompanied by an icy dirty martini or two) reinforced why this is the place I always tell my mates who want great recommendations to visit.
North Street Store
Last but certainly not least are the everyday heroes that kept me fueled all year—the wonton noodle soup from Wembley Food Court, Red Chair’s laksa which is criminally underrated, the oat lattes and North Street cinny scrolls from The Coffee Thief, all of the salads at Vitality House, the acai bowls from The Acai Corner at Lake Monger, the croque monsieur from Luis’ at Lawson Flats (pure, cheesy comfort!), the wontons in spicy sauce from Authentic Bites Dumpling House and both Juanitas and Corner Dairy’s chippies which are two of the best in Perth in my humble opinion.
To WA’s chefs, bakers, and bartenders: thank you for feeding me so well. 2024 was one hell of a delicious ride. Bring on 2025—I’ll be ready, fork in hand.
Looking for more of Perth’s best restaurants and bars? Check out our interview with Elliot Sawaris of Nextdoor on his down time regulars and the best basque cheesecake in Perth.
