The start of a new month means one thing: a new round of House Favourites, WAGFG’s monthly round-up of what the team is eating, drinking, booking and buying.
The days are getting longer, the energy is shifting, and summer is firmly on our minds. From new coastal restaurant openings and limited-edition sours to staycation ideas and cult pantry staples, these are the things currently making our days better.
Some are new discoveries, others are long-time favourites, and all are worth your time.
Georgia Moore, Editor in Chief
Vitality House
I’m easing into a new chapter of my working life, stepping back from the frenzy of commitments and honing in on what matters: delivering our best Guide yet and planning for our 10th anniversary year. Vitality House West Leederville offers every conceivable aid to harmonising the demands of office and home; from nourishing breakfasts to lunchtime breathwork sessions, infrared saunas and fortifying tonics, and lotions and potions dispensed on demand from their apothecary.
Spring, Sun, Rottnest and Taglierini
Spring sunshine means one thing for my family: Rottnest. At the first hint of a 25-degree day, we’re carefully plugging gaps to get over at every chance possible. The new wave of accommodation options have been thoughtfully designed to blend in with the island’s natural allure – all unique in approach – and then there’s the new hospitality options. Excellent morning coffee at Pelican (from 6:30am), a new menu at Lontara, easy breezy group dining at Sunsets and lunch at our beachside favourite, Isola e Cibo, still doesn’t miss a beat. Greeted by one of WA’s hospitality stars, Giovanni Longo, we dived into what’s become known as a greatest hits menu; the taglierini with blue swimmer crab, tomato and a kick of chilli remains a standout. Then there’s Pinky’s at Discovery Rottnest for sunset and cocktails, and of course, you can’t miss a Pepper Steak pie from the Bakery. With late-night ferries on the horizon and a plethora of options to stay on the island, Rottnest is better than ever.
LC Caffé
A serendipitous find, I stumbled upon this modest café in Mount Claremont and was whisked to a country village via house-made condiments from ‘Chef Micky’: tomato relish, lemon curd, hot chilli jam (my hot tip? Slather it on top of zucchini slice) and a killer raspberry, ginger and rhubarb preserve.
Fin’s Seafood
How fortunate we are to have Chef Seth James reimagining fish and chips with such wizardry at this shop-takeaway hybrid haven in the enclave of the Bicton Shops, a precinct that’s curated a collection of winning retailers. Pop in to buy fish to cook for dinner and stay for snacks; tender, lightly dusted squid; melt-in-your-mouth tuna ceviche (it’s the wagyu of the ocean); tuna cheeseburgers; and blue-swimmer crab spring rolls.
Jed Gerrard and Sergio Labbe’s Pardoo Wagyu Six-Course Lunch at Wills Domain
A menu conceived to parade this exemplary Western Australian beef from the Kimberley’s red dust to the south-west’s gentle shores. On a crisp spring afternoon, we savoured MBS 4+ Kimberley wagyu alongside MBS 9+ Pardoo four ways, with beef fat potatoes and the freshest spring vegetables. I relish these gatherings with our south-west chef community: absorbing their insights on what we’re getting right (and where we might refine), sharing tales of the winter’s triumphs and trials, all shared to better bolster the regions that populate the pages of the Guide year on year.
Max Brearley, Guide Editor
Angel Envy’s Golden Hour
It’s been a month of travel for me, and while in Adelaide recently, I had a tasting of Angel’s Envy, a Kentucky straight bourbon finished in port casks. Their national Golden Hour sees them collaborate with culinary talent across the country — if you want to find them in Perth, Blaze Young and the Nieuw Ruin team will be working their magic until 15th October.
Box Hill, Esperance
One of my favourite WA destinations, Esperance, held its now annual Grounded festival in September, and I have been thinking of my stay at Box Hill ever since. On farm, off-grid — it’s very special.
Parmelia Hilton
In Perth, I had a two-night stay at Parmelia Hilton. My highlights there have to be their CBD-appropriate lunch menu at Samuel’s on Mill (think steak frites and a good Pinot) and learning that ABBA stayed there back in the day. Mamma Mia!
Jakarta’s Dining Scene
I’ve been eating my way through Jakarta for the last week. People talk about the city’s gridlock when they should be talking about its dining scene. I had many standouts, but a shoutout to my friend Kevindra Soemantri and his co-owners at Esa Restaurant, chef Aditya Muskita and Jess Eveline. Modern Indonesian dining and the warmest of welcomes.
Locavore NXT
I’m writing from Bali, and I’d say that if you wanted a representation of the ambitions of Indonesian dining, look no further than Locavore NXT. From the plate to the design and the underpinning ethos, chefs Ray Adriansyah and Eelke Plasmeijer are creating something which is garnering global recognition.
Anna Franklyn, Managing Editor
Franklin & Clement Jammed Chilli
This little jar packs what owner Em calls “elegant heat” — and she’s nailed it. Made here in Perth, it’s everything I want in a chilli jam: enough kick to hold its own, but never so much that it overpowers the flavour. I’ve been putting it on everything from eggs to grain bowls.
Bert’s, City Beach
Bert’s is breathing new life into the old Odyssea site, and I couldn’t think of a better way to welcome spring. Beach views, a brand-new dining room, and the kind of coastal energy that’ll no doubt make it a summer favourite. Officially opening Friday, 3 October, I’d get in early.
Kindko Gifting
For those times when flowers and a block of chocolate don’t quite cut it, Kindko is my go-to. They curate beautifully presented gift boxes, filled with brands like Bahen & Co chocolate, Mayde Tea, and other Australian favourites. You can choose from their pre-set collections, build your own, or have them help you craft the perfect gift. Thoughtful, stylish, and always well-received.
Le Vietnam’s Rice Bowls
I hadn’t been to Le Vietnam since I found out I was coeliac, but a recent discovery changed that: their rice bowls. I’ve already been twice this month. The Big Don’s wagyu beef mince is the standout—rich, packed with flavour, and deeply satisfying.
Maya Maya
I stayed at Maya Maya recently while attending a wedding at Mandoon Estate and instantly wished I’d booked an extra night. The bed was insanely comfortable, the robes were luxe, and it felt like a proper exhale. Sadly, I had to rush home to collect the kids — but next time, I’m clearing the schedule.
Abbie Kinsella, Content and Partnerships Executive
Balthazar
I’d been busting to try Balthazar, and my partner outdid himself by taking me there for my birthday. Tucked beneath Lawson Flats, this cosy, dimly lit dining room is pure bistro elegance, with the feel of a swanky New York date-night spot. It’s all class, from the extensive wine list to a timeless, produce-driven menu. A few must-orders? Start with the raw tuna with finger lime and herb oil, then move on to the crisp-skinned pork belly (so crispy you can hear the scratch under the knife) with artichokes and don’t skip the seafood spaghetti with salted roe and prawn oil.
Innate Brewers x Bam Bam Gelato – Lemon Squeeze Sorbet Sour
Beer and gelato at once? Yes, please. I’ve always loved sours in summer, and this collab between Spearwood’s Innate Brewers and Baldivis’ Bam Bam Gelato is everything a cold pint of sour should be. I found it recently at Pica Bar, and it instantly reminded me of a sgroppino (mark my words, Perth’s next cocktail obsession). It’s zingy, refreshing, and a brilliant mash-up of two small local businesses.
Sal’s Porchetta Pinsa
Yes, the pasta at Sal’s is what many come for, but the pinsas deserve just as much attention. Crisp, light, and airy, brushed with olive oil and sea salt — they might just be Perth’s best sandwiches. My pick? The porchetta pinsa, stuffed with provolone, peppers and salsa verde, finished with a showering of Parmigiano.
Vincent Wine
Vincent does French so effortlessly, you almost forget you’re still in Perth. Under Stephen Thompson, the kitchen leans into French-inspired share plates that pair beautifully with their rotating Euro-focused wine list. The pate en croute alone is worth the visit, but then dishes like hapuka in champagne sauce and Dutch caviar, or a Manjimup truffle croissant with black garlic shine radiantly. This is the kind of place you settle into for oysters, wine, and a long afternoon you’ll wish never ended.
Lontara
With summer around the corner, Rottnest is calling, and while Hotel Rottnest and Isola remain some of my island staples, Lontara deserves a place on every itinerary. Head Chef Zack Fong’s refreshed menu celebrates Southeast Asian flavours with a focus on coastal produce. The vibe is breezy, with salty air wafting through as you gaze over the turquoise stretch of Thomson Bay. Begin with Ped Ma Hor (caramelised duck and snow crab on watermelon and pineapple), then dive into the char siu lamb shoulder. The meat slips cleanly from the bone, lacquered in sticky-sweet glaze, and paired with som tum, you’ll be thinking about it the whole ferry ride home.
Kirsty Petrides, WAGFG Contributor
The Smashed Avo at Magic Apple Wholefoods
I’m going to go out there and say this is the best breakfast in Perth. The combination of salty feta, creamy smashed avo, tangy slaw, punchy tahini dressing and the signature magic rice – all covered in the glorious ooze of the poached egg yolk – is an absolute flavour party. And then you get to mop it all up with the Turkish bread.
Taste by Stanley Tucci
By no means a new book, but I’m currently re-reading this because it was so life-changing the first time around. It’s single-handedly changed the way I cook pasta, make a Negroni and generally how I operate in the kitchen.
Veal polpette at Vinotto
Oh gosh. These juicy veal meatballs – cooked in a tomato and pine nut sauce, drizzled with a hit of lemon, and showered with gratings of parmesan cheese – are what dreams are made of. Best enjoyed at one of Vinotto’s alfresco tables with a glass of Barolo.
Arvo Gins at Gimlet
Freos’ tiny build-you-own-G&T bar is my favourite spot for an afternoon gin and tonic. No menu, just tell the friendly folks behind the bar what kind of botanicals and flavours you like, and let them make you something bespoke.
A spring riesling
Now that spring has sprung, it feels like white wine weather, and I am well and truly in my riesling era. The Castle Rock Skywalk Riesling is on high rotation.
Looking for more recommendations? Check out the House Favourites archives, or dive into Off Menu for all the latest food and drink news around the State.