With its laid back atmosphere, incredible local seafood and produce, and a spate of young bars and restaurants ready to encourage slow afternoon drinking and great evening nibbles in the summer sun, Mandurah has a lot to offer food lovers looking for a getaway from nearby Perth.
Only a short drive south of Perth city, Mandurah’s ability to combine contemporary city comforts and beachside living has made the region a holiday hotspot for many city slickers looking for a nearby getaway. Making the most of the unique canal systems that run through the town, many of the best local eateries are located along foreshores, jetties and estuaries, meaning seafood-packed menus and alfresco dining is ubiquitous in a celebration of the waterside lifestyle.
Brewvino
Located in prime position along the boardwalk, Brewvino boasts incredible views over Mandurah’s marina and extensive alfresco dining. The waterfront bar meets steakhouse celebrates the ability of food to stimulate fellowship, with a menu designed to encourage sharing and conversation.
Hit Brewvino in the early evening for gin tastings and a gourmet cheese board – served with lavosh, pickled watermelon, honeycomb and apple – or at dinner time for a glass of vino and generous share plates, including crispy skin chicken or blackwood valley beef with bearnaise butter. Either way, be sure to invite a group of friends to appreciate the experience with.
Brewvino is committed to featuring sustainable, locally grown or sourced ingredients, and the menu reflects the abundance of incredible produce available in the region. Think fresh seafood, beef and lamb, and a drinks list stacked with local boutique wines and small batch beers.
41 Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah, https://brewvino.com.au/
Redmanna
Floor to ceiling windows allow an unobstructed view over the waterways in Mandurah’s premium seafood dining destination. Redmanna offers an ever changing menu reflecting the best of locally available and seasonal produce, from Cervantes crayfish and Cone Bay barramundi to Stirling Ranges sirloin and lamb from Amelia Park, with a distinct lean towards Asian flavours such as miso, yuzu and gochujang, which pepper the menu. The crispy skin barramundi, which comes with a tom kha broth, oyster mushrooms and jasmine rice, is a perfect example.
Despite a relaxed atmosphere and lack of pretence, Redmanna has firmly established itself as a place for quality seafood, and a popular choice for special occasion dining in Mandurah.
While the seafood is an obvious choice, there’s plenty on the menu to satisfy a variety of tastes, and breads, pastas and sauces are made onsite.
5/9 Manduarh Terrace, Mandurah, https://redmanna.com.au/
Catch 22
Let the endless tapas on offer at Catch 22 take you on a culinary adventure, with a menu that truly transverses any singular cuisine. From Indian-inspired tandoori chicken cigars to Vietnamese pork buns to Moroccan lamb to a Belgium chocolate lava cake, the creative amalgamation of flavours is a fun way to share a meal that will have something for everyone.
The tapas and cocktail lounge is beloved by locals for its quirky styling, inventive cocktails and good eats. A decent range of wine and beer is on offer, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to partake in one of the signature retro cocktails on offer.
1/4 Zephyr Mews, Mandurah, https://www.catch22mandurah.com.au/
The Peninsula Bar & Restaurant
The Peninsula, or the Pen, has established itself as one of Mandurah’s best locations for laid back, alfresco dining in warmer months. Outdoor seating benefits from dappled sunlight filtering through trees towering overhead, views overlooking Mandjar Bay, and often from the pleasant hum of live music, and practically begs for you to take a seat with a chilled beverage and a tasty grazing plate.
Fortunately, the Pen continues to deliver on that front. The classic charcuterie board and vegan charcuterie board, both served with crunchy ciabatta, are perfect for aperitivo hour, and will whet your appetite for mains – think elevated pub classics and plenty of local seafood. With a long list of mid- and full-strength beers on tap, and a wine list that pays homage to great Australian viticulture, the Pen is a great allrounder.
1 Marco Polo Drive, Mandurah, https://thepenmandurah.com.au/
Boundary Island Brewery
Combining nautical whimsey with a strong list of brewed onsite beers, the Boundary Island Brewery is a popular stop for lovers of craft beer. The venue offers eleven housemade brews on tap, featuring names like the Sea Breeze seltzer, Deckie IPA, and Black Pearl stout, alongside a menu of one-handers you’d expect to accompany an afternoon of brews – burgers, pizza, fried squid, and more.
On the weekends, the brewery fires up a Texan-style smoker and offers tender, slow-cooked, woodfired ribs, as well as a rotating selection of smoked meats and treats. Do yourself a favour and order a side of the fresh bread to sop up your barbecue feast – the housemade sourdough is made using the yeast recycled from the beer production process, and is unmissable.
21 Marina Quay Drive, Erskine, https://boundaryislandbrewery.com.au/
Silk Thai
Combining authentic Thai recipes with locally sourced produce, Silk Thai serves up all the flavorful classics one would expect from a Thai restaurant including red and green curries, pad thai, pad see ew, and satay. Dishes packed with nuanced and balanced flavour and attention to small detail reflect head chef Prasert Janlar’s forty years of experience in kitchen’s around the world, as well as the venue’s real desire to share an authentic Thai experience.
The service here is second to none, so take advantage of the staff’s expertise and let them guide you through the extensive menu, getting advice on the best proteins for each dish, and what spice level you’re ready for.
52 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah, https://www.silkthai.com.au/
Waterside Thai
Big flavours and impeccable service, Waterside Thai is your classic neighbourhood Thai restaurant done right. The venue prides itself on bona fide Thai flavours and the menu is packed with authentic spicy salads, curries and noodle-based dishes that celebrate the cuisine.
Holding prime position on the edge of the waterways, and fully licensed, the patio offers incredible views to take in some of Mandurah’s best sights over a drink and a soul-warming meal.
3 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah, https://www.watersidethai.com.au/
