Got the winter blues? If you're feeling the chill, there's nothing like comfort food to warm you up - body and soul!
Fortunately, Perth's world-class foodie scene offers plenty for comfort-food seekers: whether you're feeling like good ol' mac and cheese, Australia's best meat pie, something a little sweeter, or an international tastebud adventure, you’ll find plenty of culinary treasures at your doorstep. Prepared for comfort-food paradise? Read on!
Pub Grub
There's nothing like hearty, warming comfort food to beat the winter chill, and Perth's bars and pubs deliver!
You'll find amazing pub grub goodness at Brother of Mine in Baldivis, 8 minutes' from the Baldivis Children's Forest. The restaurant has a real community spirit, aiming to become a platform for education, creativity and amazing things by bringing together people who share common values and passions. They've been finalists three years running in the WA Good Food Guide's "Best Casual Dining Awards" and their menu boasts perfect comfort-food: all-day breakfast including jaffa buttermilk hotcakes, turkish eggs, burgers and toasties, jaffles, and of course the classic steak sarnie. Mouth-watering!
The iconic, heritage-listed Windsor Hotel is conveniently located just a stone's throw from the South Perth foreshore, and offers an upmarket taste sensation at the Charthouse Restaurant - their pumpkin risotto is peak comfort food! They also have an Italian pizza kitchen, and several bars with classics like steak sandwiches and chicken parmies. Yum!
Nestled in a wooded valley in the Perth Hills near numerous walk and cycle trails, you'll find another iconic pub grub providore: the Parkerville Tavern (a.k.a. the "Parky"), serving Perth foodies since way back in 1902. This beautifully restored tavern is perfect for friends, couples and families, and there's nothing like enjoying a wood-fired pizza in the warm glass conservatory while enjoying the views! And if you're in the mood for some serious comfort food, check out the Welsh meatballs, the bacon and smoked cheddar pasta bake, and anything from the Parky Classics menu (omnomnom).
Sweet & Savoury Treats
In the mood for some tasty temptations? Relive those fond childhood memories of warming up your tummy in winter with a steaming hot pie or danish, or maybe even grandma's classic apple pie. It's the perfect time of year for baked goods, and there's too many fantastic Perth bakeries with sweet and savoury treats to rival grandma's (shhhh, we won't tell if you don't).
If you're southward bound, your taste buds are in for delights galore! WA's most awarded bakery Miami Bakehouse is serving up mouth-watering gourmet pies, speciality breads and cakes in 6 locations around WA, including four in the Peel Region and one in Melville (close to Fremantle); also in the Peel Region, you'll find lip-smacking pies, pastries and desserts at Pinjarra Bakery, run by an Italian family of foodies for the last two decades and proudly the home of the Best Meat Pie in Australia (Winners of the Official Great Aussie Pie Comp 2019).
Indulge your sweet tooth with a journey of world-class artisan produce handmade in the Swan Valley, by following the deliciously decadent Swan Valley Sweet Temptations Trail. A highlight of the trail is Maison Saint Honore - a french patisserie specialising in macrons, croissants and cakes handmade on site. Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea you'll be amazing at the range of treats on offer!
And if you've got that cupcake craving, head to picturesque Point Peron every morning from Wed-Mon between 7:15am and noon; you'll find the gorgeous Vanilla Sprinkles restored vintage van, with cupcakes baked fresh each day and locally roasted coffee from Brother of Mine. A perfect way to get the energy for your Rockingham adventures!
Breweries and Cideries
Perth's breweries and cideries are renowned for their delish tipples, but they're also a fab place to get fed! Along the Perth Beaches, The Marina Mindarie is home to the Indian Ocean Brewing Co. - a microbrewery, bar and restaurant with sweeping views of the marina. Settle in with a craft beer and pick from their extensive menu featuring all your comforting pub favourites like pizzas, burgers, steak sandwich and a range of amazing share platters! Don't miss the seriously delish desserts (Toblerone and Frangelico Cheesecake! Yes, please!)
In the Perth Hills, you'll find a relaxing oasis that’s purely comforting in every way: Core Cider House! It's the perfect place to relax, unwind, and reconnect with nature - and yes, both the cider and the food are fantastic, and the desserts are unmissable.
In the Swan Valley, you'll find Feral Brewing Company, a place that’s anything but: this brewery restaurant has ambience galore, with its comfy fix of wood furnishings, greenery and dappled light. Wash down your craft beers with burgers and hand-cut chips, warming pastas, and hearty mains like pork belly and scotch fillet - the perfect day.
Seafood and Fish & Chips
Perth's coastlines make for a great seafood culture, and you'll find comforting fish and seafood dishes galore!
Lobster rolls are a perfect comfort food, and you don't have to head north to get great lobster - actually, you don't even have to leave Perth City centre. The Lobster Pier serves sustainably sourced and deliciously warmed butter-poached WA Rock Lobster on an all natural, hand-rolled brioche bun - it's fair to say that this place *ahem* rocks lobster! (Oy vey.) You'll also find winter warmers like mac and cheese, and beer-battered onion rings. Don't miss the #TLP2FOR$22 deal, with two regular lobster rolls plus garlic bread for only $22 - bring a friend and share the lobster love!
If you're thinking "fish" in Perth, the first thing that comes to mind is the Kailis family, who've been in the market (literally) since they started up the 'G.P Kailis and Sons' fish market way back in 1928. The Kailis Fish Market Cafe continues the family tradition in Fremantle, and has fast become a darling of the fish & chips scene. Enjoy your fresh fish and chips on the famous Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour wharf, and soak up the atmosphere of a working fish market serving the freshest seafood on its Seafood BBQ.
Cicerello's is another iconic institution when it comes to fish and seafood: in particular, Cicerello's Mandurah is a great place either to dine in (check out the amazing aquarium!) or to grab fish and chips to savour at the Mandurah foreshore. Warming winter fare, sorted!
Travel the world (of food) in comfort
Comfort-food can mean very different things around the world, but we all speak the language of flavour, so why not broaden your palate's horizons and discover comfort food with an international flair?
Chakra Restaurant in Inglewood is another great place for comforting global fare; this progressive, family-run Indian restaurant showcases dishes that are little-known in the West but iconic in India - authentic Indian cuisine prepared using traditional culinary techniques. The dishes are presented beautifully on bespoke platters, and the aroma of whole herbs and spices are a feast for the senses and soul.
La Fattoria is home to three generations of a family with Sicilian and British heritage, still living and working on their 25 acre property in the beautiful Perth Hills and producing wine grapes for their cellar door in Pickering Brook. They offer two dining experiences , Nonna's Family Table and Pick-A-Platter: the latter is a set course long lunch (a tribute to Nonna who pioneered this property over 75 years ago) enjoyed at tables with views overlooking the vineyard and orchard, while the Pick-A-Platter is a less formal dining experience centred around antipasto delights of your own choosing. Perfect for a picnic on the lush, beautiful grounds!
Finally, head to the Swan Valley for Elmar's in the Valley, where you'll find homestyle German fare - known for being hearty, flavourful and perfect for staving off the cold! Their signature Pork Shank is fantastic, and you’ll also find pork schnitzel, German-style mac and cheese, and the Bürgermeister. Guten Appetit!
We hope this guide to Perth's best comfort-food restaurants has whetted your appetite (quite literally!) for culinary adventure. We're exceptionally lucky to have so many delicious spots at our doorstep, so make sure to arrive hungry and enjoy! And if you're wondering what else to do in the chilly days, you're in luck: find out why Perth is the place to be this winter, check out our family-friendly winter escape ideas, and ideas for getting out of your PJs and exploring the best of Perth in winter.
