As you may have seen, there’s a new restaurant that has opened in the heart of West Perth.
CU29 has opened on Hay Street, and we can confirm that the food is good. It’s a contemporary restaurant and bar where Western Australian produce meets flavours inspired by cuisines across the globe. Owner Alberto Tassone has spent more than 30 years working towards this dream, and his vision is for a place that feels just as suited to a business lunch as it does an after-work drink.
Tassone’s journey to opening his Hay Street restaurant spans three continents. Born in Switzerland to Italian parents from Calabria, he trained as a chef, studied hotel management in Lucerne, and spent years with the Dusit Thani Group across Thailand and the Philippines before settling in Perth in 1998. CU29, he says, is where all of it finally comes together.
“Perth diners are incredibly well-travelled today. They’re looking for more than just a meal. They want quality, atmosphere and authenticity without feeling intimidated,” Tassone said. “CU29 was created to be that place. Somewhere people can come together over exceptional food and wine, whether it’s a business lunch, an after-work drink or a celebration with family and friends.”
The name pays homage to its location. CU29 is copper’s chemical symbol and atomic number, chosen for the warmth and resilience Tassone associates with the metal and for the nod it gives to WA’s mining heritage, which West Perth is often associated with.
A menu that will take you around the world
In the kitchen is Executive Chef Samuel Ho, who cooks in a style he calls international contemporary: Japanese precision, European technique, and flavours from across Asia, all built on Western Australian produce. Think dishes like Wagyu Lamb Char Siu, Kangaroo Tartare, and Ageing Tuna, each dish borrowing from more than one tradition, making it a unique flavour experience.
“Every dish should tell a story,” Ho said. “I love exploring different culinary traditions and finding the right moment to introduce an ingredient or technique that elevates the dish. It’s about creating something that’s familiar enough to be comforting, but unexpected enough to be memorable.”
Rounding out the venue is a curated wine list, a run of signature cocktails, and a floor overseen by Operations Manager Steven Hartawan, who joined CU29 early after leadership roles at Crown Perth, The Ritz-Carlton Perth, Rockpool Bar & Grill, and QT Perth (that’s quite the resume!).
“Anyone can serve food and drinks, but great hospitality is about making people feel genuinely cared for,” Hartawan said.
CU29 Restaurant & Bar is now open at 1275 Hay Street, West Perth.
