By now, it must be undisputed that Perth has the best coast in Australia and is certainly in the top ten in the world. The beaches, the views, especially at sunset, are second to none, and we love to take advantage of them as much as possible.
What’s often left out of the conversation, though, is our coastal dining scene, which, in the last few years, has evolved massively with several high-profile openings. The most talked-about has been Gibney in Cottelsoe, which has won award after award and has become the go-to spot for anyone seeking an elevated dining experience. And that’s unsurprising given its prime location, fitout, attention to detail, and one of the best wine lists around. But no, that’s not the place we’re suggesting.
A love affair with Rottnest Island
Ah, Rottnest Island. The place that’s so close, yet feels like somewhere in the Mediterranean. The boats floating in the bay, the pristine white sand, the clearest blue water, and the tiny creatures that have won the hearts of people all over the world, that most would take home and adopt in a heartbeat if they could.
When telling people about Rottnest, this is generally the focus. And who could blame you?
Things to do in Perth
What we don’t talk about enough is the dining scene. From the bakery — which must be the first stop anyone makes when arriving on the island — to the scattering of restaurants right on the water, there are many places where you can sit, order a bottle of wine and some share plates, and spend the rest of the day on ‘island time.’
And it’s one of these restaurants that is a must-visit this summer.
It’s Southeast Asian, but not as you know it
If you hadn’t already guessed, we’re talking about Lontara.
The almost hidden, beachside restaurant inside Samphire Rottnest is one that most people haven’t yet experienced. They’ve recently launched a new menu, curated by Head Chef Zach Fong, taking the Southeast Asian cuisine we all love and putting his own flavour to it. As he puts it, he’s “reimagining the menu as a vibrant intersection between tradition and innovation.”
So, why do we like it and suggest demand that you take a trip to Rottnest to try it for yourself this summer?
Well, firstly, it’s an excuse to take a day away from city life and have a mini holiday, especially if you decide to book a staycation and stay the night.
But mostly, it’s the food.
The menu is designed to make the most of share-style plates, which has become the normal, widely accepted way of dining. It means you get to sample a variety of dishes, which is good for the taste buds and makes choosing what to eat a little easier.
Here’s what we’d recommend you order.
Round 1: The oysters with salted chilli and rice vinegar mignonette, the scallops, and the Ped Ma Hor, which was one of our favourite dishes on the menu. It’s caramelised duck, snow crab, finger lime, and either watermelon or pineapple, on a little skewer. Order a round of the Green Island or Meanwhile In Bali cocktails, and you’re set for a little bit. Remember, you’re on island time, so there’s no hurry to get up and do things; sit back, order slowly, and enjoy a very long lunch.
Round 2: Order the Phetchaburi-style whole west coast emperor and a side of Som Tum, a green papaya salad. It’s light, refreshing, and healthy — you can’t go wrong. Pair it with a nice white wine — our suggestion would be the Sandalford Reserve Chardonnay or the Coffele ‘Castel Cerino’ Soave, a lovely, easy-to-drink Italian wine.
Round 3: We’re going to go a little heavier this round and grab the Angus short rib rendang sapi and some steamed rice. This has been my favourite dish so far, so enjoy it. You’ll want a red wine to pair with this one, and since it’s summer, we should go for something light or chilled. The Te Mata Gamay Noir is a light red wine that serves well chilled (you may need to ask them on arrival to chill it so it’s ready for this course). Otherwise, we’d suggest the Roberto Sarotto Langhe Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy.
That’s it. Now you can sit back and enjoy the conversation for the rest of the afternoon or evening. The Rottnest Island ferries run late night for the summer months, so there’s no rush to get on the 4:30 pm ferry back to Perth.
Here’s where it’s beneficial to have booked a little staycation at Samphire so you don’t have to go home just yet.
