One of the biggest days on the hospitality event calendar was Tuesday night — the WA Good Food Guide Awards gala. The night when they announce and celebrate excellence in the hospitality industry.
There are a number of categories that make up the awards, from Bar of the Year and Sommelier of the Year to New Restaurant of the Year.
New Restaurant of the Year
We’re constantly amazed by the number of new restaurants that open every year, each bringing its own unique style and creativity to the market.
And 2025 was no different, with some heavy hitters opening venues like Pearla & Co. in North Fremantle.
But for us, there was one standout venue that opened late last year that was an obvious contender to clean up come awards time. And apparently, that sentiment was shared widely.
New Restaurant of the Year was awarded to Tigerfish in Cottesloe.
“Granted, the stunning views and its home in The Cottesloe Beach Hotel are drawcards, as is being the new kid in town. One of the best restaurant interiors we’ve seen can’t hurt either – cues like the karaoke room all say fun, fun, fun! We don’t dwell enough on venue managers, and here there’s one of the best in Mark Rutter, a familiar face over the past decade or so at the likes of Canteen Pizza and Il Lido. Service excels, as does food under Stephen Ryu, who brings a focused, frankly addictive lens to Southeast Asian flavours. That direction is channelled through the bar with its stellar cocktail offering.
Creatively conceived, flawlessly executed.”
If you haven’t yet been, now is the time to book that long lunch with a group of friends.
WAGFG 2025 Award Winners
Here are the winners of the WAGFG 2025 Awards;
- New Restaurant of the Year: Tigerfish
- Restaurant of the Year: Gibney
- Chef of the Year: James Higgs (Lulu La Delizia)
- Bar of the Year: Cherubino City Cellar
- Pub of the Year: Gage Roads Freo Brewery
- Regional Restaurant of the Year: Leeuwin Estate
- Regional Chef of the Year: Toby and Maree Fisher (Bullara Station)
- Excellence in Front of House: Giovanni Longo (Isola Bar e Cibo)
- Young Chef of the Year: Jessica Roe (Petition)
- Best Breakthrough Talent: Larissa Gonçalves (Si Paradiso)
- Casual Restaurant of the Year: Testùn
- Sommelier of the Year: Sofia Giros (Fiveight)
- Best Bar Dining: H&C Urban Winery
- Bartender of the Year: Charlie Coates (Nextdoor)
- Wine List of the Year: Balthazar
- Industry Leadership Award: Catherine MacDougall
- Producer of the Year: Revolution Fisheries
- Austral Young Chef of the Sea: Lewis Maclean (Wills Domain)
- Tourism Experience in Wine: Singlefile Wines
- People’s Choice Venue: Blue Manna Bistro
- People’s Choice Product of the Year: Sweet Chilli Ginger Sauce from Pantry 388
