Whether you’re partial to pasta or a pizza enthusiast, if Italian is your thing, we’ve got you covered. From dreamy beachside trattorias to moody haunts dotted around the city, here’s our Top Ten Guide to Perth’s best Italian restaurants.
Lulu La Delizia — Subiaco
Lulu’s is easily the crown jewel of Perth’s Italian dining scene, and for good reason. This small Subiaco-based eatery and wine bar specialises in the crème de la crème of fresh, handmade pasta. Named in honour of nonna Luigia Valvasori who emigrated to Australia in 1952 from the north eastern Italian town of Casarsa della Delizia, the neighbourhood restaurant has well and truly finessed the art of authentic Italian. Expect a small but mighty menu of cured meats, cheeses, and olives, accompanied by nonna’s meatballs, and pawn gnocchetti. Did we mention the to-die-for tiramisu, and zia’s crostoli? Meanwhile, the thoughtfully curated wine list champions predominantly Italian and Australian labels. We love these guys and we know you will too.
POST Osteria & Bar — Perth
Nestled in what was once the franking room of the city’s General Post Office, the aptly named POST is all about platforming the tastes, tales, and traditions of Italy. Headed by the capable hands of Executive Chef Kim Brennan, the menu nods to European simplicity with jaw-dropping flavour combinations and high quality local produce. We’re huge fans of the guanciale and tomato rigatoni, pork and fennel orecchiette, market fish crudo, and beef carpaccio. If you need further convincing, the intimate, dimly lit restaurant also boasts one of our favourite wine lists in Perth — the perfect location for date night or a post-work catch-up.
Vin Populi — Fremantle
From the ever-evolving menu etched on a central chalkboard to the excellent wine list and seasonal produce peppered across plates, Vin Populi is a shining light in the Fremantle food scene. There are 17,000 reasons to visit the brand new establishment which has quickly become a cult favourite for its dreamy aesthetic and legendary dishes. Pick a spritz or glass from the wine list which revolves around Italian varietals and small, family-run WA producers. Then pair it with olives and salumi while soaking up the bustling High Street atmosphere of the kerbside alfresco area. Or settle for the equally romantic mosaic-tiled interior, which conjures visions of traditional Italian trattorias, while remaining modern and oh so stylish.
Il Lido — Cottesloe
What was once a seaside 1930’s art-deco cabaret hall perched on Cottesloe Beach, is now an Italian-inspired espresso bar and restaurant. With a killer wine list and banging cocktails, the Il Lido team are passionate about everything from pasta, to coffee and cheese — which is fabulous because so are we! We’re talking Abrolhos Islands scallops, cherry tomato and stracciatella gnocchi, mushroom and ricotta tagliatelle, charred Rottnest swordfish, and Margaret River wagyu flank steak. But whatever you do, save room for their ridiculously creamy tiramisu which is enough to render you speechless.
Isola Bar e Cibo — Rottnest
When it comes to Rottnest Island dining, Isola Bar e Cibo is at the top of our list. Overlooking the famed Thomson Bay, the Italian beachside bar stars a simple yet sophisticated menu built from local produce. Think lip-smacking pasta dishes, fresh sliced meats and Western Australian seafood cooked over a charcoal-fired grill. It’s enough to write home about.
Garum — Perth
Roll in for an aperitivo inside the Roman osteria born from a collaboration between Guy Grossi and The Westin Perth. Housed within the historic Hibernian Hall in the Perth CBD, Garum’s menu focuses on ancient Roman techniques and modern Italian classics. Settle in for the crowd pleasing tonnarelli cacio e pepe, rigatoni all’Amatriciana, and Arkady lamb shoulder. To up the ante, check into The Westin for a cheeky mid-week staycay if you really want to impress.
Nolita — Claremont
Nolita is a western suburb’s favourite offering trattoria-style Italian cuisine, and Giacomo’s impressive, ever-changing wine list. In terms of food, wear your stretchy pants because trenette with Shark Bay crab is on the menu, alongside bucatini with Western Australian crayfish, pork and veal polpette, and smoked mozzarella and tomato arancini. Delizioso!
Mummucc’ — Wembley
Wembley’s small Italian wine bar Mummucc’ is the brainchild of the geniuses behind pizza royalty Monsterella — a couple doors down. Beyond an utterly delicious drinks list, the food is modern yet rustic with authentic Italian flavours shining through. Expect the likes of torched stone fruit burrata, smoked tiger prawn campanelle, and squid ink tagliatelle. Is your mouth watering yet?
Santini Bar & Grill — Perth
Inspired by the sun and seasons, Santini celebrates classic Italian dining, paired back with everything that’s good about Western Australia. The open plan kitchen shows off the smoky wood fire coals and hanging handmade pasta. While the bold terracotta and turquoise hues of the dining room add to the gorgeously Mediterranean feel. Curated by Creative Culinary Lead Nic Wood, the menu focuses on fresh seasonal produce, thoughtfully sourced, and simply cooked. Think local aged parmesan, custom-made burrata and freshly-picked San Marzano tomatoes. If you like the sound of rigatoni alla vodka, diavola pizza, and veal parmigiana, you’ll be in something like heaven.
No Mafia — Northbridge
For a taste of southern Italy in share plate form, No Mafia embraces traditional recipes from nonna’s cookbook and makes them their own. The Northbridge institution is known for its daily fresh pasta, paired perfectly with delicious Italian wine. Here, dishes of Sicilian green olives, pistachio pesto and stracciatella casarecce are slung from the open kitchen. Stay for dessert, because the Nutella mousse with almond crumb, and ricotta cannoli are sure to please.
