What’s for lunch? If you’re anything like us, this question is usually asked by about 9:30 am each day. This is usually followed by some form of debate and back and forth until we ultimately decide to visit one of our regular spots. So, what is for lunch?
Here’s a guide to some of the best lunch spots in the Perth CBD.
For a quick lunch
Ribs and Burgers
It’s surprisingly difficult to get a good, quick burger in the Perth CBD — Ribs and Burgers is one of the few good ones. They have a menu with a good range of both beef and chicken burgers that taste good and come with fast service. It’s the perfect place to go when you have a hankering for a burger.
Where: 140 William St, Perth
When: Every day
Le Vietnam
This one is possibly the most famous one on the list. Le Vietnam is known for serving up the best Banh Mi in Perth. Yep, seriously.
No menu recommendations are needed on this one. Every time you go there, be adventurous and try something different. Tell Lee we sent you.
Where: 80 Barrack Street
When: Monday to Friday
Hikaru
Some days you just want that super simple, but tasty, lunch that you can eat at your desk and get on with your day. Hikaru is the Japanese joint you’re looking for. From their sushi rolls to their ramen, it pretty much all gets the tick of approval.
Our pick? The Japanese Chicken Curry. Get it with a little extra sauce and you’re set.
Where: Brookfield Place
When: Monday to Friday
Noodle Forum
A quick lunch doesn’t have to mean you’re sacrificing flavour. With that in mind, Noodle Forum is a place you’ll want to try this week.
As the name suggests, they do noodles — hand-made egg noodles — served in a variety of ways, like with crispy chicken fillets, fresh chilli, and spicy mayo, or with a spicy Malaysian chicken and potato curry.
Where: Two locations — Equus Retail Arcade, 580 Hay Street and 9 Shafto Lane
When: Monday to Saturday
Zensaki Allendale
It’s always a long conversation when it comes to choosing which Japanese place to go to, especially when sushi is what’s wanted for lunch. In the CBD, there are so many options that you may just be tempted to go for the one that’s closest to you.
One of our favourites is Zensaki in Allendale Square. Our pick on the menu is the spicy tuna sushi; however, if you want some, you’ll need to get in early as it always sells out very quickly. They do more than just sushi, though, with a fairly extensive menu of traditional Japanese dishes from ramen and udon to teriyaki chicken fried rice.
Where: 77 St Georges Tce
When: Monday to Friday
For a good lunch with friends and coworkers
Samuels on Mill
This is one of those inner-city gems that so few people know about. Located in the lobby of the Parmelia Hilton, this bar and restaurant is soon to become one of your new go-to restaurants. The food is always on point and the wall of wine will impress even the most discerning oenephile.
Our food pick: The Crab Linguini (ask for extra chilli).
Where: 14 Mill St, Perth
When: Monday to Friday
Tony Romas
The place that used to be an institution. Known for their ribs and steaks, Tony Romas was always THE place to go. Then Perth’s food game elevated overall to become one of the best food cities in Australia and Tony Romas Perth was no longer the go-to spot.
Years on, it’s on its way back to the top of the steakhouse list, inspired by a new owner with a long history of running some of the best restaurants in Perth.
Next time you’re looking for ribs or a steak for lunch, head to Tony Romas. Hint: get a side of the Buffalo Wings.
Where: 919 Hay Street, Perth
When: Sunday to Friday
W. Churchill
This Winston Churchill-era-inspired bar is known for its extensive gin selection — the largest in Perth, with 200+ bottles of gin behind the bar. It’s also known for its food menu which focuses on quality — W. Churchill has regularly featured in our lists of ‘Best Steak Sandwiches in Perth’ and ‘Best Chicken Parmas in Perth.’
There are a lot of solid choices to order on the menu outside of the steak sandwich and chicken parma. My top pick at the moment is the Rendang Beef Curry which you wouldn’t pick from an English pub. However, when the owner is Malaysian and somewhat of a perfectionist, you know it’s been well-tested and refined before it hit the menu.
Where: 125 St Georges Terrace (Brookfield Place)
When: Tuesday to Friday
Lalla Rookh
How can you go past Italian for lunch? Whether it be pizza or pasta, it’s just always a favourite.
This is one of those places that you don’t often hear about yet is always full. Lalla Rookh is located at the foot of Allendale Square, right on the Terrace. There’s also a quaint little Wine Store attached to it which has one of the best ranges of wine in Perth and is a great place to consider for a casual after-work wine.
Lalla Rookh is the perfect place for both a quick lunch and one of those indulgent extra-long lunches, whether with the work family or with clients. Chef Calum MacKechnie keeps things fresh with an ever-evolving menu ensuring there’s always going to be something new to try.
For the quick lunch, my pick is to go with a pizza. Our team has been over-indulging on them as of late and they never disappoint.
Where: 77 St Georges Terrace
When: Monday to Friday
Long Chim
It’s Thai street food and probably the best to do it in Perth. You’ll find it in the basement of the State Buildings — famous for being the home of restaurants like Post Osteria and Wildflower and having a reputation for damn near perfection. And Long Chim is no different.
If you like authentic Thai food and a little bit of spice, trust us, this is the place for you. Our recommendation at the moment is the Mussaman Curry of Beef which always hits the spot or the Chiang Mai Larp of Chicken which is arguably their best dish but it comes with a strong heat warning — so if you can’t handle lots of chilli, give this dish a miss.
Where: State Buildings
When: Tuesday to Saturday
Fleur
The Royal Hotel is a city lunchtime staple. Sitting on the upstairs balcony overlooking Yagan Square is the perfect spot to enjoy a pint and lunch, while people-watching. However, you’re likely missing out on the best venue in the building.
Downstairs is an almost hidden, vibey spot called Fleur. Often found on lists of the best restaurants in Perth, this is where you want to be for an elevated Friday lunch. You have to order the Fleurburger — on top of being a great burger, it’s only available for a couple of hours a week.
Where: The Royal Hotel — 531 Wellington Street, Perth
When: Fridays
Simple Italian
There are a few Italian restaurants in the CBD but none quite like Simple Italian. From the moment you walk in, you know you’re in for authentic Italian. It starts with a friendly greeting from one of the staff — all have thick Italian accents which adds to the overall experience — before you’re shown to your table.
The menu is simple which makes it easy to choose what you’re having. It’s one of the few places in the city where you can get a perfect, traditional lasagne that tastes like cheesy goodness. They also serve some of the best pizzas in Perth. If you love chilli, try their challenge pizza, the Picantissima. If you’re able to finish it by yourself, you’ll get your photo on the wall of fame.
Where: 413 Murray Street
When: Seven days
Miss Mi
This is another one of those venues that has been kept secret while producing one of the best Asian dining experiences in Perth. If you’re heading here for lunch, it’s going to be a late-week affair as they’re only open on Thursdays and Fridays. Once you’ve been once, you’re probably going to add it to your calendar as an almost weekly thing.
Be adventurous with this one and ask the chef to recommend what to eat — and just go with it.
Where: 388 Murray Street
When: Thursdays and Fridays
Stories
Stories has been the talk of the town ever since they redeveloped the Yagan Square precinct adding multiple venues and cuisines to the area. For lunch, head to Stories Front Yard, especially now it’s Spring and the weather is going to be mostly sunny and perfect.
There’s too much on the menu to make a recommendation (14hr Smoked Brisket Sando) so pick a different dish each time you’re there and slowly experience the whole menu.
Where: Yagan Square
When: Seven days
For that long lunch with clients you want to impress
Modu Bar & Kitchen
Modu is one you’ll want to save for your next long lunch, or that late Friday lunch that turns into after-work cocktails.
We recently wrote an in-depth piece about Modu Bar & Kitchen that will tell you everything you need to know about why Modu is one to add to your lunch list. Whether you choose the Feed Me Please menu or order from the menu yourself, you’re going to be in for a treat. Make sure you try the Charred Eggplant Dip and the some of the Char-siew Pork Cutlet with honey and vegemite glaze.
Where: 10 Sherwood Court
When: Tuesday to Friday
Balthazar
If you haven’t yet been to Balthazar, you should go make a booking now. Seriously, we’ll wait.
Okay, now that’s taken care of, this is where you take your clients, staff, partner, hell, anyone you’re trying to impress. The food is consistently brilliant, the wine list is hard to beat, and the vibe is moody AF.
Whatever you choose for lunch, make sure you finish it off with their Cruller Doughnut for dessert. It’s a must.
Where: 6 The Esplanade, Perth
When: As often as possible as long as it’s between Monday and Saturday
Santini Bar & Grill
If only this place would open for lunch more days than just Fridays and Saturdays.
“It’s a vibe.” – quite literally everyone who’s dined here. And for a good reason. The decor is funky but classy and the food is simply exquisite. Order the scallops, Abrolhos Island octopus, squid ink risotto, and crab linguini and pair them with whatever the sommelier recommends.
Where: 133 Murray St, Perth
When: Fridays and Saturdays
6HEAD
6HEAD is one of the newest restaurants to hit the Perth dining scene and it doesn’t disappoint. There’s so much about this venue to get excited about so add it to your list of places to go ASAP and then clear your schedule because you’ll want to be there all afternoon.
Trust their sommelier to recommend you the right wine to match your mood and for starters, go with the mayura rump tartare and kingfish ceviche. For mains, try the toothfish.
Where: One The Esplanade, Elizabeth Quay
When: Seven days
Post Osteria
The guilty pleasure we should all indulge in. Post features at the top of most people’s list of best Italian restaurants in Perth for very good reason. It’s simple, refined Italian dishes that are as authentic as they come.
The wine list has, without a doubt, the best selection of Italian wines in Perth. So order a bottle of Soave, the market fish crudo and tuna bruschetta, and sit back and enjoy.
Where: 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth
When: Seven days
Meat & Wine Co
Last on this list and certainly not least, we’re heading to Meat & Wine Co. It’s one of the best steakhouses in Perth and obviously that has to be what you order for mains. However, there’s a dish you need to order before you’re even taken to your seat — that’s right, it’s that good. It’s the truffle mac and cheese and we could eat it all day, every day, non-stop.
Order a nice bottle of red wine, and get set for an afternoon of wine and dining.
Where: 108 St Georges Terrace, Perth
When: Tuesday to Sunday
