From glamping under the stars in the outback to riding a camel in Broome and tasting wine in Margaret River, Western Australia offers a plethora of adventure activities along with dining destinations not to be missed.
Covering the entire Western third of the country, Western Australia is made up mostly of the arid outback, with most of the population concentrated on the state’s fertile Southwest corner, home to the wine region and riverside Perth.
Continuing on our delicious drive around Australia of 2023 Readers’ Choice award-winning restaurants, here are four WA locations that will satisfy any hunger growl:
Readers’ Choice 2023 – Regional:
Pushing culinary boundaries to a new level, Flics Kitchen brings creative dining to Mandurah’s foreshore. Located on Mandurah Terrace, this restaurant serves up sensational sunsets from surrounds of polished wood, black chairs, trailing greenery and statement pendents; while on balmy WA days soak up the sun alfresco under market umbrellas.
Expect choices like Western rock lobster on brioche with avocado crème and smoked salmon caviar to start, before memorable mains like dry-aged duck breast, red cabbage, pear, goats’ curd and potato press; or delve into roast chicken, potato, Gruyère and mustard gratin, oyster mushrooms and hazelnut.
Readers’ Choice 2023 – Modern Australian:
Taste the quality of Great Southern and Western Australian produce while enjoying estate-grown wines at Monty’s Leap on South Coast Highway in Albany. Based on the banks of the ancient Kalgan River, the vineyard, cellar door and restaurant offer beautiful vistas overlooking the vines; ideal for lingering over a leisurely lunch with family and friends, from an ever-changing menu showcasing seasonal and local ingredients.
Start with a vineyard plate of cured meat, cheese, dip, preserves and crackers, followed by scallop ceviche, blood orange and buttermilk; for the main, enjoy lamb, smoked yoghurt, black garlic and cucumber, with sides of crispy potato, charred broccolini and fried Brussels sprouts.
Readers’ Choice 2023 – Jamaican:
Perth foodies say ‘Jamaican me hungry’ to authentic Caribbean fare from the comfort of their own home or at venues around the city, thanks to Kazz’s Jamaican Kitchen. This mobile food vendor, BBQ caterer and street food market stallholder dishes up authentic flavours from a smoking charcoal trailer barbeque and marquee – all the brainchild of British-Jamaican cook Errol ‘Kazz’ Dunkley.
Think temptations like charcoal jerk barbeque chicken, burgers, cassava chips, veggie delights, roast corn, rice and peas to name a few; perhaps tender goat cooked on the bone, with medium to hot curry spices, potatoes and carrot takes your fancy. Grab a family pack to take home for an easy dinner of chicken, rice, coleslaw and corn; or get Kazz to cater and take the stress out of your next celebration.
Readers’ Choice 2023 – Regional:
Be prepared to be surprised and discover a rich combination of wining and dining experiences at Whistling Kite on Oasis Drive in Secret Harbour. The social hub of this WA region, this elegant suburban restaurant and bar combines natural tones and contemporary aesthetics with great service to deliver relaxed, casual dining from a Modern Australian menu.
Find flavours to tempt all tastes from tapas dishes to pizza – dive right in with seared scallops, prosciutto, pea shoots and apple vinaigrette; follow on with sous vide lamb, quinoa, orange and mint salad, harissa and saffron yoghurt. Finish indulgently with chocolate cake, custard and wattle seed ice cream.
