Food and Drink

Embrace the cosy season with these food winter warmers

Chelsea Hayes06 Jun '233 min read

Sauma

There are three essential ingredients for any outing on a cold winter’s night: cosy surroundings, hearty food, and good company. And we’ve found a bunch of Perth restaurants that have got the first two covered, so you’ll just need to take care of the third. Round up your crew and head into the city to warm up with these delicious dinners this winter.

For a meat-and-veg meal that’s anything but ‘plain old’, Hunter & Barrel and The Meat & Wine Co (both on William Street in the CBD) have got you covered. Both offer outstanding steaks and skewered meats with mouthwatering sides and sauces.

A couple of blocks away, hit up Old Faithful for American-style smokehouse BBQ - we’re talking beef brisket, mac and cheese, cornbread, ribs and more.

Hunter & Barrel

For a filling Sunday roast, head to Johnny Fox’s on James Street in Northbridge, where a mere $24 will get you your choice of meat and all the trimmings. If you’re there on any other day of the week, don’t worry, the menu’s loaded with warming winter options like their Irish beef stew.

There’s no time like winter for woodfired pizza (best washed down with a glass of red wine). Book in at Bistro Bellavista in East Perth for their award-winning pizza straight out of the wood oven.

Continue the carb-loading with delicious pasta dishes at the best Italian restaurants in Perth. Francoforte on William Street in Northbridge is famed for their specialty, spaghetti, served with an array of options from kangaroo bolognese to guanciale carbonara to eggplant sugo. The dessert menu is simple: tiramisu or tiramisu (you’ll just have to decide between their two unique twists, nutella and limoncello).

Or for a special night out, reserve a table at POST in the stunning State Buildings. You can’t go past the ricotta gnocchi: silky soft pillows smothered in tomato sugo and cheese.

POST

There are also several sensational Spanish restaurants in Perth. Cosy up on a couch at Andaluz, a below-ground bar tucked between St Georges Terrace and Elizabeth Quay, to enjoy the warmth from the fireplace and treat yourself to tapas. Or get a piping hot pan of paella to share with a friend at The Spaniard in Wolf Lane.

Thinking of Indian? Spice things up with a visit to Sauma, right next to the Perth Cultural Centre. Their street-food-inspired modern Indian menu features small plates and curries to mop up with bread from the tandoor oven.

Ordering a dish with a kick at one of the best Thai restaurants in Perth is another way to feel transported to a more tropical climate. The Omm Chicken at Louder Louder (labelled with three chillies on the menu) ought to do it!

And for any other Asian cuisine you may be craving, the city is the place to be. From Szechuan hot pot to noodles to yum cha, there’s enough to keep you going all winter. Slurp down a steaming soup or fill your belly with freshly fried dumplings.

Little China Girl

Finally, wrap up your winter evening with a warm dessert. Crispy churros dipped in thick Spanish chocolate at San Churro, a filled waffle from Muffle or fresh little pancakes at Lucky Puffs are three Northbridge winners.