While here at Urban List we're quite partial to a BYO picnic on the grass overlooking Cottesloe Beach/Mudurup, there's plenty of top bars and restaurants well worth booking into.
Whether you're keen for a quick takeaway, casual post-swim bevvy and bite or a luxe beachside dinner with a view, here are the best bars and restaurants in Cottesloe and its neighbouring 'burbs right now.
Gibney
40 Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011
Gibney might be one of the newer additions to Cottesloe, but it’s already set a new standard for coastal fine dining. The latest venture from hospitality heavyweight George Kailis, this luxury seaside brasserie is all about old-school glamour, with white tablecloths, gleaming marble, suited wait staff and the occasional caviar bump setting the tone.
Despite the grandeur, you don’t need a milestone moment or special occasion to enjoy Gibney. Sure, there’s a $12,000 bottle of bubbles on the menu and the controversial $48 Caesar salad, but you can order a Swanny D, a spritz and a couple of oysters and still have change from a 50.
I went on a double date when it first opened and each course was better than the last, but it was the final dish of the day that lives rent-free in my head. Do not sleep on the Gibney chocolate cake, made with Bahen + Co single origin 70% choccy and served with an olive oil gelato.
Coccodrillo
19 Station street Cottesloe WA 6011
It can be a little confusing at first. There is not one, but TWO Coccodrillo spots in Cottesloe: the low-lit Negroni Bar on Napoleon Street, and Coccodrillo Pizza & Vino right around the corner on Station Street.
This double-act nails the dolce vita energy, providing both a comfortable space to wolf down a woodfired pizza, and more of a party place to have a pre-dinner cocktail or post-dinner nightcap.
My friend Rosie summed it up best: “The whole routine of knocking back a cocktail at the Negroni Bar, then trotting down the lane for a glass of wine and pizza makes you feel like you’re in Italy. It’s been genuinely my favourite dining experience this year.”
Il Lido
88 Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011
Image credit: Il Lido | Instagram
A post-swim pilgrimage to Il Lido is almost a rite of passage for Perth locals. Inside this converted art deco cabaret hall, you’ll find shelves stacked with wine, polished concrete floors, and tables filled with handmade pasta and potent shots of espresso.
It’s open for brekky, lunch and dinner seven days a week, but there are few things I enjoy more in the world than sitting out on the terrace on a sunny afternoon, twirling through a bowl of Shark Bay clam linguine with the panoramic views of Cottesloe Beach in front of me.
Equally as impressive as the view is the wine list, featuring an epic selection of predominantly Italian wines alongside plenty of Aussie options from local producers. With so many drops on offer, chat to the knowledgeable wait staff and have them pick a bottle for you. You’ll likely end up with something unexpected that will quickly become your new favourite wine.
Indigo Oscar
99 Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011
Image credit: Indigo Oscar | Instagram
Indigo Oscar has the winning trifecta that keeps us coming back time and time again: unbeatable views over the water, a cracking cocktail list and bold Latin American bites. Nestled inside the iconic Indiana Teahouse, the menu is built to share, packed with smoky, zesty, spice-laced plates.
The Shark Bay crab tostada is knockout, as is the WA octopus, charred to perfection and served with a hogao sauce, traditional Colombian condiment that’s highly addictive. To really push the boat out, order the colossal 1kg Harvey Beef Reserve ribeye. It comes with a spicy salsa picante and authentic chimichurri that’s fresh, light and zesty, best enoyed alongside one of the many tequila and mezcal-based cocktails.
My hump day treat is to head on in on Wednesdays, when a mid-week margarita will cost you just $10, and oysters are going for $3 a pop.
Sal's Pasta Deli
44 Napoleon St, Cottesloe WA 6011
Good news, pasta paramours: you can now carb-load with Sal’s silky strands of spaghetti in situ at lunch time. What was once takeaway-only has quietly evolved into a local lunchtime gem, with a handful of tables out the front now available for dine-in.
The menu features plenty of Italian share plates—pillowy focaccia, cured meats and crispy cotoletta to name a few—but, of course, the pasta is the star of the show. From crab linguine to cheesy rigatoni, it’s always al dente and always delicious.
The best part? It’s BYO. Raid the cellar on a special occasion or grab something cheap and cheerful for an easy mid-week treat. And don’t leave without grabbing some fresh pasta from the store to take home. Future you will be thrilled.
The Shorehouse
278 Marine Parade, Swanbourne , 6010 WA
Image credit: The Shorehouse | Instagram
It’s hard to beat the sun-drenched deck at The Shorehouse. There’s something so soothing about sitting under the iconic lemon-striped umbrellas with Swanbourne beach mere metres away and a spread of Mediterranean shareplates in front of you.
Standout dishes include the pumpkin and local ricotta agnolotti (“a mandatory order”, according to my seafood-loving friend Ash) and the Futari Wagyu beef carpaccio, but everything I’ve tried from the mammoth Josper charcoal oven has been a winner. The WA Shark Bay prawns are my Roman Empire: the huge juicy prawns come swimming in a bowl of saffron emulsion, dotted with an incredibly creamy taramasalata.
Bonus points for the award-winning WA wine list with drops from across the globe, and specialty cocktails that go down a little too easily on a warm day.
Rodney's Bait n Tackle
598 Stirling Hwy, Mosman Park WA 6012
All aboard! A dive bar disguised as a fisherman’s fever dream, Rodney’s is home to a whole lot of nautical nonsense. Inside, a wooden boat has been repurposed as the bar, slinging rum, pints and stiff cocktails to a crowd of salty regulars and blow-ins alike. It’s weird, it’s wonderful and it just works.
There’s always something fun going down here, whether it’s a vinyl DJ set from a local music legend, a live punk band rattling the fishing rods off the walls,, bargain mid-week meal deals, or my personal favourite, the Friday fish raffle. Shout to my mate Sophie is basically Rodney’s royalty at this point for winning the gigantic fresh snapper not once, but twice. Anchors aweigh, baby.
Vans
1 Napoleon St, Cottesloe WA 6011
Image credit: Vans | Instagram
Vans needs no introduction. A stalwart of the western suburbs dining scene, the light-filled all-day diner hums from morning ‘til night with a steady stream of loyal locals, just as it has done for the last 25 years.
When it comes to lunch, I always go for Vans’ signature lemongrass spiced beef salad. A staple on the menu, it’s packed with fresh herbs and finely sliced medium-rare beef fillet that is terrifically tender. There’s a vegan version made with Thai salt and pepper fried tofu that hits all the same spicy, salty notes of the OG, sans the meat.
The brekky menu has all of the classics, but my forever favourite is the buttermilk pancakes. Served with saffron poached quince, ginger and lemon compote, they come in in a pool of maple syrup that soaks beautifully into the fluffy stack. Add a side of streaky bacon for a salty-sweet pairing that never misses. Perfect after a swim in the ocean, or just because.
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Cottesloe Beach Hotel
104 Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011
Image credit: Cottesloe Beach Hotel | Instagram
Just a few steps from the sand, the iconic Cottesloe Beach Hotel is a mainstay for long lunches, easy mid-week dinners, post-swim pints and epic Sunday sessions. There are three distinct areas within the Cott: the street-facing Verandah Bar made for pints and people watching, a separate outdoor dining area dubbed The Terrace, and The Beach Club that comes alive on weekends.
The Mediterranean-leaning menu showcases bold, flavour-packed plates driven by fire, smoke and incredible local produce. According to Director of Food Russell Blaikie, one dish that captures the heart of it all is the woodfired Amelia Park lamb rump. “Cooked over charcoal and West Australian hardwoods, the intense heat gives succulence and flavour to the lamb, it’s like an extra seasoning. The dish heroes local produce, with the Wanneroo beetroot slow-roasted and shaved fennel trying to elbow the lamb out of the way as heroes on the plate. All in all, it’s a spectacular dish that reflects that the Cott isn’t just your normal beachside pub,” he says. His pairing tip? A cheeky glass of Chaos Valley Margaret River Tempranillo.
Magic Apple Wholefoods
149 Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011
2024 was a biiiig year for George Kailis. Six months after launching the swanky brasserie Gibney, he flipped the script with Magic Apple Wholefoods just up the street. Think less caviar and martinis, more smoothies at sunrise.
The focus here is on ‘mindful nourishment’, with a veg-heavy menu that ticks all the wellness boxes without sacrificing on flavour. Think elevated brekky staples, colourful bowls piled sky-high, superfood smoothies, cold-pressed juices and coffees from Five Sense.
And, because life is all about balance, there’s a well-curated booze list of wine, beers and cocktails. Matcha in the morning and a Chardy at sunset sounds? It’s the Cottesloe way of life.
Pep's Wine Bar
494 Stirling Hwy, Peppermint Grove
Image credit: Pep's Wine Bar | Elle Borgward
Next time y0u’re tackling the Stirling Highway traffic, consider delaying the commute home and popping into Pep's Wine Bar. This Peppermint Grove charmer is as chic as it gets. It feels more like the home of your most stylish friend than a suburban bar, with a heap of natural light, artwork, designer decor and a lush little wine courtyard out the back.
It’s my favourite spot to split a bottle with my girl gang and devour a grazing board stacked with cheeses, pickles and cured meats. For a date that’s a little different, head in on Sunday arvo and let local musicians set the mood with live tunes from 4-6pm each week.
Keep an eye on the Instagram for regular guest chef takeovers, hosting talent from all over Oz in the pint-sized kitchen.
Lamont’s
12 Station St, Cottesloe WA 6011
Tucked away on Station St in the heart of Cottesloe is Lamont’s, a Cottesloe institution that manages to fly under the radar while delivering some of the suburb’s most consistent and elegant dining.
It’s also retail wine store showcasing an impressive selection of both Australian and international labels. And with over four decades of winemaking in the Swan Valley under their belt, you know you’re in great hands when it comes to choosing the perfect bottle to take home or enjoy with dinner. Wine sales are open from 10am while Kate’s modern Australian tapas style dishes are served from 5pm til late every day, with lunch available on Fridays from 12pm.
It’s right below my pilates studio Heartbeat High, and I have been known to swing by to enjoy a Chianti after class. For the bougiest and best fish and chips in the area, order the Shark Bay tempura whiting with a serve of hand-cut Royal Blue taties. Delish.
Samson's Paddock
3 Glyde Street, Mosman Park, 6012 WA
Image credit: Samson's Paddock | Instagram
One visit to Samson's Paddock and you’ll be plotting your move to Mosman Park just so you can call it your local. Set inside a charming 1880s-era building, the two-tiered alfresco space is one of our favourite places to hang out with mates, with three roaring fireplaces to keep you cosy all-year round.
From behind the bar, expect over 100 whiskies from around the globe and a solid curation of craft beers and WA wines. The food menu changes with the season but always highlights high-quality local produce.
The vibrant green housemade cavatelli with mushroom, sage, spinach and grated pecorino is my pick of the bunch, while the carnivore-inclined will love the 400g sirloin tasting board featuring four different types of steaks. Add on the optional dram pairings with four of the most sought after whiskies from around the world.
Ocean Beach Hotel
140 Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011
Picture this: the sun’s starting to dip below the horizon, there’s a gentle sea breeze, you’ve got a pint in one hand and a giant parmi in front of you. That’s the Ocean Beach Hotel experience in a nutshell.
The OBH is as low-fuss as they come. There’s no pretence, just solid pub grub, cold beers and million-dollar views of the Indian Ocean. There’s $25 food special on almost every night of the week, from Monday night Black Angus beef burgers to fish and chips on Wednesdays. I’m particularly partial to their daily happy hour, where all pints and glasses of house wine are just $8 from 6-7pm.
Amberjacks
28/94 Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011
Few things capture the spirit of Perth summer like fish and chips by the beach, and Amberjacks is where locals go when they want the classic done right. The Marine Parade chippery has been providing us with fresh fish, crisp chips and all the extras since 2007, earning its stripes as a go-to for casual coastal dining.
There’s limited tables inside, but I prefer to get the goods takeaway and cross the road to the grassy esplanade. With an ocean breeze on your face, paper-wrapped parcels on your lap and a sunset on the horizon, it doesn’t get much more quintessentially Cottesloe than this. Add pickled onions, a squeeze of lemon and a liberal shake of chicken salt for the full experience.
Ocean Spice
1 Eric St, Cottesloe WA 6011
If you’re not yet familiar with Ocean Spice, let me acquaint you with this unassuming gem serving up some of the tastiest Thai Perth. Hidden behind the OBH on Eric Street, it’s a local secret worth knowing.
The menu is loaded with classics: aromatic green curries, wok-tossed stirfries and pad Thai done properly, with generous portions and speedy service. Whenever I need a veg injection, I can never go past the tender grilled fish, accompanied by a load of veggies in a fragrant ginger sauce.
And for the nights when the couch is too comfortable, they can deliver straight to your door for a $7-$12 fee.
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Main image credit: Indigo Oscar
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