‘It’s brilliant’: West Australian rugby star Kieran Longbottom sums up Perth’s award-winning food scene

‘It’s brilliant’: West Australian rugby star Kieran Longbottom sums up Perth’s award-winning food scene

Whether you are walking out of Perth’s / Boorloo HBF Park, emerging hungrily from the Indian Ocean or touring Swan Valley, you are not going to be short of places to eat and drink in Western Australia. 

There may be no one better than Kieran Longbottom to advise a SVNS loving fan on the restaurants, bars and cafes in Australia’s sunshine capital – Perth. 

First up, he is a true Perth native. Secondly, he knows exactly how rugby fans need to refresh and replenish. Longbottom started his journey with a Perth rugby club, progressing through the Western Force Academy, and later playing for the Super Rugby side. At his heart, he is a local fan himself. 

So, as a born and bred West Aussie, good West Australian food is very much in his wheelhouse. 

“People will be surprised at the food that comes out of Perth,” Longbottom said, with relish. 

“There’s an individuality, a sense of people trying new things and it’s brilliant.” 

Coffee heaven 

Just about every Perth local starts their day with a coffee. It is a bit of a religion and Longbottom is convinced SVNS visitors will quickly be converted to the ‘West Australia way’ of coffee.

“It’s called a ‘long mac topped up’,” the former prop said. “It’s basically a double shot espresso in a small glass, topped up three quarters of the way with hot milk. It’s a real nice, stronger, dark coffee. You are not really going to get a coffee like it anywhere else.” 

Playa Coffee, with its over-flowing bagels gets a big thumbs up - championing the long mac, from its location in Perth’s CBD.  

The long mac taste sensation will definitely be helped by the location. If you see a Mary Street Bakery, Longbottom’s firm recommendation is you dive inside. With outlets in and around Perth (including one located three minutes’ drive to the ocean at City Beach), it’s a real highlight.

“Pop in anywhere around HBF Park  - I particularly like Tom’s Providore - or in the suburbs – try Subiaco’s Community Coffee Co - to find legit coffee places,” Longbottom said. 

Seaside dining 

Having enjoyed a cracking coffee and spent the day enjoying a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean,  you don’t need to move far for plenty of seaside dining options. 
“Bib & Tucker (overlooking Leighton Beach in North Fremantle) for lunch, an afternoon with mates,, it’s extremely nice,” Longbottom asserts, before highlighting the seafood and cocktails as must-orders. 

Back at City Beach, Clancy’s Fish Bar and Odyssea get big thumbs up too - in particular for their seafood offerings.

“The views you get from there, wow. On a clear day you’ll be able to see all the way to Rottnest Island and think, ‘how the hell do they swim that far’,” Longbottom laughed, referencing the famous 19.7km annual Rottnest Channel Swim, which starts just down the road at Cottesloe Beach.

Cottesloe itself should be on everyone’s list to visit and Longbottom advises Il Lido as his place for some top-notch Italian treats. It’s located opposite Latin American-inspired restaurant, Indigo Oscar. 

From steak to Asian specialities

Once you’ve had a fill of sun and sand, there’s countless restaurants waiting to be discovered. Being a former front-rower, not to mention a current strength and conditioning coach, Longbottom is adamant a good protein intake is key to healthy lifestyle. 

“I can thoroughly recommend Brown Street Grill in East Perth - unbelievable steak, big T-bones cooked over an open fire and it’s not far from HBF Park,” Longbottom advised. 

“Petition Kitchen and Long Chim in the State Buildings (a hub of hospitality and retail outlets) are very good too.” 

Lantern on the Quay, found at Elizabeth Quay, and Miss Mi in Perth’s CBD are leading examples of WA’s high-quality Asian-Australian dining options, that continually get Longbottom excited. Recently opened Ginza Nana Alley – five Japanese venues, each specialising in different Japanese street food, and all found within one space down a laneway in Perth’s CBD – is next on his hit list.

Keep hydrated

Perth evenings are inevitably warm during HSBC SVNS and fans are spoilt for choice with venues to visit after the game. You’ve got a great guide in Kieran Longbottom, sharing his top rooftop bars and outdoor options all over Perth city.

“The Royal Hotel has recently been redone. It’s super nice, really cool – home to Willi’s Pizza Bar and Euro-bistro, Fleur plus its balcony bar overlooks Yagan Square.”

“Varnish on King is a very good underground American Whiskey bar. Perth’s first small-bar, Ezra Pound, is great for a craft beer. Rooftop bar, Mechanics Institute, is where I discovered my love of old-fashioneds (whiskey-based cocktail). Sneaky Tony’s is a fun, hidden bar – get the entry password from its Facebook page before you visit.” 

Crispy pork belly in a croissant

After a day or two at the HSBC SVNS Perth, it may be time to head further afield, and Longbottom highly recommends Fremantle/ Walyalup  as his first stop. 

“Go along the Cappuccino Strip (Market and South streets) to find heaps of places like Lola’s or Sailing for Oranges – all with good vibes,” explained Longbottom. “Gage Roads Brewing is becoming a bit of a classic and Bathers Beach House is excellent too”. 

“The Fremantle Markets are amazing and worth a visit.  Viet Kites’ Banh Mi croissant - crispy pork belly in a croissant - wow!” 

Finally, before you leave Perth, there’s one more area you need to head to. “You’ve got to visit a winery in Swan Valley,” Longbottom said with a grin. A half hour drive from the CBD, the Swan Valley is the closest wine region to any Australian capital city, and Western Australia’s oldest.  

But as for Longbottom’s wine recommendation? “Any of them, they are all good,” he said.