Cottlesloe Beach is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Perth. Video here.
It’s well located between Perth and Fremantle. My map here.
My brother and I rented an AirBnB in neighbouring Mosman Park (see previous post) just so we could come here every day. As you can see from the stunning houses along Marine Parade, it must be very expensive to stay in the area unless you have the wherewithal.
Most days we would do the twenty minute walk to start the day with brunch on the terrace at this lovely Art Deco cafe…
John Street Café (Intermediate A), 37 John Street, www.johnstreetcafe.com.au
As well as their traditional ‘John’s Lot’ fry up (A)…
…I can recommend the San Daniele prosciutto (preferable to Parma for me) with rocket, goat’s curd, poached eggs, ciabatta and caramelised fig (A)…
…and the Bruschetta with smashed avocado, tomato medley, Spanish onions, basil, garlic and a field mushroom (B+).
For lunch you could come here…
Indiana Tearooms (Intermediate B), 99 Marine Parade, www.indiana.com.au
The tearooms are in the iconic Art Deco building that overlooks the most popular part of Cottesloe beach.
It’s a good spot to sit and watch the goings on.
However I didn’t rate their oysters (C-) which I thought were very metallic and the least favourite of the many I tried in Perth. The bar seems a bit lacking too.
I’d still go again though, once I’ve worked through the menu at this place over the road…
Il Lido (High Intermediate B+), 88 Marine Parade, illido.com.au
Usually I’d think twice about eating Italian food outside of Italy, unless I cook it myself, but I’d heard good things about Il Lido so I gave it a shot.
I liked it so much I came twice; once as a lone diner for lunch and again with my brother for dinner. The food is very good but the wine is overpriced I think.
On my first visit I begain with the Arancini of the day which were great (B+).
The menu suggested a wine match of imported Inama Soave (B) without saying how much it would cost. I nearly choked when the bill came and it was A$17! (About £10).
The Fremantle Octopus with chickpeas, garlic, shallots, cherry tomatoes and lemon on bruschetta was a winner as well (B+).
With a glass of Bisleri Chinotto (a fizzy bitter orange drink) and a macchiato coffee, the bill was just shy of A$70, so a bit excessive to my mind.
With my brother on another night I had the excellent Polpetti meatballs (A)…
…and the less impressive Mozzarella (B) which came with a char-grilled tomato (C).
We shared the Lasagne which was great (A)…
…and finished with the Chocolate Truffle (B+) which was more reasonably priced at €5.
The Whicher Ridge ‘Elevation’ Cab Sauv was okay (B).
One thing I really like about this place was the soundtrack which had obviously been chosen by a person with great musical knowledge. There’s not many restaurants where you’ll hear Fela Kuti’s ‘Water Got No Enemy’.
Amberjacks (Elementary B), 28/94 Marine Parade, amberjacks.com.au
This is a decent fish and chip shop on the seafront for when you’re trying to rein in your budget, if you consider paying £10 ‘reining it in’. The chip portions are huge (go small) but they’re a bit stingy with the fish portions.
I regretted getting the grilled mackerel (C) as my brother’s battered hake was much better (B). The only chippy I’ve been to where the vinegar comes in a spray gun!
Boatshed, 40 Jarrad St, www.boatshedmarket.com.au
A very posh deli off the Stirling Highway on the way to the beach. It’s nice to go and have a drool even if you don’t intend to buy any of it. There are often lots of free samples to graze on.
Wish I had the money to live in Cottesloe!
Off to Swanbourne now, the next beach up to the north…