Canteen Pizza

110 Marine Pde, Cottesloe
(08) 6555 7766
canteen.pizza

CUISINE Neapolitan Pizza
WINE LIST Mark Rutter
WINEs ON LIST 134 (37 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($37-$6 by the glass)

This casual Cottesloe favourite presents diners with an astute list bursting with fun, eclectic and relevant wines. The playful font and formatting disguise the sophistication of the list, but be assured that the selection is considered, diverse and contemporary. Quality imports seamlessly integrate with hip Australian producers, so there is a range of styles on offer. A regional spotlight on the wines from Etna, Sicily, is a real highlight of the list.

The Cordial Bar

Clive St & Austral Tce, Katanning
(08) 6500 3950
premiermillhotel.com

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Anne Thring and David Hahn
WINEs ON LIST 165 (11 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($10-$8 by the glass)

Step back in time to a below street level bar steeped in history. The list is a celebration of the wines of the Great Southern, with pure, crisp rieslings from the Porongurup, refreshing chardonnays from Denmark and flavoursome shiraz from Frankland River. There is a range of current vintage wines ‘on tap’ and aged wines by the bottle in the reserve collection.

Cott & Co

104 Marine Pde, Cottesloe
(08) 9383 1100
cottesloebeachhotel.com.au

CUISINE Fish Bar
WINE LISTDan Wegener
WINEs ON LIST 50 (45 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($42-$8 by the glass)

I applaud the originally of a wine list like this, which gives people another reason, other than the delicious food, to visit this fabulous beachside restaurant. To complement the local seafood and seasonal produce, the list isfocused on wines from maritime climates. The selection of labels is outstanding, sourced from far and wide, and arranged by origin and style. Take a vinous journey to atmospheric destinations such as the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Rías Baixas in Spain, Sardinia in Italy and Santorini in Greece.  What’s more, the cocktails are slick, the prose informative and the art design simply stunning.

The Heritage Wine Bar

131 St Georges Tce, Perth
(08) 9226 5596
theheritageperth.com.au

CUISINE Wine Bar
WINE LIST Pavel Ribaudo and Edward Wolkowinski
WINEs ON LIST 111 (99 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($105-$10 by the glass)

Heritage Wine Bar employs the Coravin system to offer 100 wines by the glass. Plenty of new-wave producers mingle with old favourites. You get a sense of discovery flicking through the selection, with wines diverse in style and origin. A particular highlight is the inclusion of small Australian producers making expressive wines. It is an eclectic selection offering something for every palate. There’s also a good range of non-alcoholic options.

Il Lido

88 Marine Pde, Cottesloe
(08) 9286 1111
illido.com.au

CUISINE Italian
WINE LIST James Tuxworth, Michael Mori and Lyndon Waples
WINEs ON LIST 385 (23 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($20-$10 by the glass)

Il Lido presents a wide selection of wines including local hip labels, contemporary interstate producers and a strong focus on Italy. Avid wine lovers will adore sifting through the list, which is diverse in its varietal and regional offering. Enjoy Sicilian carricante or perhaps one of the many wines made from nerello mascalese. There are also numerous Barolos and Barbarescos from respected producers. Those who know their vintages will enjoy hunting for notable wines with age.

Island Market

364 West Coast Drv, Trigg
(08) 9447 0077
islandmarkettrigg.com

CUISINE Levantine
WINE LIST Nina Throsby, Aaron Commins and Ricky Kwok
WINEs ON LIST 100 (19 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($15-$8 by the glass)

This is a fun, bright, energetic list which presents ‘island’ wines alongside tasty Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, so you’ll find wines from places like New Zealand, Sicily, Sardinia, Crete and Corsica. Australia is included in the theme – which makes sense, if you consider it an island rather than a continent! It’s a small, thoughtful list with some good options by the glass. Wines are arranged by style, which helps if you want to try something new.

Kailis Fish Market Cafe

46 Mews Rd, Fremantle
(08) 9335 7755
kailis.com/fremantle

CUISINE Contemporary Seafood Market
WINE LIST Nina Throsby and Aaron Commins
WINEs ON LIST 45 (17 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($12-$6 by the glass)

Short and snappy wine list that delivers really food-appropriate wines that lean into freshness, high drinkability, vibrancy and fun. It’s great to see the natural wines and avant garde gear getting pole position next to some classic fish-friendly wines. By the glass does a decent job of covering bases: rosés include the big three of Australia, Italy and France, and aromatic whites do justice to their presence in the list. There’s a few cheapies in the mix that raise an eyebrow for quality, but the general gist is the list delivers great wines across a broad spectrum in less than 50 wines. The best drops are found with quality, smaller producers like Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown, Sherrah and Two Tonne (Tasmania). There’s no strong allegiance to WA producers, but those who are selected are well chosen, too. Fun, all up.

Lake Karrinyup Country Club

North Beach Rd, Karrinyup
(08) 9422 8222
lkcc.com.au

CUISINE Levantine
WINE LIST Darry Wall
WINEs ON LIST 490 (33 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($15-$7 by the glass)

There is no denying that a true wine lover has crafted this joyous compilation. Sommelier Darry Wall lists his personal favourites upfront, followed by wines new to the list. There is a large by-the-glass selection and almost 500 wines by the bottle with prices so good you won’t break the bank. There’s a great selection of local wine, though it does not define the list; interstate and international wines are well represented. While there is strength in all varietal categories, those who like full-bodied reds are particularly well catered for.

Le Rebelle

676 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley
(08) 6161 3100
lerebelle.com.au

CUISINE Super Not-Traditional French Australian
WINE LIST Sarah Atkinson
WINEs ON LIST 90 (17 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($19-$10 by the glass)

With a menu described as ’Super Not-Traditional French Australian’ cuisine, the wine list is similarly quirky and creative. This high-quality list leans strongly to producers working with minimal intervention, smaller winemakers and the avant garde set, with everything chosen to create a shiny diversity and personality-filled collection. From Bandol to Baden, Burgundy to Ballarat, this is one seriously great ride, tapping a lot of intellect from the sommelier wine team and delivering beautiful wines across the board. It’s great to see so many wines delivering so much joy, point of difference and general interest. Really well chosen here, fine tuned under a 100 listings and making a big point about just how well Perth can drink in a considered, bistro-cum-wine bar setting.

Lulu La Delizia

5/97 Rokeby Rd (Forrest Walk), Subiaco
(08) 9381 2466
lululadelizia.com.au

CUISINE Northern Italian Pasta Bar
WINE LIST Alexander Rogers
WINEs ON LIST 120 (31 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($110-$12 by the glass)

At Lulu La Delizia, you’ll find a slick, contemporary list with an excellent spread of producers and styles. There is good support for local Western Australian winemakers, particularly those working with Italian varietals. In fact, Italian wines are a highlight of the list in line with the North Italian-inspired cuisine. Spotlights on producers such as Foradori and Elio Altare add depth. It is an on-trend list filled with astute listings and respected producers. There is no doubt that diners will have no trouble finding something delicious to sip.

Mayfair Lane Pub & Dining Room

72 Outram Street, West Perth
(08) 9425 5222

mayfairlane.com.au

CUISINE Gastro Pub
WINE LIST Foni Pollitt
WINEs ON LIST 394 (52 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($37-$8 by the glass)

Mayfair Lane’s Foni Pollitt strives to present her customers with the finest selection of wines and spirits, and continually refines her list to ensure it is current, innovative and fresh. The choice is outstanding and every bottle is there on merit. Pollitt has a penchant for wines grown on volcanic soils, and these wines are dotted throughout the list. The highlights are many, from the solid selection of German riesling to the stunning array from France, not to mention the numerous gins, rums and whiskies. There is also a good number of wines from the US, which is rare to see. Though it must be said that the Australian wines shine bright, particularly those from the west.

Meeka

361 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
(08) 9381 1800

meekarestaurant.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian Middle Eastern
WINE LISTFaye Clarke
WINEs ON LIST 49 (15 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($16-$10 by the glass)

This neighbourhood restaurant knows how to look after its customers and part of its attraction is its small, yet well-formed, wine offering. In limited space they pack in a great variety of wines: you’ll find blue-blood classics from Sancerre like Domaine Vacheron as well as modern Australian producers like Bondar. Local contemporary labels like Stella Bella’s Otro Vino and Mr Barval add flair. The prices are accessible, and there’s an interesting range of spirits and liqueurs to complete the package. The wines by the glass are exceptionally well priced. No wonder this is a favourite with the locals.

Mojo’s

Victoria St, Bunbury
‍ (08) 9792 5900

mojosrestaurant.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian/Latin Fusion
WINE LIST Jake Atkinson
WINEs ON LIST 312 (23 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($16-$9 by the glass)

A review of Mojo’s list would be wildly incomplete without mentioning the beer – there’s 16 pages of them. Phenomenal. Local craft beers get poll position, but then the journey expands to wider Australia and onto the world. Mojo’s also champions the wines of the nearby Geographe region, dividing the selection between those from Harvey, Donnybrook and the Ferguson Valley. Méthode Ancestrale bubblies open the main list followed by table wines, which are a mix of new-wave styles and classics. It is a sheer feast for the senses, and there is something for every palate.

Odyssea City Beach

187 Challenger Pde, City Beach
‍(08) 9385 7979

odysseacitybeach.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Biagio Monastra
WINEs ON LIST 333 (76 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($48-$10 by the glass)

The wine program continues to grow at this modern beachside eatery with more than 300 on offer. There are also more than 70 wines by the glass, including local and international options, so you will be completely spoilt for choice. Within each varietal category, wines are grouped by style, which is helpful when choosing an unknown label. A highlight of the list is back vintages of top WA producers like Hay Shed Hill, Xanadu and Howard Park. There is also a single vineyard offering from Yarra Valley winery Giant Steps and a spotlight on Loire producer Mark Bredif. Quality local and global labels are dotted throughout from a spread of vintages. Enjoy the hunt!

Petition Kitchen

St Georges Tce & Barrack St, Perth
‍(08) 6168 7771

petitionperth.com/kitchen

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly
WINEs ON LIST 110 (19 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($28-$13 by the glass)

Plenty to love in this well-formed, compact list, which offers diners a curated selection of the quality wine. It’s one of those lists that lets you sink into your chair with relief as there is nothing to worry about. Esteemed sommelier Emma Farrelly has done all the hard work for you, presenting a set of wines that you really should be drinking. The list has excellent clarity and astute style divisions allowing you to experiment with ease. You can be as daring or as conservative as you like, but if you need some guidance, the skilled wine team can lead you to vinous glory.

Post

1 Cathedral Ave, Perth
(08) 6168 7822

postperth.com.au

CUISINE Modern Italian
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly and Kim Townsend
WINEs ON LIST 100 (15 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($17-$12 by the glass)

Here is a well-formed list with a tempo in tune with the modern Italian fare. By-the-glass, the selection is youthful yet balanced and has an excellent varietal mix. But the list really hits its stride in the by-the-bottle section, where it seems every wine has had to prove its place. Strong producers abound, with local wines mingling with imports. It’s another beaut Emma Farrelly list, where she makes it impossible for the diner to make a poor choice.

Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth

Crown Perth, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood
(08) 6252 1900
rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au/perth/home

CUISINE Australian Steakhouse
WINE LIST Andrew Symes, Christian Baeppler, Carey Button, Gordon Jamison and bar manager Patrick Sara
WINEs ON LIST 2697 (93 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($110-$8 by the glass)

Rockpool Bar and Grill in Perth has won best Wine List in WA three times, as well as being the joint winner for the top award of Australia's Wine List of the Year in 2014, earning it a place in the Hall of Fame. Never resting on its laurels, the team’s list continues to grow in size and complexity, asserting itself as one of the great lists in Australia. With more than 2500 wines, including 90+ by the glass, the collection is formidable. It is a wine-lover’s paradise with a huge diversity in style and origin. The number of back vintages is impressive, allowing diners to enjoy top local and international wines at their peak.

Santini Bar & Grill

133 Murray St, Perth
(08) 9225 8000
santinibarandgrill.com.au

CUISINE Mediterranean
WINE LIST Chris Morrison and Damien Thomine
WINEs ON LIST 390 (33 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($46-$12 by the glass)

Cool, contemporary and so very cleverly chosen, this a model list that delivers high-quality wines across a broad spectrum but with a finger on a very strong pulse. Excellent wines from lesser sung varieties, wines regions and grape-growing countries are a feature, though classics, particularly from regions like Champagne and Burgundy, are aptly included and celebrated. The descriptions of wines and styles are really neat and a great feature in this menu, too. By the glass is as good as it gets, with intriguing, delicious, young, mature and Coravin premium wines all part of that program. This is a serious elevation of hotel restaurant wine lists, taking things to new levels of originality and diversity. Seriously good.

Settlers Tavern

114 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River
(08) 9757 2398
settlerstavern.com

CUISINE Australian & Seafood
WINE LIST Karen D Gough
WINEs ON LIST 600+ (43 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($32-$7 by the glass)

Drinking wine should be joyous and carefree, and that’s the mood that is created at Margaret River’s Settlers Tavern. However, don’t let the casual nature of the place downplay the seriousness of the wine offering. This is one of the greatest wine lists in Australia, and it would be fair to speculate that there wouldn’t be too many places in the world offering the value, breadth and depth as found at The Tav. The energy and knowledge for the beverage program stem from owners Karen and Rob Gough: Rob runs the cocktail program, mixes the Bloody Marys and is the resident brewer, and Karen’s immense passion for wine, as well as her die-hard support of local wineries, her inquiring palate and love for international wines, sets the tone for the wine list. The list is a feast for the mind and senses, and there will be something to suit everyone’s palate, no matter if you have a penchant for layered Margaret River chardonnay, high-end Burgundy or skin-contact marsanne.

The Shorehouse

278 Marine Pde, Swanbourne
(08) 9286 4050
shorehouse.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Nina Throsby and Aaron Commins
WINEs ON LIST 514 (47 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($17-$8 by the glass)

There’s much to love at The Shorehouse and the wine team’s passion leaps off the page. There is a youthful exuberance to the list, though also an earnest core showing that they take their wine seriously. The support for local wine is commendable, and they showcase Western Australian drops proudly alongside interstate labels and global icons. Quirky spotlights on Croatian wine and Domaine Rolet from the Jura add pleasing complexity and interest. The list has a lot of spunk, and the quirky labels, descriptions and quips will make you smile and serve as a reminder to all not to take wine, even the fancy stuff, too seriously.

Steves

30 The Avenue, Nedlands
(08) 9386 3336
steves.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Mirco Tarducci
WINEs ON LIST 1500+ (44 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($30-$11 by the glass)

If a list with more than 1500 wines seems all too overwhelming, the staff at Steves can offer you a small list. While the short selection is solid, it is nothing compared with the extensive and sophisticated selection of the main list, so the best advice is just to dive in and ask staff for help if you need some air. There are so many wines from all over the world, at very fair prices. There’s an extensive array of wines with age so those in the know will have fun choosing something old and complex. There is excellent support for local producers, as well as a lengthy Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux collection. And there are pages and pages of Australian cabernet and shiraz. It's a list of treats and treasures that will delight wine amateurs and buffs alike. Enjoy!

The Temperance Bar

112 Fitzgerald St, Northam
(08) 6500 3920
farmershomehotel.com/eating-and-drinking

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Anne Thring and David Hahn
WINEs ON LIST 100 (11 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($10-$8 by the glass)

How wonderful to see such great and deep support for the local Western Australian wine region, so well realised and so broadly sourced. Kudos to The Temperance Bar for being a beacon and great resource for WA wines, covering varied wine regions in the great state, and delivers highlights from each growing area appropriate to inherent styles of those climates and places. Swan Valley sees great whites included, Great Southern with riesling and cabernet sauvignon, and Perth Hills and Greater Perth chime in, too. Margaret River is notably overlooked for wine but contributes spirits in an exceptional distillate collection. One French wine, a Champagne, makes a near ironic appearance in this list. There’s diversity and interest here in spades.

Wildflower

1 Cathedral Ave, Perth
‍(08) 6168 7855

wildflowerperth.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly
WINEs ON LIST 470 (26 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($55-$15 by the glass)

The wine list is in tune with the classy, refined and sophisticated nature of the restaurant. There is due respect given to local producers, though the list more than satisfies the international appetite of its diners, offering a good selection of high-end Burgundy and Bordeaux, as well as top wines from select Italian producers. Though it must be said that the real strength of the list is in its Australian offering, and high-quality and respected labels abound.