Succulent crystal crab spiked with horseradish, piled on a golden disc of roti. Charcoal-grilled octopus with a yuzu kosho-esque blood orange and chilli paste. Pink mushrooms roasted with schmaltz and nutritional yeast: Si Paradiso, for an Italian(ish) restaurant, boasts an unusual highlight reel, which is precisely why Perth crushes so hard on this fantasy of ’60s Roman cool – parquetry flooring, gilded photography, terrazzo and all. The cool kids aren’t just here to dine, however. They’re also here to drink and improve their understanding of lo-fi Italian-Australian vino and what constitutes a well-made cocktail. And they’re also here to dance to DJs in the amphitheatre while laying waste to puffy Naples-style pizza, charry bread baked-to-order and hit with a downpour of pecorino and pepper, plus other new-school ballast. It’s a scene, certainly, but Team Paradiso works hard to make sure guests feel like they’re part of the party.
This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.
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Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide 2022
Our guide gives a yearly snapshot of the best restaurants to eat at right now. The best-rated restaurants, as judged by the reviewers’ first-hand experience, form our national Top 80.
Dylan Moore
