A visible testament to Perth’s burgeoning economy is the number of excellent restaurants — places offering creative menus and sophisticated environments that compare to top places in Sydney and Melbourne. Here is a selection of those we most enjoyed.

Print Hall

The name comes from the historic Newspaper House building on St. Georges Terrace. “Print Hall” is the umbrella term for several venues, including the Print Hall flagship restaurant. The latter is sleek and sophisticated, with linen-clad tables and an accommodating staff. A dish of blue manna crab topped with almond, enoki mushrooms and bean sprouts was visually uninspiring, but it proved to be packed with flavor and featured a surprising mix of pleasing textures. Even better was a crisp-skinned pan-roasted barramundi with Coorong pipis (cockles), zucchini and dill, all in a rich seafood sauce.

Print Hall
125 St. Georges Terrace. Tel. (61) 8-6282-0000.

The Apple Daily

This restaurant is also part of the Print Hall complex. I loved the Asia-inspired setting and the wide-ranging menu of street-food starters. We shared crisp jumbo tiger prawns with a tangy yuzu sauce, followed by pad Thai topped with prawns and sweet pork, and served with a spicy chili jam. The Apple Daily does not accept reservations, so a late lunch is ideal.

The Apple Daily
125 St. Georges Terrace. Tel. (61) 8-6282-0088.