Cott & Co Fish Bar

Cott & Co might be the best date restaurant in town. The beautiful Indian Ocean views (especially at sunset) compete only with the irresistible combined smell of sauteing seafood and salty ocean breeze.

You could spend hours working your way through the excellent selection of by-the-glass WA wines, gazing out of the open bi-fold doors at the Marine Parade procession of tanned skin, bare feet and dripping ice-cream cones.

Chef Stephen Burke keeps the cooking direct on the seafood-heavy menu (the fish is sourced primarily from Western Australia). Good mussels and clams, simply grilled, come with soft herbs and sourdough. Local seafood and shellfish come together in a deep Bouillabaisse. Go directly to the overhead chalkboard menu for spanking fresh seafood specials (char-grilled Esperance sardines, say) or push the boat out with the restaurant's $65 fish 'n' chips and Dom Perignon meal deal.

The breezy Mediterranean decor is up to the location. Large communal tables sit under clusters of Edison bulbs in oversized glass globes, and rusted buckets spill pungent lemons and limes onto the bar, not that many diners take note with the ocean views in the opposite direction.