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Si Paradiso

1/446 Beaufort Street, Highgate, 6003
Phone
No phone
Website
si-paradiso.com
Instagram
@si_paradiso

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 27 Oct 2022

By
Max Veenhuyzen

A cool inner-city haven that reimagines la dolce vita for the party set, serving up Italian-accented wines and cocktails with flair and some of the best pizza in town.

Food and cocktail served at Si Paradiso
Why you goThe name translates to “yes, paradise”. And for those who love Italian-style eating, drinking and living – which at the moment seems to be pretty much everyone – this lively bar-restaurant-club has all the makings of your new happy place. Beautiful umbrellas, tiling and people populate the amphitheatre-like space at its heart, ’70s parquetry and gilded photography adorn the dining room, and an Italian accent permeates everything from the menu to a fondness for Italo-disco on the soundtrack. Think of it as Perth’s most happening Positano beach club, only minus the sand and Speedos.
Why you stayWhen Si Paradiso’s courtyard is full and the crowd is shuffling, snacking and sipping as one, it feels like the epicentre of Perth’s re-energised Beaufort Street precinct. High-energy grooves – sometimes performed live, other times via a DJ – are a cornerstone of the Si Paradiso experience, especially on weekends when the amphitheatre transforms into a dance floor (a dedicated outdoor bar ensures minimal wait times for those partying al fresco). It’s a scene, certainly, but Si Paradiso manages to be cool without being pretentious. Staff are tuned in to the space’s relaxed vibe, their easy smiles suggesting they’re enjoying themselves as much as you are. Heck, even the friendly bouncers are invested in showing guests a good time.
Cocktail served at Si Paradiso
Cocktail served at Si Paradiso
What drink to order Everyone’s idea of paradise looks (and tastes) different. Cocktail fans can live la dolce vita via Italianate mixed drinks such as Negroni, Limoncello Spritz or the sweet and sour Paper Plane, a modern classic invented by New York-based Australian bartender Sam Ross starring bourbon, Aperol and amaro, an Italian bittersweet liqueur. Beer drinkers have a dozen tap options and packaged beers to explore, while the cellar focuses on Italian wines as well as local examples inspired by Italy’s wine culture, such as skin-contact orange wines and juicy reds that can be enjoyed both chilled and at room temperature.
What to pair it withWhere’s your party at? If you’re sitting outside, you’re looking at a condensed menu of pizza and other finger-friendly snacks. Thankfully, the pizzas here, puffy and gently charred in all the right places, happen to be among the best in Perth. They also play nice with pretty much the entire drinks menu. The full menu in the dining room gives guests more opportunities to play food-and-wine matching games. The grilled fish and seafood skewers, for instance, are a fine excuse to explore the wide world of Italian whites.
Tattooed Hand Holding pizza plate
Cocktail and food served at Si Paradiso
Regular’s tipAlthough the courtyard is set aside for walk-in guests, you can maximise your chances of nabbing a primetime weekend spot by arriving in the late afternoon (or having a really long lunch and keeping the party rolling). We like the tables fringing the sunken amphitheatre – they’re perfect for soaking up the party vibes without necessarily being in the thick of it. When it comes to events, the team clearly subscribes to the-more-the-merrier approach and regularly hosts food, drink and music parties. Stalk Si Paradiso’s social media accounts to track what’s coming up. 
Make it fancyWhile by-the-bottle wines sit at the more approachable end of the price spectrum, each category also has some fancier bottles from cult names in the organic and natural-wine spheres. Among them are revered Sicilian producers such as Frank Cornelissen, Slovenian Dario Princic, one of the best-known winemakers in Italy’s north-east, and other labels the cool kids post on Instagram. The list’s pricing structure means the more you spend, the better the bang for your buck. In other words, these hard-to-find bottles can be bought at some of the sharper prices you’re likely to find at an Australian restaurant or bar.
Bottles of wine on an Idol
Pizza served at Si Paradiso
Who to takeSi Paradiso is a destination best enjoyed with friends, preferably those who are open to sharing dishes and pooling resources to make the most of the wine list (having said that, the structure of the menu means smaller groups and solo diners will feel right at home). While the dining room is where you go if you’re in the market for a meal – pro tip: reconsider inviting anyone who might be triggered by non-traditional Italian cooking – the amphitheatre is atmosphere-plus and where you’ll find the cool 20- and 30-somethings congregating.
Authour image
Max VeenhuyzenMax Veenhuyzen is a Perth food, drink and travel journalist who contributes to key Australian publications.
Tags
Drinks DirectoryOutdoor areaDate nightParty vibesCasual catch-upTop notch wine listKiller cocktailsGreat tunesA+ spirits listRestaurantFancy occasionPerthGood for groupsWheelchair accessibleBarMeal and a bev
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