Manuka Woodfire Kitchen — Restaurant in Fremantle

QUALITY OF FOOD: Decent. CULINARY EXPERIENCE: The cauliflower shared dish dressing was flavourful, but the cauliflower itself and the dish overall lacked the special touch expected from a fancy restaurant; it was cooked rather bluntly, not sophisticated. The pressed lamb was rather nice, but for a similar price, we had an incomparably more sophisticated, tender and delicious lamb at another truly high-end venue. The special of the day dish, mallet, was ok but nothing special and the portion size left us baffled (see below)... Flatbread was nice. While the chef demonstrates skill, the establishment has yet to reach the level of a truly fancy restaurant. The mismatch between prices, pretensions, and the actual experience suggests room for improvement. SERVICE: The waiter seemed rushed and tended to leave abruptly; we had to stop him twice to ask questions about the meals. The service was not on par with the expectations of a fancy restaurant. This was not the case with other staff, though. PORTION: The special dish meant for sharing, fish mallet, was surprisingly small, not sufficient for even a kid to eat, let alone adults to share. Our waiter said it was a sophisticated dish and rare fish. Well, not for us. Barramundi is considered a much smoother, tender dish than mallet. The latter is a rather questionable choice when one wants to provide a smooth taste. The lack of any side dish with the shared dishes detracted from the overall dining experience and could be expected from high-end set course dining but not the so-called shared main dish. Do not expect any side with the shared dish. ATMOSPHERE: More akin to a cafe than a fancy restaurant, did not match expectations set by high prices and pretensions. CONCLUSION: For the prices charged, better culinary and overall experiences are available at other restaurants in Perth. But if you are not too fussy about the food and do not care much about the prices, this restaurant can provide a solid...

Was here on the 5/11 for lunch and had the 2 chef's tasting plates (with 1 vegetarian). Everything we had was absolutely remarkable except for the mains.

The plus: Amazing flatbread with a healthy amount of tahini. Olives, hummus and nuts were simple but made and served to balance each other out well. The whipped cream cheese dish is incredible. Light, simple, really showcased the flavours of the vegetables. Roasted asparagus dish mind-blowing. Simple but so full of flavours. Beetroot dish was so beautiful and tasted amazing! Not a beetroot person but this dish is incredible. Definitely the best of the tasting plates. Skewer fish with green papaya amazing! Well cooked, well seasoned, presented really well. Desserts are spot on! Flavourful, everything was made very well (parfait had a good density and consistent creamy texture; the Panna Cotta was light and extremely jiggly) and good texture variations. Simple but absolutely delightful.

The minus: Eggplant main dish was unremarkable in comparison to the rest. It presented very dull the entire dish was brown with little to no colours except for the garnish that felt like a rushed after thought. The eggplant was flavourless. Bed of lentils felt like they were just thrown on to add body to the dish. The lentils tasted good though.

The lamb main dish was one dimensional. Didn't taste of anything except deeply savoury (I don't taste the flavours of the protein either). The peaches and cream felt like they didn't quite fit with the lamb. Texture was ok. Presentation was good though.

Overall, definitely one of the better eats in Perth. I would definitely be back.

Huge shoutout to the FOH team. They're absolutely impeccable. Not only are they quick, they're intuitive and go over and beyond. I've not had such a great experience with wait services. You can see they have a great team dynamic and it shows in the way they serve...

Nestled in the heart of Fremantle, Manuka Woodfire Kitchen offers a unique dining experience centered around its namesake wood-fired oven. This cozy, 40-seat restaurant exudes warmth and charm with its rustic decor and open kitchen. Chef Kenny McHardy's philosophy of "simple food, done well" shines through in every dish. The menu, which changes frequently based on seasonal availability, focuses on locally sourced ingredients cooked over fire. This approach results in dishes that are deceptively simple yet bursting with flavor. A standout dish is often the wood-roasted chicken, its skin crispy and flesh succulent, served with a vibrant chimichurri. The fire-kissed vegetables, such as charred broccolini with almond cream or smoky eggplant with tahini, are not to be missed. Seafood lovers might encounter perfectly grilled market fish with a zesty gremolata. The wine list, though compact, is well-curated, featuring a mix of local Western Australian wines and interesting international selections. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to suggest pairings. The intimate space creates a convivial atmosphere, with the crackling fire and aromas from the kitchen adding to the sensory experience. However, the small size means bookings are essential, especially on weekends. Service is friendly and attentive, with staff passionate about the food and concept. Prices are moderate, offering good value given the quality of ingredients and skillful preparation. Manuka Woodfire Kitchen embodies the farm-to-table ethos, offering a taste of Western Australia's bounty enhanced by the primal flavors of wood-fire cooking. It's an excellent choice for those seeking a dining experience that's both down-to-earth and refined, capturing the essence of modern...