There’s something rather special about finding a restaurant that offers up a delicious menu in an unexpected place. That’s exactly what Ciao Dandy (formerly Dandelion) at Karrinyup Shopping Centre delivers. Found in the heart of the enormous mall’s dining precinct, isn’t your typical shopping centre eatery. Ciao Dandy’s on trend fit-out is gorgeous – think warm timber, elegant lighting, and lush indoor plants that invite you to settle in for a long lunch. Sit upstairs at the spritz bar and kitchen, at a high table on the balcony. Here, the indoor-outdoor setting works beautifully, especially on those perfect Perth days when you want to soak up a little sunshine with your spritz.
Here, the drinks specialty is summery spritzes. Of course, there’s also wine, beers, cocktails and soft drinks available too. The wine list is thoughtfully curated, with some excellent Western Australian and Euro options by the glass.
The previous Asian fusion menu has had a total re-write by chefs Brandan Pratt and Matthew Payne and is now a mix of Mediterranean influences, with Italian at its heart. On my visit, I couldn’t resist the fresh seafood, and very shareable plates. What really stands out is the plating, and quality of ingredients. The menu is also very gluten free friendly. I enjoyed:
A kingfish crudo, with capers & lemon. The heirloom tomato & goats cheese bruschetta can be made GF.
A big creamy burrata (cheese), with summer pesto, salted cucumber, and toasted focaccia. The mortadella, sweet & sour onions, and grissini is good too.
A favourite is the octopus, with potato, caper, and paprika.
The location is perfect for meeting friends – free parking (or why not treat yourself to valet and practically park at the door?), and if you park at the West Deck, there’s no need to navigate through the busy parts of the shopping centre. They take bookings, which I’d recommend, especially for weekend lunches when the atmosphere really buzzes. Whether you’re planning a long lunch, a special celebration, or just want to elevate your window shopping with a meal, Ciao Dandy delivers. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how far Perth’s dining scene has come – who would have thought you could find such sophisticated dining in a shopping centre?
Prices are reasonable for the quality, with most small plates around the $14-27 mark. Larger plates of gnocchi, beef short rib, pappardelle and more are $28 to $42. At this point, we’re not sure if the summer pop up will hang around permanently, but my bet is that it will – Ciao Dandy.
Find Ciao Dandy at the West Deck Rooftop Dining Precinct, Karrinyup Shopping Centre at 200 Karrinyup Rd, Karrinyup.
Read our full guide to Karrinyup Shopping Centre here.
Amanda dined as a guest of Ciao Dandy, all opinions, words and images are her own.
