155 Claisebrook Road, Perth
Ph: (08) 9227 7762
www.ischia.com.au
La Dolce Vita at Ischia
One only knows when one has found a great Italian restaurant when you walk in and see Nonnas and Nonnos, and patrons of all ages relishing their meals which is testament to Sebi Conte’s passion for authentic Italian food, and the skill of his staff.
The venue’s soaring skylight, vibrant plants, elegant lighting and modern-classic design create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, one where you know you will instantly feel at home.
Our first dish of Eggplant Parmigiana had slices of fried eggplant, enveloped by a Napolitana sauce, with mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and basil, rounding out the sumptuous and rich flavours. It was a fitting start to our meal and enjoyed with a glass of 2024 Vallone Flaminio Primitivo (Puglia, IT) which had hints of red fruits, rich flavours and supple tannins.
We could not get enough of the next dish, Ischia Prawns, consisting of king prawns pan-fried with chilli and garlic in a tomato and cream sauce and served with crusty bread. The prawns were super fresh, and the smooth creamy sauce was spicy and luscious. You can also opt to have spaghetti added and I am sure I will next time. The 2024 Vermentino Nord Est DOC, (Sardinia, IT) with its brilliant white colour with faint green tinges and dry, smooth taste, with a hint of almond was a good match for this more-ish meal.
I can understand why our next dish, the Linguine al Granchio Blu is a go-to dish for many diners, especially if you do not feel like a rich sauce. The pan-fried Blue Crab meat with cherry tomatoes, garlic, chilli and EVOO created a fresh, light sauce, and the crab shone through and was not overwhelming. The pasta was perfectly cooked and coated with the sauce that burst through with flavour, and was well-paired with the Vermentino Nord Est DOC wine.
Seeing as Ischia on Claisebrook won the Catering Institute’s Gold Plate Awards for Best Pizza Metropolitan in 2024 and 2025, and the 2025 R&CA Hostplus Awards for Excellence in the Pizza Restaurant category we had to try a pizza dish and I would not be surprised if it makes a Gold Plate hat trick-this year.
The aptly titled Regina (‘Queen’) Gourmet Pizza is another popular dish. Ours was generously topped and the crust had a crisp shell that was airy on the inside. The simplicity of the ingredients – tomato base, buffalo mozzarella, Parmigiano cheese, fresh basil and EVOO, allowed the flavours of the ingredients to complement each other without competing. Unlike other pizzas, the ‘queen’ of pizza’s use of buffalo mozzarella makes it more complex, as the mozzarella has a rich, creamy and savoury flavour that is slightly tangier than cow’s milk mozzarella and melts in your mouth. The Flaminio Primitivo wine was an harmonious match with this meal.
Ischia on Claisebrook also won the 2025 R&CA Hostplus Awards for Excellence Casual Dining of the Year Award. It is a perfect place for romantic dinners, family gatherings, or casual meals with friends, and the bar serves a curated selection of wines, cocktails and spirits, making it an ideal spot for enjoying a relaxed drink before or after your meal.
The restaurant has a fully stocked wine list and you can BYO however I would not bother as the drink list is inspired by Italy and captures its vibrant flavours.
By Charlie Bird
