Light Years restaurant Perth: a modern Asian bar and diner in WA - Restaurants

Mar 21, 2025

Expect everything you love about the original, but with a few surprises.

Light Years has become synonymous with east coast beachside dining, and now the restaurant group is all set to open its sixth venue. But it’s a long way from the east coast.

First opening in Byron Bay in 2017, the modern Asian diner quickly became a firm favourite among both locals and tourists for its playful takes on pan-Asian cuisine and creative cocktail menu. Such was its success that the venue soon expanded to open new outposts in Noosa, Newcastle, the Gold Coast and Burleigh Heads, with each venue bringing that unmistakable laid-back-but-chic Byron vibe to its locale.

Now Light Years has spread its wings to fly all the way across the continent, and will soon be opening its first Western Australian outpost in Cbus Property’s 140 William Street precinct, a heritage listed building in the heart of Perth’s CBD. And there could be more WA venues to follow.

“We recognise a significant opportunity to contribute to an already vibrant hospitality industry in Perth,” says co-owner James Sutherland. “The development and the future plans of council and government for the CBD are compelling, and we really wanted Light Years to be a part of this as we look to expand the brand and sister brands Moonlight and The Smoking Camel to a national footprint as well.”

Light Years culinary director Robbie Oijvall

Culinary director and co-owner Robbie Oijvall has curated the Perth menu to feature both existing Light Years favourites and a range of newly-developed dishes, all of which maintain their focus on the brand’s convivial share-style dining approach.

Cult-favourite dishes like kingfish ceviche with coconut, chilli and makrut lime; crispy masterstock pork belly; and miso corn ribs will all feature on the menu. But Oijvall has also crafted a selection of new dishes – ones that both speak to the brand’s unmistakable sense of fun, and offer a taste of something unique, such as an Asian-inspired steak tartare with gochujang; pickled pear and umami cream; and lobster noodles with laksa bisque.

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Light Years' kingfish ceviche — Light Years’ kingfish ceviche

Light Years’ hospitality manager Logan Bendeich has curated the wine list for the Perth venue, focusing on winemakers from WA, Australia and abroad, choosing wines that both support sustainable farming and bring out the best of Asian flavours. Expect everything from semillon by the glass to more unusual wines, like Müller-Thurgau. On the cocktail front, you can also expect the kaleidoscopic, flavour-blending cocktails that have come to define the Light Years brand, with classic favourites on the menu, as well as some new additions.

The venue itself is designed to be an adaptation of the upbeat Byron Bay original, however, designers Will Rathgeber of Studio Plenty and Sarah Ellison also adjusted the concept to ensure it felt natural within the Perth CBD while paying respect to the heritage building location. The pair added elements of sophistication with a mature colour palette that plays on brown tones, while everything from the furniture to the feature lighting has been custom designed.

“Expanding on the foundations of the design they created in their previous build, Studio Plenty and Sarah Ellison incorporated all the things we love about Byron; the warmth of the sun, the jovial holiday spirit and grounded ‘barefoot’ vibe that defines Byron’s charm,” says co-owner Kim Stephen. “Through thoughtful materiality and colour palettes, they’ve enhanced that holiday feeling, allowing the design to evolve beautifully within the larger Perth venue, to create something truly spectacular.”

Light Years interior — Sarah Ellison and Studio Plenty also designed Light Years’ new Byron venue

Maree Marvelli of construction company One Eleven Group also worked on the project, saying that the opportunity to be part of the first Light Years in Perth was a great opportunity.

“The newly refurbished restaurant seamlessly blends city vibes while maintaining its earthy coastal roots, offering a unique dining experience,” she says. “Some stand-out features include the large radius bar, being the restaurant’s main centrepiece, surrounded by intimate booth seating and ambient lighting.”

Light Years Perth will be opening in April/May 2025.