The Cray has again been named Western Australia’s best lobster restaurant. For the fourth year in a row the local seafood chain has won the Western Rock Lobster council’s annual competition, which recognises the best eateries to indulge in our famous local delicacy. Designed to coincide with WA Day, the initiative was launched in 2021 and was open to any cafe, pub, bar or restaurant with lobster on its menu.
This year there were 650 votes cast for a total of 50 venues, with Southerlys Tavern in Port Denison coming in second. Third place was awarded to Lobster Shack in Cervantes. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
The Cray co-owner Tejas Patel said despite the cost-of-living crisis, he had seen a significant increase in lobster consumption since 2020. “Traditionally lobster is perceived as a special occasion dish but looking at recent and past consumption trends, it is safe to say customers are happy to indulge in it any time and the trend is (likely) to remain the same for the near future at least,” he said. The signature dish at The Cray — which sources its Western rock lobster from Geraldton Fisheries Co-operative — is the lobster mornay, also known as The Cray Platter.
“We make our signature fresh mornay sauce from scratch every day,” Mr Patel said, adding that the combination of local lobster and the freshness of the sauce made it a “rich, flavourful dish”. The Cray first opened in Belmont in 2004 and .
