Where Chefs Eat: Jujube Dining’s Glenn McCue Says This Bar Serves “The Most Exciting Food” in Perth

Glenn McCue knows good food can come from anywhere.

After cutting his teeth at high-end venues in Dublin and a stint at Old Young’s in the Swan Valley, he launched Jujube in late 2024. It’s (loosely) named after his daughter and popped up at wine bars and coffee shops before finding a home at Perth’s most gourmet bowls club, The View.

His favourite spots in Perth aren’t pigeonholed or pretentious. They bounce from elegant Euro-inspired spots to hole-in-the-wall, hard-to-find joints. Here they are. 

Favourite dish at Jujube Dining

“I change most of the menu each week, so I never have one favourite dish, but a dish I loved recently was the lamb and ricotta wontons. I braised lamb in a Taiwanese herbal broth. Then the lamb was mixed with ricotta, feta and fermented tofu and made into wontons. The wontons were warmed in Japanese curry and the dish was finished with a broccoli pesto, pickled broccoli stem and some Thai basil.”

Favourite drink at Jujube Dining

“It depends. During the summer after a stinking hot day in the kitchen, I love a crisp lager like a Peroni. In winter, I definitely go straight for a Guinness after shift.” 

A quick takeaway

“I love an Indian takeaway; it travels so well and there is always enough left over for lunch the following day (sometimes it tastes even better). Bollywood Spices in Craigie is a favourite of mine. They used to be based in North Perth but moved a couple of years ago. I have been a customer for more than 10 years now.”

Special occasion

“For special occasions or any celebrations, I head to Lalla Rookh. Its wine list is one of the best in WA and you can drink any bottle with a small corkage fee. Walking into the wine bar, you feel like you’re transported to a small wine bar in a side street in the middle of Europe. The pizzas are super underrated. And if the ox tongue skewers are on the menu, they’re a must-order.” 

Your bucket-list restaurant (anywhere in the world) 

“Up until July last year, I would have said L’Enclume, but I was fortunate to visit the residency they did in Sydney which was incredible. Now it’s Ravioxo, which is a sister restaurant of Diverxo in Madrid. It’s a kind of pasta and noodle fusion restaurant, which is something I really dig. The food looks incredible, but the place also looks like fun. I am a bit over stuffy service and prefer comfort over anything else.” 

Long lunch

“Not Perth, per se, but whenever I have the chance I will always venture down to Vasse Felix. I like to walk around the grounds to build up an appetite, do a wine tasting, and then head upstairs to one of my favourite dining rooms in the world. I have been dining there for nearly 14 years now and I think what Cam [Jones] and the team are doing there right now is unmatched. Always changing, always exciting and always delicious.” 

Best bakery

“Not a bakery per se either, but Strollio’s in Tuart Hill is wonderful. It’s such a great vibe inside with awesome staff. Nathan [Alexander] bakes focaccia specifically for the Bowls club and it’s just so bloody good. I’d also love to give a shout out to his jalapeno scrolls, which have nourished me these last few months.” 

A hidden gem that deserves more hype 

“After years of driving by and heading to the more ‘popular’ Vietnamese places in the area, I recently found Pho Hung in Marangaroo. It’s pretty small and fills up very quickly. I always get the bun bo hue; it sets me up for a busy day and makes me feel whole.” 

A local producer you love 

“GMT Produce is a local grower very close to my house. They have amazing produce, which I try to include in my menu every week. In summer, their tomatoes are sensational.” 

A date spot or romantic venue

“Vinotto would be the ideal venue. It’s a gorgeous and intimate space. Justin [Scarvaci]’s food is always so delicious and seasonal and Caitlin [Johnston]’s wine list is so well thought out.”

Best pizza

“That depends on what kind of pizza I am feeling. For American-style, we love going to Uptown Pizza in Joondalup. They have old-school computer games that the kids love and the pizzas are delicious. If I am feeling like a Neapolitan slice, Postcards From Napoli is a winner. It’s a small family-run business with a Neapolitan chef-owner.”

Best dumpling spot or yum cha

“I’ve always loved Canton Lane in Belmont for yum cha. Whenever we are in the city, we visit Peoples Inn Dumpling House  for a more homely and authentic feel.” 

Place you’d recommend to a fellow chef

“I will always recommend Sonny’s in Mount Hawthorn. For me, it’s the most exciting food happening in the city right now. I love the fact that the menu changes so frequently and admire Sofika [Boulton]’s ability to make humble ingredients so delicious. The plate of house ferments and pickles was one of my plates of the year in 2025.” 

Favourite kitchen utensil

“This might sound strange, but quality scissors are vital to me, from breaking down chickens or fish to opening packaging and cutting tape. I use Kitchenaid utility shears.” 

Your favourite at-home kitchen appliance 

“It has to be our rice cooker. It’s used every single day in our household. We use Cuckoo brand.” 

@jujubedining

@chefmccue