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.
The Cray co-owner Tejas Patel said despite the cost-of-living crisis, he had seen a significant increase in lobster consumption since 2020.
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 now has seven restaurants in total including at Currambine, Fremantle, Kalgoorlie and Bunbury.
Mr Patel said the business planned to open in Mandurah in the coming months, and to “aggressively” expand into the Eastern States beginning with an outlet in Essendon in Victoria before the end of the year.
WRL chief executive Matt Taylor said the goal of the competition — a partnership with The West Australian — was to celebrate WA’s famous seafood by showcasing the venues that proudly feature it on their menus, from high-end eateries to casual cafes and from the metro area to the regions.
“The WA Cray Day campaign is becoming a staple annual industry initiative aimed at extending local consumption of our iconic Western rock lobster past Easter, culminating in the celebration of our State day in June,” he said.
“Now in its fourth year, WA Cray Day inspires the local community to share this beloved seafood with family and friends.
“For us, WA Cray Day is about inspiring the community to embrace our iconic Western rock lobster during the WA Day long weekend.”
Five people who voted in the competition have also won a prize pack containing a $100 voucher to spend at the restaurant they voted for, plus a $100 voucher to purchase lobster online via WRL’s Back of Boat website.
And for those looking for a venue to visit to get their lobster fix, WRL marketing and communications officer Natalia Perez Haedo said the council had curated a new page on its website designed to help users find those WA restaurants serving up lobster in all its forms.
“This dedicated page showcases cafes and restaurants serving sustainably sourced WA rock lobsters across the State, offering seafood enthusiasts and locals a curated selection of the best places to enjoy our world-renowned seafood,” she said.