We visited Kickin’Inn at Westfield Whitford City in Perth with our three boys (16, 14, and 11) for a casual family dinner, and we had a memorable night out (look for their other location in the Perth Central Business District (CBD), as well).
What Is Kickin’Inn Seafood Restaurant? (Quick Overview)
Kickin’Inn is an Australian seafood chain that specializes in southern-style, Cajun-inspired seafood boils. Frankly, we’ve had seafood in the southern US, and this is about as close as you can get without being in Louisiana. Instead of serving your meal on a plate, they bring out plastic bags filled with fresh seafood and sides, which get poured directly onto your paper-covered table. It’s loud, it’s messy, and that’s exactly the point.
We visited as a family of 5, so this review is for families seeking a unique, hands-on dining experience in Perth. Whether you’re a seafood lover or are looking for more traditional comfort food, Kickin’Inn has got you covered.
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Kickin’Inn’s iconic seafood bag concept works like this:
Choose your seafood, pick your sauce and spice level, and your order arrives in a sealed bag. Staff bring it to your table in a bucket, cut open the bag, and dump the whole lot out in front of you. You eat with your hands (wearing the provided latex gloves) and wear bibs that will help keep the sauce off your clothes. There’s no pretense of fine dining here—it’s designed to be fun and interactive.
A typical Kickin’Inn boil bag includes prawns, mussels, crab, corn on the cob, and potatoes, all coated in your chosen seasoning. Their Perth locations follow the same format as the rest of the chain, so if you’ve tried it in Sydney or elsewhere, you’ll know what to expect.
The vibe is casual and family-friendly. This isn’t the place for a quiet anniversary dinner, but it is great for families with tweens and teens looking for something different, and it definitely hits the mark. Our boys were intrigued before we even sat down.
Kickin’Inn Perth Quick Review:
- The unique “seafood boil in a bag” concept means food gets tipped onto the table—no cutlery, just gloves and bibs for everyone.
- Both seafood lovers and non-seafood eaters in our family found options they enjoyed, including the seafood bag, fish and chips, chicken fingers, fries, garlic bread, and corn ribs.
- Kickin’Inn has multiple locations across Australia, including two in Perth – at the Westfield Whitford City Mall near where we were housesitting in Australia, and Perth CBD.
- Kids 8 and under eat free with an adult 7 days a week.
- Make a booking at the Whitford location before you go – since they’re in a mall, they can get a wave of foot traffic with little notice.
- Our verdict: well-seasoned food, a fun, hands-on experience, and friendly staff who engaged with our teens made it a solid family night out.
Our Family Visit To Kickin’Inn Perth (Westfield Whitford City)
We visited Kickin’Inn at Westfield Whitford City on a Thursday evening, at 5:00 pm. It was one of those “let’s try something different” family decisions, and we figured our boys—16, 14, and 11—were old enough to appreciate something a bit out of the ordinary.
Being on the coast, Perth has a long history of fresh seafood, so we decided that visiting a seafood restaurant during our time on Australia’s west coast was a “must.” (As a side note, we’d recommend reservations. Click here to choose your location and make a booking!)
Walking into the restaurant, the first thing we noticed was the casual atmosphere. The music was comfortable enough that we could have a conversation without feeling self-conscious about our kids being kids, and the décor had a bright, modern feel. Tables were covered in paper, ready for the inevitable mess.
Our boys’ faces when they realized there were no regular utensils were priceless. The staff handed out latex gloves and bibs, and I could see our boys processing the idea of eating with their hands. Their initial surprise turned to amusement pretty quickly—especially when they realized getting messy was not just allowed but expected.
The staff walked us through how the whole thing works. They explained the boil bag, showed us how to use the gloves and bibs, and made it clear that a messy table is part of the experience. Their quick rundown helped everyone get comfortable with the idea that this would get a bit messy.
By the time our food arrived, our boys were genuinely excited. It’s not often you can create that kind of buzz around a family dinner.
Food & Menu Options At Kickin’Inn Perth
The Kickin’Inn menu has a solid range that suits our family’s mixed preferences. Some of us are serious seafood fans – and the rest, not so much. Kickin Inn handled both well.
The Seafood Bag Experience
We ordered a seafood boil bag to share, which included prawns, mussels, corn on the cob, and potatoes. When the staff cut the bag open and poured it onto our table, there was a collective “whoa” from the boys. The seafood was fresh, the potatoes were soft, and the corn was sweet—everything cooked properly without being overdone.
Seasoning Options
You get to choose from multiple seasoning styles: Cajun-inspired, garlic butter, lemon pepper, or house blends. Then you pick your heat level, from mild to seriously spicy. We went middle-of-the-road on the spice, and the taste was bold without being overwhelming. The sauce coated everything nicely, but we could still taste the seafood itself.
Other Seafood Options
We also tried the fish and chips, which were a hit. The fish came out crispy on the outside and tender inside—a good option for anyone who wanted something simpler than a full boil bag.
Non-Seafood Choices
For family members who don’t love seafood, there’s chicken fingers, fries, garlic bread, and corn ribs on the menu. Our 11-year-old leaned heavily on these, and he didn’t feel left out at all. The portions were generous enough that he had plenty to eat.
Drinks-wise, they have the usual soft drinks and some basic bar options. Nothing fancy, but enough to keep everyone sorted.
Seasoning, Spice Levels & Mess Factor
One of the defining parts of the Kickin’Inn experience is choosing your sauce and spice level. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, which we appreciated.
Seasoning Styles
At Whitford City, you can choose from options like Cajun-style, garlic-based, or lemony butter sauces. We went with a Cajun garlic blend to share across the table, and it worked well for everyone. The seasoning was delicious without masking the fresh seafood.
Spice Levels
Spice levels range from very mild (kid-friendly) to quite spicy. If you’re unsure, start mild. You can always add heat next time.
The Mess Factor
Let’s be honest: this meal is messy. Food gets poured on the table. Gloves get covered in sauce. Bibs catch drips. Fingers get sticky. The mess becomes part of the entertainment. Our boys thought it was hilarious, and it turned dinner into more of an activity than just a meal.
Dessert at Kickin’Inn
Our boys have this theory that they can be completely full, yet still have room for dessert. Kickin’Inn serves little dessert cakes packed full of flavour, and they are just the right size for sharing. We tried their chocolate cake and red velvet cake with cream cheese icing. The red velvet cake was a unanimous favourite.
Atmosphere, Service & How Kid-Friendly It Is
The atmosphere at Kickin’Inn Whitford City is casual and upbeat. The upbeat music is enough that we didn’t feel self-conscious if our boys were joking around with each other a bit, which is something we always appreciate. The interiors are modern and bright, with modern décor.
Great Service
The service stood out to us. Staff were friendly, patient, and genuinely happy to engage with our boys. They explained the detials of the menu, and told us how to get the most out of the boil bag (since for some of us, it was our first time dissecting a crawfish and getting every bit of meat out of a prawn/shrimp tail).
How It Works For Different Ages
For our boys, the novelty factor was high. They’re past the age where a standard pizza night feels exciting, so having something interactive and different kept them engaged.
For younger kids, expect to help peel and handle the messier seafood, or choose a pasta dish or chicken nuggets for the less-adventurous – kids eat free with each adult meal purchase. Mess happens, so the bibs, gloves, and paper-topped tables make spills easy to manage.
One note for parents of kids who are sensitive to noise: this location is in a public dining space in a busy mall, so expect a decent level of noise during peak times.
Pricing, Value & Kids-Eat-Free Deal
Kickin’Inn isn’t meant to be the cheapest option for a dinner with family in Perth, but the value comes from the experience and portion sizes of fresh, delicious food – especially if you’re sharing.
How Pricing Works
Seafood boil bags can look pricey at first glance, but they’re designed to serve 2–3 people. Splitting one bag plus ordering some sides often brings the cost per person down to a reasonable price for a seafood dinner.
Compared with standard seafood restaurants, you’re paying for:
- Quality, fresh seafood
- The interactive experience (gloves, bibs, table pour)
- Generous portions
- The entertainment value for kids
Kids-Eat-Free Deal
Here’s the family-friendly promotion worth knowing: kids age 8 and under eat free with a paying adult, seven days a week.
Our boys (who are 16, 14, and 11) didn’t qualify for this, but we shared items between everyone at the table, which allowed us all to taste a few different things. Check the official Kickin’Inn website or their Facebook page, Instagram page, or TikTok for the latest details before visiting, as promotions can change (that’s how we first learned about their monthly promotions, birthday offers, and that kids uner 8 eat free 7 days a week)
Tips For Families Visiting Kickin’Inn Perth (Especially Whitford City)
Planning ahead makes your experience go smoothly. Here’s what we’d suggest based on our visit:
- Arrive early for dinner (5–6 pm) on weekends or school holidays to avoid long waits with restless kids
- Start with a mild seasoning and spice level for your first visit—you can always order spicier next time
- There are more “comfortable” options like chicken fingers, fries, or corn ribs alongside the seafood boil bag for picky eaters
- Warn the kids in advance that there’s no cutlery, and explain that food comes out in a bag on the table—frame it as an adventure (or don’t tell them and wait for the surprise of it all).
- Dress in clothes you don’t mind getting sauce on, just in case the bibs don’t catch everything
- Order a side of bread to get every last drop of the amazing sauce off the table.
- Book your table in advance to be sure there’s space for you.
Parking and Location
Westfield Whitford City has plenty of free parking, and it’s easy to combine dinner with a bit of shopping or a movie if you want to have a full evening out.
Kickin’Inn Pricing and Experience
Kickin’Inn isn’t trying to compete with budget fast-food chains. It’s a different category entirely.
| Factor | Kickin Inn |
|---|---|
| Price | Mid-range |
| Experience | Interactive, hands-on |
| Kid entertainment | High (gloves, bibs, mess) |
| Seafood quality | Fresh, well-seasoned |
| Suitable for non-seafood eaters | Yes (with sides) |
For seafood lovers, Kickin’Inn is more immersive and fun than grabbing fish and chips from the local shop. The gloves, bibs, and table pour become part of the evening’s entertainment.
For families who don’t prefer to eat any seafood, you’d probably get better value at a burger or pizza spot. But for mixed groups like ours—some seafood fans, some not—there’s enough variety to keep everyone happy.
If you’re traveling through Perth, treat Kickin’Inn as a “special night out” experience rather than an everyday dinner. It’s the kind of place you’ll remember.
Our Final Verdict On Kickin’Inn Perth (Whitford City)
We had a great time eating a family dinner at Kickin’Inn Whitford City. It was fun, messy, delicious, and genuinely memorable—which isn’t something you can say about every family dinner.
The seafood was cooked well, the seasoning options let everyone find a level they were comfortable with, and the non-seafood options meant nobody felt left out. By the end of the meal, our boys were already talking about coming back.
What made it work for our family was the friendly, engaging staff and the casual atmosphere. Nobody rushed us, the service was solid, and the whole setup encouraged us to relax and enjoy dinner at our own pace.
We’d recommend Kickin’Inn Perth for families with upper-primary, tween, and teen kids who are ready for a bit of food adventure and don’t mind getting their hands dirty. If your family prefers a quieter, more traditional dining experience, this probably isn’t the spot. But, if you want something different that the kids will actually remember, add it to your Perth itinerary.
Kickin’Inn Locations Across Australia
Kickin’Inn started on the east coast—the first location opened in Petersham, Sydney, back in 2018. Since then, the chain has grown to around 25 locations across the country.
You’ll find Kickin’Inn restaurants here:
- Sydney and greater New South Wales
- ACT (Canberra)
- Victoria (Melbourne)
- Queensland (Brisbane)
- South Australia (Adelaide)
- Western Australia (Perth)
For families visiting Perth, there are currently two Kickin’Inn locations to choose from. The Westfield Whitford City mall sits in the northern suburbs near Hillarys, while their Perth CBD location is at Shop 3.2, 10 Telethon Ave.
The menu and boil-bag concept are similar across all locations, though it’s always worth a quick check of the official Kickin’Inn website before you visit for the latest opening hours and any local specials.
For families traveling around Australia, Kickin’Inn can be a repeat stop if your kids enjoy the messy, interactive style of dining. Once our kids experienced the gloves-and-bibs setup, they asked for it again.
FAQ About Kickin’Inn Perth
Do you have to eat with your hands at Kickin’Inn Perth, or can you ask for cutlery?
The default experience is eating with gloved hands—that’s kind of the whole point. However, if someone in your family is genuinely uncomfortable with the hands-on style, you can request basic utensils. Just ask the staff when you order.
Is Kickin’Inn Perth suitable for kids who don’t like seafood at all?
Yes, there are non-seafood options like chicken fingers, fries, corn ribs, and similar sides. Our 11-year-old isn’t a seafood fan and had plenty to eat. That said, if your entire family avoids seafood, you might not get full value from the seafood-focused concept.
Do I need to book a table at the Whitford City location, or can we just walk in?
Walk-ins are sometimes possible, especially on weeknights. For weekends, school holidays, or if you’re bringing a large family group, we’d recommend making a reservation to avoid a long wait with hungry kids.
How long should we allow for a family meal at Kickin’Inn?
Plan around 60–90 minutes for a relaxed family dinner. Cracking shells, peeling prawns, and sharing boil bags takes longer than a standard, quick meal. All of the food is cooked in the flavor of your choice, so nothing is premade.
