Most people have heard the word degustation and quietly wondered what it actually means. Is it just a fancy word for a set menu? Or is it something else entirely?
A degustation menu is a chef-curated, multi-course dining experience designed to take you through a deliberate progression of flavour, texture and technique, course by course, in a single sitting. It is also called a tasting menu, and it is widely considered the pinnacle of the fine dining experience.
The experience is just as much about the pacing, the storytelling and the moments between courses as it is about the food itself.
In this guide, you will discover exactly what a degustation menu involves, what to expect from your first one, and where to experience a memorable Italian degustation right here in Perth.
A degustation menu is a chef-curated multi-course dining experience which features several small dishes served in a deliberate sequence. Also known as a tasting menu, it is designed to showcase flavour, chef’s creativity and seasonal ingredients across one complete meal.
The word degustation comes from the French term for careful, appreciative tasting. In a restaurant context, it refers to a set sequence of small, beautifully prepared courses, each one designed by the head chef to build on what came before it.
Unlike ordering from a standard menu, a degustation hands creative control to the chef. You are not choosing individual dishes. You are trusting the kitchen to take you somewhere. Each course is intentional, from the first amuse-bouche through to the final dessert.
Yes, and the distinction is mostly just language. Degustation is the formal French term, used widely in Australian and European fine dining. Tasting menu is the more casual English equivalent, common in American and British restaurants.
Whether a menu calls itself a degustation or a tasting menu, the experience is the same: a chef-chosen sequence of small courses served as one complete dining journey.
A degustation menu let you have an experience with the restaurant’s cuisine that would otherwise be impossible to achieve when having the regular dinner. Unlike having only one starter and one main meal, guests are served with various types of dishes that expose them to different flavours, ingredients and ways of cooking throughout the entire evening.
People usually go for the degustation menu because it offers:
For some people, degustation menu makes their dinner a memorable experience indeed.
Although there isn’t really any set number, degustation menus in Perth generally consist of about 4 to 8 dishes; in fine dining restaurants in Perth, it can be beyond 10 dishes.
In Perth, one such restaurant where you will be able to try a five-course degustation menu that satisfies the senses is Prego Italian Restaurant, located in Floreat.
A degustation menu is designed to move in a deliberate order. This means that the menu starts off light and bright, then progresses into something richer, until finally arriving at the dessert. This progression is important since it ensures that the dishes are not confused but rather distinct from each other. Wine pairings can sometimes be included as well.
A typical degustation might include:
The exact dishes vary from one restaurant to another. But the goal remains the same. It’s to showcase a range of ingredients, cooking techniques and flavours within a single meal. The order matters just as much as the dishes themselves. All the courses progress from lighter flavours to richer and more complex ones before finishing on a sweet note.
Expect food that looks almost too good to eat. Degustation menus are visual as well as edible experiences. Every course is plated with the same level of attention as the cooking itself. The presentation is not decorative. It signals intent, it sets up the flavour, and it contributes to the overall story of the meal.
Many degustation menus include a palate cleanser between heavier courses. This is a small, light dish, typically a sorbet, a citrus jelly, or a light broth, served specifically to reset the taste buds before the next course arrives.
For first-time diners, the palate cleanser can catch you off guard. It is not a full course and it is not dessert. It is a deliberate pause in the flavour journey, designed to sharpen your senses so the next dish lands as intended. It is one of the small details that makes a tasting menu feel genuinely considered rather than just expensive.
The best degustation menus are not just a list of dishes in smaller portions. They feel balanced from start to finish. They usually have:
À la carte menu gives you control. You choose what you want, course by course. A degustation menu gives the chef control. You hand over the sequence and let the kitchen lead the way. Both have their place, but they create very different moods at the table.
À la carte is great when you want flexibility. Degustation is better when you want the full story.
Here is a quick comparison:
Degustation Menu | À La Carte | |
Who decides | The chef | You |
Courses | 4–10+ in set sequence | 1–3, any order |
Pacing | Deliberate, course by course | At your pace |
Experience | Guided culinary journey | Flexible, à la carte choice |
Best suited for | Special occasions, discovery | Familiarity, flexibility |
Yes, it’s worth it, especially if you love food and want something beyond a standard dinner out. A great degustation is immersive, unhurried and genuinely memorable in a way that ordering off a regular menu rarely matches.
It is not an everyday experience, and that is precisely the point. A well-executed tasting menu in the right hands is one of the most satisfying ways to eat. Now that you know what to expect, the obvious next question is: where to try one in Perth?
Prego Italian Restaurant in Floreat has been one of Perth’s most-loved fine dining destinations for years. And the degustation menu is a big part of why. Every course is built around authentic Italian cooking. House-made pasta, wood-fired specialties, seasonal produce and carefully selected wines.
Looking for a degustation menu in Perth that feels special from the first bite to the last?
Enjoy a beautifully paced Italian dining experience at Prego, where every course is crafted to bring out bold flavour, seasonal ingredients and proper old-school hospitality. Perfect for a romantic dinner, celebration, or just a night when regular dinner will not do.
Take a look at our Degustation Menu
Whether you are celebrating a milestone, planning a romantic dinner or simply want a night that goes beyond the ordinary. Prego’s Italian degustation delivers the full experience.
A degustation menu is a chef-curated multi-course meal made up of small dishes served in a set sequence. It guides the diners through a progression of flavour, technique and seasonal ingredients in one complete dining experience.
Most degustation menus feature between 4 and 10 courses, depending on the restaurant. Prego’s degustation menu currently includes five courses for both lunch and dinner.
Degustation usually lasts longer than regular dinner as each dish comes individually, taking its proper time. Expect to take two to three hours to finish degustation, depending on the number of courses in some lengthy degustation menus from fancy restaurants.
A degustation includes smaller sized appetizers, a course of either seafood or vegetables, a course of meat or fish, and lastly, the desserts. Other elements may include amuse-bouche at the start of the meal, palate cleanser between the dishes, and matching wine, which is optional.
A degustation menu offers a set sequence of small courses chosen by the chef. À la carte allows you to select individual dishes from the menu at your own pace. Degustation is a guided experience. À la carte is about personal choice.
Prego Italian Restaurant has long been a destination choice for food lovers. Customers visit this special Italian Restaurant to taste some delectable Italian cuisine in the regions and leave the restaurant with great contentment. Our chef makes it a point to serve you the tastiest delicacies in the healthiest way. Count on us for a healthy & tasty treat and feel the indulgence!
For Lunch : TUE - FRI
For Dinner : TUE - SAT
440 Cambridge St, Floreat, Perth, WA 6014
We welcome BYO wine only on Tuesday to Saturday. (Corkage Fee) Not valid with any other Discounts or Promotions.
