RECOMMENDED DINING

Published Tuesday 11 April 2023 RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS

The Margaret River wine region is well known for its wine and is complemented by the vast selection of quality vineyard restaurants serving outstanding cuisine.  Keep in mind that the vineyard restaurants are open mainly during the day where you can enjoy the scenic drive and vineyards vistas.

In the evenings there are plenty of restaurants in town that are open for dinner. The townsite of Margaret River is an 8 – 10 minute drive and offers everything from casual pub grub, funky wine bars, bistros, small local eateries and gourmet takeaway.

At the beach, The Common (at the Gnarabup Beach Resort) serves a great evening meal plus and awesome takeaway menu.

Daytime, The White Elephant cafe at Gnarabup beach is our pick (pictured below).  Open for coffee, breakfast and lunches, it's an awesome spot overlooking the beach, a favourite local haunt.

Beach cafe with surfboards lined up outside.

AT THE BEACH

THE COMMON

The Common is a cool yet comfortable casual bar and bistro located in Gnarabup. The menu is influenced by the fresh local produce with a slant on seafood. Locals and visitors are welcome to come in for a quick drink or settle in and linger over lunch, dinner and beyond. Oh, and it is child friendly!

Margarets Beach Resort | www.thecommonbistro.com.au | 9757 1586

THE WHITE ELEPHANT

A 10 minute stroll along the beach path, The White Elephant is my all time favourite. Tucked in the corner overlooking Gnarabup beach, thisquintessential beach cafe offers casual cafe style food, great coffee and fun, friendly service. Perfect for the morning coffee fix.

Boat Ramp, Gnarabup | www.whiteelephantcafe.com.au | Phone (08) 9757 1990

SEA GARDENS

A quirky cafe at the bottom of the hill with a chilled out 'surfie vibe' serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and takeaway pizzas.

It's a colourful, laid-back joint with ample outdoor seating. No dishes, happy days!

Sea Gardens, Prevelly | www.theseagardencafe.com|Phone: (08) 9757 1044

OUR FAVOURITE TAKE AWAY

THE COMMON

In keeping with The Common’s great food reputation, it’s worth checking out their awesome take-away menu.

You can scoot down, order, have a beer while you wait and be home in time for the sunset! Too easy.

Margarets Beach Resort, Gnarabup | www.thecommonbistro.com.au | Phone (08) 9757 1583

Morries Restaurant, bar and late night venue

(Image above courtesy of Morries and Elements Margaret River)

TOWN RESTAURANTS

MORRIES

Morries has become a local institution serving modern Australian food and creative cocktails in a welcoming industrial-chic space at the top of town.

Think cocktails, dining at the bar, tasty tapas and late night bar snacks.

149 Bussell Highway, Margaret River | Phone (08) 9758 8280

MIKI’S OPEN KITCHEN – TEMPURA BAR

Sensational Japenese. Miki's tailor made degustation is seasonally sourced, Japenese inspired changing daily according to Miki's wishes. It’s a journey for your taste buds. Bookings essential.

Landa Lane, Bussell Highway, Margaret River | Phone (08) 9757 3112

THE BREWHOUSE

Sitting on the banks of the river on the edge of town, Margaret River Brewhouse is a relaxed micro brewery serving craft beer and quality food. A local favourite with rolling lawns surrounded by Karri forest, enjoy a leisurely lunch or an early dinner.

35 Bussell Highway, Margaret River | Phone (08) 9757 2614

PIZZACA

This moody, underground pizzeria and bar has been referred to as one of the most authentic pizzerias encountered outside of Italy! Pizzica is tucked away in the cellar underneath 'La Scarpetta', a more traditional Italian restaurant on the main drag. Bookings are recommended.

73 Bussell Highway, Margaret River | Phone (08) 9758 7361

SWINGS TAP HOUSE AND KITCHEN

A funky bar and casual eatery serving great pizzas and other shared food plates. Really groovy, great staff, good wine on tap!

Bussell Highway, Margaret River | Phone (08) 9758 7155

ELKAMO

ELKAMO has created a tapas style menu that is designed to share and for those who don't like sharing there's the option of having a solo main as well. Great spot, good vibes, and no pretentiousness.

107 Bussell Highway, Margaret River | Phone (08) 9758 8877

SETTLERS TAVERN

Good old Australian Tavern serving excellent pub grub. Really, really popular so go in early to avoid the crowds.

Bussell Highway, Margaret River

Restaurant balcony

(Image courtesy of Leeuwin Estate)

VINEYARD RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS

Award winning winery restaurants are dotted throughout the wine region, in fact, you’re spoilt for choice. In no particular order, here are some of our favourites which never dissappoint!

LEEUWIN ESTATE

No doubt one of the iconic wineries of Australia, Leeuwin has earned an international reputation for not only making ‘gold medal winning’ wines, outstanding cuisine but also playing host the annual ‘Leeuwin Estate’ concert.

The wineries Gold Plate award winning restaurant has spectacular garden amphitheatre views and is one of only a few vineyard restaurants open for dinner on a Saturday night. In saying that, I prefer vineyard dining during the day, otherwise you miss the view which is all part of the ambiance.

Make sure to venture downstairs to the depths of the ’old’ barrel room where you will find an impressive art collection.

www.leeuwinestate.com.au | Phone (08) 9759 0000

VOYAGER ESTATE

Voyager Estate regarded as one of the region’s top quality wine producers.

Every part of Voyager Estate has been developed with extreme attention to detail. The grand Cape Dutch architecture houses a restaurant and cellar door surrounded by exquisitely manicured gardens and stunning rose gardens.

Voyager invites you to experience a different style of lunch dining with two different wine-paired degustation menus, designed to showcase the best in wine and food matching, carefully crafted with local, seasonal produce.

www.voyagerestate.com.au | Phone (08) 9757 6354

WILLS DOMAIN

Being crowned 'Restaurant of the Year' here in WA are big shoes (or pans) to fill, yet a well deserved accolade for the team at Wills Domain.

Opt for a two course choice menu, 4 course tasting menu or the ultimate dining experience, a 7 course degustation.

www.willsdomain.com.au | Phone (08) 9755 2327

VASSE FELIX

A long time favourite, Vasse Felix always delivers! They just keep getting better!

The Vasse Felix Estate offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy more than just a wine experience. The restaurant consistently produces amazing food. The vineyard view is amazing and wine, well that’s seriously good too! I’m partial to a Heytesbury Chardonnay myself.

For art lovers, the ‘old’ Vasse Felix Winery has been transformed into a public gallery and performing arts facility. Part of the ‘Holmes A Court’ collection including an impressive selection of Aboriginal art pieces adorn the walls. Contemporary sculptures are dotted throughout the simple, but well maintained, ‘Australiana’ garden trail that meanders up to the underground cellar.

www.vassefelix.com.au | Phone (08) 9756 5000

AMELIA PARK

With multiple gold plates tucked in their aprons, husband-wife duo Blair and Renee (ex Studio Bistro and Piari & Co) are now romancing diners at their new Amelia Park Restaurant. Blair's bistro-style food showcases the best seasonal produce and wood fired Amelia Park meats.

A beautiful and sophisticated setting, exceptional service and quintessential vineyard views.

www.ameliaparkrestaurant.com.au | Caves Road, Willyabrup | Phone (08) 9755 6747

CHOW'S TABLE

Traditional Chinese/Malay cuisine with a modern twist. The restaurant itself is set before the ever-changing vines of House of Cards Winery Yallingup.

Chef Malcom Chow has honed his skills in some of the best restaurants in Australia including Vue de Monde in Melbourne and Tetsuya's in Sydney.

www.chowstable.com.au | 5 Quinninup Road, Yallingup | Phone (08) 9755 2681

RUSTICO AT HAYSHED HILL

Located at the picturesque Hay Shed Hill vineyard is Rustico Margaret River.

Rustico serves premium Hay Shed Hill wines alongside their delicious 5 course degustation menu and offers carefully curated wine pairings with each delicious course. Every course was a masterpiece with superb flavors, that resulted in a very well executed fine dining experience.

www.rusticotapas.com.au | 511 Harmans Mill Rd, Wilyabrup WA 6280 | Phone (08) 9755 6455

Vasse Felix Restaurant

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Image below of the barrel room, courtesy of Amelia Park.