Food & Drink

The Best Margaret River Restaurants To Visit This Summer

By Claire Logan
13th Oct 2023

Margaret River/Wadandi Boodja is home to some of the best places to wine and dine in all of WA (if not the whole country), which can make it kind of hard to narrow down their itineraries when making the trip down south. From low key lunch spots and iconic pubs to vineyards and fine dining excellence, there's plenty to tempt you here.

Allow us at Urban List to help you out with this list of the best restaurants in Margaret River town as well as those must-visit spots in the wider Margaret River region... because when the food's this good, it's worth the extra kms.

Normal Van Main Street

115-117 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285

Normal Van burger
Image credit: Normal Van | Instagram

Anyone who heads down south regularly will already know about Normal Van. Headed up by Canadian Chef Robert Webster and his partner Jess Waldron, they're known for slinging probably the best North American eats in the whole south west. Up until recently, though, they didn't have a permanent residence so you had to keep up to date on socials if you wanted to track 'em down.

Thankfully, they've got a shiny new spot to call home on Marg's main street. Here you can take a seat out in the courtyard or slide into a cosy booth and try your best to choose from bacon cheeseburgers, crispy chicken burgers and other good stuff before washing it down with a cracking little glass of something special from the fun booze menu. You are in Margaret River after all.

Glenarty Road

70 Glenarty Rd, Karridale WA 6288

Glenarty Road in Margaret River
Image credit: Glenarty Road | Cassandra Charlick

This regenerative farm, vineyard and restaurant has quickly risen to the top of every foodie's down south must-visit list. Choose from a three or five course sustainable farm-to-table feast with matched wines and they'll bring out plate upon plate of fresh, seasonal, hyperlocal produce for you to devour from fluffy focaccia with house made curd and top to tail charcuterie through to grass-fed Glenarty Road lamb with zucchini and sweet corn.

If you're not up for a full meal you can just go for a grazing spread out on the lawn. There's also farm and garden tours on offer if you want the full experience.

Miki’s Open Kitchen

131 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285

Miki’s Open Kitchen is home to head chef/genius/culinary wizard Mikihito Nagai and some of the best Japanese food in the entire state. Book ahead (like as far ahead as possible) and choose between four different degustation menus (including one for kids), sit back and enjoy the show of your dinner being made in front of you in the open kitchen. 

Vasse Felix

aves Road (Cnr, Tom Cullity Dr, Cowaramup WA 6284

Vasse Felix in Margaret River
Image credit: Vasse Felix | Instagram

Margaret River’s founding wine estate Vasse Felix has aged beautifully. Its stunning cellar door, restaurant and gallery fuses rustic charm and modern edge, creating the perfect spot to spend a sunny afternoon perched beside the region’s oldest vineyard, with some damn good wine in hand.

Cullen

4323 Caves Rd, Wilyabrup WA 6280

Another pioneer of Margaret River’s wine industry, Cullen Wines is not to be missed on any good down south trip. Cullen does things differently on a fully biodynamic, carbon neutral and naturally powered estate, that features a downright beautiful granite and timber cellar door and restaurant. Go for a tasting with the friendly and knowledgeable staff or enjoy lunch under the peppermint trees while looking out over the vineyards.

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The Common

1 Resort Pl, Gnarabup WA 6285

The Common in Margaret River
Image credit: The Common | Instagram

Come 4pm The Common fills with locals and holiday goers keen to soak up the last of the day's sunshine over a few drinks. Get there early to secure a seat on the deck and go for the fish tacos when you're feeling peckish—they're so popular, you'll see one on almost every table.

Fishbone

422 Harmans Mill Rd, Wilyabrup WA 6280

A cellar door with a great casual Japanese menu, Fishbone is an awesome spot for a sunny lunch amongst the vines that won't break the bank. Go for the karaage chicken and some sushi rolls to share or slurp down a whole bowl of spicy miso ramen if it's chilly out. They also have a stellar takeaway sushi offering if you're after something to go.

Swings And Roundabouts

2807 Caves Rd, Yallingup WA 6282

Whether you're enjoying a woodfired pizza feed out at the Yallingup vineyard (preferably on one of the actual swing seats) or perched at a street front table overlooking Margaret River's main strip, Swings And Roundabouts is always a good time. The hot salami pizza topped with chill honey and a side of crisp rosé is our f0rever go to.

Rustico At Hayshed Hill

511 Harmans Mill Rd, Wilyabrup WA 6280

Rustico at Hayshed Hill in Margaret River
Image credit: Rustico | Instagram

Rustico at Hayshed Hill is known for serving one of the best degustations in Margaret River under $100. The five-course chef’s menu will set you back $79 and is our favourite way to eat here. Add matching wines (which come very generously poured, you’ve been warned) for $49 or grab a jug of red, white or rosé sangria to share.

Chow's Table

Unit 12/5 Quininup Rd, Yallingup WA 6282

A lunch feast at Chow's Table is an absolute must if you're heading down south. The vibes here are awesome and Head Chef Mal Chow's contemporary Chinese/Malay menu is crazy good. We recommend making room for a serve of the roast duck and Chow's famous roti on your table, but everything's pretty incredible. Once you're done you can zip over to the House Of Cards cellar door for a wine tasting—it's located just over the grass.

Morries

2/149 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285

Perfect for date night or dinner and drinks with the girls, Morries is a cosy tapas joint and award-winning small bar in the heart of Margaret River. Take a seat in the garden terrace and watch the world go by or get up close and personal with the master mixologists at the bar—you can check out their skills as they put together all kinds of drool-worthy drinks. Cocktail lovers will want to get down here for mega hour from 5pm to 6pm, where they sling two for $30 cocktails, and if you’re more into beer or wine, you can pore over the extensive drinks list which has plenty of local and international offerings.

Yarri

Unit 7/16 Cyrillean Way, Dunsborough WA 6281

Yarri in Margaret River
Image credit: Yarri | Instagram

From the moment you walk into Yarri, you know you're in for something special. The modern Australian set menu crafted by chef Aaron Carr will take you on a gourmet tasting trip through the region's best, with seasonal local produce a-plenty and fresh picks plucked straight outta their garden. Kick off your experience with a round of cocktails before the drool-worthy sourdough arrives, then settle in for Snake + Herring's delish wine pairings with each course. 

Pizzica

73 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285

Located in the undercroft of the iconic Bridgefield Guest House you’ll find Pizzica, a little slice of Southern Italy right here in our south west. Come hungry and peruse the three-page menu loaded with every type of pizza imaginable, a delicious selection of antipasti, mains such as charcoal grilled pork ribs and Polpo alla griglia—grilled octopus with capsicums, olives, capers and crostini—and authentic desserts that will transport your taste buds straight to Italy.

Teddi’s Big Spoon

113A Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285

When those Korean BBQ cravings hit, waste no time in hitting up Teddi’s Big Spoon. Catering to all appetites and diets (yep, even vegetarians will be spoilt for choice here), Teddi’s offers a stacked traditional BBQ menu alongside more incredible rice and noodle dishes than you could poke your chopsticks at. The most popular menu item is the premium set, which will see you sizzling your way through a generous variety of cuts of beef and your choice of pork or chicken with rice, miso soup and salad for $80 between two people. Did we mention this joint is BYO? You’re in for a guaranteed good time.

Brewhouse

35 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285

Brewhouse in Margaret River
Image credit: Brewhouse | Instagram

Close to town, Brewhouse is a laidback brewery with live music, a beautiful outdoor seating area and a toasty fireplace for when it gets chilly. The 1940s cottage has been transformed and the open kitchen serves up good local produce, including a mean beef brisket and a spicy Asian-style squid salad that gets both the eyes and mouth watering. The beer list covers all the lager and pilsner lovers, but the hop-heavy brews are what shine. The northwest US-inspired Red Tail IPA is an especially tasty concoction of four hops. 

Burger Baby

2 Andrews Way, Margaret River WA 6285

The trio of local guys behind Burger Baby have well and truly mastered the art of comfort food. Slinging massive burgers with generous sides, crispy chicken wings drizzled in tantalising sauces, chargrilled steaks and epic snacks like onion rings, pork bites and brisket loaded chips, it’s no surprise they’ve become one of the top spots in town. And if you prefer to enjoy your comfort food in bed, you can even jump online and have Burger Baby delivered right to your door.

Wills Domain

17 Brash Rd, Yallingup WA 6282

Wills Domain in the Margaret River region
Image credit: Wills Domain | Instagram

We've had a permanent crush on Wills Domain since the first time we sat down amongst the vines for one of Chef Seth James' delightful degustations. And while James may have flown the coup to create a new vision at Frui Momento in Margaret River, the team at Wills Domain continue to knock out aesthetically pleasing, technically brilliant and mind-blowingly tasty plates as if he never left. 

Margaret River Tuck Shop

147 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River WA 6285

Open for lunch and dinner from Thursday to Monday, Margaret River Tuck Shop's menu celebrates the very best produce that WA has to offer. Their Albany rock oysters simply can’t be missed, and the Margaret River wagyu steak served with native bush tomato mojo, chimichurri, hand crushed duck fat potatoes and chipotle aioli will absolutely blow your mind. These guys are also a top pick in town when it comes to pizza. Their sourdough is light, fluffy and made with love, and they have plenty of options for vegans, vegetarians, seafood lovers and carnivores alike.

Wild Hop Brewing Co

1301 Wildwood Rd, Yallingup WA 6282

Epic brews paired with yummy wood-fired eats fresh out of the oven makes Wild Hop a pretty darn special spot for a casual lunch. Throw on the lush outdoor area and friendly service and you've got yourself a real winner. 

Once you've eaten your way through Margaret River, why not check out:

Main image credit: Vasse Felix | Instagram

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