10 of the best restaurants on Rottnest Island

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
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Chow for now: the best places to eat and drink while exploring Rottnest Island.

After spending lazy, hazy days on your favourite patch of sand, hunt down the best spots for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. Our pick of the best places to eat and drink on Rottnest Island spans a dinky bakery known for its jam doughnuts to a low-key wood-fired pizzeria and a cool beach club hideout.

Ready for a feast? Here are the best Rottnest Island restaurants.

1. Lontara at Samphire Resort

Chef Russell Blaikie is known as a master of seafood and his menu at Lontara, part of the Prendiville Group, is dedicated to tracing the maritime spice routes that have influenced Southeast Asian food culture. The restaurant is located in the heart of the Samphire Resort, which along with the quokka, has caused Rottnest Island stocks to soar. Expect world-class produce such as charred Fremantle octopus, Albany rock oysters, and chilli salt soft shell crab tempura.

Food at Lontara Rottnest Island
Lontara offers sophisticated beachside dining. (Image: Rottnest Island Authority)

2. Hotel Rottnest Bar and Bistro

Spend the day snorkelling off the coast of Rottnest Island, one of the top things to do here, and then come ashore to the Hotel Rottnest Bar + Bistro in Thomson Bay when the afternoon sun is slanting low in the sky. Drop anchor on the deck and order crisp Shark Bay calamari, Albany rock oysters, and grilled northwest snapper from the seasonally inspired menu while admiring the eternal blue of the Indian Ocean.

Hotel Rottnest
Hotel Rottnest is a local landmark.

3. Frankies on Rotto

Oh to be a castaway on Rottnest Island and have to survive on food from Frankie’s On Rotto! The casual restaurant welcomes all comers – including quokkas, who have been known to make cameos on the deck. The eatery is also popular with families who nudge their children toward the nearby playground while waiting for their meals to arrive. Order bruschetta for breakfast, loaded fries for lunch and pepperoni pizza for dinner.

Pizza and pasta at Frankies On Rotto
Thrive on food from Frankie’s On Rotto! (Image: Rottnest Island Authority)

4. Geordie Cafe & Art Gallery

The Geordie Cafe & Art Gallery is a good place to sample seasonal southwest Oz cuisine. While away an afternoon here and you will get a serve of art on the side: the licensed cafe doubles as a gallery where diners sit and sip espresso (or something stronger) surrounded by artworks of the island. Pick up some paninis to take away for a picnic on Geordie Bay or colonise a corner of the café to enjoy oyster po’ boy sliders.

The Geordie Cafe & Art Gallery
The Geordie Cafe & Art Gallery is a good place to sample seasonal cuisine.

5. Pinky’s

Set below Bathurst Point Lighthouse, Pinky’s has views over Pinky Beach and is the ultimate wind-down destination after a day of sun, sea and sand. Keep it simple and seasonal with a toasted cheese and mushroom sanga or level up with lobster with smashed cucumber and green goddess dressing.

Pinky’s Beach Club.
Local catch at Pinky’s Beach Club.

6. HAVZA

The newly-opened eatery, HAVZA brings the flavours of the Mediterranean to Rottnest Island. Positioned alongside the shores of The Basin, you’ll enjoy a relaxed tapas experience with dishes such as crayfish borek with bechamel and dill, spanakopita, and spotted cod with charred green beans. Keep in mind that HAVZA is season-dependent and will re-open in November 2024.

7. The Lane Cafe

Anchor your mega yacht and shimmy ashore in your best-bejewelled sandals and nautical stripes for breakfast at The Lane Cafe . Sip on freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and acai bowls at The Lane, which is located in Sommerville Mall. The menu riffs on classic mod-Oz comfort cuisine such as red wine-braised beef cheeks with celeriac puree and roast heirloom carrots (a winter dish) and Lane lunch bowls such as halloumi and roast pumpkin salad.

The Lane burger
The Lane provides classic mod-Oz comfort.

8. Isola Bar & Restaurant

Island time calls for relaxed, aperitivo afternoons sipping on spritzes, and Isola Bar e Cibo is the best spot to do it. The Italian-inspired venue boasts a breezy coastal aesthetic to match the tasty Italian menu (Think: burrata with heirloom tomato and basil oil, calamari fritti, and tiramisu), all to be enjoyed while taking in the South Thompson Bay views.

Isola Rottnest Island
Enjoy tasty Italian fare made with quality WA produce.

9. Lexi’s on Rotto

Lexi’s is as redolent of Rotto as the island’s rugged landscape. Park on the red-and-white striped deckchairs outside the e mobile food van – located at West End – to enjoy hot and cold drinks (chai lattes or an iced long black) – and snacks such as muffins, protein balls, toasties, pies and soup. Open every day from 10 am to 3 pm, the van is the little sister to Frankie’s on Rotto and is now as much a part of the landscape as the nearby Wadjemup Lighthouse.

Lexi’s on Rotto
The magical mobile cafe and coffee van on Rottnest Island.

10. Rottnest Bakery

Be sure to arrive early at Rottnest Bakery,  one of the best places to eat on Rottnest Island, to get your hands on a sticky jam-filled doughnut. It’s well worth making the pilgrimage to pick up everything from fresh pastries for a family picnic or a round of hot coffees and croissants to go. The bakery, which is also known for its pies, has also opened the Chook Shack which sells a beautifully basted bird with hot chips.

Beachside pie from rottnest bakery
Be sure to arrive early to Rottnest Bakery.

This article was originally written by Carla Grossetti and updated by Rachael Thompson

Unlock more of Rottnest Island before you visit with our travel guide.
Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
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    The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

    Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts  that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

    A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead.
    Dine in the heart of nature.

    Your guide to Lake Argyle

    The backstory

    With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

    The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

    Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

    A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation.
    Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

    The rooms

    A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

    The facilities

    There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

    If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

    Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

    Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

    Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks.
    Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

    Your guide to El Questro

    The backstory

    One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

    The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

    A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity.
    Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

    The rooms

    Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

    At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

    Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

    Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below.
    Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

    The facilities

    Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

    Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

    A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty.
    Experience thrilling nature activities.

    Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.