The best winery restaurants in Margaret River

Monique CeccatoBy Monique Ceccato
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From bountiful farmhouse feasts to refined multi-course degustations worthy of a fine art exhibition, consider this your ultimate guide to wining and dining in The Margaret River region.

The Margaret River region’s Mediterranean climate is ideal for viticulture. And since the first vines were planted at regional pioneer Vasse Felix in 1967, wineries have sprung up in almost every direction, from Busselton in the north to Augusta in the south. Today, the local industry numbers more than 200-strong, has close to 100 cellar doors, and has an ever-growing contingent of top-notch winery restaurants that are expressive of the region.

While this idyllic pocket of WA has garnered many a column inch for its wine, particularly chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, over the last two decades, it’s at risk of becoming overshadowed by the burgeoning local winery restaurant scene.

Now a hotbed for veteran chefs from across the country and abroad, as well as creatively minded up-and-comers, the Margaret River plays host to a raft of critically acclaimed eateries, many of which boast dramatic vineyard views, and, of course, tightly curated wine pairing menus that often encompass both current vintages and harder to find cellared wines.

While you may not be able to get to all of the winery restaurants in Margaret River in just one trip, a few certainly deserve a spot at the top of your holiday to-do list. Read on for details of where to start.

The shortlist:

Vasse Felix

the indoor dining at Vasse Felix, Margaret River
Indulge in a menu that highlights regional flavours and creativity, complemented by the their award-winning wines. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Thanks to Dr Tom Cullity, who decided to become a winemaker in the 1960s, Vasse Felix is home to the oldest vines in Margaret River. Today, the winery continues to raise the bar with outstanding chardonnay, as well as masterful Modern Australian fare. Under the guidance of head chef Cam Jones, the kitchen has gone from strength to strength, showcasing local produce in a truly unique way. Dining here is akin to performance art, with all the meals served on beautiful pottery hand-thrown by local ceramist and master potter Ian Beniston.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Address: Caves Road (corner of Tom Cullity Dr), Cowaramup

Amelia Park Restaurant

a waiter serving customers outside Amelia Park Restaurant, Margaret River
Relax with a glass of wine on the deck.

Though unassuming when you first arrive, Amelia Park Restaurant is anything but. Opened in 2017 by husband and wife duo Blair and Renee Allen, the sleek dining room is impressive on all fronts. Renee is in charge of the front-of-house, where you can expect impeccable service and panoramic views of the vines, while Blair heads up the culinary side. He’s centred the kitchen around the Jarrah-fired oven and grill and the a la carte menu around Amelia Park’s high-quality beef, lamb, and homegrown heirloom vegetables. Like most regional menus, it changes seasonally, but ordering the Amelia Park lamb is always a good idea.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$-$$$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Address: 3857 Caves Rd, Wilyabrup

Leeuwin Estate

a couple enjoying wine on the outdoor deck of Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River
Savour the art of fine dining in a picturesque setting (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Renowned for its Art Series wines, in-house art gallery, and staging of summer concerts, Leeuwin Estate’s in-house restaurant has five-star alfresco dining with sweeping views over the neighbouring karri forest. The Leeuwin Restaurant menu, driven by head chef Dan Gedge, doesn’t shy away from less quotidian ingredients: indulge in the restaurant’s six-course tasting menu, and you might sample cuttlefish, raw scallop, and Akoya pearl oysters. If you’re looking for an extra special occasion venue for lunch in the Margaret River, this is it.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Address: Stevens Rd, Witchcliffe

Fishbone Wines

the winery restaurant exterior of Fishbone Wines, Margaret River
Delight in the unique flavours of Japan at Fishbone Restaurant.

In a region climactically similar to the Mediterranean, it’s fair that the wines and menus lean into the flavours and styles of the region. That makes Fishbone Wines and their Japanese restaurant an anomaly. To pair with their fresh, fruit-forward wines, the casual eatery has curated a menu boasting salmon sashimi, beef tataki, and different sushi rolls, even dipping into Korean-inspired cuisine with bulgogi fries and a bulgogi bowl. In a big win for Fishbone, they’re one of the few Margaret River winery restaurants that welcome dogs (on the terrace only).

Cuisine: Japanese

Average price: $$ – $$$

Atmosphere: Casual

Address: 3857 Caves Rd, Wilyabrup

Voyager Estate

the dining interior of Voyager Estate
Everything from the furnishings to the food celebrates the region’s classic wine-country charm. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The expansive and meticulously groomed gardens at Voyager Estate are much adored, as are this winery’s organically farmed reds, whites, and rosés. But to visit and forego a long lunch at this winery’s restaurant would be regrettable. Besides the grand feel of the dining room, with its lofty ceilings and chandeliers, there’s an equally impressive menu, one which pays homage to the seasons and complements the estate’s grapes. Expect dishes such as cured and smoked local mackerel with deep-fried curry leaf and a medley of sea greens, and seared venison with fermented and fresh rhubarb.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Address: 41 Stevens Rd, Margaret River

Swings & Roundabouts

friends dining al fresco at Swings & Roundabouts, Yallingup
Enjoy lunch outdoors on the spacious deck. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

For wine and a feed without the five-star finery, book a table at Swings & Roundabouts . Here, they bring casual, brewery-esque fare—think pumpkin and pancetta gnocchi or a garlic-marinated prawn woodfired pizza—to the table, along with approachable Meditteranean-style wines. It’s good, honest food in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere. Kids even have their own succinct menu to order from and a gelato bar to patronise for dessert.

Cuisine: Italo-Australian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Casual

Address: 2807 Caves Rd, Yallingup

Glenarty Road

the view of the vines from Glenarty Road
Glenarty Road winery and restaurant is set on a working farm.

A self-proclaimed ‘little farm’, Glenarty Road is much more than the sum of its parts. This Karridale winery has been in the same hands for five generations, and the warm homeliness and hospitality radiate out of the simple timber farmhouse, which sits in the midst of the working farm. Despite the moreish food, impressive cool-climate wines, and fetching rustic chic interiors, which look plucked straight from the pages of Vogue Living magazine, both the restaurant and winery are gloriously devoid of any wine snobbery or culinary pomp. The three- and five-course house feasts are a celebration of the regenerative farm’s bountiful produce, best enjoyed with a glass of the estate’s ‘wild wines’. It’s not just fruit trees and veggie patches supplying the restaurant’s pantry either: owners Ben and Sasha McDonald rear their own grass-fed cattle and sheep, and even the charcuterie is housemade here.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$-$$$$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Address: 70 Glenarty Rd, Karridale

Wise Wine

As far as claims to fame go, Wise Wine ’s is monumental; it’s the only Margaret River winery restaurant with a view of both vines and the ocean. Seeing the glistening Eagle Bay from the dining room is reason enough to visit. However, the approachable, modern Australian menu and extensive wine portfolio—directed by Larry Cherubino of Cherubino Wines —only add to the venue’s allure. There’s a wide spread of meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes to order a la carte, changing regularly to reflect what’s in season.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Address: 237 Eagle Bay Rd Eagle Bay, Naturaliste

Rústico at Hay Shed Hill

External shot of Rustico at Hays Shed Hill Margaret River
Rustico at Hay Shed Hill delivers a different kind of winery restaurant experience. (Image: Paris Hawken Photography)

Modern Australian cuisine reigns supreme in these parts, but it’s not the only offering. At Hay Shed Hill , tapas is on the menu instead. Diners at Rustico Margaret River can savour a shared degustation menu that spans ten different dishes across five courses and includes some surprisingly luxe ingredients for the rather reasonable price of $85 a head – think Abrolhos Island scallops, western rock lobster, and duck liver. It’s a seriously indulgent feed.

Cuisine: Spanish

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Casual

Address: 511 Harmans Mill Rd, Wilyabrup

Cullen Wines

Biodynamics is as important as a perfectly balanced wine to the team at Cullen Wines . All grapes are sourced from the winery’s two Biological Farmers Association of Australia-certified vineyards, and 90% of the produce used on the restaurant’s set menu comes from its five separate biodynamically cultivated gardens. The result? A nutrient-rich and unbelievably tasty four-course meal designed by head chef Ben Day that showcases produce in its purest form.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Address: 4323 Caves Rd, Wilyabrup

Wills Domain

friends dining inside Wills Domain, Margaret River
The menu at Wills Domain is thoughtfully crafted to enhance the wine selection. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

To reach the heady heights of fine dining nirvana, book a table at Wills Domain .

This Margaret River winery restaurant’s eight-course ‘chef’s signature’ degustation menu (you’ll want a three-hour seating for it) is overseen by veteran chef and culinary director Jed Gerrard – who steered eminent Perth restaurant Wildflower to critical acclaim – and the talented Sergio Labbe, who heads up the team as chef de cuisine.

Expect a menu littered with sustainable, wild-harvested produce and a who’s who of the finest WA ingredients, such as Manjimup rainbow trout and truffles, Arkady lamb and Wagin duck.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$-$$$$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Address: 17 Brash Rd, Yallingup

For more insider tips and inspiration, see our ultimate travel guide to Margaret River.

Monique Ceccato
Monique Ceccato is a freelance travel writer and photographer hailing from Perth. Though she now spends most of her time overseas, WA's sandy beaches, jarrah forests and world-class food and wine scene will always feel like home.
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6 reasons the best way to experience the Kimberley is by cruise

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

    Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

    The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs.
    Adventure starts where the road ends.

    1. Discover Broome, and beyond

    Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

    At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

    If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

    Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea.
    Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

    2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

    Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

    At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

    Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

    Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

    A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters.
    Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

    3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

    You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

    Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

    4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

    These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

    If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

    Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

    A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs.
    Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

    5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

    Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

    A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance.
    See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

    6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

    You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

    Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

    If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

    aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia
    Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

    Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .