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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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.