Wednesday, October 27, 2021

10 of the best fine-dining experiences in Margaret River

Voyager Estate, Margaret River – 14 September 2016 – Photoraph by David Dare Parker

These are the mouth-watering dining experiences you’ll be smiling wistfully about for years to come.

 

If you’re ready to get your tastebuds tingling and your fingers tapping away as you frantically book a table, settle in for a culinary journey through the most superb fine dining establishments the South West has to offer, and in the prettiest postcard-perfect settings. Consider this a bucket list for your tastebuds.

 

Top 10 fine dining restaurants in the Margaret River region

 

Voyager Estate

The moment you start up the pathway flanked by manicured greenery, iconic Cape Dutch-inspired buildings ahead, you just know this is something special. Led by Spaniard – and all-round wizard in the kitchen – Santi Fernandez, Voyager is a genuine 10/10 gourmet experience. Choose the 7-course ‘Discovery’ degustation (available with wine pairing or wine flight) or the 4-course ‘Terroir’. The meals are in perfect harmony with the organically-farmed Voyager Estate wines and  their Claire Tonon was recently named as WA Good Food Guide’s Regional Sommelier of the Year. Open for lunch only.

Leeuwin Estate

The grounds that have accommodated countless Gourmet Escape events and Leeuwin Concerts remains one of the region’s most spectacular dining venues. Sit on the balcony at Leeuwin Estate overlooking a calm meadow surrounded by towering karri forest, as you savour the 3-course ‘Seasonal’ or 6-course ‘Tasting’ menu. Warm and rustic, with the very finest food and wine (the opulent Art Series is a must), there’s even the option of arriving by helicopter. Open for lunch only.

Amelia Park Restaurant

Since opening in 2017, the sophisticated Amelia Park Restaurant has built up a loyal following. Elegant and refined, yet radiating warm and genuine hospitality, you’ll love the chandeliers hanging above your head, big windows overlooking tranquil vineyards, and the cosy fire crackling in the corner. Although every morsel here is incredible, the meat and dessert offerings are particularly delicious. A la carte menu, and open for lunch only.

Aravina Estate

When you arrive, it will dawn on you exactly why this is one of the most popular wedding venues in the Margaret River region. Feeling like you’ve stepped onto the set of a charming rom-com, you’ll navigate your way past lush gardens, stunning hydraengas and a serene lake. Melt into relaxation mode as you savour Aravina Estate’s 2- or 3-course menus that focus on organic and sustainable produce. There’s a playground and sprawling lawns on premises for kids to enjoy themselves too. Open for lunch only.


Yarri

An intimate establishment co-owned by widely-respected and admired chef Aaron Carr (who steered Vasse Felix’s restaurant to its decades-long acclaimed status), Yarri has been a welcome addition to the urban Dunsborough scene. The theme here is all about authentic unfussy food, local producers, and a hint of native flavours. The beauty is in the simplicity of ingredients that will blow you away. The 3-course menu is available for dinner and also for lunch on the weekend.

 

Wills Domain

Bestowed with so many awards that would make others green with envy, this 2-Hatted fine dining restaurant offers one of the most arresting vistas in the South West. Story book rolling hills with the sparkling bays in the distance, Wills Domain is a rare treat that manages to combine brilliant cuisine but in a slightly more relaxed Down South atmosphere. Open for a la carte lunch and degustation, but do note you’ll need to book the dego 24-hours in advance.

Vasse Felix

As the founding Margaret River winery, Vasse Felix is used to being a trendsetter. Recent winner of the WA Good Food Guide’s Restaurant of the Year for 2021 and Head Chef, Brendan Pratt, named Regional Chef of the Year. Resting on the verandah looking across the mesmerising view of row after row of vines, a delicious premium drop in hand, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be at that moment. There’s the option of the tasting menu or a la carte dining. The latter is a great option if you want a top notch meal but you’re not in the position for a full degustation afternoon. Open for lunch only.

Lamont’s Smiths Beach

Just metres away from Yallingup’s Smiths Beach, this is perfect for high-end family meals, group outings, and date nights. Stroll along the shore hand-in-hand as you discuss how delicious that meal was, watching the waves splash onto the sand. Offering a la carte dining, Lamont’s is open and airy – just as a beachside eatery should be. Open for breakfast and dinner during the week, with the addition of lunch on the weekend.


Cullen Wines

As the first Margaret River winery in the ‘70s to offer local food with wine tasting, the team at Cullen Wines knows what they’re doing. Step inside this delightful venue and get ready for a sustainable and innovative experience. More than 90% of produce is grown in the Cullen kitchen gardens, and the 4-course set menu is paired with biodynamic wines. The winery is certified A Grade Organic, A Grade Biodynamic, and carbon neutral. Open for lunch only.


Wise Restaurant

So you want amazing food, great service, beautiful surroundings, but on the slightly more casual side? This isn’t an impossible ask. Eagle Bay’s Wise Winery Restaurant has been a fixture on every foodies go-to list for a long time. With Meelup Brook babbling by and idyllic sunny bays a short drive away, this is the ideal way to wave goodbye to the loveliest of holidays. Open for lunch, plus dinner on Saturdays.

 

All ten of these venues offer an unforgettable fine dining experience. Book your luxury holiday to the Margaret River wine region today.

 

You might also like:

Top 10 winery experiences in the South West

The ultimate meat lovers trail through the Margaret River region

After dark: the best bars in the Margaret River region

The perfect picnic in Margaret River

 

 

 

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