5 Best Restaurants in The South West Wine Region, Western Australia

The newest kid on the Margaret River block, boutique winery Arimia Estate has a charming, tree-surrounded cellar door and restaurant with a wraparound veranda perfect for lazy afternoons. Make a beeline for the deck, and stay for a light lunch after sampling their award-winning wines. Savor the delicious pork shoulder rillette, before moving on to marinated cuttlefish with saffron dressing, braised goat ragout with gnocchi and chèvre, or a wood-fired pizza. Kids' meals are also available. Family-owned and -run since 1997 (the name Arimia is a combination of the owners' two daughter's names), the wines are described as “avant-garde” and aimed at the refined palette, categorized as Premium, Prestige, and Reserve. If you want to properly settle in, there's a guesthouse on-site. Don't be put off by the 2-km (1-mile) dirt road; it's well kept.

If you're into boozy craft beer and gourmet pub food, do not miss lunch at this family-owned brewery restaurant. Wild Hop Brewery opened in February 2019 and they haven't missed a beat since. Brewmasters Chalky and Dillon are always coming up with unique blends and hoppy creations with unusual and humorous names to boot. Popular mainstay brews include Short Shorts Czech Pilsner and Lazy Answers Pale Ale. On the food menu, you'll find familiar American favorites such as deep-fried dill pickles and Brewer's Buns with inspired flavors like chilli dog or Philly cheese steak. 

Just off Smiths Beach is the chic eatery-cum-delicatessan-cum–cellar door, Lamont's. It does a fantastic breakfast—think cured salmon with scrambled eggs—and is popular for "sundowners," which is the local description for a glass of wine at sunset, often with tapas. Café lunches are lovely and simple, but more refined options are available in the restaurant. From noon till late, dine on sage and prosciutto-wrapped chicken breast with whipped feta; confit duck leg drizzled with vino cotto jus; or grilled local snapper with a side of organic quinoa salad. Executive chef Kate Lamont is CEO and ambassador for Lamont's (check out her cookbooks). You're welcome to pop in for wine tasting at the adjoined wine store and deli without eating at the restaurant.

This upscale restaurant has impressive modern architecture, from big windows to a wraparound deck that offers uninterrupted views of the vineyard. The seasonal menu, inspired by local produce, may include favorites like local marron and slow-braised lamb shoulder.

There's an adjacent café with an enclosed children's playground and an appropriate, cheaper menu that caters to kids but still scores on the flavor scale in a casual setting.

Verdant bushland, manicured vineyards and expansive views all the way down to Geographe Bay are show-stopping features of this modern restaurant. Expect the unexpected and be pleasantly surprised by culinary creations that change with the turning of each season. In keeping, the accent is on the use of fresh, local produce. Look out for house-cured salmon, crunchy edged pork belly with creamed truffle potatoes, or the Amelia Park lamb rack with polenta and pine nuts. The extensive dessert menu is just as appealing, so leave room for sweets. On Friday night, pasta and risotto dishes are featured.