7 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.

After a day at the beach, stop at the Eagle Bay Brewing Co. to grab a six-beer tasting flight so you can sample the company's many craft creations, then have a ball seeing which ones best complement your lunch. The food is pure gastropub in a casual yet upscale setting with an alfresco dining area that overlooks rolling, green pastures that stretch towards the sea.

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.

Sometimes you don’t need to dab foams or spread purees across a plate to impress; sometimes you just have to serve up consistently good, hearty fare that fills the belly and doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket. The crowds at this pub are testament to the fact that Settler's got the formula right, be it a thick scotch fillet cooked to perfection or a vegan plate of joy featuring a lentil patty, ratatouille, and brown rice. The awards keep piling in, too. They've been commended for their wine, beer, and hospitality.  The kitchen often closes at 8:30 pm so get there earlier

This is fancy-pants food at its best as the meals are not only palatable to the taste buds, but also to the eyes. Nominated for six Gold Plate awards and featured in Trip Advisor's top 10% worldwide restaurants, this "art of cooking" lunch venue is a feast for the eyes and stomach. Choose from light or hearty share plates that feature an abundance of locally sourced ingredients such as WA seafood, wagyu beef, and seasonal vegetables. Remember to always leave room for dessert.