Eating out
With so many different eateries around the Dunsborough and Yallingup area, we thought we’d offer a little local input as to which ones are our favourite to frequent. We’ve also listed a few choice menu items we can’t live without!
Breakfast and lunch.
Goanna Gallery and Bush Cafe. Set in bushland off Hayes Rd, this bustling art-house café, does a roaring breakfast trade with great coffee and, there’s a playground and bush tracks to keep the little ones entertained. We are massive fans of the Indo Breakfast: spiced coconut rice with a friend egg, spinach, avocado, pesto coriander and sweet soy dressing. It always takes me back to a post 3-hour surf breakfast pig-out, in Sumbawa or Nusa Lembongan. I also normally share a milk chocolate Rocky Road slice with my dining companion as well.
Lunch here is also a gastronomical delight and if you like fresh and beautifully prepared food with a menu that is not ambiguous, then get along to Goanna Gallery.
Indo Breakfast at Goanna Gallery & Bush Cafe.
Eagle Bay Brewing Company. Years ago, when we were young adults just out of our teens, a few local mates (all siblings) talked of running their own brewery on their family farm and making their own beer. Flashforward to a decade later, and Eagle Bay Brewing Company stands as a testament to local motivation, innovation and food and beer sensation! This is one of the busiest breweries in the area and each of the siblings (and now their wives/partners/husbands) each play a vital role in all aspects of the brewery, from actually brewing the beer, to front of house management and training their huge team of staff, plus marketing AND I’ve even seen their mum polishing cutlery on busy days ! it’s fair to say they are all truly invested in their business and it reflects in the casual, relaxed and authentic vibe you feel when you are there.
Take your kids, take your friends, book a long table and prepare to enjoy the sunshine, beer (wine and bubbles as well) for hours. It’s a great place for a long lunch but essential to book. They serve standard brewery type meals: burgers, fish n chips, pizzas and ploughman’s lunches. There’s ample space for the kids to run and kick a footy on the lawn. The view of the working farm through to the coast and lighthouse only enhances your dining experience.
For Directions Click Here
eaglebaybrewingco.com.au
@eaglebaybrewingco
Lunch & dinner.
Blue Manna Bistro. This is my absolute favourite restaurant in town. I can’t quite tell if it’s the perfectly made espresso martini I order on arrival, or the warm cob bread with truffle butter that arrives as entrée that gets me stoked. Or, is it the oysters stuffed with crab meat, the sashimi salad, or prawn stuffed chicken wings that seriously make my gastronomical day? I think it’s ALL of the above, plus everything else on their menu that makes it so fantastic.
My friends and I tend to order a lot of share plates so we can try everything and you can even up quantities to suit your group size. The waiters are friendly and efficient and I feel these guys never put a foot wrong. This is the place I not only send all my guests to, but purchase gift vouchers for my friends and family for special occasions and, take my staff to a few times per year as a treat. Any excuse; I’m there.
For Directions Click Here
bluemannabistro.com.au
@bluemannabistro
Blue Manna, just perfect!
Spice Odyssey Indian Curry Van. On any day of the week with a T in it, so Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, you can find the Spice Odysee Indian Food van down at the Old Dunsborough boat ramp from 5 pm for a genuine and delicious Indian-inspired curry. From vegetable samosas to Masala potatoes, roti and naan bread, lamb korma, beef vindaloo, butter chicken curry, Palak paneer plus more; it’s a bonified taste sensation! Get there early (they are only permitted 2 hours of trade) take a blanket, chairs and esky with wine and beer and settle in on the foreshore for a ridgy-didge Indian curry food experience.
For Directions Click Here
facebook.com/SpiceOdyseefoodvan
@spice_odysee
Caves House Hotel. Caves House Hotel holds a special place in the town’s heart. It is the oldest watering hole in the region and is the original tourist destination once Ngilgi Caves was opened to the public back in 1901. She burned down in 1928 and was re-built during the 30’s which is evident by the glorious art deco interior which has been recently and lovingly restored. With heritage listed gardens, Caves House has been a honeymoon destination for eons and now is a popular wedding venue. It also has a massive beer garden and deck for a boozy lunch or sunset drink and the terrace is a great spot for a high tea. You can take your kids, dog and enjoy live music and great country pub style meals at this historic venue. Take a jumper or coat for after when the sun sets and check the specials board!
For Directions Click Here
caveshousehotelyallingup.com.au
@caveshousehotel
Oldest watering hole in the local area.
Little Fish. When I feel like a substantial and delicious meal, but not quite as ‘cheap and cheerful’ as a pub meal and my budget can’t extend to Blue Manna, I like to get myself to Little Fish off Gunyulgup Road, Yallingup. Having worked onsite as a waitress when it was Lamont’s, it’s such a treat to sit down and be waited on and take in the view of the lake and rolling hills. Quite frankly, I can’t get past the Blackened Fish with spicy Cajun seasoning and grilled in lemon butter sauce as my main meal. I always promise myself something different, maybe the penne chorizo, the chicken farfalle, the colossal spare ribs, or how about a vege tart or even the ‘scallomare’ combo? It’s no use, I always find myself back with the Blackened Fish and never disappointed with my choice! My next battle is deciding between lemon meringue pie or sticky date pudding for dessert? Kids welcome, bookings essential.
For Directions Click Here
littlefish.net.au
@littlefishyallingup
Spare rib delight.
Peko Peko. A family owned operation with a second outlet in Scarborough, Sam and her team pump out the sushi and rice paper rolls by the thousands to cater for the influx of tourists during peak season. Over Easter and Christmas, the line can snake all the way out the door and fold back on itself several times over! In slower times, Peko Peko is a super popular quick lunchtime fix for locals and mums on school drop off when they are out of bread at home.
From standard sushi, rice paper rolls, sashimi and miso soup plus salads and a huge range of dressings, it’s a great spot to sit under the trees for an informal lunch, or grab a few rolls for picnicking down at the beach. In the evening, Peko Peko makes hot noodle dishes, dumplings and teriyaki meals for take away and there’s an array of curries and rice meals to take home suited to the individual or families. Made daily (well, even hourly over busy times!) their chefs combine fresh ingredients with a dash of creativity to produce amazing fillings such as Balinese Sambal Chicken and Korean Beef to make it arguably one of the best sushi outlets in the State.