Western Australia Food

Because of the high standards for food and wine in the Margaret River area, eating out can be sensational. Cafes, bistros, restaurants, and gourmands line Bussell Hwy. and its few side streets in town. Not surprisingly, most eateries are BYO, meaning guests can bring their own wine to drink with their meal (though beware the corkage fee, which can be steep).

BYO-ers can choose between the Riverfresh IGA supermarket next to the visitors center on the Bussell Hwy. in Margaret River (open daily 7:30am-8pm) or the Coles supermarket opposite the public restrooms off of Bussell Hwy. (open daily 7:30am-7pm). Margaret River also hosts a market every Sunday (10am-1pm) on Bussell Hwy. across from the pharmacy. In Augusta, there is an IGA grocery store on Blackwood Ave. across the street from the visitors center, and a fruit market about 500m north. Small restaurants line Dunn Bay Road, which runs through Dunsborough. Many area wineries also have restaurants which serve lunch, though expect to pay top dollar. Margaret River’s laid-back nightlife begins in the evenings at Corner Bar in town on the corner of Bussell Hwy. and Willmott St. or Settlers Tavern farther along Bussell.

• Wino’s, 85 Bussell Hwy. (☎08 9758 7155). This trendy wine bar is the quintessential end to a Margaret River day; enjoy local shiraz under the cascading grape vines around the veranda. Serves light tapas appropriately named “bar grits” ($5-14), gourmet pizzas ($13.50), and more expensive main courses. Open daily 3pm-late. MC/V.
• Green Planet, 113b Bussell Hwy. (☎08 9757 3644; www.vegism.org). Wholesome, fresh vegan foods from curries to salads. Open W-Su 11:30am-9pm.
• Sails Cafe, 2/117 Bussell Hwy. (☎08 9757 3573). The terrace has great views for people-watching over Margaret River’s busiest street. Seels scrumptious homemade scones; lunch meals $7.50-18. Breakfast available all day (pancakes $9). Open daily 7am-4:30pm (kitchen open until 3pm). Cash only.
• Settler’s Tavern, 114 Bussell Hwy. (☎08 9757 2398). At the end of the night, all roads lead to Settler’s. Live bands 4 nights per week. Billiards and big-screen TV. Healthful, innovative dishes like spicy baja tacos ($12) until 8:30pm. YHA discount 10%. Cover varies. Open M-Th 11am-midnight, F 11am-1am, Sa 10am-1am, Su noon-10pm.

Busselton, Dunsborough, And Yallingup

• Dunsborough Bakery (☎08 9755 3137), in the Centrepoint Shopping Center on Dunn Bay Rd., Dunsborough, is legendary for its meat pies. The “surfer’s” bacon and egg pie ($4.60) is popular. Open daily 6:30am-5pm. Cash only.
• Evviva (☎08 9755 3811), on the corner of Cyrillean Way and Naturaliste Terr., Dunsborough. Take a break from tired breakfasts and indulge in muesli with yogurt and stewed fruit ($9). While most other spots stock their display cases with cakes and tarts, lovely Evviva’s is filled with fresh carrots, mangos, beetroot, and other ready-to-juice fruit and vegetables. Open daily 7am-2:30pm. Cash only.
• The Food Farmacy, Shop 9 in Dunsborough Park Shopping Centre, Dunn Bay Rd., Dunsborough (☎08 9759 1877). With menu titles like C6H12O6 (glucose), and salt, pepper, oil, and spice “shakers” that are actually test tubes displayed in racks on the table, it’s a modern gourmet joint with a keen sense of humor. Breakfast and lunch $6-40, pricier dinner $15-40. Open M-Tu and Th-Su 8am-late.

Augusta

• Augusta Bakery and Cafe, 121 Blackwood Ave. (☎08 9758 1664). A bakery with superb pastries and meat pies ($2-4). Gigantic, topping-laden pizzas F nights (small $7.50-10). Open daily; bakery 7am-4pm; cafe 7:30am-3:30pm, F also 5-8:30pm.
• Colourpatch Cafe (☎08 9758 1295), on Albany Terr., just south of town. Specializes in fish and chips ($9-10). The patio boasts a great view of the Blackwood River flowing into Flinders Bay. Open daily 8am-8pm, except Tu evenings.