Dunsborough
Dunsborough is the perfect place to get away from Perth for a couple of days. It's the kind of town where the pace slows down the moment you cross into it - think barefoot mornings, salt in your hair and long lunches that spill into golden hour. It reminds me of a much smaller and chilled Noosa. It's also perfectly placed between Margaret River and Yallingup, so it makes a brilliant base if you want beach town charm without giving up easy access to some award wining wineries. The dining scene here punches well above its weight for a town this size. But of course, the real golden ticket is what surrounds the town - Meelup Beach and Eagle Bay are famous for their calm, turquoise and sheltered waters.
During our many trips here, we have visited:
Lady Lolas
Right in the main town, on the strip so to say, is Lady Lola's - a gorgeous little bistro dishing up amazing food, cocktails and wine. We visited in winter and it was the perfect spot for date night, with dim lighting and a cosy atmosphere. The lit-up courtyard was also really cute. I also love that Lola's stands for Love Of Life's Adventures. Be sure to try the cacio e pepe cauliflower, it's delicious!
Merchant & Maker
Looking for a good coffee spot? Merchant & Maker in the middle of town will satisfy your caffeine needs. As well as good coffee, they also serve up really good breakfast and lunch options - homemade breads, baked treats (both sweet and savoury), sandwiches and tasty lunch dishes. It's perfect for slowing down and sitting in their lovely café, or grabbing a takeaway to enjoy at the beach or back at your accommodation. Their ice cream shop next door, Elski, is also worth a visit.
Yarri
The award-winning, elegant restaurant Yarri is a must visit during your time in Dunsborough, serving up the best of WA's ingredients throughout their dishes. They have their own onsite fruit and vegetable garden, which they pick from daily. The knowledge and service we experienced from the staff during our visit was amazing. Their 6 course dining menu and wine pairing definitely hit the spot for us and we're looking forward to visiting again next month.
Wills Domain
Just a short drive from Dunsborough, you'll find the award-winning Wills Domain winery and restaurant. After hearing so many glowing recommendations, we finally got round to visiting on our most recent trip and it did not disappoint. The setting is stunning, with sweeping views over the vineyards to enjoy as you work your way through the menu. Everyone raves about the bread and butter here, and you'd be forgiven for thinking "it's just bread and butter" but honestly, it was one of the best I've ever tasted. As we visited towards the end of winter, ours came as a macadamia butter with plum and native bread- I'd seriously recommend it. My favourite dish of the visit, though, was the Winter Brassicas entrée. It was packed with flavour and I could have happily drunk the cheese sauce by the gallon.
Meelup Farm
This picturesque farm serves up tasty breakfast and lunch dishes, but the real drawcard for me was the animals. Before or after your meal, take a wander around the grounds to visit the cows, chickens, llamas and goats - it's a very family friendly spot. In summer, they also offer picnic hampers to enjoy on their lawn, which I'm definitely hoping to try soon. It looks like the perfect setting for a date or a get together with friends and family.
Ilma Beach House
The beautiful Ilma Beach House is the sister establishment to Meelup Farm, situated right off Bunker Bay Beach. It leaves you with stunning ocean views while you enjoy their food and beverage options in the gorgeous sun all year round. Walking into Ilma, I felt like I'd been transported to Europe, sipping on a limoncello spritz - bliss.
Masseria
Being big fans of Cherubino City Cellar wine bar in Subiaco, I made sure we stopped by their sister restaurant, Masseria, while we were down south. Italian food is my favourite cuisine, so I was completely in my element digging into homemade pasta and tiramisu. A major bonus too- my husband was able to enjoy homemade gluten free pasta, which isn't always easy to come by. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, with high ceilings and exposed wooden beams giving it real character. Visiting in winter, the fire crackling away in the fireplace only added to that cosy, rustic atmosphere. Service was warm and genuinely family-friendly, the Italian way of course.
Silver Bullet Espresso
A great coffee trailer right by the beach- honestly, what more could you want? I'd recommend heading out for a morning walk from the main town along the beach to this little spot for a coffee. It's such a gorgeous way to start the day.
Wise
Award winning Wise Winery serves up an amazing lunch, as well as wine over a stunning view - the gnocchi was unbelievable. Be sure to visit their cellar door for a wine or gin tasting too, I'd personally recommend doing both. Their mandarin gin is one of the best gins I've ever tasted.
Eagle Bay Brewing
If you're after a laid back meal or a few drinks with live music in the background of a great setting for the whole family, then Eagle Bay Brewing is a must. The grounds are gorgeous with great views, and there's a large outdoor area for the kids to run around, a real all rounder. Their wood-fired pizzas are a must try and be sure to get a paddle of their own brewed beers for the full experience, you can even pick some up at their shop to take home.