Brimming with extraordinary beaches, lush farmland, and magnificent forests, to say Western Australia’s South West has a lot going for it would be the understatement of the century. The region is also home to a handful of the world’s finest wineries and dining establishments.

With so many amazing places to choose from, the hardest part is deciding where to go. That’s why we’ve done the hard yards and rounded up what we consider to be the best restaurants in the South West — the crème de la crème, if you will. All you need to do is add them to your must-visit list! 

Frui Momento at Cherubino — Wilyabrup

Translating from Latin to “enjoy the moment,” Frui Momento is the cellar door restaurant product of a collaboration between renowned Margaret River chef, Seth James, and award-winning winemaker, Larry Cherubino. 

Framed by the poetic surroundings of the Cherubino vineyard and rose garden, the building’s charm nods to Tuscany and features an alfresco verandah and dining room, gorgeously enveloped with stone and wood. The restaurant menu pairs fine dining with inspiration from the ocean and an excellent selection of produce from the sea. Grilled octopus, Albany rock oyster, and kingfish tostada are on the list, accompanied by fellow standouts including beef tartare, pork collar, and Bass Strait rib-eye. 

The wine list is impressive and worldly — as you’d expect from a place with Larry Cherubino’s name attached — with predominantly Italian and French names, but you’d be crazy to look past the Cherubino wines on the menu.

Glenarty Road — Karridale 

This regenerative farm, vineyard, and restaurant is well-known as being among the crème de la crème of the South West foodie scene. Nestled on the working farm of owners Ben and Sasha McDonald, the Karridale winery-restaurant treads a line of contemporary class and rustic charm. 

Choose from a three or five-course sustainable farm-to-table feast with paired wines and you can expect a selection of grass-fed meats cooked over coals, house-made charcuterie, sides of freshly harvested seasonal produce, and desserts celebrating the orchard and flower garden. If you want the complete experience, opt for one of the farm and garden tours, many of which include the tasting of wine, freshly baked bread, and charcuterie.

Leeuwin Estate — Witchcliffe

Born from a vision of producing wines that rank among the best of the world, Leeuwin Estate is renowned as one of the founding wineries of the world-class Margaret River region. 

Headed by chef Dan Gedge, the Leeuwin Restaurant focuses on flavour, texture, and aromas, and combines exceptional seasonal WA produce with current, and museum-release Leeuwin Estate wines. Guests have the choice of two quintessential fine dining experiences: a three-course seasonal menu, and a six-course tasting menu. Think scallop crudo paired with 2016 Art Series Riesling, line-caught fish matched with 2009 Art Series Chardonnay, and Margaret River wagyu accompanied by a glass of 2013 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon.

De’sendent — Margaret River

Perched at the top of Margaret River’s main street, De’sendent is a brand new, intimate, and refined restaurant which only recently opened its doors in January 2024. Owned by Ann Spencer and Executive Chef Evan Hayter, it’s the next incarnation of their previous winery venture Arimia Estate. 

Evan is passionate about where his ingredients come from, and how they’re grown and reared, so guests can expect high-quality organic produce and WA ingredients like abalone, full-blooded Waygu beef, and marron, sourced from small-batch suppliers. The 35-seat restaurant also features a diverse wine list showcasing premium local, national, and international wines that complement the calibre of food.

Garrison — Albany

With an incredibly varied menu designed to be shared, and driven by fresh, seasonal produce, Garrison is an Albany staple in the fine dining space. Expect the likes of Southern Ocean Akoya oysters, Jerusalem artichokes served with truffle oil, and almond dukkah, chilled cod in crispy cannoli, baked artichoke ravioli, locally caught market fish, and kangaroo sous vide.

Wills Domain — Yallingup

Perched atop 20 hectares of vine-lined rolling hills in Yallingup’s Gunyulgup Valley, Wills Domain is an impressive and refined vineyard restaurant and cellar door known for its extremely drinkable signature Cabernet Sauvignon. The beloved South West establishment plates up sustainably sourced, wild-harvested produce, and is, without a doubt, one of the region’s best restaurants. Choose between a two, four, or seven-course degustation experience, with wines to match. There’s also a vegetarian option which tastes as good as it looks. To set the scene, we’re talking Geraldton crayfish, heirloom tomatoes and stracciatella, dry-aged Arkady lamb, and Wagin duck with beetroot and rhubarb.

Vasse Felix — Cowaramup

Vasse Felix was Margaret River’s first commercial vineyard, so it comes as no surprise that it’s another hard hitter when it comes to gourmet indulgence in the South West. Choose between à la carte dining or allow the chefs to take you on a Margaret River culinary journey with the tasting menu. Both options are graced by everchanging local and seasonal produce which complement their wine collection beautifully. With thoughtful combinations like the mortadella-stuffed char sui glazed quail and toothfish with pistachio, dashi, and enoki, you simply can’t go wrong.

The Dam — Denmark

The Dam is perched on a picturesque farming property bordering William Bay National Park, home to 450 black Angus cattle, 2,500 French black truffle-producing oak trees, two tonnes of marron, and more than eight acres of commercial Cannabis Sativa (hemp). 

The seasonally inspired restaurant and distillery balance the rustic with the refined in a space that captures the essence of the Great Southern region with a farm-to-plate and paddock-to-bottle ethos. Located only ten minutes from the Denmark town centre, the restaurant overlooks a large dam and lush green hills set against towering eucalypts. The menu spotlights local Australian produce, with a slight nod to the head chef’s Mediterranean heritage. The barramundi cartoccio, grilled lamb rump, and Wagyu sirloin are all highly recommended. 

Meelup Farmhouse — Meelup

If you’re searching for somewhere aesthetic for brunch or lunch, look no further than this relaxed restaurant and bar set amongst the trees on a charming hobby farm just eight minutes from the town of Dunsborough. 

Encapsulating the quintessential South West lifestyle, Meelup Farmhouse oozes all things coastal luxe, with a sensational view that goes down a treat with their exquisite culinary offerings. You’ll be dining under a lantern-lined veranda enveloped by native bushland and paddocks. The menu showcases all things local, so expect baked Margaret River brie with chargrilled Yallingup Woodfired sourdough, market fish ceviche with avocado cream, ginger and garlic squid, pillowy mushroom gnocchi, and five spice tofu. 

Liberté — Albany

Housed inside the heritage-listed London Hotel, Liberté is a Parisian-inspired bar plating up a fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine, alongside an excellent range of wine and craft beer. The stylish downtown bar is trendy, and very city, but completely unpretentious. It fits right into the charming port city of Albany. Try the delightfully fluffy baos and crowd-pleasing crispy pork belly, and you’ll love it as much as the writers who’ve reviewed it.