The most important meal of the day just got better. Often overlooked in the awards, Lizzy Pepper is dishing out prizes for the region’s best breakfasts. And she couldn’t stop at 10! From Yallingup to Augusta and everywhere in between – hail the Brekky winners.
1. Outstanding okonomiyaki
Drift Café has great world traveler vibes and a seriously scrumptious Okonomiyaki, or savoury Japanese pancake. Topped with generous slices of slow roast pork belly, slaw, a fried egg and sesame seeds, the pancake itself has pickled ginger and finely sliced cabbage within.
Their supplier list reads like a who’s who of the local farmers market; Burnside Organics avocadoes, Margaret River Woodfired Bread, Bannister Downs milk, and Geo Organics beef, but would you expect anything less when their chef previously led the Cullen Restaurant team?
1/72 Willmott Avenue Margaret River
2. Breathtaking beach views
At White Elephant Café you’ll line up with locals to order, because not only do they have show-stopping views on one of the best beaches around, the food is top-notch too. Perched above the sand of Gnarabup Beach, bring your bathers and tuck into a brekkie burger for a traditional bacon and egg fix (sandwiched into a luscious milk bun) or grab the smashed pumpkin with avo, feta, dukkha and poached egg for a colourful, nutritious fix.
Stay warm and dry in their stylish glass-fronted room when the cooler weather rolls in. Views are equally fab.
Gnarabup
3. Wicked Waffles
Bunkers Beach House also fits the breathtaking beach views category – with bonus points if you spot a seal or dolphin frolicking in the waves. Fresh baked waffles drenched in maple syrup and topped with berries were sublime. Bruschetta with ham, spinach, roasted tomato, poached egg and bearnaise are equally delish. Coffees made with local Cape Effect beans were so good you’ll want a second… or third.
Farm Break Lane, Naturaliste
4. All day brunch + bloody marys
Lamonts secured a reputation for outstanding dining decades ago, before Margaret River was on the foodie trail, and Lamonts Smiths Beach does quality beachside brunch with finesse. A generous stack of pancakes came topped with berries and vanilla-flecked mascarpone and the coffee was spot-on. We’re coming back to work our way through the rest of the menu – potato rosti with house smoked salmon and hollandaise, Shakshuka and crunchy panko fried eggs are calling!
67 Smiths Beach Road, Yallingup
5. Addictive spicy rice
Goanna Bush Café’s Indo Breakfast should come with a health warning; “highly addictive, even the grommets will demand a return visit.” Spiced coconut rice with a fried egg, spinach, avocado and coriander pesto sounds like an unusual combination but it works.
Chef Duncan Timmons made a treechange from a Michelin-starred London restaurant to buy Goanna in 2008 and the word is out – the food here is awesome. Set in picturesque bushland near Dunsborough, you’ll also find Australian giftware in the gallery space.
278 Hayes Road Dunsborough
6. Best for Kids
Joint winners The Equinox Bar + Restaurant and The Goose Beach Bar + Kitchen boast sweeping Geographe Bay and Busselton Jetty views – I’ve even spotted a dolphin from The Equinox. And Christmas came early when a stupendous new adventure playground opened between the two restaurants. Wolf down a tasty big brekky at Equinox, or smashed avocado at The Goose, then stroll over and let the kids burn off some energy. Check out family friendly Busselton in the Rediscover video!
Foreshore Parade, Busselton
7. Lakeside Glamour
Ideally your Cape Lodge breakfast follows a night in their luxurious lakeside suites, but it’s a little-known fact that you don’t have to be a guest to dine here. Dinner is reminiscent of your best French bistro experiences, and breakfast is blissful, served overlooking a lake and peppermint trees. Pannacotta with perfectly formed pieces of French toast and caramelised banana is a dish I’ll remember for years.
3341 Caves Road Yallingup
8. Brekky with the Blue Wrens
Boranup Café is an oasis in the Boranup forest. Kid friendly, dog friendly – even the blue wrens are friendly and may approach looking for crumbs.
Don’t go past the coconut milk pancakes with bacon, ice cream and maple syrup or the eggs benedict with bacon on Margaret River Woodfired sourdough. Available in kiddy portions, too.
Eat up then check out Boranup Gallery next door, or Lake Cave 5 minutes down the road.
7981 Caves Road Forest Grove
9. Unexpected Gem
Yardbyrd is a little gem of a café with a wood fire inside the shop, and a pretty courtyard filled with plants. Everything is made in-house except the bread from Margaret River Wood Fired Bakery, and ingredients are sourced locally. Try the breakfast tortilla with plenty of scrambled eggs, nitrate free bacon and relish – even the tortillas are made on-site. Coffee made with Pound beans is some of the region’s best; owner Rob Mayberry used to run Little Willies and The Dancing Goat cafes in Perth. Look out for Rob in the latest Your Margaret River Region videos.
10413 Bussell Highway Witchcliffe
10. Best Roving Feast
Margaret River Farmers Market is an exciting place to grab a feed for breakfast, and ingredients to cook up something special. My kids make tracks for Claudio Biscotti’s mixed biscuit bag while I can’t resist the apricot raspberry Danish from Margaret River Bakery’s stall. Stock up on Margaret River Woodfired Bread, goats’ cheese haloumi, Burnside Organic avocadoes, bacon, free range eggs and more.
11. Cutest Coffee Van
Ragged Robin in Augusta is a delightful café and vintage shop, with river views and a charming homegrown vibe. The locals are just as friendly as the staff, and a family gave us tips for best beaches and playgrounds. Grab a takeaway coffee from the 1967 VW beetle coffee van out front on weekends, or pop in for an amazing toastie on pumpkin bread.
