Your guide to delicious meat-free dining experiences in the Margaret River Region.
Things have changed big time in the vegetarian and vegan world Down South.
Gone are the days when chefs passed off asparagus as a main. Incredible vegan degustations can now be found at world-class vineyard restaurants, and vegetarian dishes brimming with flavour are almost the status quo.
Here are our (current) favourite spots to eat vego and vegan in the Margaret River Region.
These brewing heroes do vego and vegan, with delicious pizzas, burgers, salads and other eats that swing both ways. The brewery is also super close to that really long jetty worth a post-meal amble. Our favourite dish is the potato wood fired pizza, which can be ceremoniously washed down with one of Shelter’s award-winning locally brewed beers.
Mano Wraps do mouth-watering savoury and sweet crepes, as well as great coffee, with a bunch of plant-based milk alternatives. They do vegan Nutella and white chocolate sweet crepes, as well as a veggie buckwheat crepe loaded with roast vegetables, feta and homemade basil pesto. You can also add your fave ingredients when you order, which is pretty cool.
Why would a vegetarian get excited about an imported specialty rotisserie? Because the culinary geniuses at Busselton Pavilion use it to make their incredible king oyster mushroom skewers! Busselton’s newest gastro pubs offer something for everyone’s taste, featuring the best local ingredients.
A cult classic burger joint on Queen Street in Busso. For a measly dollar extra, they can make any of their magnificent burgers vegetarian. They also do a tasty vegan burger, which makes it the perfect spot to socialise meat and non-meat eaters, with little to no complaining. Pay extra to make your burger filthy (that means double the ingredients).
Wills Domain’s Yallingup estate is home to a beautiful restaurant that serves up wild-harvested, sustainable produce curated by Culinary Director Jed Gerrard. The kitchen is vegetarian and vegan friendly, with tasting menus that come perfectly paired with the vineyard’s award-winning wine.
If you’re after a more casual dining option, you’ll love Southcamp’s down-to-earth menu with plenty of vego options such as their delicious cauliflower tacos. Their dishes are designed for sharing, so it’s a great choice for a catch-up with friends, meat lovers included.
Yarri creates dishes based on the six Noongar seasons. They use the best and freshest ingredients from their organic fruit and vegetable garden, as well as produce from farmers in the region. The set menu can be made vegetarian or vegan and there are always some incredible vegetarian options available à la carte, prepared by award-winning chef and co-owner, Aaron Carr.
Cullen Wines offers a divine four-course degustation menu with vegetarian options available, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their exquisite food – over 90% of the menu is sourced from their biodynamic, carbon-positive garden. Owner and winemaker Vanya Cullen says the concept is to have a beautiful, edible garden. “We now have five gardens, including, of course, the Cullen vineyard itself.” Save some time before or after your meal to take a self-guided stroll through the garden and learn more about the biodynamic practices used. Lunch happens daily. Be sure to book in.
Rústico serves up Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a focus on plant-based, locally sourced food. Their share-style tapas menu includes some tasty vegan and vego dishes, and they offer a vegan degustation that tastes oh so good with a glass (or jug) of sangria. The restaurant is set on the gorgeous Hay Shed Hill winery, which makes for a memorable lunch spot.
The infamous Cowaramup vineyard may be known for its award-winning wines, but it also has strong vego and vegan game. Their restaurant offers up vegetarian and vegan tasting menus (just make sure you request them 24 hours before your booking). Vasse Felix also has an array of vegan wine, which pair well with their exceptional modern Australian fare.
This Margaret River icon actually makes some bloody good vego and vegan food. Their ‘Plate of Joy’ has been on the menu for well over a decade, and features a crispy house-made vegan patty with brown rice and delicious ratatouille. Settlers also do a vege bolognese and other hearty meat-free dishes.
Every Saturday the Margaret River Farmers’ Market bustles with locals and holidaymakers. Stalls are run by amazing farmers, growers and makers, known for having the best produce in the region. Pick up your fruit and veg, then enjoy a bite from one of the vego friendly local food stalls.
Sometimes you just need a big, delicious burger, and Burger Baby delivers the most flavoursome combos you’ll find anywhere. As well as a bangin’ lentil burger that would satisfy even the most dedicated carnivore, they offer the option to swap out any of their burgers with a plant-based ‘Impossible Burger’ pattie. So you can enjoy a classic style ‘cheeseburger’ but without the meat. Add a substantial craft beer list and wines from some of the most innovative labels in the Margaret River Region, and you have the recipe for some very happy vegetarian diners.
Sons of Naples are a very welcome addition to Margaret River’s main street. Their offering of traditional Italian dishes includes a great range of vegan and vegetarian options. We recommend their vegan fried eggplants parmigiana croquettes or their Roots n Shoots pizza. And their pasta is homemade, of course.
Head to the Cottage Café at The Berry Farm for delectable vegetarian dining. Like their vegetarian tart, or all of the fresh cakes and scones you could ever dream of. This charming little café has a kid’s menu (and playground), which makes it a great spot for the whole family. When you’re done, visit the cellar door to taste some delicious sparkling fruit wines, cider and ports, or explore the farm garden.
These private chefs know their way around an incredible vegetarian (and vegan) dish. They’ll also come to your accommodation spot and make it for you. Here are our faves:
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