9 delicious degustations to indulge in

Japanese-born, Margaret River-based chef Mikihito “Miki” Nagai isn’t one to follow convention. Take his restaurant, Miki’s Open Kitchen: there are no grand vistas, no gum trees or ocean outlooks. Tucked off the Margaret River main street in a non-descript brick building with blacked-out windows, the restaurant interior is an elegant spacing of tables encircling an open kitchen where the spotlight shines brightly on the ponytailed chef and his innovative approach to Japanese cuisine.

“These dishes won’t be found in Japan,” grins Miki. Instead, Miki works with a technique of shallow copper pots to pull together his signature degustation – Miki’s Complete. For seven courses, Miki synthesises the best of the South West’s local produce with Japanese flavours in a way that speaks to his experience of the landscape – all of that Japanese tradition freed from stricture and re-moulded to present a unique taste that breathes new ideas into both culinary cultures.

Needless to say, more than 20 years spent living and working in Margaret River has left Miki with a deep knowledge of wine. This he uses to advantage, collating an interesting array of styles uncommon to the region that work with his palate. Think Fiano and Vermentino, with an appearance of Chardonnay – because in Margaret River, where would we be without it? A curated sake collection is a thrill for the more traditionally minded. Seven courses of Miki’s food matched to seven sakes? We’ll drink to that.

Voyager Estate invites you to a culinary journey like no other with their indulgent five-course seasonal tasting menu. Set within the charming Cape Dutch Cellar Door, this immersive, wine-focused lunch experience lasts three hours and is delivered with warmth, generosity, and finesse.

Each course is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted to showcase sustainable, seasonal produce from the Voyager Kitchen Gardens and handpicked local artisans. Every dish tells the story of Voyager Estate’s wines, the region, and its people.

The team, led by Head Chef Travis Crane and Sommelier Claire Tonon, creates progressive dishes that reflect the unique flavours of their estate. What they don’t grow themselves, they source from local producers who share their commitment to the land. Menus shift with the seasons, celebrating milestones in the vineyard and crafting flavour pairings that reveal the magic of the Margaret River Region.

As Chef Travis Crane puts it himself, “My philosophy is to source thoughtfully, cook respectfully, and present beautifully.” Get ready for a sustainable, elegant, and delightfully lavish dining experience that’s as enchanting as it is delicious.

Overlooking sweeping vineyards and open fields, Rústico at Hay Shed Hill delivers a Mediterranean‑inspired long lunch that’s as much about connection and celebration as it is about food. The experience unfolds across breezy verandas, a generous dining room and expansive lawns, inviting guests to slow down, savour and share.

The award‑winning five‑course, nine‑dish shared degustation showcases bold flavours and premium produce, each course thoughtfully paired with Hay Shed Hill wines to elevate the journey.

The current menu features highlights such as Kingfish Ceviche with ajo blanco and rockmelon salsa, their house‑cured duck jamon, Western Rock Lobster, loaded Patatas Bravas, and silky Basque Cheesecake to finish.

Clear vegetarian, gluten‑free and nut indicators ensure the menu remains accessible without compromising flavour or creativity.

What defines the Rústico experience is its warmth and generosity — refined yet relaxed, indulgent yet welcoming. It’s ideal for couples, celebrations, groups and travellers seeking a true taste of the Margaret River Region.

For effortless enjoyment, guests can also book The Rustico Ride, a return transport service from Margaret River, Cowaramup, Busselton, Dunsborough and Yallingup, allowing them to fully indulge without the worry of driving.

Wine is the Vasse Felix story. It’s the first winery in the Margaret River Region. As Chief Winemaker since 2006, Virginia Willcock is arguably the current first lady. Her ‘Winemaker of the Year’ awards run the gamut from Gourmet Traveller WINE Australian Winemaker of the Year (2012), through to Winemaker of the Year in the 2017 Australian Women in Wine Awards.

Needless to say, when it comes to compiling a degustation experience in the Vasse Felix restaurant – a soaring juxtaposition of wood, glass and stone in the vineyard treetops, no detail is left to chance. After taking out the number one spot in the WA Good Food Guide Awards a few years ago it’s clear that they have mastered a winning formula, and this is an experience not to be missed. The five-course tasting menu is designed to provide a platform for showcasing the region’s leading varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Delicious, is the word.

Supper Club is Busselton’s newest dining gem, offering a refined yet welcoming six-course tasting menu for $120. The menu changes with the season to focus on local, seasonal produce.

The summer menu highlights include the cured line-caught kingfish with blueberry and fermented kohlrabi, Gracetown dhufish with blue swimmer crab and whey butter sauce, and barbeque lamb leg stuffed with merguez. Indulgent finishes like warmed washed-rind cheese on toast and a kombu Basque cheesecake round out the experience.

With its focus on local ingredients, thoughtful flavour combinations, and exceptional value, Supper Club is a standout new addition to the South West – and a worthy inclusion in any degustation bucket list.

Eating from the Wills Domain kitchen is pure pleasure, as is the setting: a valley view over the green symmetry of endless vines is an intoxicant as powerful as the pleasure on your plate.

The degustation here is a planned affair. Book in advance for a private tasting menu that will get you intimate with the restaurant’s awarded approach to food and wine that brings personality and unexpected marriages to each plate. Flavours buffet between sustainable, responsibly sourced, local and high-quality produce. The textural sweetness of scallops might be treated to a deliciously fresh facelift at the hands of avocado and tillage radish, while that modern Australian marriage of beef with exotic mushrooms and warrigal greens also gets to tango.

Ultimately, flavours are light, plates are pretty, and the wine matching is spot on. Wills Domain knows that the best of food and wine occurs in intimate conversation, not a culinary shouting match. That low, harmonious hum that emits from a table when drinking and eating is pure joy and is their soundtrack of success.

As you journey towards Augusta, take a moment to visit Glenarty Road, a charming family-run farm and vineyard, where you can enjoy a truly wholesome feast crafted from the heart.

Park next to the vibrant kitchen garden and meander through the alfresco area, shaded by towering gum trees, and say hello to a playful lamb or two along the fence line. Step inside, and you’ll be enveloped by the warm and inviting atmosphere of a true homestead, where the cellar door and restaurant harmoniously come together. All produce is regeneratively grown, and each dish is prepared from the ground up with intention.

The animals are raised with exceptional care, exemplifying a true nose-to-tail philosophy that honors every part of the creature. Choose a five-course or three-course lunch menu, and experience the dedication that goes into every bite.

Margaret River’s newest fine dining addition, de’sendent, is quickly earning a reputation for excellence and exclusivity. Named Western Australia’s New Restaurant of the Year 2025 by the WA Good Food Guide, this refined space on the town’s main street offers an intimate, multi-course tasting menu showcasing the region’s superb seasonal produce.

Executive Chef Evan Hayter and his team offer a personal connection between the kitchen and the guest, directly interacting from the open kitchen and hand-delivering dishes directly to the table. The cuisine is sophisticated, the cocktails are inventive, and the wine list is a standout spanning local and international labels. For those seeking a pre-dinner cocktail experience, an elevated snack menu is available, offering the town’s locals and visitors a fresh way to whet the appetite.

The Leeuwin Estate’s Restaurant embraces a food philosophy centred on showcasing exceptional seasonal West Australian produce, focusing on delivering a harmonious experience of flavour, texture, and aroma. Capturing the essence of Leeuwin’s dining experience, the six-course Tasting Menu offers a quintessential fine-dining journey through seasonal flavours and artistry. Wine pairing with current-release wines or museum-release wines is optional but highly recommended. Perfectly prepared dishes such as Patagonian toothfish with corn, kohlrabi, prawn, tomato dashi, or scallop crudo with yuzu kosho, grapes and avocado will haunt seafood lovers’ dreams for a long time after the dining experience.

If the weather permits, ask for a table on the verandah to soak up stunning views of the estate while you savour every last crumb.

For those seeking further culinary adventures, be sure to explore other degustation dining venues in the region, including Cape Lodge and Yarri.

To fully enjoy these indulgent gastronomic experiences, we recommend booking your table well in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on an unforgettable dining moment.