The West Winds Gin has been crafted in the region for over a decade, and their Cowaramup Distillery and Tavern is set to open in spring. Giant stills are in place, and a restored 65 year-old fishing boat from Freo is set to feature in a play area for kids. With boutique gins featuring local botanicals, we can’t wait to sip and dine here once it opens.
Amato Vino have a great new urban cellar – the atmospheric and heritage-listed Darnell’s Trader in Witchcliffe. Lined with original wood and rusted tin, it’s a place you can taste Brad Wehr’s lo-fi artisan wines, including lesser known varietals such as Marsanne, Savagnin and Nebbiolo, barrel aged Sauv Blanc plus local heroes like Chardonnay and Cabernet.
Jardin Estate Cheese School launches this month after five years making artisan butter and cheese, and winning Gold at the 2020 delicious. Produce awards. Spend the day on a beautiful farm leaning to make popular cheeses like feta, haloumi, ricotta, Camembert, Boursin and cheddar. You’ll get fresh inspiration on how to serve the cheeses at lunch, and the workshop includes all recipes and a take home bag.
Khana Khazana By Khan is a tasty new Indian restaurant at the top of Margaret River’s main street, where Arc of Iris stood for 20+ years. The menu features all the traditional Indian favourites including chicken cooked in the tandoor oven, with chef Khan’s own spice blends.
Riversmith has reopened with new owners, a new chef and a scrumptious new wholefood menu. Think potato cakes with poached eggs and pecorino, or buttermilk pancakes with homemade honeycomb. The much-loved main street café was once a service station, and now makes for excellent people-watching, all with superb specialty coffee and all-day brunches.
Xanadu Wines have a new head chef Aaron Lim and a new menu to complement their wines. Aaron is classically French trained, honing his skills at L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon in Singapore, but also brings influences from his southeast Asian heritage to his food. He moved to Margaret River in 2019 and has fallen in love with the landscape and farm-to-table philosophy embraced by local producers.
Providore have launched their Ultimate Margaret River Experience, an immersive half-day coffee, wine and chocolate experience on a picturesque working farm. Providore team up with The Margaret River Chocolate Company, newcomer Margaret River Coffee Company and Coward & Black Vineyards to share their yummiest jams, condiments, coffee, chocolate liqueur and wine followed by a light lunch.
Alberta’s Busselton must be Busselton’s most anticipated opening of 2022; a cosy neighbourhood kitchen/coffee shop by Noma alumni Kirsty Marchant and Ben Ing. Simplicity at its best; visit early for coffee, a delectable whisky baba or beautiful broth.
Two Seas Collective melds coffee and ceramics in a cute Augusta café. Just opened, ceramic artist Kaya serves 5 Senses coffee and scrumptious homemade treats such as mandarin and lime blossom, peach galette and Persian love cake.
Cape Lodge has recently appointed a new Head Chef, Adam Robson Chew. With extensive experience leading acclaimed kitchens across the UK and Australia, Adam and the culinary team’s ingredient-led approach is sure to be an incredible and memorable meal. For the full luxurious experience, book an overnight stay.