14.5 / 20 How we score Asian $ $$$ “Where do people that live in Margaret River eat and drink?” It’s a question that visitors to the South West Google and ponder incessantly, hopeful that a local will spill the beans on somewhere to get a taste of The Real Margaret RiverTM. I’m no Margaret River local , but after infiltrating numerous southwest friendship groups, I like to think I’ve gleaned a few insights into regional dining habits.
There are, of course, the classics. The Saturday Margaret River farmers’ market , say. (See Nadia and Cam at the Harlequin Dessert caravan for vegan and gluten-free baked goods of the highest calibre).
Settlers Tavern remains a blueprint for the dream country pub, while local aquanauts congregate at White Elephant Cafe for post-swim coffees over winter. Yet the community has also found space in its heart for newer arrivals. Newcomers such as Miki’s Open Kitchen , a singular, regionally focused tempura restaurant that’s also one of the township’s few options for a flash dinner.
(See also de’sendent, a contemporary, Japanese-inspired restaurant that opened in January .) The terrific burgers at Normal Van have won it many admirers, while many working parents confess to having the hots for Domino’s and how it’s helped make weeknight dinners a little more manageable. Margaret River, my friends, is a-changing.
If you didn’t expect the Margaret River food discussion to include pizza, you’ll probably be surprised to hear that.