NEW ZEALAND GOOD FOOD GUIDE

A Culinary Road Trip Through Margaret River


The Margaret River is more than a wine region – it is a sensory pilgrimage. With every bend in the road, where vineyards stretch to the horizon and forests open to the sea, the journey becomes a story told not only by landscapes but also by the tables and kitchens along the way.
Each town becomes a pause, each restaurant a chapter and each dish a memory etched into the rhythm of the region.

The adventure begins among the vines at Cullen Wines Biodynamic Wine Room, where the philosophy of the land is at the heart of every sip and bite. Here, vegetables come straight from the biodynamic gardens, herbs carry the kiss of sunlight and seafood is chosen for its purity.
 
A Culinary Road Trip Through Margaret River

Each course finds harmony with Cullen’s world-renowned wines, their minerality and elegance whispering the story of terroir. Dining here feels timeless – a communion with nature that nourishes both body and soul.

In the heart of town, Morries buzzes with the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses. Known for small plates with big soul, this lively spot serves dishes that brim with creativity – braised meats layered with spice, delicate seafood kissed by fire and vegetables transformed into artworks of flavour.

A Culinary Road Trip Through Margaret River

Cocktails are crafted with flair, balancing classics and bold new inventions. Within its warm walls, laughter flows as freely as the wine and the spirit of community rises with every plate.

A turn in the road leads to the intrigue of Rhum Burgundy, a place where the coastal air mingles with the scent of spice. Here, Caribbean warmth collides with European finesse, bringing bold flavours to the fore.
 
A Culinary Road Trip Through Margaret River
 
Cocktails gleam like jewels, crafted with rum and Burgundy influences, while dishes are unexpected yet comforting, adventurous yet familiar. Dining here feels like a discovery, an intimate escape where the ocean breeze drifts through the door and every bite hints at journeys far and near.

Further inland, The Gateway Bistro offers a pause of comfort and country warmth. It is a place where locals gather, travellers find rest and meals are served with unfussy generosity. Plates are hearty and satisfying – steaks seared to perfection, seafood so fresh it speaks of the coast and desserts that echo the nostalgia of family kitchens. More than food, The Gateway offers a sense of belonging, the kind you carry with you long after the table is cleared.
 
A Culinary Road Trip Through Margaret River
 
The journey crescendos at Voyager Estate, where dining becomes a symphony of elegance. Set within manicured gardens and Cape Dutch-inspired architecture, this estate is an icon of refinement.

The tasting menu is an ode to Margaret River itself – produce sourced with care, dishes plated with artistic precision and each course paired seamlessly with Voyager’s acclaimed wines. Here, every bite is an expression of place and every sip is a revelation of craft. A meal at Voyager lingers long after, like the golden light settling over the vines.
 
A Culinary Road Trip Through Margaret River
 
By the time the trip comes to an end, the Margaret River has become more than vineyards and coastline. It is a feast – of landscapes, flavours and encounters – that nourishes far beyond hunger.

These restaurants and wineries are not mere stops; they are milestones in a journey that celebrates both place and palate, leaving behind the lingering taste of the ocean, the earth and the stories of those who call this extraordinary region home.

Featured Locations

Bistro    $$$$$

The Gateway Bistro

Nestled in the heart of Manjimup’s Southern Forests, Gateway Bistro at Manjimup Gateway Hotel on Case Street redefines the country bistro experience with its captivating blend of rustic elegance an...

Modern Australian    $$$$$

Rhum Burgundy

Margaret River locals and visitors can stay classy at Southwest cocktail and wine bar, Rhum Burgundy on Bussell Highway. Located on the town’s main street, this intimate venue spreads out over two ...

Modern Australian    $$$$$

Voyager Estate Restaurant

Set sail on a flavoursome journey and enjoy great wine at Voyager Estate Restaurant on Stevens Road at Margaret River. Guests enter a dining room with a high vaulted wooden beamed ceiling and tiled...

Modern Australian    $$$$$

Morries

More of a Margaret River institution than a restaurant, Morries on Bussell Highway has been serving moreish snacks and creative cocktails for more than a decade. This award-winning small bar and re...

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