Southbound: Where to Eat and Drink in Busselton

Once a classic holiday town, Busselton has stepped up as one of WA’s most exciting places to eat and drink.

Bakeries, cafes and brewpubs now line this breezy seaside gateway to the Margaret River wine region, with a strong local lean and plenty of personality.

From smoky share plates and Levantine flavours to top-tier burgers and buckwheat wraps, here’s where to eat and drink in Busselton right now.

The Banksia Tavern

The retro-whimsy fit-out of  The Banksia Tavern makes it feel like it’s been at the heart of Busselton for much longer than it has been. The bar is polished wood, booth seating is deep forest green, and the wood panelling and floors have an air of the Old World about them. Glance around, and the place is filled with a mix of mates, families, and couples of all ages, implying it’s been embraced by locals like an old friend.

2025 Young Chef of the Year Laura Koentjoro Harding’s food rides the perfect line between elevated counter classics (handcut chips with house aioli; fried chicken wings coated in fish sauce caramel), and more inventive dishes that make wonderful use of local bounty, particularly seafood, like grilled Skull Island prawns with spicy sambal matah chalaquita. And, the dessert lovers, who could go passed pandan pannacotta with pistachio praline and Nannup peaches.

Veggie dishes are not to be missed, with combinations like charred broccoli, babaganoush and baby potatoes showcasing Koentjoro Harding’s creativity.

Still, this is a tavern, so the bar is prominent, with local craft beer on tap, local wines on pour and crowd-pleasing cocktails in the tins, all well-priced. It’s a match with warm service and the likes of The Strokes spinning on the record machine. The album? Room on Fire.

43 Prince Street, Busselton

Shelter Brewing Co.

Set beside Busselton’s iconic jetty, Shelter Brewing Co. has played a key role in the town’s rise as a hospo hotspot. The brewery’s striking design has earned architectural accolades, while the life-sized mural of a breaching humpback whale by local artist Ian Daniell adds true coastal flair. With the aesthetics nailed (and yes, there’s merch), Shelter continues to impress with its thoughtfully crafted beer range. From the easy-drinking lager to a refreshing summer sour, wintry stouts, and their non-alcoholic Big Splash, there’s something for every season.

For a bite, grab a spot on the terrace and tuck into woodfired pizza or opt for small plates like blue swimmer crab tostada, prawn buns, and classic hot chips. Whether you’re sipping on a cold one or grabbing a bite with friends, Shelter Brewing nails the relaxed vibe of South West living.

11 Foreshore Parade, Busselton

Inara

Inara is a bright, contemporary all-day diner in the revamped Busselton Central, serving up the bold, vibrant flavours of Levantine cuisine.

The menu is vegetable-forward with plates like like flame-roasted cauliflower fatteh with fava bean, yoghurt, hazelnut and sumac, or oyster mushroom souvlaki with walnut skordalia. There’s local flavour, too—Abrolhos Islands Scallops arrive with cauliflower skordalia and aleppo pepper, while wood-fired lamb shoulder is served Jerusalem -style with Hawaiian Pineapple, Pine Nuts, Cured Lemon, Tahini Yogurt.

Chef-owner Daniel Johnson brings serious pedigree, having worked around the world including as culinary director at Alila Jabal Akhdar in Oman and head chef at George Calombaris’ The Press Club Group in Melbourne. But it’s the Busselton lifestyle—alongside wife Joanne and their two dogs—that’s kept him grounded in the South West.

Shop 43, 30 Kent Street, Busselton

Mano Wraps

Mano Wraps was born from a love of farmers markets—and a passion for buckwheat. Owners Mattia Comelato and Tracy Huang set out to create a gluten-free, vegan wrap that didn’t compromise on taste or texture, and have been putting a wholesome, health-conscious spin on takeaway since 2018. Their bricks-and-mortar store followed in 2022.

Favourites include the Roma with roasted chicken, mushrooms, truffle sauce and greens; the Italian with prosciutto, tomato, pesto and parmesan; and the Vegetarian with roasted vegetables, feta and pesto. Specials pop up regularly—like a La Delizia Latticini burrata wrap—and there’s a short but sweet lineup of dessert crêpes for afters.

61 Queen Street, Busselton

Busselton Pavilion

With a capacity of 300, Busselton Pavilion combines a gastropub menu focused on local seafood and produce, curated by Group Culinary Director Brendan Pratt (also behind Vasse’s Coffee Heads, a must-visit for gourmet toasties, coffee, and biscuits). There’s a cheeseburger and a schnitty – but see also a rotisserie put to good use, turning out golden roasted chooks, beef short rib skewers with bright salsa, and whole tiger prawns basted with housemade fermented chilli butter.

Adjacent to the Pavilion is the South West Wine Shop, a locally-focused bar and retail outlet offering wines by the glass and a carefully curated bar-snack menu, featuring treats like French onion dip with potato chips—topped with the option of salmon roe for a little extra indulgence.

30 Kent Street, Busselton

Curry Port 

It’s not every day you find a great Indian restaurant sitting on the edge of a motel forecourt, but that’s exactly where you’ll find Curry Port in Busselton. Right beside The Timothee Resort’s front desk, you’ll find curries that are truly exceptional and an eclectic ambience amped up by Hindi covers of Supertramp on the stereo and AFL on the TV. 

The menu offers all the classic Indian favourites, from creamy kormas to fiery vindaloos and rich Madras curries, but for something truly traditional, the lamb dhansak is a standout—a beloved Parsi dish where lentils, spices, and tender lamb come together for a distinctive, full-bodied flavour.

2/70 Causeway Rd, Busselton 

Ooze and Tang

“Is it delicious?” That’s the question that underpins Ooze and Tang, an eclectic modern Australian-French bistro where everything is made from scratch by head chef-owner Isaac Pereira and chef Cassie Wu.

Served on vintage crockery, you’ll find staple dishes, including potato and leek rösti, Scotch egg with celeriac remoulade and house stout mustard, and crème brûlée, alongside an ever-changing roster of seasonal and local vegetables. Meats also vary: one day the menu may champion beef tartare with burnt onion dressing and oyster emulsion, the next, octopus with cucumber and chilli.

Not to be missed: co-owner and former Helvetica manager Jason “JP” Millhahn’s spectacular cocktails.

1/20 Monaghans Way, Abbey

Rocky Ridge Taphouse

As Australia’s first carbon-neutral and certified sustainable brewery, Rocky Ridge is proof that great beer and good conscience can go hand in hand..

Step inside their Busselton taphouse—set in a beautifully restored 1930s family home—and discover 25 taps pouring the best of Rocky Ridge’s flavour-forward lineup.—From the vibrant, hop-forward Jindong Juicy to the tangy, refreshing Rock Candy Sour, there’s a pint for every palate. Not a beer drinker? The wine selection from LS Merchants has you covered.

The food is designed to be held in one hand, with a pint in the other. Think tacos, buns, jalapeño poppers and chicken wings. Simple, shareable and exactly what you want with a cold beer in hand.

10 Marine Terrace, Busselton

The Goose 

Set right on the Busselton foreshore with sweeping views of Geographe Bay, The Goose has long been a local institution. After a fire gutted the original building, it’s returned with with a breezy, timber-clad interior and that same laid back charm.

Whether you’re easing into the day with a mimosa in hand, settling in for a long lunch, or watching the sun dip with a cocktail in hand, The Goose nails the brief for relaxed beachside dining.

The modern Australian menu is centred around the wood-burning grill, serving up local grass-fed beef, whole market fish, and fresh seafood. Signature dishes include crispy fish and chips, crab linguini, and a comforting seafood chowder, while the 48-hour cultured dough pizzas are a standout. A carefully curated wine list, local craft beers, and handcrafted cocktails complement the fare perfectly. 

5 Foreshore Parade, Busselton

Burger Bones

With house-made everything and old-school service, championing classic burger flavours is at the heart of this busy Busselton burger bar.

In a time where the contents of a burger can be almost anything, Burger Bones keeps a steadfast approach to classic fillings. While off-menu specials and a ‘secret menu’ (you’ll have to figure out what to ask for if you want to hack this one) offer intrigue, it’s Burger Bone’s commitment to uncomplicated flavour combinations and quality ingredients that keeps locals, and those from further afar, coming through the doors.

The first thing you’ll notice is how weighty the burgers are, thanks to coarsely ground grass-fed chuck beef patties with zero filler, pressed hard onto the grill to yield crisply frayed edges. Buns are soft but have enough integral chew to hold up to generous dousings of sauce, pickles and cheese, while the subtle changes within each burger really set them apart—like in the sauerkraut royale where housemade kraut is generously stacked atop dill pickles, mustard mayo and Swiss cheese.

Fries and tater-tots, either ‘loaded’ or not, will do the trick for sides, while drinks, either BYO or picked from a small list of local beers and wine, are as simple as the service is quick and unpretentious—all the better to help you focus squarely on what remain some of the state’s very best burgers.

55 Queen Street, Busselton

Claudio Bakehouse

Hidden just off Caves Road in Abbey, Claudio Bakehouse is undoubtedly one of the South West’s best-kept secrets—but one look at the pastry-packed counter and you’ll wonder how.

Start your day with freshly baked croissants with fillings like raspberry and pistachio or a creamy cappuccino twist, or try the flaky Girella for a savoury treat.. But the real star here is the Roman Pinsa—a light, crispy focaccia topped with fresh ingredients. The Forza Romana, featuring stracciatella, pistachio, and mortadella, is a classic. For an authentic Roman experience, go for the Nerone, with porchetta, salsa tonnata, rocket, and tomato salad.

Passing through Bunbury? Here’s where to pull in.

Mojo’s

Committing to sustainability is easier said than done, but Mojo’s are proud of provenance and carry an emphasis on ethically sourced food, with a mostly Italian-inspired menu spotlighting local producers. Simple classics, pasta and bruschetta, are done well, while a dish of Line Caught 8 Bar Cod root vegetable pave and beurre blanc sauce impresses as a labour of love and technique.

Further bolstering the experience is the considered drinks list, with a solid cocktail line-up and a main-event wine list spanning 20 or so pages. Servers know the by-the-glass list well and aren’t shy to offer a match, while the bottle list covers everything from Champagne and aged bottles of Hill of Grace to more budget-friendly offerings from Margaret River and the Swan Valley.

2/33 Clifton Street, Bunbury

Market Eating House

Nine years in, there’s a new al fresco area at Market Eating House, and a fresh look to the open kitchen, oriented around the custom-built wood-fired grill that’s at the heart of the expansive menu. It delivers tell-tale scorch to a line-up of Middle Eastern-style dishes.

Tender Abrolhos Islands Scallops with beurre blanc, peach, tangerine enlivened with aleppo pepper get a more delicate treatment while hummus topped with spiced lamb mince and crispy chickpeas, honey drenched cheese borek, or doughy za’atar flatbread bring favourites to the fore. The name gives it away, but local producers are celebrated here and the wine list leans into the surrounding Geographe region alongside plenty of bottles from Margaret River and the Great Southern. A strong cocktail list and craft beers, plus the ability to just duck in for a takeaway bite, round out the cosy comfort.

9 Victoria Street, Bunbury

Looking for a place to stay whilst exploring the South West? Check out our curated selection of South West Stays.