A destination restaurant in Eagle Bay that’s ready for its closeup.
Meelup Farmhouse is picture perfect. A sprawling destination restaurant and hobby farm close to Eagle Bay, it’s a venue that has guests unholstering their iPhones before the food hits the table. Coastal-chic interiors in wood, wicker and leather are supported by a cast of ducks, chooks and Lizzie the Highland cow (who, for the record, has her own Instagram account), making Meelup prime Insta-bait for those due south. But for a place that lands high on the social-media hitlist, the crowd is mixed, with as many boomers as millennials, and plenty in between.
For grazing, think a generous pork and pistachio terrine, Fremantle octopus in rich sugo and salt and pepper squid.
Running a nine-to-five schedule suits a mood of sharing and grazing, where breakfast, brunch and lunch menus are supported by attentive service and a roster of local staples – Yallingup woodfired sourdough, say, or Margaret River Venison chorizo. On tap, brews from near neighbours Eagle Bay Brewing Co and Beer Farm flow into a good range of Margaret River winemakers poured by the glass, and more by the bottle.
For grazing, think a generous pork and pistachio terrine, Fremantle octopus in rich sugo and salt and pepper squid. While more substantial plates include crowdpleasers like chilli prawn spaghetti and proteins to share, ranging from a whole roast chicken to a half-kilo grass-fed ribeye. Snap that, too – just don’t tell Lizzie.
