Where to go for excellent dining spots between Exmouth & Esperance (not including Perth):

Australians do not seem to be much into fine dining, this was the impression of my husband and me. That is how we felt when it came to Western Australia’s countryside at least. This was especially so between Perth and Exmouth. Here we did not encounter a single venue that resembled my idea of a gourmet restaurant. This issue in focus was better between Perth and Albany, but again worse when heading east from Albany. Be it as it may, we did make some finds in terms of good eateries on our Western Australia journey nevertheless. Some of them could even pass as fine-dining outlets. In the following I would like to share my personal best restaurants in Western Australia’s countryside with you. And I do this in the form of two best-of lists. One is about my top fine-dining spots here. The other showcases my preferred simple but good restaurants in the rural areas of this state.

1. My list of the best 5 (casual) fine-dining restaurants in Western Australia’s countryside

During our Western Australia trip from Exmouth to Esperance, we happened to encounter two of my top restaurants here in the wine region of Margaret River.

That is not surprising as good wine goes well together with (equally good) food, as is well known! Two others were in Albany, a livable country town on WA’s south coast. And one was in a northern suburb of Perth.

1.1. The Vasse Felix Restaurant, Margaret River, one of the best restaurants in Western Australia

(15 Points/2 Chef Hats Australian Good Food Guide 2026)

Vasse Felix, Margaret River’s founding winery, is not only a beautiful property

with fine wines but also features a gourmet dining spot. It is no exception here, this is true for many wineries in the area. As to Vasse Felix, my husband and I had booked a cellar tour and a wine tasting here before heading to the restaurant for a five-course tasting menu paired with Icon Wines. But you can also come here for lunch only. You read that right, wineries here do not offer a dinner service, which is a pity.

When entering the premises, I was astonished to encounter such stunning restaurant interiors. You find here a semi-open kitchen along with an impressive fireplace and a variety of lunch areas. And while it is stylish here, it is rather casual too.

The lunch was a big deal prepared with modern, terroir-driven food by chef Cameron Jones. He even was named Regional Chef of the Year 2025 by WA Good Food Guide (WAGFG). And I liked his boldly innovative array of flavors!

Plus, the service did its job well.

1.2. Miki’s Open Kitchen, Margaret River

(12 Points/1 Chef Hat Australian Good Food Guide 2026)

My husband and I did not expect such a cool spot as Miki’s Open Kitchen here in the heart of Margaret River. We felt pampered, when the chef – Mikihito Nagai – himself ushered us to our seats at the counter where we could witness the goings-on in the kitchen from close up. You are in here for some kind of a Japanese dining theater.

At Miki’s Open Kitchen you choose between three different tasting menus. Even a fourth for kids ten and under is available. There are two seatings per evening, so you have a two-hour slot for dining in this place.

What you get is nothing that you will find in Japan. This is because Miki does his own take on Japanese cuisine with local produce from farmers he relies on. When you opt for the whole shebang as we did, you experience a journey of up to 23 unique elements plus the additional Otsukuri Plate (sashimi). We got all this in 7 servings.

While I liked everything we got, my favourite was probably the tempura. It was fun watching the chef doing it at two stations. In addition, flambéing food was part of the program a well.

The staff was immaculate, explaining all the dishes in the necessary detail to us. Miki’s Open Kitchen was definitely one of the best restaurants we encountered in Western Australia’s countryside.

1.3. Le Rebelle, Mount Lawley

(lost Chef Hat in 2026, 13 Points/1 Chef Hat Australian Good Food Guide 2025)

Mount Lawley is just minutes from Perth CBD and not far from Swan Valley either. We came from the latter as we found the dining scene there not so exciting (winery restaurants are only open for lunch). Le Rebelle perfectly fits into this hip, vibrant suburb of Mount Lawley. When you head here, you sign up for hustle and bustle. The dual-level dining room is usually packed with a lively urban crowd.

And the staff is energetic and gracious. Modern French Bistro food is on offer at Le Rebelle, but the owners – Liam & Sarah Atkinson – and chef James Knubley interpret it in their own way with the one or other Aussie touch.

In terms of dishes, the House Baguette was fabulous as were the Crab Toasts, one of their signature dishes. And I absolutely fell in love with the house-churned sorbet they do here. Yet all the rest we had was good too, be it the Cured Snapper or the Rock Cod “Bouillabaisse”.

The one thing you have to know withe Le Rebelle, it is a small, casual place. The tables are placed close together and some chairs come without backrests, which is not for everyone.

1.4. Kirby’s, Albany

Kirby’s was the one and only fine-dining restaurant we had in WA’s countryside that was not on the casual side. It is no dining spot in the strict sense either. This is because you can dine here exclusively on the occasion of the Friday Night Experience. Then a “decadent” (wording on website) five-course seasonal menu, sourced locally whenever possible, is served. And this in an elegant setting where “diners dressed in their finest attire” (wording again) gather for this purpose.

Frederick (chef) and Jacqueline Kirby (host) are behind this once-a-week dinner. He, an Irish chef with experience in Michelin starred establishments and formerly being executive chef of Sandalfords’s Winery – ,

runs Kirby’s Atelier de Cuisine. Here you can book cooking classes, hold events/celebrations in the opulent upstairs dining room – where the Friday Night Experience takes place too – or use his services as private chef. He took this career step because this allowed the married couple to focus better on the needs of their autistic, non-verbal son.

As to the experience itself, it was nice to be in a refined, old-school setting for a change – uncommon for WA. The food was excellent, especially the Gnocchi with Confit Wagin Duck and the Beef Fillet with Café de Paris Butter. The one thing I was not fond of was the sorbet and the ice cream being too hard (no pacojet used).

Service and ambiance were great, and the chef, with whom we exchanged a few sentences, is a really kind person.

1.5. Sótão, Albany

This is a fairly new place in the nice Downtown Albany Historic District, opened in June 2024. They call themselves a food and wine bar offering modern, European influenced cuisine in a relaxed setting.

While there is no actual website, some information is found on their Instagram account. Sótão is located on Albany’s main street, down towards the water. You find here a contemporarily decorated spot with rather dark interiors.

Foodwise, they serve tapas-style dishes intended to be shared and are delivered when they are ready (3-4 dishes for two). And there is a focus on regional and seasonal produce. On the menu on our visit were interesting choices just as Salted Cod Croquettes with Saffron Aioli, Roast Sweet Potatoes with Lemon Tahini or Porchetta (fatty pork roast roulade) with Pear & Inca Berry. Yet also Grilled Futari, full Blooded Wagyu, Rump was available. And for dessert you could either have a Basque Cheesecake or a Barcelona Olive Oil Cake.

We thoroughly loved our experience at Sótão, served by friendly staff in a pleasant ambiance.

1.6. May be good: de’sendent, Margaret River (not dined here)

(14 Points/2 Chef Hats Australian Good Food Guide 2026)

First of all, I must say that we have not dined at de’sendent. This eatery on Margaret River’s main strip was closed on the day we wanted to go. Yet I heard good things about it and I found it a promising place. It is about the new spot of chef Evan Hayter, who was sucessful with his former one in the area called Arimia. De’sendent was recognised as “New Restaurant of the Year for 2025” by the Western Australian Good Food Guide (WAGFG). And this for its creative and fun high-end dining. They offer a six-course tasting menu from 6pm. Plus, there is an afternoon menu between 4pm and 6pm where you can order snacks. What a good idea if you do not want to go for the whole shebang!

2. 3 simple but good restaurants in Western Australia

Here I am happy to share with you two eateries with good food between Perth and Exmouth. And we found a third one in a wine region other than Margaret River. It is about the Swan Valley in Perth’s surroundings. While these three places do not make part of Western Australia’s best restaurants, they can be described as rather basic yet quality dining options.

2.1. Exhale Exmouth

There are no real fine-dining options in Exmouth, maybe with the exception of the restaurant at our hotel, Mantaray’s Bar & Brasserie. Yet there are quite a few cool places with modern, often healthy food, especially for breakfast and lunch. As to dinner, we only found one in town we found appealing. Thus we went there twice. It is about Exhale Exmouth, a casual eatery with a good vibe and kind staff.

They serve tapas-style food designed to share that arrives from the kitchen when it is ready. And it is predominantly Gluten free, in case you look out for such one.

As you are by the coast, sea food is an important part of the offer. Think of Oysters – from Coffin Bay – in three Ways, Goldband Snapper Ceviche Tostadas or Exmouth Wild Caught Bugs (lobster-like crustaceans). And I liked every single one of them! Yet there is more, also quite a few vegetarian choices just as Chargrilled Broccolini or Karaage Cauliflower. Of course there are items with meat and poultry too, think of Steak Tartare, Braised Lamb Ribs or Kangaroo Fillet. And also tempting desserts are available.

2.2. Upstairs, Kalbarri

You will find no fine-dining establishments in Kalbarri, if I am not mistaken. But I had identified two relaxed places with modern cuisine before our visit that sounded promising enough. Unfortunately, one – Little Leaf Kalbarri –

was closed due to renovation works – , so there was only one left. That was Upstairs Restaurant, featuring contemporary interiors, which however felt a bit chilly.

Plus there is a balcony with a view of  the nearby river. Staff was friendly and helpful, yet not very talkative.

In terms of food, modern Australian fare is on the menu. And the dishes incorporate elements from different cuisines. I name here various Asian countries – Satay Skewers, Green Thai NZ Chilli Mussels or Seafood Laksa – , Italy (2 sorts of Linguini) or Morocco (Moroccan Lamb). Just as in Exmouth we are still on the coast, so seafood is prominently featured. You get her Western Rock Lobster, both on its own or as part of a Seafood Platter. I dined here three times and everything I had – fish, mussels and seafood – was of good quality, well prepared and tasty. The desserts were my least favourite part. They were okay but not more.

2.3. Locale Mio, Guildford

I was delighted to come across such a good Italian restaurant in historic Guildford. While it is a beautiful town, it does not necessarily have an alluring dining scene. Locale Mio is a casual yet sophisticated place that buzzed with life on our dinner.

The menu here showcases authentic Italian cuisine, blending traditional flavors with modern touches. From what I read, the owners grew up with their backyard as their grocery store. Their Mama used to prepare amazing creations from this fresh produce. And this has become their motto for Locale Mio as well.

They serve here Tapas, Fried, Cold and Hot, alongside Home-Made Pasta with Fresh Salad and Pizza. The dough for the latter is rested for 48 hours, made with a certified blended flour. Plus, irresistible desserts complete the offer. My husband and I shared their house salad, Italian Bread and Butter and then had pasta and risotto. And everything was just great. A delicious Pannacotta with Limoncello and Strawberry Coulis, which we shared, made the end.

And the service made a good job too!

About my Western Australia posts

Two posts about our four-week journey in Western Australia have already appeared on my blog. And one more will follow in this context. As to the former, I informed on our itinerary and where to go for staying in style. This very post covered my personal best (fine-dining) restaurants in Western Australia. And the last will showcase my favorite things to do in Australia’s biggest state.

Date of stay: September 2025

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