As the seasons change, so do our tastebuds. The cool weather calls for cups that can be clasped for warmth and big bowls with rising clouds of steam.
Enjoy an abundance of places to dine and drink on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island this winter, serving up vivid ocean views, sensational seasonal produce, and unforgettable flavours. Below is your guide to all the places where such winter delights can be discovered around the island.
Wherever your winter adventure takes you, rest assured a snack and a warm cup of coffee are never far away. It's the season of slow sips and hearty food, where every cafe or kiosk visit is woven into the journey.
Start your day of exploration in the idyllic surrounds of the settlement at The Lane Cafe. A warm, barista-made coffee or sweet hot chocolate are essential for any wanderer, best paired with a hot out of the oven muffin of the day. Takeaway options here are both familiar and fresh, and include breakfast wraps, tantalising toasties, and sunshine yellow Portuguese tarts, and for lunch, the locally loved cray dog: a fresh twist on a coastal classic.
Open for: Takeaway breakfast and lunch (daily)
Must try: Cray dog
Savoury and sweet scents mingle with crisp salty air, creating an aroma no visitor can resist at Rottnest Bakery. Daily offerings include classic bakery treats to warm up on cool days, plus seasonal additions such as soup, hot chicken and chips or roast veggies from the Chook Shack window.
Open for: Takeaway breakfast and lunch (daily)
Must try: Jam, custard, or Nutella filled doughnut
A nostalgic kiosk, Pelican awaits with winter offerings at The Lodge Wadjemup. Think freshly brewed coffee, a classic bacon butty, hot roast beef or pork roll, and croque monsieur. Pair steaming soup with a golden toastie, or a warm drink with something sweet and fresh-baked. While adults unwind, the nearby playground invites energetic youngsters to explore. And for a sweet treat to finish any coastal adventure, soft serve is a delight for all ages.
Open for: Takeaway breakfast and lunch (daily)
Must try: Steamy soups and jamon, gruyere and truffle toastie
For those taking in the historic energy of Wadjemup Hill and Wadjemup Lighthouse, keep the winter chill at bay by sipping on a hot beverage from the comfort of a deck chair at Kalli's on Rotto. Take in the 360-degree views that encompass the area, complete with rejuvenated foliage and glimpses of surging cobalt sea.
Open for: Light takeaway snacks and refreshments (daily)
Must try: Arancini
Heading over to the wild West End? The retro caravan of Lexi's on Rotto is open to reward all those who wander in winter with a hot drink. Pair this with a comforting toastie or fluffy muffin while you observe the rugged seasonal changes. Migrating species of maamoong (whale) might also be spotted here, as they make their annual journey through Wadjemup's waters.
Open for: Light takeaway snacks and refreshments (daily)
Must try: Toasties
Whether you’re gearing up for a big day of adventure or winding down for the evening, there’s plenty on offer to curb everyone’s appetite at Subway. Choose from classic sandwiches, toasted subs, warm cookies, and even pizza - the only branch in Australia to offer this.
Open for: Breakfast, lunch and dinner (daily)
Must try: A Subway pizza
The atmosphere is relaxed, and the meals are moreish. These family-friendly favourites are filled with all the staples you know and love, with additional seasonal specials designed to warm from top to toe.
After hours spent exploring, come back to the gentle hum of the settlement and reconnect over comfort food. Whether you're visiting as a family, with friends, or as a couple, the hearty spread from Frankie's will keep everyone content. Choose from their famous handmade sourdough pizzas and garlic bread, plus cosy pasta dishes.
Open for: Lunch and dinner (daily)
Must try: Frankie’s BBQ sourdough pizza
Re-energising after a surf in the brisk winter waters or a walk along the nearby Karlinyah Bidi is more satisfying with a plate of Geordie's Cafe belly-warming spiced beans or a boatie’s big breakfast in front of you. Later in the day, hunger-busting burgers are an island favourite. Little ones will love the nearby playground that’s close enough for you to keep a watchful eye while savouring every moment spent sipping from a steam-curled mug.
Open for: Breakfast and lunch (daily) and dinner (Wednesday to Saturday)
Must try: A classic cheeseburger and hot chips
The team at Dome know what’ll hit the spot during winter, with hot breakfasts, chocolate-y cappuccinos, and rustic bowls of soup on the seasonal menu. Stop by for revitalising meals out of the winter chill, while you watch the gentle stream of fellow winter wanderers glide to and from the island by ferry.
Open for: Breakfast and lunch (daily) plus dinner on select Saturdays
Must try: Cheesy panini and warm tomato soup
Gather those nearest and dearest to you for a wonderful winter’s afternoon or evening on Wadjemup. At these venues, fireside dining sets the pace for slow, indulgent meals where glasses clink and lively conversation lingers late into cool nights.
Relax, take pause and relish the views of Bathurst Lighthouse and Pinky Beach during a different season. All-weather alfresco dining and outdoor firepits at Pinky's Rottnest Island ensure you are wrapped in atmospheric warmth. Settle in beside dancing flames and sample local drops or seasonal cocktail specials. Later, complimentary roasting marshmallows are provided for a sweet salute to a day well spent.
Open for: Breakfast, lunch and dinner (daily)
Must try: Steak sandwich
Come for hearty pub classics, stay for the comfort of warmth shared. The fire will be roaring inside Hotel Rottnest so you can curl up and take in Thomson Bay while dining on favourites like fish and chips, roast chicken souvlaki, plus slow-cooked lamb with all the trimmings.
Open for: Lunch and dinner (daily)
Must try: Sunday Roast
As twilight stars sparkle overhead, find a firepit to gather around at Bayside Bar for pre or post dinner drinks. Choose from bespoke cocktails, warming wines, beer, and mocktails to savour as time stretches out. Here, you can rug up and relax while dancing amber flames and lively chatter keep everyone cosy.
Open for: Drinks (daily)
Must try: Spiced mulled wine
Celebrate togetherness in the stunning natural surrounds. Seasonal shifts bring about bolder sunsets, deeper ocean hues and rain-misted windows, crafting a unique backdrop for memorable moments. All dining areas are fully enclosed and heated to keep the chill out and great atmosphere in.
Dine and drink on sophisticated Italian flavours inside Isola Bar e Cibo. Here, an afternoon aperitif turns into hours of humming chatter, and an intimate meal extends long into the evening. Treat yourselves to a tipple from the drinks list featuring warming wines and an extensive spritz menu. Best served with a steaming bowl of pasta and fresh focaccia.
Open for: Lunch and dinner (Wednesday to Monday)
Must try: Taglierini blue swimmer crab pasta
After a long day cycling in the cool air or taking to the island’s trails, let the flavours of South East Asia's archipelagos warm you from the inside out at Lontara. These share-style eats focus on fine ingredients and fiery flavours, with sensational curry, seafood and dumpling dishes on the menu during the winter months.
Open for: Breakfast (daily), lunch (Friday to Sunday) and dinner (Tuesday to Saturday)
Must try: Cervantes rock lobster with Balinese style curry
The glow of a fiery winter sunset over Garden Lake is a striking sight. Inside Sunsets, warmth is cultivated through a crackling wood fire, underfloor heating, and an enticing Mediterranean menu.
Open for: Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner (daily)
Must try: Potato gnocchi with tiger prawn and blue swimmer crab
If you plan on whipping up a winter meal yourself, the ingredients you need are already here. Stop by The General Store in Thomson Bay settlement or Geordie Bay to pick up any groceries as you need them.
The menu items featured in this article are based on the most current information available at the time of publishing. Please be aware that each restaurant’s offerings may change over time.
Make your visit even more meaningful with helpful advice from those in the know.
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