Relaxing in paradise can really work up an appetite! Luckily, there are plenty of top food and drink options to choose from when hunger strikes on your trip to Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. Check out the best Rottnest Island restaurants, bars and cafes to curate a memorable dining experience on your next trip.
Local chefs draw on WA’s abundance of fresh ingredients (think lots of seafood) to create unique dishes with a local flair. Soak up the relaxed island vibe as you drink or dine surrounded by the stunning scenery of Rottnest Island. Whether it’s a long lazy lunch or a quick bite to takeaway, everything tastes better when it’s served with a view.
Fuel up with the best breakfast spots on Rottnest Island
For the most important meal of the day, you can’t go past Geordie’s Café and Art Gallery. Dine on classics like smashed avocado, big breakfast and pancakes while admiring the local artworks that adorn the walls. Breakfast is served until 11:30 am so even late-risers can enjoy a freshly prepared hot brekky.
If you’re fuelling up for full day exploring, Pinky’s Rottnest Island offer a buffet breakfast menu that will provide all the energy you need. Fill up on the hot breakfast options, pastries, fruits and more and you’re good to go!
For a brunch that’s worth especially making the trip over to Rottnest Island for, book in for Lontara’s Sunday bottomless brunch. For two hours you can munch on as many dumplings, Asian rolls and curries as you can handle.
Perk up with coffee, takeaway treats, and retro caravan cravings
Caffeine junkies don’t need to worry about getting their fix on Rottnest Island. There are several excellent cafes on Rottnest Island where your cup of joe will be served with a smile.
Head to The Lane for takeaway coffee, juices and smoothies. To eat they offer acai bowls and takeaway options, perfect for lunch on the beach. And don’t miss their iconic craydog; marinated crayfish served in a soft bun. Yum!
Out of the settlement, Kalli’s and Lexi’s serve up coffee and takeaway snacks from charming vintage caravans. Head to Lexi’s at West End or Kalli’s by Wadjemup Lighthouse for coffee and cake with a view.
Ask any Perth local their favourite things about Rotto and the Rottnest Island Bakery’s jam donuts will come up high on the list. This Rottnest Island institution has been serving up pies, bread and sweet treats for longer than most people can remember. It’s your best option for a cheap and cheerful meal on the island.
Sip in style
Whether it’s an afternoon beer, sunset cocktail or a cosy fireside glass of red, Rottnest Island has stacks of places to enjoy a drink after a day exploring the island. For a classic beachside bevy, it’s hard to go past the iconic Hotel Rottnest. Overlooking Thomson Bay, Hotel Rottnest serves up drinks and pub classics all day long. Keep an eye out for their fun music events during the summer.
For drinkers looking for a European beach bar vibe, head to the Beach Club at Samphire Rottnest. Feel the sand between your toes as you sip on bespoke cocktails or WA wines. If you’re headed over in the cooler months, their Bayside Bar has a fireplace that’s perfect for a drink on moody winter days.
Indulge in the best restaurants for dinner on Rottnest Island
As the sun sets, the daytrippers head home and the lucky overnighters start to think about what’s for dinner. The best dinner restaurants on Rottnest Island get busy in the evenings. Book ahead if you are travelling during summer or the weekend.
Rottnest Island’s best new restaurant, Italian inspired Isola Bar e Cibo, is an excellent place to while away the evening with friends. Start with an aperitivo to get into the Mediterranean mood before dining on their unbeatable Italian small plates, pasta and mains. While the dishes are Italian, the ingredients are local, so seafood features heavily on the menu. Finish off with a classic Italian dessert or liqueur. Buon appetito!
For something a little more casual, head to Frankie’s on Rotto. They serve up classic dishes (including the best pizza on Rottnest Island) in a relaxed atmosphere. They also do delivery in the evenings on weekends if you prefer to relax on your accommodation balcony.
Unforgettable seafood dining experiences
A list of the best restaurants on Rottnest Island just wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the delicious seafood on offer. It is an island after all!
Our pick for the best Rottnest Island seafood restaurant is not actually a restaurant at all. The Luxe Seafood Cruise offers the chance not just to eat seafood, but to catch it as well. Sail out around the island and haul up cray pots with live Western Rock Lobsters. Then enjoy a freshly prepared 7-course meal onboard the luxury boat. There’s no better way to enjoy the scenery and seafood of Rottnest Island.
For land-lovers there are still plenty of seafood options available back on dry land. Lontara make the most of the ocean’s bounty with Asian inspired dishes such as Moreton Bay bug dumplings and lime-cured kingfish.
Where to delight kids with tasty eats on Rottnest Island
Satisfy the tiny food critics in your travel party with classic kid’s menus at Geordies and Hotel Rottnest. The Rottnest Island Bakery, Frankie’s and Dome Café are also great places to eat for travellers of all ages. And we know that no child (or adult) will be disappointed with an ice-cream from Simmos!
Wadjemup / Rottnest Island offers an abundance of incredible dining options that cater to every taste and preference. No matter where you choose to dine on Rottnest Island, you can be assured of a delightful experience that combines local flavours, stunning scenery, and the relaxed island vibe.
