8 excellent places to eat and drink in Exmouth right now
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Cover photo: BBQ Father is an award-winning poolside restaurant on Murat Road in front of the Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort. Photo credit: BBQ Father
If you are anything like us, indulging in some delicious food can go a long way towards creating an unforgettable holiday experience. Food can be one of the best parts about travelling. And after a day of fun and adventure exploring all that Exmouth has to offer, a good feed is the least you deserve.
Aside from the sightseeing and fun activities, your Exmouth escape is also a chance to get some much-needed rest and relaxation. And for many of us, that means taking some time off from the kitchen and letting someone else cook.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great places to eat here in Exmouth. While the town may be small, the food options are vast. You’ll find something to suit the whole family. From cafes and food trucks to restaurants and breweries, we have put together a handy guide of food and drink recommendations to help enhance your Exmouth holiday experience. So, if you want to know where to go to grab a bite to eat and drink, read on.
BBQ Father
Pizza and pasta lovers don’t have to go far to enjoy some tasty Italian food. BBQ Father is an award-winning poolside restaurant on Murat Road in front of the Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort. The restaurant is opposite the big prawn – you can’t miss it! Book a table and enjoy an authentic Italian experience at this family-run restaurant or get a takeaway to pick up instead. They also deliver. Choose from a delicious menu of mouth-watering pasta dishes, woodfired pizzas and juicy smoked meats. This fully licensed restaurant is open in the evenings, from 5.30 pm to 9 pm, six days a week (closed Sundays). Head to the BBQ Father website to view the menu and make a dinner reservation.
Whalebone Brewing Company
Enjoy a refreshing locally brewed craft beer or two in a laid-back no-frills setting at the Whalebone Brewing Company. Located on Patterson Way, the Whalebone Brewing Company is open seven days a week, from 12 pm to 10 pm. Their focus is pints and pizzas served in an unassuming family-friendly setting. Enjoy beers and cider on tap and tuck into some of the best pizza in town. Whalebone Brewing Company is a great place to catch up with a few mates or wind down in the afternoon or evening with the family. Owned and operated by two local families, it is a local favourite and a popular hangout for holidaymakers. So be prepared for a wait if you want to order food.
Adrift Café
Adrift Café has been serving simple, rustic, fresh food to locals and tourists since opening its doors in December 2016. At this popular café, you’ll find excellent coffee, delicious food, and friendly understated vibes. Adrift Café is on Huston Street in Exmouth. Currently, the café is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30 am to 2 pm, reopening at 6 pm in the evenings. Swing by for brekkie, lunch, and dinner. You can eat in or grab some food to go.
Ningaloo Bakehouse & Café
Ningaloo Bakehouse & Cafe is something of an Exmouth institution. The bakery has been a staple of the Exmouth food scene since its opening in 1963. No trip to Exmouth is complete without a visit to this much-loved bakery and café in the Ross Street Mall. The coffee is good, and you must try the freshly baked cakes, pastries, and bread. The breakfast menu includes wraps, burgers, pies, and toasties. The lunch options include freshly made sandwiches, salads, wraps, hot rolls, pizzas, and Turkish bread.
Froth Craft Brewery
Froth on Kennedy Street is an award-winning micro-brewery and restaurant with regular live music and a kids’ play area. Located in the centre of town, Froth Craft Brewery offers a menu of delicious, modern Australian cuisine made from produce sourced locally. They brew their artisan craft beers on-site. The first micro-brewery in the Gascoyne and Pilbara, the Froth team has created over 40 beers since opening in 2017. They have a lot of beers on offer. But with so much choice, it gives you a great excuse to order a beer tasting paddle and try a selection. Open daily from 11 am until late, the Froth experience is one you won’t want to miss.
Exhale Exmouth
You’ll find Exhale Exmouth on Thew Street in the town centre. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday, serving breakfast from 7.30 am until 11 am (11.30 am on weekends) and dinner from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Start the day with a hearty brekkie on the under cover verandah. Then pop by in the evening for delicious food and cocktails in the airconditioned restaurant. Visit Exhale Exmouth’s Facebook page for more information.
The Social Society Exmouth
The Social Society, affectionately referred to as ‘Soso’ by regulars and locals, is the go-to place for vegetarian food in Exmouth, be it breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack. The healthy menu at this much-loved vegetarian café also features a good selection of vegan options. Located on Thew Street, serving fresh and tasty food, The Social Society is known for its excellent coffee (one of the best in Exmouth). Soso is a popular hangout for breakfast and brunch. Like other popular Exmouth eateries, it does get busy. But that’s always a good sign.
Whalers Restaurant
Located in the Exmouth Escape Resort on Murat Road and Welch Street, Whalers Restaurant is a family-run restaurant specialising in serving fresh local seafood in a relaxed, family-friendly environment. It’s the perfect spot in Exmouth to celebrate a special occasion or enjoy a meal in a romantic setting with your significant other. Whalers is open for breakfast between 7 am to 10.30 am, lunch from 11.30 am to 2 pm, and dinner from 5 pm until late. Bookings are not essential for breakfast or lunch, but we recommend making dinner reservations to avoid disappointment. Standouts on the menu include local tiger prawns, Coffin Bay oysters, spicy crispy calamari salad, Shark Bay crab cake, Goldband snapper, New Orleans seafood gumbo and chargrilled bacon-wrapped eye fillet.
Other eateries worth a mention
Earlybird Café on Kennedy Street for coffee, breakfast, lunch, and food to go.
Mantaray’s Restaurant at Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort for cocktails, amazing seafood, and a fancy evening out.
Planet Burgers food truck on Payne Street for burgers, nachos, loaded fries, and souvlaki.
The Beach Shack, Bundegi Beach for breakfast with a view.
If you’re planning a trip to Exmouth, please be mindful that much like the rest of the world, the hospitality industry in Western Australia currently faces many challenges because of Covid-19, border restrictions and staff shortages. So, make a reservation where possible. And head to their individual websites and social pages for the most up-to-date opening hours before visiting.
Don’t forget to check out our rundown of things to see and do in Exmouth and Ningaloo. Voted one of the top 10 Aussie towns to visit (thanks, Wotif.com!), there’s so much to discover here in Exmouth – both in and out of the water. Whether you seek an adventure getaway or some time away to rest and relax, Exmouth has it all.