Esperance is paradise on the WA coast, with white sandy beaches, rocky coastlines and a pink salt lake.
However, this stunning town also has plenty to offer foodies. Check out the best places to eat and drink in Esperance for an experience like no other.
Esperance Distillery Co
After launching as Australia’s smallest distillery in 2020, Esperance Distillery Co has since grown into a small-batch company producing gins infused with native botanicals. The father and son duo behind the brand work closely with local botanists and Indigenous elders to utilise the unique powers of Australian flora in every bottle of coastal gin.
This has resulted in a range of high quality spirits with flavours of Lemon Bush, Rosella, Eucalyptus and more. Standouts include the Cut and Run dry gin, which is infused with Vanilla Acacia, Juniper and Coriander for subtle spice and a smooth finish, as well as Blue Haven Sunset gin, which gets its distinctive colour from wild-foraged Melaleuca.
When visiting on site, you can embark on a guided tasting of the top gins, purchase your favourite bottle, and bring your pooch along for an afternoon of friendly hospitality.
Esperance Distilling Co is currently accepting registrations of interest for the release of its inaugural batch of whisky, which builds upon the success of recently acquired Lisandras Distillery. The team have used traditional double pot distillation to achieve a delicious and smooth drop.
Inspired by his love of gin, co-founder and head distiller James has also released a barefoot guide to Australian gin. The field guide is a simple and approachable document for those who want to understand gin better, without the technical jargon. The online guide includes a behind-the-scenes look at the gin making process, tips on how to identify your preferred gin style, and a closer look at the Aussie gin industry.
Aurelia’s Ice Creamery & Cafe
In Esperance, the summer heat can rise to scorching levels. That’s why Aurelia’s is open seven days a week to sell traditional scooped ice cream and other sweet treats.
The family-owned business also bakes pies, sausage rolls and pasties fresh daily, and rolls out new lunch specials every week. Think beef lasagne, curry with rice, and plenty of pre-made sandwiches for a convenient weekday meal. The homemade southern fried chicken is particularly popular, as well as the fresh salads, barista-made coffee, winter soups and shakes.
Thanks to the ideal location right near the water, Aurelia’s is the perfect place to stop for a coffee on your morning stroll, or fuel up after a long day in the sun.
Fish Face
Fish Face is the home of fresh seafood in Esperance. From Tuesday to Friday, it serves delicious, crispy fish and chips using sustainable ingredients and locally-caught varieties. Each day, the team also design a daily special to honour the flavours and landscape of Esperance, using the best produce brought in off the boats that morning. Previous specials include octopus marinated in smokey paprika and served with gourmet potatoes, bas cod rillettes with garlic-rubbed seeded house toast batons, and grilled Abrohlos scallops on cauliflower puree with cauli florets and crispy prosciutto.
Fish Face is not a fast-food venue, making every meal to order with only the best ingredients. The regular dine-in menu has been designed with plenty of options so visitors can make their meals as healthy as they would like. From banana prawns with sriracha mayo to kids chicken strips and chips, there’s something for everyone.
On Mondays, the restaurant transforms into a Sri Lankan takeaway spot, sharing traditional flavours created by the owner, Jayani Alexanderge.
Yirri Grove
A short drive from Esperance on the southeast coast of Western Australia is Yirri Olive Grove, a family-run farm and restaurant famous for its home-grown olives and oils.
Owners Anne and Shane have been building the Yirri Grove brand since 2010, and today produce a range of award-winning products which can be purchased directly from the Farm Shop.
The Farm Restaurant is perfect for a relaxed yet flavourful meal amongst the olive trees. The menu is inspired by Mediterranean flavours and cooked in the farm’s own extra virgin olive oil, prioritising the paddock to plate experience with fresh vegetables from the garden and home-baked goods taking the lead.
We recommend trying the sourdough bread, which is baked daily, or the homemade scones with fresh clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Each year, Yirri Grove produces around 500 litres of oil and 500 kilograms of table olives from their Kalamata trees. All bottling and packaging occurs on site. To learn more about the process, you can book an olive grove tour and take a guided walk through the property as the owners delight with stories of olive growing and production. You’ll also be guided through an olive and olive oil tasting, before returning to the farm shop to explore the full range of products.
Bread Local
For hand shaped, slow fermented bread, it doesn’t get better than Bread Local. Just four kilometres from the centre of town, the bakers is decorated with tall gumtrees and a warm firepit in winter. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, you’re invited to find a seat on the lawn with a fresh baked treat and barista coffee.
All goodies are made in-store daily. Enjoy regular favourites including almond croissants, cinnamon buns, pork and fennel sausage rolls, and wood-fired sourdough loaves, as well as a rotating list of weekly specials (announced on social media). Sandwiches and wraps are also available for takeaway.
Recently, Bread Local opened a smaller store down town. Little Local is open from Monday to Saturday, stocked up on a select range of pastries, bread and sandwiches. Don’t worry – everything is still made fresh and ready to go.
The Quarters
The Quarters was originally a hospital in Perth. In 1931, it was dismantled and sent around the Capes of Western Australia by boat, to house the Esperance Hospital. After a new hospital was built in town, it was relocated to the shores of Esperance Bay and became a renowned tearoom in the 1980s. Today, the building is a family-owned restaurant specialising in contemporary Australian cuisine.
The restaurant draws its inspiration from the rugged coastline and rich history of Esperance. It partners with small local producers to source the freshest produce and honour the abundance of the region. The menu changes seasonally, and is designed to reflect the quality ingredients.The Quarters also hosts regular events championing producers and chefs. As the team contact suppliers to consider the menu, they also design wine lists to match. Other events include live acoustic music, vinyl nights, dance classes and more. Make sure to check out their socials for more details.
Lucky Bay Brewing
Locally crafted beer is the name of the game at this popular brewing company. In fact, Lucky Bay Brewing is the only brewery in WA to use raw barley direct from local farmers, as well as quality barley and wheat from specific locations near Esperance for the range of special brews. What results is a unique, flavourful taste and a reduced carbon footprint.
The award-winning range of beers are inspired by the natural wonders surrounding Esperance. Cyclops is an Indian Pale Ale in tribute to the infamously heavy and dangerous surf off the coast of Esperance, delivering a strong wall of flavour and a dry bitter finish.
The brewery itself is always pumping with a local crowd. The venue is family and pet friendly, with a large lawn area and playground for children, and board games and colouring to keep them entertained over dinner. The brewery menu is designed by Chef Sam, featuring wood-fired pizzas, prawn & chorizo tacos, crispy shredded lamb, and a kids menu of all the crowd-pleasing classics.
On Fridays and Sundays, you can enjoy live music from talented local artists while sipping on a refreshing brew. Plus, other special events run on weekends and holidays, including free film screenings, paint & sip classes, and backyard cricket competitions.
If you’d like to learn more about how the beer is made, you can join a brewery tour. On tour, an expert guide will take you behind-the-scenes of the award-winning micro brewery to learn all about the brewing process and taste a selection of four top beers.
Cloud 11
Cloud 11 is your go-to for specialty coffee and delicious Japanese-influenced food. The beans are roasted weekly by the cafe’s owner, Glen, and a selection of hand-crafted teas are also available.
Open for breakfast and lunch, Cloud Eleven puts a creative spin on all your favourite dishes. Think scrambled eggs with Aburi miso, or kimchi with bacon and Kochujang miso flavoured whipped feta. Lunch specials include Thai beef salad, rice bowls with teriyaki octopus or ka pow chicken, and a pork belly banh mi burger.
Coffee lovers will salivate over the specialty brews, and the friendly staff are happy to provide tasting notes to elevate your dining experience. In the afternoons, swap out your hot brew for a cold glass of wine or a Japanese beer, and enjoy a meal with friends.
If you love these top places to eat and drink in Esperance, check out how to have the perfect summer holiday in this coastal town.
Rex flies to Esperance. Head to the Rex website or check out the route map below for more details.
