Shark Bay Food & Beverage Guide

Boasting crystal clear waters, marine life aplenty, dramatically rugged coastlines and native wildlife transporting you back to 1616, it’s easy to assume Dirk Hartog’s untouched landscapes and natural beauty are the stars of the show, but we’re here to provide a serious second contender; the drinks on offer at the Inscription Bar and Café.

Drawing inspiration from a range of influential people in Australian history, Dirk Hartog Island offers three distinctive and unique high quality, small batch gins; Dampier 1699, the Freycinet 1818 and the Vlamingh 1697. If gin isn’t quite your speed, not to worry.

The Inscription Bar and Café offer a range of all your other favourites; beer, wine, spirits and their barista style coffee being some of the very best we have ever tried. Smooth, rich and full-bodied - the quality would have you thinking you’re in the centre of the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s CBD, but as you look around you, you are happily reminded you’re about as far from city life as can be.

It's one thing to say you’ve had a drink at Australia’s most western café and bar, but it’s another entirely when they’re this good. Plan your visit.

Located in the picturesque RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, the Monkey Bar offers a unique dining experience. With its open-air beer garden facing directly out to the ocean, complete with twinkling lights strung between the swaying palm trees and a buzzing happy hour from 5pm-6pm daily, the Monkey Bar truly embodies the notion of ‘sit back and relax’.

Open every day from 4-10pm, the Monkey Bar is the perfect spot for a casual, laidback dining experience; providing a simple, yet tasty bar menu with lots of options including pizzas, burgers and salads. It even has the wee ones covered with a special kid’s menu, meaning they won’t miss out on the fun.

If you’re looking for a spot to watch the sun go down with a cold drink in hand, it doesn’t get any better than the Monkey Bar. Actually it might – some of the Monkey Mia locals (emus, pelicans and of course, the famous dolphins!) might feature in your picture perfect sunset! Plan a visit.

As with the Monkey Bar, the Boughshed Restaurant is also located within the picturesque RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, but offers a totally different dining experience. The Boughshed Restaurant is as beautiful and inviting as its surroundings. Boasting a light, bright and relaxing ambience thanks to the clean, minimalist feel of its white and wood interior, the Boughshed fills you with a sense of calmness as soon as you enter.

Open daily from 7am and offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner (see their website for seasonal opening hours) the Boughshed not only serves all of your food favourites (think everything from fish and chips to buddha bowls and smashed avo to pork belly) but serves them in quite possibly the most scenic location you’ve ever dined in. Choose from dining inside or out, with outside offering a range of different seating options depending on your preference.

Our recommendation? Come for breakfast so you can enjoy a side of dolphin spotting while you’re feasting on your perfectly cooked eggs benny and saccharine waffles.

For more info, see here.

Sitting pretty in the heart of Shark Bay, the Waterfront Bistro feels like so much more than a place to wine and dine, it feels like a getaway and a holiday in itself.

Drawing inspiration from the abundance of local produce on offer, and with a particular focus on top quality Shark Bay Seafood, the Waterfront’s newly launched menu promises to both surprise and satisfy you. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner you can expect to see all of your fav true blue Aussie pub meals (burgers, steaks and salads) along with some unexpected yet delicious delights (do try the Shark Bay scallops served on fresh watermelon). If a drink is what you’re after, the Waterfront is the only place in town serving cocktails. Along with beer and wine, they also serve the Shark Bay Lager.

Just as you can choose between a modern or more traditional meal, where to dine also poses a wonderful dilemma. Inside boasts a leafy green oasis with the restaurant and bar almost disguised by all of the lush, tropical plants, while outside on the balcony provides stunning views of the charming Denham Foreshore.

The new kid on the block—or rather, the much-loved old kid with a significant face-lift. Freshly refurbished with a new menu, Indigo Blues offers something for everyone (even the furry ones!).

Boasting uninterrupted views of Denham Foreshore from its cosy deck and a relaxed, modern coastal-inspired interior, deciding whether to dine inside or out is almost as hard as choosing what to order. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Tuesday to Sunday, Indigo Blues serves fresh seafood (their batter is unmatched!), tasty burgers, salads, barista-made coffees, and our favorite indulgence: Nutella French toast.

With thoughtful touches like board games for the kids, blankets for breezy days, tales of Shark Bay’s history adorning the walls, Indigo Blues is a dining experience not to miss! and did we mention you can order a mimosa with your brekkie? COUNT US IN!

Overlooking the stunning Shark Bay Marine Park, Ocean’s Restaurant not only offers the chance for amazing marine sightings right from their balcony, but the possibility to do so with delicious drinks and meals in hand (or rather, tummy).

Featuring a variety of mouth-watering home-made sweets and treats in the cabinets, casual, yet delicious lunch and breakfast menus (with specific menus for the kids), a range of top quality coffees, and to really bring their extensive offering home, did we mention Oceans is fully licenced too?!

Open daily from 9am to 5pm with breakfast served from 9am to 11am and lunch served from 11 am to 3pm, Oceans Restaurant is the ideal spot for a family-friendly day out. Even the dogs can join in on this one! Start your day by exploring the aquarium on one of their guided tours (complete with the infamous shark feeding) and then finish off by sitting back and soaking up the incredible landscape right in front of you. Made even better with an order of perfectly cooked calamari in hand, and of course, a slice of their famous carrot cake to finish.

The only restaurant in the world built entirely from coquina shell, the Old Pearler is a dining experience like no other. It’s intimate, it’s authentic, it’s cosy, and from the moment you set foot along the cobbled path leading in, you’re greeted with nothing but charm and delight. Think home away from home (if your home was built in the early 1900s and is adorned with nautical décor and lit by candle-filled lanterns).

Open daily for dinner, the menu features all of your favourite meals but with an exceptional high quality, dedicated in-house take. From immaculately cooked surf and turf to creamy fettucini carbonara and a selection of locally sourced seafood dishes the hardest part is choosing which dish to order!

If we had to pick just one? The seafood platter is a great way to taste a range of the local Shark Bay seafoods on offer and the chilli squid sauce is utterly delectable. So, sit back, relax and enjoy a culinary experience that is as authentic as the décor and customer service welcoming you. Given the intimate (and immaculate) dining experience, bookings are essential! Explore more.

Set your alarm—you (and your tummy) don’t want to miss this iconic Shark Bay eatery. World Famous (in Denham), the Shark Bay Bakery and Café is loved for its cream doughnuts, apple and custard matchsticks, hearty homemade pies with proper pastry, and honestly, pretty much everything else in the cabinets.

With bustling crowds every day, it’s easy to see why the Shark Bay Bakery and Café is a local favourite. Baked fresh daily, it’s the good ol’ fashioned bakery you loved as a kid, now with top-notch quality, flavour, and service. They even offer made-to-order meals if a bacon and egg burger or fresh sandwich is more your jam.

Open every day at 7:00am (closed Sundays), get in quick—some items sell out by mid-morning (cream doughnuts and vanilla slice, we’re looking at you). Plus, the coffee they serve is exceptional (and pairs perfectly with a doughnut!).

Soak up the summery beach vibes all year round here while you sip on a cold beer and enjoy the fresh fish and chips.

More commonly (and lovingly) known as the ‘old pub’, the Shark Bay Hotel is your quintessential Aussie pub experience in the Bay. Serving up all your pub favourites for lunch and dinner, the Shark Bay Hotel has a clear focus on providing top quality meals and doing it efficiently. They serve of course, a variety of fresh seafood dishes ranging from your classic local fish of the day to Shark Bay whiting, lemon pepper squid and the delicious fish burger. All seafood-ed out? The Hotel has just about every other meal on its menu; from their famous beef burger (served on a fresh milk bun) to their veggie moussaka and top-notch steak offerings.

Overlooking the waterfront, you can choose to either sit out the front and marvel at the bay, among the beautiful and shaded leafy garden around the side, or inside by the bar (the latter if you want TO watch a sports match). Open daily from 10am, lunch is served between 12-2pm and dinner 5:30-8:30pm.

Perched right across from the jetty, Shark Bay Café offers the perfect spot to relax and enjoy stunning views of the Denham foreshore. Open daily, this welcoming café pairs a laid-back coastal vibe with delicious meals, excellent coffee, and friendly service that keeps visitors coming back.

The all-day breakfast menu is a standout—think fluffy pancakes, hearty bacon and eggs, or vegan-friendly options, all served with a complimentary cup of tea. If you’re stopping by later, choose from a variety of homemade meals, fresh snacks, and irresistible cakes, perfectly paired with their high-quality brewed coffee. Shark Bay Café also caters to dietary needs, offering gluten-free and vegan options to suit every guest.

Enjoy free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating, making it a great place to catch up with friends, family, or simply soak in the coastal views. Whether you’re starting your day or unwinding after exploring Shark Bay, Shark Bay Café is the ultimate spot to relax, recharge, and indulge in a delightful dining experience right by the water.

If you’re craving a mouthwatering meal that reflects the essence of Shark Bay, Shark Bay Pizza has you covered. Their made-to-order 12-inch pizzas are baked to perfection in a custom oven, delivering crispy crusts and toppings bursting with flavour.

What sets Shark Bay Pizza apart is their dedication to freshness and local ingredients. Seafood toppings are locally caught and processed at the nearby Shark Bay Fish Factory, ensuring every bite is as fresh as it gets. Their menu doesn’t stop at pizza—indulge in their golden garlic bread and homemade desserts that satisfy any sweet tooth. A range of soft drinks makes for a complete meal experience.

For those with dietary needs, Shark Bay Pizza offers gluten-free bases and is happy to accommodate most requirements—just let them know when you order. Pro tip: pick up your pizza and head to the foreshore beach across the street for a perfect picnic with stunning coastal views.