5 Restaurants Where Native Ingredients Shine on the Plate

The use of native ingredients in cooking both at home and in restaurants around the country has significantly increased recently.

With Chefs like Matt Moncrieff and native food Queen Mindy Woods spruiking the value of these ingredients – think finger lime, lemon myrtle, saltbush and mountain pepper – don’t be surprised to find them on your plate when dining out.

Here are five restaurants where native ingredients shine on the menu: 

Located in a stunning position overlooking ancient basalt rocks, Bunbury’s Basalt by the Sea on Marlston Drive offers breathtaking 180-degree views of the Indian Ocean, Leschenault Inlet and the city. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, catching up with friends or spoiling your partner, sit back and relax in Mantra Bunbury’s premium restaurant to peruse a menu inspired by earth, fire and water. 

 

Think entrées like seared scallops, rice cake, finger lime cream sauce and lemon myrtle oil, or salt and pepper squid with chilli jam; then treat your taste buds to temptations like hemp and wattleseed braised lamb, char-grilled pumpkin, roasted parsnip, goats’ cheese and red wine sauce, or share the Basalt seafood platter with hot and cold seafood, sauces, condiments, a refreshing salad and hand-cut chips.

Delivering fine food experiences and exceptional events since 1986, Comestibles on Kensington Street in East Perth believes catering is a form of storytelling. A team of creative and meticulous experts are proud to have orchestrated clients’ most meaningful milestones, as well as some of WA’s most significant occasions; whether two guests or two thousand, this family-owned business will consult with you every step of the way and tailor every detail to your taste.

Ballroom or boardroom, Comestibles will compose a menu that will impress, nourish and inspire your guests using native ingredients, along with a beverage selection to match the flavour of the food and the spirit of the occasion from canapés to dinner. The real flair goes unseen as a family of composed catering experts takes care of everything for you.

Nestled in one of Albury’s most idyllic and picturesque locations, indulge your culinary senses at The River Deck on Noreuil Parade. This award-winning restaurant on the banks of the iconic Murray River serves up Modern Australian cuisine from menus driven by the natural, native and local ingredients sourced from the region. 

 

From breaky to sundown, there is something to tempt all tastes proving that the best dining experiences happen when you leave the city behind; start your day with slow-cooked beef Benny on a crispy potato rosti with eggs, sticky coffee BBQ sauce and Hollandaise. Join the lively later crowd for smoked pork hock and pistachio terrine, apple and sultana chutney and brioche, then delve into hand-rolled gnocchi, slow-cooked duck leg, kimchi and shaved Parmesan.

Spoil yourself with freshly made gelato and sorbet at Shaylee Strawberries on Marks Lane in Atherton. This family-owned farm produces fresh strawberries to be sold onsite, along with Berry Lane strawberry wine, while the café serves delicious locally roasted Tattooed Sailor coffee to go with housemade scones topped with jam and a dollop of cream.

 

After selecting your pick from the crop to take home, stop in for all-day plates like local mixed mushrooms, housemade mushroom pâté, feta and rocket on toasted sourdough, or zucchini and halloumi fritters with fennel purée, zucchini pickle, sour cream and peri peri sauce; perhaps pasta with prawns, cherry tomato, white wine and lemon butter sauce, rocket and chilli hits the mark, or devour a steak sandwich with rocket, tomato, cheese, chimichurri and garlic aioli, on toasted Turkish with chips.

Find a haven for homemade delights which seamlessly fit into your dynamic lifestyle at Avents Gourmet Kitchen on Cool Store Road in Hastings. Whether you're racing back to work or indulging in the latest gossip with your BFF, Avents offers a delectable range of take-away and dine-in meals designed to elevate your culinary experience.

 

The cafe is a unique blend of charm and sustainability, with a lush plant-filled exterior beckoning you into a space where the walls narrate a tale of creativity, adorned with materials sourced from kerb sides and op shops. Avents conveys a powerful message – cherishing what you love doesn't demand a hefty price tag but rather a blend of time, patience and passion – along with dishes to tempt all tastes such as local gummy shark tacos with fermented chilli mayo, heirloom green tomato and chilli salsa.