The best restaurants on Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is blessed with some amazing local produce as well as some high quality wines and great local beers. As a result of its beautiful and abundant produce, the island’s restaurants are some of the best around! Looking for a place to eat during your trip? In this article we share the best restaurants on Kangaroo Island, helping you to enjoy the vibrant tastes of the region. 

Eating and drinking on Kangaroo Island

Fringed by fertile lands and rich waters, the Kangaroo Island boasts some fantastic gourmet delights. Thanks to a strong history of self-sufficiency, a strong support for local produce has developed over the years, resulting in gastronomic gems which are sprinkled across the island. Everywhere you turn on Kangaroo Island, you’ll find something delicious to sample.

It goes without saying that a stay on Kangaroo Island is best enjoyed with the help of local food. During your next visit, make sure to create your KI itinerary around some of the best restaurants on the island. Sample the region’s seafood and artisan produce as you explore with the help of the following list of best restaurants on Kangaroo Island!

The best restaurants on Kangaroo Island to try this year

Planning a trip to Kangaroo Island? Read on to discover the best restaurants. Eat and drink your way around the island this year!

The Oyster Farm

Kangaroo Island’s famous Oyster Farm is a classic destination for seafood lovers visiting KI. Whilst it might not technically be a restaurant, the farm shop offers a fabulous ‘aquaplatter’ featuring sustainable seafood from the island including marron or king george whiting, abalone and oysters. The menu is likely to be different depending on the day you visit.

​Alongside your fresh seafood, you can also enjoy a local Drunken Drone ale, a KI Brewery Beer, Kangaroo Island Cider and selected Kangaroo Island wines. Tea and coffee is also available. There’s no other place more authentically Kangaroo Island; you’ll feel just like a local here.

Kangaroo Island Bar & Lounge

The brand new Kangaroo Island Lodge Bar & Lounge is now open for lunch and dinner! Here in the cosy Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge, you can enjoy excellent hospitality and tasty food.

Have a beer at the bar or savour a glass of wine by the fireplace. The casual bar & lounge is the ideal place for a drink or a bite to eat whilst staying at the hotel or visiting American River.

Take 10% off your stay at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge with the code SAWE10. 

Reflections

Sitting close to the water’s edge on the Eastern Cove in the picturesque town of American River, Reflections restaurant is a fantastic, award winning restaurant boasting a seasonal menu. Find the region’s finest food and wines right here.

Reflections Restaurant won Trip Advisor’s Travellers Choice Award in 2020 and 2021 and is also known as one of the top restaurants on Kangaroo Island. Make sure you book your table, or you might just miss out!

Cactus

More of a restaurant than a cafe, Cactus in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, is a must-visit during your trip. Open seven days per week, the venue serves incredible coffee, refreshing juices, as well as simple yet tasty food. On the menu you’ll find things like salt and pepper squid, tofu baos and pork dumplings.

Packed with flavour and personality, Cactus serves the kind of locally inspired food you’ll be seeking on a hot summer’s day. So don’t miss it!

The Odd Plate

Another of the best restaurants on Kangaroo Island has to be The Odd Plate. Located in a lovely guesthouse built in 1927, the restaurant overlooks the beautiful Napean Bay in Kingscote and offers a cosy venue for tasting the best of KI. The Odd Plate works with some of the best suppliers on the island and uses seasonal produce year round. 

The Odd Plate is a casual restaurant, with food crossing all sorts of borders. There is no specific cuisine served here, but all plates are made to be creative, fresh and packed with taste!

False Cape Wines

False Cape Wines has a truly distinctive Cellar Door and is a must-visit destination on Kangaroo Island. Sure, it is best known for its wines, but if you’re looking for a snack or a small meal with a view, this is for you.

Offering a delightful culinary experience, the venue features a delectable selection of high-quality wines complemented by deluxe platters, homemade pies, daily specials, and a kids menu. The spacious indoor and outdoor areas, including an enclosed lawn and a nature playground for children, create an ideal setting for leisurely indulgence.

With its picturesque location just 15 minutes away from Penneshaw, False Cape Wines provides the perfect opportunity to unwind and savour an award-winning glass of wine amidst breathtaking surroundings.

Millie Mae’s Pantry

Quaint little Millie Mae’s Pantry was established to honour the exceptional culinary offerings of Kangaroo Island. The sweet cafe and restaurant offers visitors the opportunity to immerse in a timeless atmosphere. Sit in the charming garden and watch the world go by.

Millie Mae’s offers a delectable breakfast and lunch menu, incorporating a wide range of locally sourced ingredients. Diners have the choice of savoring their meals on the deck, amidst the beauty of the garden, or opting for a convenient takeaway option, perfect for those catching a boat.

Millie Mae’s Pantry also features a pantry store, showcasing an extensive array of local products, including honey, figs, chutneys, olives, oils, lavender items, health food, skincare products, pottery, candles, and more. Additionally, guests can drop by in the afternoon for a refreshing drink or snack, and we highly recommend pairing a local toasted Panini with a glass of wine, beer, or KIS gin.