Broome’s food scene is as diverse as the town itself, with a plethora of Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese and Asian-inspired dishes to enjoy.
Alternatively, get your hands on some of the region’s best brekkies or brunch at one of these local hangouts. From a rustic family-owned brewpub in one of the town’s heritage buildings to the largest Indigenous-owned brewery in WA, these places are sure to have something to please your tastebuds.
1. Ginreab’s Thai
Ginreab’s Thai is a must-visit restaurant in Broome if you want to enjoy authentic Asian cuisine. Located on Carnarvon Street, this eatery is popular among locals and serves up great Thai dishes at reasonable prices.
You can enjoy a variety of tasty dishes here, such as chicken pad thai, chicken wings and beef curry. The menu is varied and offers plenty of takeout options, making it a good choice for those who like to eat on the go.
There is a dedicated parking space near the restaurant, so you don’t have to worry about finding a place to park on the street. This eatery is also suitable for people who are in a wheelchair or have a disability.
The menu of this restaurant is full of exotic and delicious recipes based on original Asian spices. This restaurant also has vegetarian-friendly food.
Another restaurant you should try is Spinifex Brewing Co, a family-owned brewery that sources organic Fairtrade beans from around the world. Their brews are infused with native botanicals and have won a silver medal at the London Beer Competition.
You should also visit The Aarli, a modern Australian tavern within five minutes’ walk of Cable Beach. It has a menu full of share plates, and it’s the perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion with friends.
2. Spinifex Brewing Co
Spinifex Brewing Co is a local indigenous-owned craft brewery that brews beers infused with native botanicals. It sources organic Fairtrade beans from around the world and won a silver medal at the London Beer Competition.
Its alcoholic drinks include Ginger Beer, Gubinge Ginger Beer and Boab Nut Lager. It also has plans to build an Aboriginal bush foods processing and packaging facility alongside its brewery.
If you’re a fan of brews with a strong flavour, you can’t go past Spinifex. Its beers are crafted with a range of indigenous ingredients, including Boab nuts and Kakadu plum.
Earlier this month, the company raised $2 million in an equity crowdfunding raise on the Equitise platform. It’s the first time a western Australian brewery has done so, and is an important part of the brand’s future.
There are many other good lunch spots in Broome, too, such as Ginreab’s Thai and Dragonfly Cafe. The latter serves gen mai cha tea, as well as mango and lime pancakes.
The restaurant is a must for anyone looking for a delicious meal in Broome. It offers a wide variety of dishes, including lesser-known soups and grilled octopus.
The restaurant is also a great place to get a cup of coffee from its small-batch roastery, which sources premium organic Fairtrade beans from around the world. The coffee is available to order in the cafe or you can grab it to go from the coffee van at the Broome Courthouse Markets every Saturday morning.
3. Aarli
Broome is home to a diverse food scene, with influences from Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Filipino, Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese cultures. Whether you’re after a takeaway coffee or fine dining, there’s something for everyone here.
The enduring Chinatown restaurant Aarli has become one of the best lunch spots in town thanks to its clever Modern Australian eats with Asian twists. Think smashed avo with feta, dukkah and mint or wok-tossed Asian mushrooms for breakfast. Then chow down on a slow cooked beef brisket, slaw, cheese and sriracha hollandaise for a hearty lunchtime bite.
Aarli is also a coffee shop, offering takeaways such as chia pods and toasties with coffee. Their small-batch roastery sources premium organic Fairtrade beans from around the world, including Honduras and Papua New Guinea.
If you’re looking for a little more luxury, head to Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa for its in-house restaurants. This uber-chic South-East Asian resort fuses tropical flavours with classic Australian dishes, delivering big flavour in a relaxed setting.
Moontide Distillery is a must-visit for any gin lover, with its gins made from Kimberley monsoonal rainwater. Try the White Pearl Gin paired with a curated cheese board and make sure to order a cocktail or two while you’re there, such as the award-winning Matso’s beer.
4. Town Beach Cafe
One of the best places to get a bite to eat in Broome is Town Beach Cafe. It is located on Roebuck Bay and has excellent views over the beach.
The best thing about this place is that the food and drinks are good! You can enjoy iced coffee or a breaky burger as well as a wide selection of other dishes.
It is also a great place to go for a picnic! It is a very quiet place with beautiful views.
There is also a cafe next to this that has an excellent pizza and pasta. It is a very nice place and the staff are really friendly.
Broome has a diverse melting pot of Asian, Filipino, Malaysian, Aboriginal and other cultures. The city’s food scene is influenced by these cultural traditions, so it is no surprise that some of the best restaurants in Broome offer dishes that combine these different influences.
If you’re after a taste of this unique cuisine, head to Mr Saigon in Chinatown and sample the local’s take on Vietnamese classics such as bun bo hue (spicy beef and pork noodle soup) or bo kho (pot-roasted beef stew). There’s also an excellent selection of pho dishes and other less-known bowls that are sure to tickle your fancy!
5. SSJG Heritage Centre
If you are travelling to Broome Western Australia, there are many amazing lunch spots you can go to. From the iconic Matso’s Brewery to the new Vietnamese eatery in the revamped Chinatown precinct, there are lots of great places you can eat and drink at while you are there.
If your travels are going to include the Kimberley region, Broome is the perfect base. With a vibrant foodie scene, waterfront hotels and oyster bars, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking in this beautiful town.
SSJG Heritage Centre is one of the best places to visit while you are in Broome. Located in the Old Convent Building, this place has a lot of historical significance and is also home to an award winning Relationships exhibition.
The Sisters of St John of God, Kimberley, had a remarkable legacy and their work can still be seen at this stunning site today. The SSJG Heritage Centre houses a collection of memorabilia, documents and audio-visual items. The Sisters had a huge influence on the settlers of the Kimberley and their story is an important one that has been preserved.
It is also home to a number of museums and art galleries that are well worth visiting during your trip to Broome. If you have time, you should also try and visit the Broome Courthouse Markets, which are open on Saturdays and Sundays. The market has a lot of fresh fruit, doughnuts and even Filipino-style empanadas to choose from.
6. Moontide Distillery
Located in the quaint town of Bilingurr, Moontide Distillery is the first of its kind in Broome. Owners Andrew and Trish Davidson were inspired by the region’s unique geology and culture to produce a range of distinctive and unusual gins and spirits.
They’ve incorporated the Kimberley region’s monsoonal rainwater into their production process as well as a few other natural ingredients to give them an edge over their competitors. Their White Pearl Gin is the crown jewel of the bunch, made from native and cultivated botanicals such as Gubiny (Kakadu Plum), white berry bush and a host of other flavourful and funky ingredients including juniper, coriander and mango.
The best place to get your hands on this gin is from the Davidsons themselves, but they also have a cellar door and a tasting room if you want to take advantage of their fine spirit creations.
There are also a few other places around Broome where you can try their offerings including a recently launched Broome and Around Bus Charters and Tours food and drink tour.
They’ve got the most fun gin and cocktail tasting menu for you to sample their most popular concoctions. We’ve got the big boys like a White Pearl Gin and Tonic, Black Pearl Aniseed Gin and Tonic and Lemon, Lime and Roebuck Bay Bitters to name but a few of the many.
7. Bao Shed
The Bao Shed is a cafe and restaurant that celebrates Asian flavours. It offers a range of Australian and Asian fusion dishes. It also has an extensive drinks menu, with cold brew on tap, Komunity Brew kombucha and wine available.
This enduring Chinatown eatery has become a Broome institution, championing the diverse cultures that make this town unique. The menu is packed with share plates that span the world’s cuisines, from fried rice noodles and crispy duck bao buns to wok-tossed Asian mushrooms, panko-crumbed eggs and roti bread topped with sriracha hollandaise or smashed avocado with feta, dukkah, mint and sumac.
It’s also one of the best places to grab a quick bite to eat in downtown Broome, where you can sit under the huge frangipani tree and take in the view. It’s a popular spot for brunch, with the Egg Florentine, Eggs Benedict and Eggs Royale being a must-try.
Located inside the General Store, this burger and fries joint serves up flame-grilled meat and seafood along with classic pub food like empanadas and shark bay scallops. It’s the perfect place to grab a quick bite and a cold beer after a day of exploring Broome.