Now open: The Meelup Farmhouse team expand to Bunker Bay with ilma Beach House

For most people, Dunsborough’s big draw is its beaches, where the bustling coastal town is favoured among Perth holiday goers looking to unwind down south.

Article and photos by Jono Outred

And while much of Dunsborough and its surrounding coastline can boast world class beaches fit for surfing, boating, snorkelling or sunbathing, few have the added luxury of a restaurant right on the sand.

This is the case, however, for ilma Beach House – a recently opened restaurant where you can not only indulge in views of the pristine waters of Bunker Bay Beach, but you can actually hear the waves roll in, feel the sand on your feet and smell the flowering coastal natives as you drink and dine.

Formerly Bunkers Beach House, the refurbished space is the latest from restaurateurs Liz and Mark Ahearn, who also own popular Meelup Farmhouse in town – and dramatically overhauled and renovated the space in just eight weeks.

The breezy, Malta beach club-inspired space evokes a sense of calm with its soft, textured hues of creams and whites set against wicker furnishings, natural light and stone and wood details.

Contrasting many venues in the Southwest leaning into the hustle of high-volume services, Ilma purposefully encourages a slower pace fit for seaside dining.

Despite its unhurried disposition, service at Ilma is sharp, with quick and attentive staff at the ready for fine-tuned food and drinks service. The menu gives a nod to Mediterranean flavours; for breakfast there’s Turkish eggs with labneh and dukkah or smoked trout with fennel and caviar, plus there’s a refined take on the big breaky and pancakes with lemon curd and ricotta.

Coffee is, as it should be, very well-made using Locale Coffee Roasters beans.

For lunch, the menu switches gear with seafood celebrated alongside locally-grown produce and proteins. Lighter leaning dishes are good to start, like swordfish carpaccio with watermelon and candied olives, or a very classically styled prawn cocktail.

Crumbed pork cutlet, braised lamb neck and their respective accoutrements are more substantial while crayfish linguine demonstrates the kitchen’s care to cook seafood properly.

Given the quality of food and the spectacular views, drinks are also expectedly good with a solid ranging of local tap beers, a small but considered wine list and a seasonal cocktail list that leans into the venue’s casual seaside aesthetic – think Paloma’s, Peach Bellini’s and Ameretto Sours all day long.

Okay okay, we know it’s time to quit drilling when you’ve already struck oil.

Ilma Beach House is located on Farm Break Ln, Naturaliste, open from 8am-5pm, Thurdsay-Monday.