Looking for Rottnest cafes? Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying for a week, you’ll want to know all the best family-friendly options for dining on Rottnest Island. You can’t go past a Rotto Bakery fresh bake, and you could well need a takeaway coffee for fueling your bike ride! The whole family is sure to enjoy an afternoon ice cream from Simmos too. We’ve got the low-down on all of the best places on Rotto to grab a take away dinner or casual bite to eat – where sandy feet are more than welcome! Here’s our guide to the best cafes on Rottnest Island;
Looking for something less-casual? See our guide to family friendly Rottnest restaurants here.
Rottnest Bakery, Thomson Bay
The first stop at Rotto just HAS to be Rottnest Bakery! The island icon has something to please everyone – no matter if you have a savoury or sweet tooth. There are freshly baked pies and sausage rolls, to vanilla slices, muffins and jam doughnuts. Their freshly made sandwiches are handy if you want to take something in the coolie bag for lunch, some of the more remote beaches have limited, if any food options.
Staying on the island? Rottnest Bakery’s roast chicken, chips and salad packs from the Bakery’s Chook Shack window make for an easy (and tasty) family feed.
Find Rottnest Bakery at the Somerville Mall, Maley Street, Rottnest.
Dome Café, Thompson Bay
Close to the ferry jetty, Dome café overlooks Thomson Bay. The West Aussie spot offers up their usual selection of breakfast, lunch, cake and snacks, as well as coffee, tea and other hot and cold drinks. They are also open for dinner on Saturday nights, with a selection of beers and wines. Kids will love their milkshakes and freddo Frappuccinos! There’s a playground opposite Dome Cafe too.
Find Dome Cafe at Colebatch Ave, Rottnest.
The Lane, Thomson Bay
My personal go-to, The Lane’s baristas make an excellent cup of coffee. This tiny take away offers up freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, acai bowls and breakfast and lunch options. Their “posh dogs”, gourmet hot dogs HAVE to be tried! The Lane also caters well for gluten-free, lactose free, vegan and vegetarian diets. There’s outdoor seating out the front too, so you can eat, while quokkas and peacocks roam all around you.
Find The Lane at the Somerville Mall, Maley Street, Rottnest.
Simmos Rottnest
Simmos is West Australian through and through! Made in the south west town of Dunsborough, the award winning Simmos Ice Cream uses the freshest local Western Australian produce with a sprinkle of a few secret ingredients to make their marvellous frozen creations. Choosing from Simmos 60 flavours of ice cream is a seriously delicious dilemma. Dietary options and sorbets are also available. Find Simmos next to The Lane, where you can eat on the deck, while doing a little quokka spotting.
Find Simmos at the Somerville Mall, Maley Street, Rottnest.
Kalli’s on Rotto, Wadjemup Lighthouse
For those exploring the island by bike or bus, Kalli’s on Rotto offers a perfect pit stop with spectacular 360-degree views of the island. Located at Wadjemup Lighthouse, this charming vintage caravan is part of the Frankie’s family of cafes. Open daily from 10am to 3pm, Kalli’s serves up barista-made coffee, cold drinks, ice creams and snacks – perfect for recharging after the steep climb up Wadjemup Hill. You’ll find it about a 15-minute bike ride from the main settlement (get off at Bus Stop 8 if taking the bus). While the hill climb is challenging, the stunning views and quality refreshments make it worth the effort. The shady beach umbrellas provide a welcome respite for weary explorers.
Subway Rottnest
Subway is a super easy go-to for fresh and fast subs, salads and wraps. The international favourite also has cold drinks, freshly baked cookies, FitChips and even pizza! Did you know that Subway Rottnest is the only branch in Australia that offers pizza, which is available in both 9 and 12 inch sizes. These pizzas are oven cooked in less than 5 minutes – fast food indeed. Subway Rotto also offers catering.
Find Subway Rottnest in the Somerville Mall, Maley Street, Rottnest.
Lexi’s on Rotto, West End
For those adventuring to the western tip of the island, Lexi’s on Rotto is a must-visit pit stop. This charming retro 70s caravan, part of the Frankie’s family of cafes, is perfectly positioned at West End to provide refreshments with a view. Open daily from 10am to 5pm, Lexi’s serves up quality barista-made coffee, cold drinks, ice creams and snacks. While enjoying your refreshments, keep watch for the local wildlife – you might spot long-nosed fur seals, dolphins, or even migrating humpback whales (seasonal). Located on Digby Drive at West End (Bus Stop 11), it’s accessible by bike or bus. The cafe makes for a perfect reward after the scenic cycle out west, or a great spot to refuel before your return journey to the settlement.
Kuld Creamery, Thomson Bay
For those seeking artisanal ice cream with a creative twist, Kuld Creamery brings their beloved Perth-made flavors to Rottnest Island. Located in the Thomson Bay settlement, this boutique ice cream maker is known for their unique and ever-changing flavour combinations that are handcrafted in small batches. Their menu features both classic and innovative options, with flavors that might include their signature brown butter caramel, vegan dark chocolate, or seasonal specialties. Perfect for cooling down after a day of island adventures, Kuld’s premium ice creams are made using quality local ingredients and traditional methods. The store offers both scoops and take-home packs, making it an ideal spot for a beachside treat or to stock up your holiday accommodation freezer with some gourmet desserts.
The Pelican, Thomson Bay
For those seeking a nostalgic treat, the new Pelican kiosk at The Lodge Wadjemup is a delightful addition to Rottnest’s casual dining scene. Located on Kitson Street overlooking Heritage Common, this family-friendly spot is perfectly positioned just a short walk or cycle from the main jetty. Early birds can grab their morning coffee from 6:30am, while the kiosk serves takeaway food and creamy soft-serve ice cream from mid-morning until 4pm daily. What makes this spot particularly family-friendly is its location opposite a playground, with plenty of grassy areas for the kids to run around. The combination of great coffee, classic soft-serve ice cream, and convenient location makes Pelican an ideal pit-stop during your island adventures.
Have we missed any of your favourite casual bites, take aways or Rottnest cafés? Let us know your top picks in the comments below!
Find more kid friendly things to do on Rottnest Island here.
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life” has enjoyed an exciting name change in 2021, as “The Chef’s Ex-wife” embarks on new adventures with Simply PERTHfect. Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA, as well as brunching, tapas or something a little fancy in equal measures. With her son “Little Chef” in tow, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
