Neil Perry’s Broome

It’s famed for its natural wonders but Broome also has a burgeoning culinary scene with a melting pot of menus that are a legacy of its pearling past. Japanese, Malaysian and Indonesian flavours are paired with fresh seafood, while local chefs have access to a larder of native ingredients. When in Broome, Qantas’s creative director of food, beverage and service Neil Perry loves to stay at the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa. Here’s his idea of the perfect retreat.

Best breakfast

Start the day at Sunset Bar & Grill at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, which is open all day. Breakfast there is really lovely and afterwards you can go for a swim or walk along the beach.

Local seafood

For the freshest seafood, visit Japanese restaurant Zensai. It serves clean, fresh dishes and gorgeous sashimi of local fish. The resort’s Italian-style Club Restaurant also serves a lot of local seafood, such as WA crayfish and pearl meat. They do a really nice tortellini with pearl meat, prawn and a lime and herb sauce – it’s delicious.

Sundowners

Enjoy afternoon drinks at the Sunset Bar & Grill as you watch the sun go down. Those of us from the eastern states are used to amazing sunrises but we don’t get beautiful sunsets over the water; the colour is a beautiful, vivid red. I might order a margarita or a super-cold beer.

Native ingredients

To try native ingredients head to the town’s restaurants. There are several different dining options that are the benchmark for quality in Broome. South-East Asian restaurant Rambutan offers tasty Thai curries and satay dishes – the hot weather suits spicy food and fresh flavours. Macadamias, finger limes, marron and local prawns all pop up on menus and there’s a big accent on seafood.

Broome’s palette

To really get a sense of Broome, appreciate the landscape. The colours are like nothing else I’ve seen. There’s the aqua water that contrasts with the white sand that contrasts with the red rocks. It’s pretty special… and uniquely Australian.

Where else to eat in Broome?

Our pick of the best restaurants, bars and cafés, plus a great weekend market.

The Aarli

Grab a seat in the courtyard among the frangipani trees and feast on owner-chef Nick Wendland’s Modern Australian menu at breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Shop 1 & 2, 16 Hamersley Street, Broome; (08) 9192 5529

18 Degrees

Harissa-spiced pumpkin-and-potato samosas and herb-crusted wild barramundi with feta salad are just two of the delicious share plates you can expect at this intimate restaurant and bar, located on the shores of Roebuck Bay in Broome.

Shop 4, 63 Robinson Street, Broome; (08) 9192 7915

The Bay Club

Want a slice of the Hamptons in the middle of the Kimberley? Offering uninterrupted views of Roebuck Bay, the Bay Club is a sophisticated al fresco restaurant and bar where you can enjoy live music, impressive cocktails and fresh Kimberley produce.

Mangrove Resort Hotel, 47 Carnarvon Street, Broome; (08) 9192 1303

The Zookeepers Store

A short walk from Broome’s famous Cable Beach, this bakery offers decadent cakes, homemade pastries, organic teas, artisan coffee and muffins hot out of the oven.

2 Challenor Drive, Broome; (08) 9192 0015

Azuki Japanese Fusion

This Japanese eatery has a distinct Asian feel, from the slow-braised beef curry with fragrant rice to a serve of tempura whitebait fritters with a green-tea-noodle salad.

15 Napier Terrace, Broome; (08) 9193 7211

Broome Courthouse Markets

Sample tangy chutneys, homemade cakes as well as delicious jams, smoothies and ice-creams at this weekend market. Or make your way to the eclectic stalls to buy handmade candles, colourful lamps, leather belts and more. The market is open every Saturday morning all year round and on Sunday mornings between April and October.

8 Hamersley Street, Broome

The Good Cartel

They call themselves the spiritual home of the cheeseburger in Broome, but they also do a mean coffee as well as street-food-inspired sandwiches from all over the world – think Vietnamese banh mis and Philadelphia cheesesteaks.

3 Weld Street, Broome; 0499 335 949