Eating and drinking around the island
Pure nature produces pure food
Kangaroo Island is a highly regarded emerging food and wine region with many great places to eat and drink for the size of its population. It showcases a wide range of organic fresh produce and has nine wineries, a distillery and a boutique brewery. Surrounded by pristine ocean waters, the island’s fresh seafood is a must for all seafood lovers. The delicious fare offered by the Kangaroo Island cafes and wineries is as good as you will find anywhere in Australia.
Two of Kangaroo Island’s most famous wineries are a short drive from Sea Dragon with False Cape Wines and Dudley Wines also calling the Dudley Peninsula home, just like us.
Some of these great local businesses are already featured in our On-Site and Nearby activities program (included for Experience guests). Should you wish to visit more of these great offerings, transfers can be arranged at extra cost. Private touring guests may wish to design their own itinerary including one or several of the below in their tailormade itinerary.
Vineyards and breweries
In the last 70 years, Kangaroo Island has been quietly morphing acres previously reserved for livestock farming into a leading wine region that is producing a diverse array of top quality wines. With a mix of old world and new world wines, you can expect to taste Sangiovese, Malbec, Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Semillon, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and many experimental red blends.
The cellar doors which accompany these vineyards are becoming as famous as the vineyards and wines themselves with many competing on their fabulous tasting menus. And rivalling the local wine industry are the emerging talents of brewmasters creating artisan craft beers at a number of locations across the island. Stouts, IPAs, ales, cider and even lemonade – accompanied by pizzas made from local produce and crisped in wood-fired ovens.
As dinner is included at Sea Dragon, we have included some suggested lunch spots should you want to venture out on your free days at Sea Dragon.
Transfers can be arranged (pre-booked and at additional cost) to any of these eateries or they can be included in a private day or half-day tour.
Kangaroo Island Spirits
Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery is an award-winning creator of world-class gin and high-quality liqueurs and vodka made from local and native ingredients such as KI wild fennel, Ligurian honey, and native juniper and citrus.
Sea Dragon Experience guests will enjoy a guided cocktail-making class at Sea Dragon a part of our On-Site and Nearby activities program. Learn how this local success went from exclusively distilling in a customised shipping container to taking the world by storm.
Islander Estate Wines
The Islander Estate Vineyards leads the way in winemaking on the island and is rated as a 5-star “outstanding” winery by Australia’s pre-eminent wine critic James Halliday.
Jacques Lurton is a 5th generation French winemaker and marries his French winemaking expertise with the natural environment of Kangaroo Island to produce an outstanding range of wines.
The Islander Estate can also arrange wine tasting experiences in the privacy of your own villa at Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island.
Kangaroo Island Ciders
With over 600 trees and several apple varieties, KI Ciders have won local and national awards for their medium-dry and medium-sweet ciders. They have also been mentioned in The World’s Best Ciders by Peter Brown and Bill Bradshaw.
Not into alcohol? Then try their delicious non-alcoholic sparkling apple juice. Kangaroo Island Ciders can be sampled at the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery.
Kangaroo Island Brewery
Kangaroo Island’s first craft brewery is situated in a hand-built limestone premise with all beers brewed on-site using fresh rainwater. Wood-stone pizzas are available on some days, but it pays to check first.
Bay of Shoals Wines
Benefitting from a maritime climate, the Bay of Shoals grow and harvest its own grapes and produce its wine on-site. The unique location, Reeves Farm, is the location of the first European settlement in South Australia, dating back to 27 July 1836.
Dudley Wines
Dudley Wines is Kangaroo Island’s pioneer winery, established in 1997. Their cliff-top cellar door and function room are situated only 15 minutes drive from Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island. Guests can sample their range of wines while enjoying a platter of regional produce or gourmet wood-oven pizza. A visit to Dudley Wines is part of our On-Site and Nearby activities program for Experience guests.
False Cape Wines
False Cape Wines has recently built a new cellar door restaurant overlooking their vineyard at Willson River. With a great value, high-quality range of wines they offer a range of tasting experiences accompanied by gourmet pies and platters. False Cape Wines is only 15 minutes from us. A visit to False Cape Wines is part of our On-Site and Nearby activities program for Experience guests.
Cafes & restaurants
The food scene on Kangaroo Island is thriving with interesting flavours and truly local ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a small, intimate lunch or just want to enjoy drinks with wonderful views, there are more than enough dining styles here to enjoy a diversity of meals and experiences.
Collectively there is a focus on the garden to plate cuisine across the island, complemented by fabulous wines produced by local vineyards which have been described as ‘a progressive dining adventure’ and ‘artisan’. With a speciality of seafood that features heavily in most restaurants, there is an exceptional choice from funky cafes and great fish ’n’ chip shops to gastropubs and high-end dining.
Cactus Cafe
Cactus Cafe offers a fantastic casual dining experience in the heart of Kingscote. The menu is designed with a focus on premium KI produce, showcasing the best of KI and the region. Fully licensed with a good selection of local beer and wine, house-made sweets, and specialty coffee, there is something for everyone. PS our favourite is the bao!
Sunset Food & Wine Restaurant
Established by acclaimed chef Jack Ingram, this award-winning modern bistro has a focus on Kangaroo Island and South Australian produce. Jack and Vanessa work closely with food producers and growers, only using what is in season and what is at its very best. They also focus on great South Australian wines. Sunset Food & Wine offers a comprehensive menu and enjoys stunning views over Eastern Cove, only a 30-minute drive from Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island.
Emu Bay Lavender Farm
Located towards the Northern Coast of Kangaroo Island, this is a great stop for coffee, a bite to eat or to sit back and smell the lavender. As well as their own lavender-based products, their gift shop has a great range of wares to treat yourself or someone at home. We stop here for a morning coffee on our Taste of Kangaroo Island Half-Day Tour.
American River Oyster Farm Shop
The American River Oyster Farm offers amazing South Australian oysters (seasonal). Here you can buy them directly from the producers. The shop also sells a range of other fresh seafood.
Millie Mae’s Pantry
Millie Mae’s is located in the heart of Penneshaw. This cafe serves a range of delicious cafe-style food and quality espresso coffee. It also has a specialty area selling a range of boutique handcrafted condiments, sauces and other local food items. One of our favourites.
Vivonne Bay General Store
This family-run cafe is famous for its King George Whiting burger. They also sell a range of other freshly made takeaway food including vegan and gluten-free options. A convenient place for lunch if you are out near Vivonne Bay.
Penneshaw Hotel Restaurant
This 112-year-old hotel offers uninterrupted views over Backstairs Passage with absolute water frontage from its cliff-top location. Serving lunch and dinner daily including steak, seafood, schnitzels, burgers and much more.
Rockpool Cafe
Located at Stokes Bay beach, the Rock Pool Café serves a delicious range of locally caught fresh seafood. They also sell local wine and beer.
Fat Beagle Cafe
This family and pet friendly café in Penneshaw serves breakfast, brunch and lunch as well as espresso coffee
KI Fresh Seafood
If you want the best fish and chips you will ever taste, call into KI Fresh Seafood at Kingscote. It is located within the Caltex petrol station on the outskirts of town.
Parndarna Hotel
Located in the centre of the island, the Parndana Hotel is a great spot for lunch if you are in the area. The menu offers good quality pub food.