The Happy Wife

The Happy Wife sits on Stirling Street in East Bunbury, a few streets back from the Leschenault Inlet, and it opens from 7am every day of the week with the kitchen winding down at 2:30pm. It has built its name on the water view out the back rather than the street out front: the outdoor deck looks over the water, and the topics regulars bring up most are the estuary views, the savoury crumpets, and the dolphins that occasionally move through the inlet while you eat.

Dog friendly listings report that dogs are welcome on that rear outdoor deck, with water available for them and dog treats for sale at the counter, so a well-mannered dog is part of the furniture here. The deck is the draw for everyone, not just dog owners, so weekend mid-morning is the busy window; weekday breakfast and early lunch are the easy sits. Being reported rather than stated by the venue, it is worth a quick confirmation by phone if your dog is large or excitable.

Worth knowing

Hours are consistent across the week, 7am to 2:30pm, so there is no dinner option: this is breakfast and lunch territory. Access is off Stirling Street with street parking in the mix, and the walk from the inlet path takes a few minutes, which pairs neatly with a morning circuit of the water. The kitchen shuts at 2:30pm sharp, so late-lunch arrivals should lower their expectations to coffee and cake.

Make a day of it

Once the deck is done, Benesse in central Bunbury is a good second stop, and Dome Cafe on Koombana Bay keeps the water-view theme going from the other side of town. The WA cafe list rounds out the region for trip planning.