Located in the centre of Dunsborough, gateway to the Margaret River region in Western Australia, Yarri is both restaurant and wine bar; and in-town outpost of a popular winery.
Seating 70 inside and 50 more diners outside the spaces are zoned and flexible. The interior features a chef’s ‘theatre’ bar for degustation dining; communal tables and more intimate banquette seating; and a ‘sexy’ bar zone. There is also space for wine and produce retail. Outside there is relaxed outdoor seating under the trees in an enclosed courtyard.
From an architectural and design point of view Yarri makes a strong statement about the South West. Built from rammed local limestone and blackened steel, the restaurant features Yarri timbers (WA native Blackbutt) throughout, milled from the site to create table tops and internal joinery by renowned local artisan Nathan Day. The restaurant interiors are richly layered and textured, burnt timber, limestone, worn leather, copper and terracotta, reflecting the raw beauty and coastal palette of its location.
An open space with floor to ceiling steel framed doors frames the views and minimises separation from the bushland setting. The architectural message continues outside with a cantilevered decking mimicking the landscape around the patio, eliminating all barriers and borders, in turn creating a symbiotic interaction with nature.
In the main dining area deep chocolate leather is paired with rich tartan fabric to bring elements of sophistication to casual dining, inviting locals and their families whilst creating an aspirational space, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The custom design and positioning of industrial lighting was incorporated as a central feature of the space to create an intimate setting representing the connection between land and people.
Described by delicious. magazine as “a restaurant that could come to define dining in this corner of Australia.”, Yarri is a significant addition to Western Australia’s restaurant scene.