The Crooked Carrot Café – Myalup, Western Australia
Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Han Sen Hau
The Crooked Carrot Café is a popular spot on the drive down from Perth to Margaret River for very good reason! We were warned that there could be a crowd, and a crowd there is! However, we want to be part of the action, and a place that celebrates local produce and artisans is a must in my books.
Besides a darn tasty food menu, The Crooked Carrot Café is a pet and family-friendly location where gardening gurus and lovers of old things will all be equally pleased. There’s ample parking, and the grounds sprawl with playgrounds made from natural materials, lawns dotted with colourful seating, and an awe-inspiring collection of old machinery (there’s even a plane) with vibrant blooms and greenery sprouting from their shells. There’s plenty to love here, not to mention the restored 1920s Melbourne tram, shop of curiosities, florist, local artisanal gourmet market, and grab-n-go counter.
Proprietors Sonia and Joe Castro have grown from a humble roadside farm stand to a carnival of creativity. It seems there is no stopping the innovation… until the neighbour offers to donate an old boat to add to the stockpile, and hubby says, “Enough is enough.” So, for now, imagination is invested in the food and beverage menu, refining and delivering exciting options. And talking of food…
The Crooked Carrot Café Menu
We’re famished from the drive from Perth and want to try everything on the menu and everything on the display! Opening at 6 am, there’s a solid brekkie menu, as well as serious lunch offerings, with sandwiches, pastries and sweet treats ideal for take-away.
Savoury
Salt & Pepper Baby Octopus (AUD 20.35) sees baby octopus battered and generously dusted with salt and pepper. The sea creatures are tender and the Asian slaw and nam jim sauce gives just the right amount of acidity to balance the dish.
Pork Bao Buns (AUD 26.40) feature twice-cooked char sui pork belly, partnered with Asian slaw and Kewpie mayo in dark charcoal buns. They’re an eye-catching contrast with golden-orange saucy pork shining seductively between the soft black buns. The mouthfuls of meaty, juicy char sui and tangy, creamy slaw counterbalance one another, allowing us to munch back in continuously for more. Remember to dig into the tangle of bean sprouts, shallots and red chilli on the side. It’s a great palate cleanser in between bites.
A light, healthy option and pretty as a picture, the Peach, Blueberry & Spinach Salad (AUD 25.30) is fresh and fruity. It’s filled with peach slices, blueberries, baby spinach, and pecans. A balsamic dressing enhances the natural flavours of the farm’s abundance.
Han Sen rolls for The Crooked Smash Burger (AUD 31.35), justifying the order with, “It’s got the cafés name in it; it must be good!” The kitchen’s signature smash patty is hugged by a fat, soft bun. It’s in good company with bacon, egg, American cheese that oozes down the side in sun-yellow melted goodness, tomato, lettuce, beetroot (is it really an Aussie burger without?), caramelised onion, burger sauce and aioli. Oh my! It is a stack!
I pretend to make a healthy choice with the Crispy Skin Salmon (AUD 33), but in reality, I’ve previewed the “loaded” cookies and am just getting ready to give grounds for the extra indulgence. Grilled salmon comes with a warm potato salad mixed with crispy bacon bits, caramelised onion and a grainy mustard dressing. Long thin sprigs of fresh asparagus laze over the top and punchy salsa verde delivers a nice clip of acidity to the fish.
Sweets
“Something sweet and eye-catching” was the assigned mission, and I dare say the mission was more than accomplished! Known for their Loaded Cookies (AUD 7), they’re a must on any road trip south. I’ve even heard of some planning day trips in this direction for these cookies alone. They come in an assortment of flavours, so pick your poison. Ours? Double Chocolate Chip!
But wait, there’s way more! The best-selling Nutella Cookie Dough Slice (AUD 8) screams decadence with cheesecake and Nutella layered between strips of choc chip cookie dough.
As equally hedonistic but disguised as healthy treats is a beautiful selection of vegan and gluten-free Raw Cakes (AUD 8.50). In fact, The Crooked Carrot Café has a full two shelves of gluten-free options. As mentioned earlier, there’s something to make everyone happy here.
Drinks Menu
As with any good Aussie café worth its ratings, coffee is well made. Both our Flat White (AUD 5) and Cappuccino (AUD 5) perk us up for the rest of the journey, and some vibrant Smoothies (AUD 8.75) are refreshing and filling and might even do as an in-between-meals snack all on their own. Our Mango and Berry versions are blended with the respective frozen fruit with Greek yoghurt, milk, juice and ice. Alternative milk is available for an additional buck. Yummo!
The Crooked Carrot Café Review
The Crooked Carrot Café deserves its fanfare. Its menu alone is worth travelling for, but when you combine that with the natural playground, beautiful and quirky landscaping, and a treasure trove of curiosities, it becomes far more than a pit stop on your drive south—it’s a destination in its own right.
Reasons to visit The Crooked Carrot Café: delicious menu with something for everyone including loads of vegetarian and gluten-free options; awesome natural playground; beautiful landscaping; check out the restored 1920s Melbourne tram; tasty grab-n-go items; a whole gourmet market stocked with local artisanal products.
The Crooked Carrot Café
Forrest Hwy &, Rigg Rd,
Myalup WA 6220, Australia
Link to The Crooked Carrot Café on Google Maps
+61 8 9720 1560 @thecrookedcarrotcafe
The Crooked Carrot Café Hours
Daily: 6 am – 4 pm
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