The Best Food Trucks in
WA’s South-West

Mobile food vans were a very different beast 10 or 15 years ago. Regularly found on the outskirts of music festivals, fairs and other community events, they typically served up fast, greasy food that wasn’t anything to write home about.

Times have certainly changed.

Food vans have come into their own in a big way, dishing up gourmet, international fare in a cheerful outdoor setting. They are usually set up on the doorstep of amazing beaches, the best tourist attractions and where the crowds are headed, so you don’t have to travel far to be in the thick of it all.

The food truck revolution is thought to have started in Los Angeles in 2008 when a chef named Roy Choi found himself out of work. He started Kogi BBQ, a Korean taco van that travelled the city streets serving up inexpensive, hand-held food to party-goers and students. The fact that the Global Financial Crisis also began in the same year is probably no coincidence; many chefs and business owners were looking at novel ways of doing things in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

The movement didn’t take long to find its way to Australia quickly finding popularity in the South-West. The region’s carefree lifestyle and the exceptional local produce has proven to be a match made in heaven.

There are plenty of food truck options from Busselton to Albany, but here are our top picks:

Spice Odysee

A local favourite, this van serves up mouth-watering Indian food such as creamy butter chicken and spicy beef vindaloo, served with poppadums and rice. Dosa is also on the menu. This is a popular but rarely seen South Indian speciality – a thin, crispy savoury pancake rolled up with a hearty stuffing. Spice Odysee’s version is with masala potatoes and chutney tucked inside.

Find them: 

Busselton Rotary Park: Tuesday to Saturday noon to 2pm, and every second Sunday 7:30am to noon.

Margaret River Rotary Park: Wednesday and Friday 5pm to 7:30pm.

Old Dunsborough Boat Ramp: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 5pm to 7:30pm.

Kona Joe’s Health Shack

With a wholesome menu and focus on fresh ingredients, Kona Joe’s has developed a cult following over the years. The smoothies, superfood bowls and acai bowls are healthy, tasty and guilt-free. The Shack is also famous for coco whip – a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free soft serve-style snack. If you’ve overindulged on your holiday, this is the perfect place to get your health fix.

Find them: Dunsborough Foreshore: 8:30am to noon, every day except Wednesday.

More information: Kona Joe’s Health Shack Facebook page

Ma La Margaret River Dumplings

Northern Chinese flavours meets South-West fresh produce to create these sumptuous dumplings. Try the pan-fried lamb momo with chilli oil or the seafood and charred leek dumplings.  You can also find soups, noodles and salads on the menu.

Find them:

Margaret River Farmers’ Market: Saturday 7:30am to 11:30am.

Prevelly Beach: Friday and Sunday 10am to 3pm.

Check the Facebook page as times and days can change, and additional venues are announced regularly.

More information: Ma La Margaret River Dumpling Facebook page

Ma La Dumplings

Burger Bones

With a permanent home at The Shed Markets in Vasse, this is where you’ll find some of the South-West’s best burgers. Some diners claim it’s the best they’ve ever had. The menu includes the monster Habanero Smack Patty with a double American cheese patty, goats cheese, hot sauce, kewpie Japanese mayonnaise, lettuce, dill pickle and onion.

Find them

The Shed Markets in Vasse: Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm, and Friday 11am to 8pm

More information

Burger Bones Facebook page

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