Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink There are three small eateries on West Island, all run by locals.

Over on Home Island, there are two eating out options – a takeaway stall and a cafe/restaurant.

Opening hours are seasonal and can change week-to-week. Pop by when you’re on the islands, check the blackboards out front and leave your name to book.

West Island

Surfer Girl Brewery

Watch the sun lower through pink skies overlooking the waves at this alfresco institution. Open Monday and Thursday evenings from 5pm for dinner specials, and Sunday from 7.30am for freshly brewed coffee, baked treats and brunch.

Leave your name on the board outside to book your spot.

Salty’s Bakery & Grill

A little window eatery that serves up stone-grilled gourmet pizzas, locally caught fish n’ chips, and other treats. Open three nights a week, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday for dinner to take away and eat on the sandbags overlooking the ocean or at Cocos Club next door. On weekdays, swing by for a coffee fix and baked treats, toasties and more when the oven’s hot from 7.30am.

After hours, Salty’s has a 24/7 fridge with cold drinks, milk and snacks. Bring small change to pay via the honesty box.

The Big Barge Art Centre & Sula Sula Servery Café

Step into the hull of a restored barge lined with one-off art pieces made from local flotsam, beautiful photography and ceramics, located right on the beach. Peruse the gallery then find a shady spot underneath the swaying palms right on the ocean with a drink and a homemade sweet treat.

Café open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9am – 11am, gallery from 9am – 12pm.

Tropika

Halal-cerified Cocos Malay and Australian, open for breakfast, lunch and a buffet dinner seven days a week. Drop in for the $12 lunch specials on weekdays and be sure to add your name to the blackboard by 3pm for dinner reservations.

Cocos Club

Open every day from 5pm, the Cocos Club is a must stop for a cold drink and chat with the locals after a day out. Happy Hour is 5.30pm – 6.30pm and there’s a bottleshop with a range of Australian and international brands for roadies or to take back to your accommodation.

Co-Op Supermarket

A small shop with a range of groceries, open six days a week. You’ll find most things you need for your stay here but please note that fresh produce and catering for special dietaries is limited given our super remote location.

If you’re landing on a Friday and planning to visit Direction Island on Saturday, be sure to shop as soon as you land as the supermarket closes at 3pm, and doesn’t reopen until after the ferry departs. Please note, the supermarket is closed on public holidays.

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 3.00pm
Saturday: 10am – 3.00pm
Sunday: Closed

Home Island

Seafront Restaurant Pop-up

There is a small pop-up stall run by Seafront Restaurant for takeaway wraps, burgers and specials outside Shamroks supermarket open most days till 11.30am.

Kampong Cafe & Restaurant

Open for brunch Mon, Tues, Weds and Thurs from 7.30am-12.30pm. Make sure to check out the traditional Cocos Malay buffet special on Weds, with a late ferry running back to West Island.

Shamroks Supermarket

A local store with a range of grocery items, open seven days a week.
Monday – Friday: 7.30am – 4.00pm
Late night Wednesday: 4.00pm – 5.30pm
Closed for lunch on Friday: 12.00pm – 1.00pm
Saturday: 8.00am – 3.30pm
Sunday: 8.00am – 1.00pm

Home Island also has a small retail precinct with oriental groceries and gifts available.

It is rare, in this day and age, to come upon a place so delightful in both looks and temperament that, on the very first sighting, one’s jaw does genuinely drop.

Georgia Rickard Australian Traveller

If going with the flow is how you roll, you will love the Cocos Keeling Islands. They have a small – very small – country town vibe. Your activities revolve around the exquisite lagoon whether they be snorkelling, diving, fishing, parasailing, or just relaxing under a coconut palm reading a book while inhaling the frangipani infused air

Steve Klein Curious Campers

Scuba diving at Cocos Keeling islands is nothing short of spectacular. Fabulous visibility, pristine coral reefs, abundant marine life and all the trappings of a tropical paradise without the flashy resorts. Yes, it is isolated and it takes some effort to get there, but this is more than offset by the quality of the diving, the friendly locals and the very laid back and relaxing ambience of the entire place. It is quirky, fun and a great place for a holiday. We will return and soon

Phillip Tubb Melbourne

Don’t miss this place. My wife and I recently spent a fantastic week on Cocos Keeling Islands. We took the opportunity to take the twice weekly ferry service from West Island to Direction Island... we loved it so much we came back for a second time.

Mike G Joondalup

Home Island is definitely quieter than West Island with religion a big part of daily life but the locals were so friendly and welcoming. It was so nice to be able to swim straight off the shore in amazing turquoise water while we cooked BBQs at sunset. Highly recommended!

Pete