At first glance, Dunn Bay Continental seems like just another upmarket suburban grocer but, in reality, the recently opened deli, grocer and cafe is much more than that. Located in central Dunsborough, Dunn Bay Continental has lofty aspirations to stock some of the best quality Australian and international products in the South West.

Michael Forde (Mary Street Bakery, El Publico, Offshoot Coffee, Cantina 663) is behind the operation, taking his decades of hospitality experience and distilling it into Dunn Bay.

Forde tells Broadsheet his motivations for the multi-purpose space were simple. “We moved to Yallingup last year and we couldn’t find any ingredients… hence the idea of Dunn Bay Continental was born. We thought, if we had this issue, other people must too. There are plenty of food-based stores and businesses doing an amazing job in the region, but none are bringing an extensive range of products and ideas under one roof.”

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The extensive range includes enough local and imported deli accoutrements to fill a 10-metre deli counter bulging with cold-cuts, cheese, sandwiches, salads and ready-made meals. Given Forde’s background, you can expect house-baked bread and pastries, plus a selection of dips, sauces, pasta and other pantry necessities prepped, batched and packaged in-house.

Behind the deli counter, a vintage Labesse Giraudon rotisserie imported from Paris is fired up daily with free-range chickens cooked until they’re juicy and tender with sufficiently caramelised exteriors.

There’s also a small cafe serving takeaway coffee and snacks. Freshly cut flowers and bespoke homewares are also for sale, but for Forde, it’s the old-school service that elevates the store. “[We want to] offer a premium fresh food offering at a reasonable price, with the good old-fashioned ‘corner store’ service you just don’t get from the majors.”

And Dunn Bay Continental still has plenty to give, with a wine store focusing on natural wines opening soon alongside an upstairs dining space where shoppers can grab a bottle and some deli goods to enjoy on-site.

For those pressed for time, home delivery will be a saviour. “Providing a delivery service to your home, holiday house or boat is a service we will offer shortly that no one else does,” says Forde. “You can get a great sous-vide lamb shoulder that just needs finishing, ingredients for a salad… and more, all delivered to your door.”

Dunn Bay Continental
59 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough

Hours:
Daily 7am–7pm

dunnbaycontinental.com.au
@dunnbaycontinental