Unexpectedly brilliant, The Dam Denmark delivers farm-to-table dining and artisan spirits, all steps from our tiny cabin. We discover a unique gourmet experience where paddock meets polish.
Monica Tindall
I didn’t expect to find a full-scale distillery, farm-to-table restaurant, and architecturally ambitious dining room tucked behind my tiny cabin in Denmark, WA—but that’s exactly what happened. Staying at Heyscape, we ventured down a gravel path and straight into The Dam: part paddock, part polish, and entirely unexpected. It didn’t just feed us—it reframed where we were.
The Dam, Denmark
The Dam sits on Raintree Estate, a vast, working farm just outside Denmark that produces everything from hemp and truffles to pasture-raised beef. The space is striking—stone, timber, open sky—and the energy is somewhere between country hospitality and quiet ambition. From our Heyscape Tiny Cabin, it’s less than a five-minute drive, though the transition feels larger.
We come from compact solitude to a restaurant that hums with purpose. Menus are shaped by the land underfoot—marron reared on hemp meal, house-distilled spirits, beef raised on-site, and produce picked nearby. We weren’t just eating in Denmark—we were eating Denmark.
Wine & Drinks List
The beverage list at The Dam reads like a spirited ode to the region, with a few playful detours. At its core is the on-site Cannabis Botanical Distillery (CBD), where head distiller Ben Kagi crafts hemp-infused gins and vodkas that are herbal, aromatic and surprisingly elegant. Raintree’s own wines, made by winemaker Coby Ladwig, make a strong showing—easy-drinking styles grown just beyond the dining room—while the broader list pulls in thoughtful picks from across the Great Southern. Cocktails lean modern and herbaceous, often built around the CBD house spirits. The cocktail program is led by mixologist Sam Noleto and strikes a balance between creativity and restraint. It’s a drinks program that feels distinctly local, but never parochial.
Cocktails at The Dam Denmark, WA
With an on-site distillery, there’s no better place to begin than with a cocktail—or four (or six, let’s keep it even). I tend towards the purist end of the spectrum when it comes to booze. Give me something spirit-forward, where the alcohol isn’t hidden behind a fruit basket. Unsurprisingly, a Negroni or Martini is usually my go-to.
At The Dam, bartender Sam puts the house-distilled spirits to excellent use. The Sativa Negroni (A$20), made with CBD gin, Campari and Antica Formula, is suitably bitter and botanical. The Raintree Espresso Martini (A$22)—a velvety mix of CBD vodka, Kahlúa, crème de cacao and espresso—is the kind of smooth pick-me-up that tempts a repeat order. Like all good Aussies, an espresso martini is a contradiction we’re willing to embrace: stimulant meets depressant. Sam adds his own twist to the classic—start with the frothy side and sip slowly. As the chocolate shavings melt, they introduce a subtle change in texture. Slow down, my compatriots. You can still have five, but make them count.
Hubby is equally predictable. If it’s whisky, rum or anything sweet, he’s in. The Old Fashioned (A$23), made with Timbertide whisky, bitters and sugar, ticks the classic box. The PX Solera Timbertide is the distillery’s latest release—think orange marmalade, bergamot, candied peel and spice. But the Strawberry Botanic (A$22) adds a little theatre to the table: CBD vodka, strawberry liqueur, lime, and a rim dusted with strawberry floss sugar. Sweet, tart and unapologetically pink.
But there’s more than just our predictable favourites. Nothing pairs with a crackling winter fire quite like mulled wine. Sam’s version (A$19)—made with local shiraz, Grand Marnier cognac, tawny port, orange, spices and sugar—is a beauty. A UK native, Sam says homesickness in his early days in Denmark inspired this drink, his little sip of nostalgia. It’s meant to warm you from the inside out—and yes, it packs a gentle punch.
While the menu leans into classics and clever riffs, Sam isn’t afraid to push boundaries. The Sativa Herb & Vine (A$21) is his most personal creation. Like all good ideas, it came to him at 2 am—and took three months to perfect. CBD gin forms the base, with basil, balsamic, lime, sugar, Angostura and barrel-aged bitters. The result is vinegar-led with a refreshing thread of herbaceousness and citrus weaving through the palate. It’s bold, balanced, and wholly original.
Insider Tip: Plan your visit for Friday between 3 and 6 pm and get two-for-one select cocktails in The Dam’s Extended Happy Hour!
The Menu
The Dam offers two dining experiences that mirror the mood of the setting—indoors, a smart à la carte menu served in the soaring timber-lined dining room; outdoors, a more casual al fresco offering with share plates and easygoing favourites designed for relaxed afternoons by the dam. Both draw from the same thoughtful kitchen, anchored by Raintree’s homegrown produce and a steady respect for seasonality.
Shares
We started with the Wagyu Carpaccio (A$29), a dish that balanced indulgence with restraint—thin ribbons of beef draped across the plate, subtly perfumed by black truffle sauce and brightened with a garden of rocket and grana padano. It was rich without being heavy, a confident opening move that went surprisingly well with my Negroni.
The Roast Baby Carrot Salad (A$28) might sound like a virtuous choice, but it arrived with enough flair to hold its own. Local oak leaf and broccolini provided crunch and bitterness, while crispy quinoa and pepitas added texture and a nutty edge. A silky tahini dressing pulled it all together – earthy and elegant. I congratulated myself on a well-ordered starter.
Mains
The Char-grilled Chicken Maryland (A$40) was a proper main—robust, smoky, and resting on a bed of roasted cauliflower that brought sweetness and depth. A tangy tomato kasundi and Sicilian olive salsa verde added punch and brightness, turning what could have been a safe option into something layered and lively. It also happens to be gluten- and dairy-free, though you’d never guess from the richness of flavour.
If you’re only ordering one thing, make it the Honey Butter-baked Local Marron (A$49). A true estate hero, the marron is raised right here on hemp feed, and arrives sweet, plump and just barely touched by heat. The lime skordalia gave citrus zip, the fennel remoulade brought cool crunch, and the chorizo pangrattato? A salty, spicy halo that made each bite sing. It’s a dish that tells the story of the farm on a single plate.
Dessert
We finished with the Turkish Delight Pannacotta (A$16), a quietly creative take on the classic, fragranced with rose and served with stewed rhubarb for a tart, fruity lift. A sprinkle of hemp seed and almond granola added crunch and a hint of earthiness, grounding the floral notes. It was polished and not too sweet, the kind of dessert that ends a meal without undoing it.
The Dam Denmark Review
No need to drive into town or dress for dinner. The Dam delivers region, season, and just enough swagger—steps from my Heyscape cabin and miles from ordinary. Call it farm-to-fork, we call it a very good idea.
Reasons to visit The Dam, Denmark: house-distilled hemp spirits and craft cocktails; two-for-one happy hour Fridays; estate-grown produce and pasture-raised meats; delicious casual dining with generous portions; wines made just beyond the dining room; striking architecture in a paddock setting—unexpected, but exactly right.
The Dam Denmark, WA
305 Wentworth Rd, Denmark WA 6333, Australia
Link to The Dam Denmark on Google Maps
+61 436 397 270
thedam.raintree.com.au/
@thedamdenmark @cannabisbotanical, @raintreeaus @heyscape.
*Vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options.
The Dam Hours
Monday: closed
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 11 am – 5 pm
Friday & Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
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