If there is one thing we’re equally proud of as our glittering coastline, it’s our love for good coffee, beautifully crafted breakfasts and the humble weekend brunch. Narrowing down the haunts that are serving some of the best breakfasts in Perth hasn’t been an easy task, yet here they are—a swag of cafes you should have been to by now. Just visiting? Welcome! Make this your hit list.
We’ve got you covered from north to south, east to west with the best breakfasts in Perth.
Central
Mary Street Bakery
HIGHGATE
Purveyor of fine salted caramel doughnuts, fried chicken buttermilk pancakes and some of the best soft eggs going around, Mary Street Bakery needs very little introduction to the Perth brekky mob. Now boasting multiple locations all over Perth, we think it’s the O.G. that still takes the proverbial doughnut—its charming little corner location and split-level interior makes for a breakfast with true ambience.
Petition Kitchen
PERTH
Renowned Head Chef Ram Gurung cooks up a seasonal storm at Petition Kitchen, hands down the best spot to break your fast in the CBD. Good coffee, a daring-but-not-too-daring-for-breakfast menu and the gorgeous interior of their State Buildings should have this spot front-of-mind for hungry city-goers.
Forklore
West Perth
If the crowds of people hovering outside every weekend don’t already tip you off, believe us when we say this new spot from the tbsp. crew is an absolute winner. The menu has a heavy Asian influence backed by exceptional coffee and their trademark cakes, croissants, and baked treats. From xo scrambled eggs and shokupan french toast to tonkotsu congee and a mind blowing katsu sando, there’s loads to tuck into beyond your standard smashed avo and we’re in love with each and every one of them.
La Veen
Perth
Follow the coffee snobs to this industrial chic coffee house on King Street. Exposed brick and lashings of wood create a relaxing urban atmosphere for the savvy King Street crowd. Five Senses coffee and a delectable breakfast menu are further proof that Perth cafe, La Veen, knows its inner-city audience well. So well in fact that they’ve opened up a second store in Raine Square too, but it’s the heritage beauty of the OG that has our heart. Our tip: just get the potato rosti.
Apex & Co
PERTH
When it comes to quirky coffees, Apex & Co is the place to be. From the folks who brought us Atlas Food + Coffee, this place sits pretty inside the massive QV1 business building, smack bang in the middle of the CBD. We strongly suggest giving the beetroot white chocolate latte a taste to go with your apple bircher soaked oats, made with rosewater and hibiscus.
Arrival Hall
NORTHBRIDGE
Part sleek design store, part cool cafe, Arrival Hall is serving up some of the most aesthetically pleasing plates around Perth. You won’t find any eggs benny or big breakfasts here, though. The menu is sophisticated, refined and packed full of unique flavour combos that will surprise and delight with every bite. If you’re chasing a piece of edible art, you can’t go past their Jerusalem artichokes and avocado on toast—it’s one of the most ‘grammable brekkies we’ve ever cast our eyes on.
North
Finlay & Sons
INGLEWOOD
For the eggs benny of your dreams, look no further than Finlay & Sons in Inglewood. Their iconic hash browns loaded up with perfectly poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, wilted spinach and giant slabs of thick cut bacon—it’s no wonder you guys shouted this spot out more than any other when we asked for your fave brekkies. These guys have also mastered the humble bacon and egg roll, which is best washed down with a coffee using beans by Twin Peaks.
Local & Aesthetic
MOUNT LAWLEY
New kids on the Beaufort St block, Local & Aesthetic, has to be one of our fave openings of the year (so far). Its laid back community vibes and WA-centric menu (much of which is vegan friendly) is bolstered by the fact the space is also home to Rhubarb Records vinyl and an Indigenous art gallery and retail outlet. As for what to eat, if the rotating weekly special doesn’t entice you the new mushroom and leek toast is as pretty as she is tasty, and their take on the humble brioche pudding complete with milk and honey brioche, lemon and finger lime curd, roasted white chocolate and shaved macadamias might just be the dessert-lovers ideal breakfast.
Little h Cafe
DUNCRAIG
If you haven’t been to Little h in Duncraig yet, you need to sort that out ASAP. Here you’ll find hearty feeds, amazing coffee and delicious smoothies which can be enjoyed every day of the week. Take a seat inside among the crisp white interior and hanging plants, or find a table outside and watch the world go by as you treat yourself to a drool-worthy brunch. Top picks include the eggs benedict which can be done three ways—with housemade hashbrowns and bacon, smoked salmon and spinach or spicy fried chicken and avo smash—and the avo with housemade hummus on toasted ciabatta. Make sure you check out the cabinet full of freshly-baked sweet treats inside for some post-brekky goodness.
Lupolab
MOUNT HAWTHORN
If a hearty breakfast and specialty coffee is what you’re after, the guys at Lupolab have also got you sorted. Sip on one of the house blends while you dig into the brekky burger–packed to the max with fried eggs, silverbeet and tomato–or the imperial salmon with potato croquettes, herbed goat’s cheese mousse, beetroot chips and two poached eggs.
Chinta Cafe
NORTH PERTH
When you match colourful, healthy breakfasts with specialty drinks like turmeric and beetroot lattes then add some tropical island vibes, you get Chinta Cafe in North Perth. Once you’re seated among the mini buddha statues and bamboo plants, we recommend you feast on their vegan big breakfast, the croissant royale or the delicious Shark Bay blue swimmer crab omelette. Don’t skip over the fresh juice menu—the sea breeze is a refreshing blend of grapefruit, pineapple, watermelon and mint and it goes down a treat.
Cafe Elixir
WANNEROO
Cafe Elixir is constantly dishing up the goodies. The breakfast board and the burger are both phenomenal, but if you're into dessert for breakfast (and why wouldn't you be?) you'll want to get your hands on the choc-Nutella pancakes. If all that's not enough to get you excited, these guys also do a Nutella cappuccino that will blow your mind.
Lot One
HILLARYS
If you fall into one of the plush leather sofas at Lot One, you probably won’t do much else that day so just sit back and relax with a seriously hearty breakfast and a mimosa or two. We recommend the BBQ pork shoulder with hash potato, cabbage slaw, free range fried egg and jalapeno salsa. Sweet tooths will also go mad for the blueberry pancakes topped with Holy Smoke free range bacon, whipped butter and chilli maple syrup (trust us, it works).
Soho Lane
Mount Lawley
After spending more than a decade living in New York, Soho Lane owners Matt Miller and Trindy Adler are all about building inviting community spaces where everyone feels right at home, and this stunning pink-hued laneway spot delivers just that. In the kitchen they’re also providing a nod to New York, offering hangover-friendly dishes like fried chicken and waffles alongside all-day brunch classics. On the coffee-side, you’ll get to try their very own unique blend with Micrology Coffee Roasters paired with texturised milk made with an Ubermilk milk machine. Who knew milk could be textured?
The Little Bay
WATERMANS BAY
By now, you probably should have heard of The Little Bay—the beachfront sibling of Little h in Duncraig. The space is decked out in the coolest coastal cool decor to match the stunning views. Foodwise, their fluffy pancakes are all the rage, but we reckon you also need to try their classic smashed avo or chorizo scrambled eggs.
West
Hylin
WEST LEEDERVILLE
It’s as if the corner location of Hylin almost predetermined its ambience: the bustle of Railway Parade matches the hustle it takes to get a table here on weekends, but quickly gives way to the quiet of Abbotsford Street once you’re sat among the draping greenery, awaiting your smashed avo. Micrology coffee and a bang-on, satisfying breakfast offering bring this place home for the win.
Good Things
MOSMAN PARK
Raising Mosman Park’s bar on good service and quality, honest food is Good Things, whose dining philosophy is basically summed up in the name. A very satisfying breakfast and brunch menu with a contemporary twist is served up until 2.30pm daily, against a backdrop of minimalism, neutrals and indoor plants. Easily one of Perth's best breakfasts.
Daisies
COTTESLOE
Tucked away in the streets of Cottesloe, Daisies is the place to be on a sunny morning in Perth. Pouring strong coffee and scrumptious breakfasts to eat there or to grab and go, Daisies is the perfect spot for those who want something fresh and healthy to eat out in the warm sun. Try their famous smashed avo toast served with Meredith feta, chilli dukkah and house-made chilli jam—you won’t regret it.
Someday Coffee Co
FLOREAT
Sitting very pretty on a corner along Cambridge Street is Floreat’s foremost breakfast spot, Someday Coffee Co. The pastel pink accents, bright whites, light pine and abundance of natural light are only the first thing to love about this place—it’s the food that’ll have you coming back repeatedly. As much a meeting place as it is an eatery, you’ll spot this place on Cambridge thanks to the hoard of people that tends to spill out onto the street in front of it.
East
Hampton & Maley
VICTORIA PARK
The follow-up to Hadleigh and Carolynne Troy’s now defunct, but well-loved fine-diner Restaurant Amuse, Hampton & Maley is their version of a casual neighbourhood all-day breakfast joint and it’s nailing it. The food is decidedly contemporary and technique-driven, without failing to be delicious and incredibly satisfying of morning hunger. Their eggs are some of the best in town.
Harvest Espresso
VICTORIA PARK
Another low-key brekky joint with an innovative brekky offering in the Vic Park locale, Harvest Espresso's food remains on point after many years of braving the ever-growing herd of local cafes. A changing, seasonal menu ensures food is fresh, current and of the highest quality—and meals are plated up so beautifully you almost won’t want to eat them. Almost.
tbsp.
Bayswater
Brunch is a thing of beauty at buzzy Bayswater cafe, tbsp. Tucked off King William Street, the crew at this lovely, light-filled cafe dish out some of the tastiest (and Instagrammable) brunch goodies. Aside from a few of the standard options like eggs on toast and muesli, most items on the menu are served with an Asian twist—think dishes like honey soy scrambled eggs, panko prawn roll, chicken congee and okonomiyaki. All guaranteed to get you drooling.
Laika Coffee
Lathlain
From the genius that brought us Hylin in West Leederville, Laika Coffee in Lathlain is dishing up amazing brunches and even better coffee—they roast their own on site—alongside Pilates classes and a basketball court. They’ve got loads of classic dishes that’ll hit just the spot, but it’s the breakfast pasta for us—gluten free pasta served with bacon, broccolini, egg yolk, chilli and more.
Willing Coffee
GUILDFORD
Finally, an Italian-inspired coffee bar for the people of Guildford and beyond. Owned by former Australian track-cycling champion Tim Willing, this uber cool cafe offers fresh croissants, pastries, homemade cakes a some damn good breakfasts. Willing Coffee is also pretty darn beautiful—think cosy tables, high seats at the bar, curved lines and matte marble.
Modus
VICTORIA PARK
In case you missed it, this popular Mount Lawley coffee joint expanded into a bigger and brighter space over in Vic Park last year. And with the move, Modus has cemented its position as not just one of Perth’s best coffee spots, but also as a leader in the bread game. With a load of great “on toast” options, it’s the perfect spot for a casual brekkie. They’ve also got a location in Wembley now too.
South
The Little Banksia
KENSINGTON
Go for a stroll along the suburban streets of South Perth and you might find yourself on the doorstep of The Little Banksia. Here, the coffee is mighty fine and the brekky offerings are next-level. We recommend the nasi goreng, smashed avo and pancakes or anything and everything on their menu! Plus, their pastries and cakes are to die for if you're looking for something small to nibble on as you enjoy the tasty coffee or tea.
Roasting Warehouse
SOUTH FREMANTLE
While the name might suggest that this place is all about coffee, Roasting Warehouse is dishing up some extremely good breakfast alongside their smooth brews. For a start, the breakfast is all day, and if that’s not enough to make you happy, we’re willing to bet that their Eggs Benny Chan will be. Don’t forget to grab a house-made doughnut for the road.
Duck Duck Bruce
FREMANTLE
Duck Duck Bruce in Fremantle has won us over with the names of their menu items alone. The Rhubarbra Streisand breakfast (stewed rhubarb, strawberries, maple and almond granola with pomegranate and cardamom coconut whip) is enough to make us want to move in. They also serve up the classics like their smashed avocado—It's Not Easy Being Green—and a killer big breakfast called We're Goin To Need A Bigger Boat.
Moore & Moore
FREMANTLE
The debate over Freo’s best cafe is a heated one, but Moore & Moore's name comes up regularly in the discussion. Housed in the heritage Moores building on Henry Street, this breakfast haunt is about as quintessentially-Freo as they come. The menu is feel good, the vibe laid-back, and the space (which doubles as an art gallery) eclectic and interesting—a winner in our books.
Bib & Tucker
NORTH FREMANTLE
On top of offering what is probably Perth’s best Indian Ocean view, Bib & Tucker also serves up a breakfast for foodie-champions. The menu is as solid as they come—winners like Shakshouka eggs, huevos rancheros, avo toast and apple and cinnamon porridge keep the beach-side breakfast crowd very happy indeed.
Keen to head to one of Perth's latest and greatest spots? Check out Perth's best new openings.
Image credit: Elle Borgward (Local & Aesthetic, Forklore, Hampton & Maley, Duck Duck Bruce), Finlay & Sons, Lupolab, Soho Lane