The hills are alive with the sound of espresso machines and breakfast cooking. That's right, no longer is the best breakfast in Perth just found in the hubs of Freo, Mt Lawley and Leederville.
There's plenty to see and do in the hills, especially if you enjoy bush walking or mountain biking. And let's not forget the Bickley Valley wine trail. Breakfast is the perfect way to fuel up and head out for a day of exploring.
![The hills are fast becoming the new place to eat breakfast in Perth.](/web/20160903053826im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/i/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gr6sg0.png/1472773938095.jpg)
Here are my top picks for breakfast in the Perth hills:
Beagle Bagel:
- Shop 6, 3-5 Railway Parade, Glen Forrest
- https://www.facebook.com/beaglebagel/
- Open Mon to Sat 8am–4pm, Sun 9am–3pm
This place is a big surprise in sleepy little Glen Forrest. Tucked away in a group of neighbourhood shops is Beagle Bagel. Named because of the owners love for their pet beagle Mimi.
Every morning the bagels are freshly made in the traditional way - boiled and then baked. They are chewy and dense on the inside with a crisp crust – perfection! There's plain, oats, garlic, onion, sesame, cheese, cinnamon, blueberry and gluten free ($3)
Fillings range from simple spreads ($3.50) such as cream cheese, Nutella and chocolate salted caramel to the more substantial options ($13.50) such as the English classic with English mustard, ham, cheddar cheese, gherkin, tomato and spinach; and smoked salmon with chive cream cheese, rocket, avo, tomato, dill, red onion and capers. If none of the options appeal, you can choose your own fillings too.
Coffee is by Dimattina and there's also a range of sweet treats available.
It's pet friendly and kid friendly, with plenty of seating, water for the dogs and toys for kids.
![A bagel at the aptly named Beagle Bagel](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/n/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716995917.png)
A bagel at the aptly named Beagle Bagel. Photo: Liz Sheehan
Chatford & Co:
- 8/14 Mead Street, Kalamunda
- https://www.facebook.com/chatfordcreationsrestaurant/
- Breakfast served Wed to Mon 7.30am–2pm
When a chef with some top restaurants under his belt opens a café, we take notice. Gavin Chater, previously of The Loose Box, C Restaurant and lastly as the head pastry chef of Rockpool, found that a slower pace of life was calling.
His homely little café has a breakfast menu that will impress. It changes regularly, sometimes weekly, to make use of fresh produce.
On my visit I had spicy homemade cornbread, house beans, chorizo (from local butcher Sebastians), smashed avo and a poached egg ($20). The corn bread was probably the best I have tasted. It was fried, so it had a crispy crust and had real chunks of corn. The flavour of the beans was on point with plenty of good quality chorizo. The inclusion of smashed avo was something a little different that worked well.
He bakes his own brioche, which is used in the French toast and bacon and egg doughnuts with maple syrup are a favourite that remain a steady fixture on the menu.
Five Senses supply the coffee and it's served with a squishy homemade marshmallow.
![Spicy cornbread chorizo and coffee at Chatford and Co.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/k/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716995579.png)
Spicy cornbread chorizo and coffee at Chatford and Co. Photo: Liz Sheehan
Genesis in the Hills:
- 124 Croydon Road, Roleystone
- http://www.genesisinthehills.com.au/
- Breakfast served Fri to Sun 8.30am–
There has never been a more peaceful place to have breakfast than Genesis in the Hills. Nestled amongst the bush on the side of a hill is this vegan and vegetarian café. Listening to the surroundings here is like one of those nature CDs. Birds tweeting, leaves rustling – ahhhh so relaxing.
The dishes on the menu make use of organic produce and herbs from their own garden. You wont find any bacon but the range of delicious sweet and savoury options will soon have you forgetting about a slice of smoked pig.
There are dishes such as eggs Contadina ($18) - two poached eggs in a thick napoletana sauce with melted mozzarella and toast; and banana and buckwheat pancakes ($22) with Belgian dark chocolate drops, blueberries, fresh fruit and maple butter. Vegans and vegetarians each have their own version of a big breakfast too.
They use an organic coffee blend from Toro Black, who is a roaster based in Mt Lawley.
Tulip season up the road at Araluen has started and runs until the end of September. Genesis is the perfect place to stop along the way.
![The eggs contadina and coffee at Genesis.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/j/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716995615.png)
The eggs Contadina and coffee at Genesis. Photo: Martin Eade
Haynes Street Larder:
- 2A Haynes Street, Kalamunda
- https://www.facebook.com/vorratskammer/
- Breakfast served Mon to Fri 7am–, Sat to Sun 8am
This place has been Kalamunda's hidden secret for long enough. Locals know it and love it for it's great coffee and simple, yet healthy and delicious food.
The smoothies and juices aren't the usual suspects. For example Monkey Business has banana, bee pollen and milk, Lavender Dreaming is made with blueberries, nut milk, banana, dates and lavender. Then there's a turmeric tonic made with coconut milk, vanilla bean, turmeric, clove, ginger and maca. Coffee is an organic roast from Crema.
The breakfast menu is vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free. There are dishes such avo on toast ($9), granola ($8), chia puddings ($8) and acai bowls ($15).
There's no signage. Simply look for the striped awning and yellow table and chairs out the front – and you're there!
![Haynes street Larder in the Perth Hills.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/l/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716995648.png)
Haynes Street Larder is hard to find, but worth the effort. Photo: Liz Sheehan
Hidden Speciality Coffee:
- 21 Page Road, Kelmscott
- https://hiddencoffee.com.au/
- Open Tues to Fri 6am–2pm, Sat 7am–3pm
Located in the foothills of Kelmscott in a bike suspension shop is an unexpected surprise. Hidden Speciality Coffee has finally brought good quality coffee to the area.
The food offering consists mainly of bagels with fillings such as smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill and capers and streaky bacon, free-range egg and cheese with house-made tomato relish. There's also granola and raw treats.
Backyard Coffee supplies the beans and there's a decent selection of loose leaf teas and Kommunity Brew kombucha.
There are a couple of big chesterfields and some bar seating available for those who want to get comfy and stay.
With plenty of mountain biking tracks in the area, these guys have hit the nail on the head with this one stop shop for the thrill seekers. Bikes can be repaired, great coffee can be enjoyed and parking out front means bikes can be kept under a watchful eye.
![Coffee and a pastry at Hidden Speciality Coffee.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/m/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716995871.png)
Hidden Speciality Coffee, certainly specialises in the coffee - among the best in the area. Photo: Liz Sheehan
Jack & Jill:
- 18B Haynes Street, Kalamunda
- https://www.facebook.com/Jackandjillkalamunda/
- Breakfast served Wed to Sun 8am–12pm
Jessica Doyle and Scotty North pulled Kalamunda into the world of modern breakfast with their popular café Jack and Jill.
They also own Haynes Street Larder, but this café is a place for Jessica to really stretch her legs and create some beautiful cheffy dishes.
These guys have a big focus on local organic produce, getting most of their stuff from a grower in the Bickley Valley. The nature of the produce means that the menu changes regularly – about every 5 weeks. You can still expect to get favourites like a big breakfast and eggs benny but be prepared to be wowed by dishes such as colourful French toasts, congees, or fried chicken.
They use Crema coffee here with Grumpy Farmer A2 un-homogenised milk. It makes a creamy cuppa that will have you ordering a second.
![A coffee and orange juice at Jack & Jill.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/o/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716996415.png)
A coffee and orange juice at Jack & Jill. Photo: Liz Sheehan
Masonmill Gardens:
- 40 Masonmill Road, Carmel
- http://www.masonmillgardens.com.au/
- Breakfast served every day 9am–11.15am
Across the top of the scarp in Carmel is Masonmill. This ex-rose farm has undergone a huge landscaping operation to now showcase manicured gardens, a nature play area for the kids and a modern restaurant.
The menu here is very likeable. It's filled with the usual suspects such as French toast, avocado smash and eggs benedict. The full Irish breakfast ($24.50) is really worth mentioning.
Bacon pork sausage and, black and white pudding from McLoughlins Irish Butcher, fried eggs, Heinz beans, tomato, mushies, hash brown, fried bread & Chef own brown sauce. If you have been on the hunt for a proper fry up – this is worth the trip.
![The grounds at Mason Mill.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/p/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716996293.png)
The manicured grounds at Masonmill, an ex-rose farm. Photo: Liz Sheehan
They haven't forgotten about the roses.
There are a couple of drinks featuring the fragrant petals – there's Rose-ade ($6) - rose petals infused with lemon and served with lemonade and a rose petal thick shake ($6.50) made with soy milk and cinnamon. I had the thick shake and recommend it as a must try!
After breakfast, check out the French Garden or ask one of the staff about some food to feed the massive koi in the pond.
![The full Irish brekkie at the Mason Mill and a rose petal infused milkshake](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/s/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716996599.png)
The full Irish brekkie at the Mason Mill and a rose petal infused milkshake. Photo: Liz Sheehan
Mason & Bird:
- 7 Williams Street, Kalamunda (Zig Zag Cultural Centre)
- https://www.facebook.com/masonandbird/
- Breakfast served every day 8am–3pm
Kalamunda's newest café has some impressive talent behind it. Owner and chef Brad Johnston was the head chef at Print Hall Bar, and Matt Nguyen and Jaclyn Noel (also owners) were managers at Rockpool. Besides the desire to own their first venue, it was also about wanting a change of pace that drew them to the hills.
The small all day menu delivers on originality and flavour. There's dishes such as homemade maple cocoa pops ($9) served in a little bag with a side of milk, roasted sobrassada ($17) with fresh tomato, fried eggs and sourdough, and paleo savoury waffles ($17) served with poached eggs, spiced nuts and seeds, and mushrooms.
If you really want to go old school, try the Heinz baked beans and cheese toastie ($9). It's just one of a handful of delicious toasted sangas on offer.
Coffee is by a small supplier called Little Owl Roasting Company. The coffee here is super creamy thanks to the use of un-homogenised Sunnydale milk.
![Roasted sobrassada with fresh tomato, fried eggs and sourdough at Mason and Bird.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/u/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716996825.png)
Roasted sobrassada with fresh tomato, fried eggs and sourdough at Mason and Bird. Photo: Liz Sheehan
SoulJahs Café:
- 1/508 Brookton Hwy, Roleystone
- https://solacealternativefoods.com.au/
- Breakfast served Mon to Fri 7.30am–11am, Sat to Sun 8am–11am
This is a café that is all about looking after your body inside and out. Not only is SoulJahs a vegan and vegetarian café, it is also a wellness centre.
They offer yoga and meditation classes and access to holistic practitioners for services such a reiki, naturopathy and massage therapy.
The breakfast menu spans sweet and savoury with some big flavours on offer. Waffles ($18) are served with strawberries, coconut vanilla icecream, maple syrup and raw chocolate; the Mexican bean wrap ($14) is made with brown rice, charred capsicum, corn, guacamole, lime and tomato salsa; then there's the avocado on toast ($16) served with seared garlic mushrooms, fresh spinach and tomato, and lime and basil oil.
They serve Micrology coffee here with a choice of a house blend or single origin. There's also a selection of organic loose leaf teas and house made raw treats.
A box full of toys is available for the kids who are free to play on the floor of the yoga room.
![A staple breakfast of avocado on toast and a coffee at SoulJahs Cafe and Wellness Centre.](http://web.archive.org./web/20160903053826im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/r/f/t/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1472716997014.png)
A staple breakfast of avocado on toast and a coffee at SoulJahs Cafe and Wellness Centre. Photo: Liz Sheehan
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