Breakfast in a place that is better known for its wine, cider, beer, chocolate and cheese?
Yep... the Swan Valley is fast becoming one of Perth's go-to regions for breakfast outside of the 'burbs.
In 2014 the region was named Australia's first humane food region. What does that mean exactly?
That many Swan Valley restaurants and producers commit to serving and producing food that has come from humane sources.
Think cage free eggs and free range meats. Dining at most of these places means you are also supporting this commitment.
With its views, vineyards and valleys, this region is a beautiful part of Perth to enjoy a relaxed breakfast.
Liz's Top 8 breakfast spots in the Swan Valley:
Little Lamont's Express
Unit 7, 660 Great Northern Hwy, Herne Hill
Open Mon to Sat 7am¬6pm, Sat 8am–2pm
At its core, Little Lamont's Express is a gourmet shop.
The Lamont family business is well known across Perth and their newest addition is Little Lamont's.
At its core, it is a gourmet shop offering a variety of speciality products such as artisan breads, jams, pasta sauces, olive oil, dips and yogurt. A plan for cellar door and wine sales is in the pipeline.
Fiona Lamont and her team at the Swan Valley winery are behind the food offering. It's all take away style with the quality expected from the Lamont name. There are choices such as granola cups with yogurt, breakfast wrap (bacon, egg, sausage and spicy tomato relish), and a fried egg, mushroom, spinach and chilli jam toastie.
For something sweet, customers can choose from range of pastries, muffins and slices. Of course there is also the coffee... it will not disappoint.
Maison Saint-Honoré
100 Benara Road, Caversham
Breakfast served Mon to Sun from 9am (limited menu on Mon & Tues)
First a macaron shop at the Freo Markets, Maison Saint-Honore is now a full-scale patisserie in the Valley.
A cafe that is as French as champagne is guaranteed to be a sweet brekky lover's heaven.
What started as Perth's first macaron shop at the Freo Markets has now moved to a full-scale patisserie and cafe in the Swan Valley.
It's not only the beautiful French biscuits you can get here; there are also sweet crepes, croissants and pastries. For something more substantial customers can order eggs cocotte (baked eggs), tartines or savoury crepes. And yes… you can also order French champagne.
Saving room for breakfast dessert is a must. The macaron sandwich ($8) – large macaron filled with salted caramel ice-cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream is both value for money and earth shatteringly good. You'll never taste ice-cream as creamy as this.
Maison Saint-Honoré is also a tick for families. An enclosed outdoor grass area with toys will keep the kids happy.
Mandoon Estate (Homestead Brewery)
10 Harris Road, Caversham
Breakfast served Sat to Sun 7.30am–10.30am
There are options for everyone at Mandoon Estate, with its menus hitting all the right breakfast notes.
Mandoon roared onto our radars about two years ago and there hasn't been a spare seat in the place since it opened its doors. On the weekends, breakfast is served in the Homestead Brewery part of the estate, making for a casual affair at an ultra modern winery.
Sit with a view of the vines or of the shiny German made Schulz brewing equipment. Afterwards head outside to the picnic benches to watch the kids play on the playground or stay for a beer (served after 10am).
The menu hits all the right notes with options such as the bacon and egg burger, buttermilk pancakes with crispy bacon, granola, and smashed avocado. For something different there is a "Bali breakfast" – satay chicken, soy noodles, chilli egg and pickle.
Kids are well looked after with a few choices such as fruit salad, pancakes or eggs on toast.
Coffee is from Typika Roasters in Claremont and as expected it's a very decent cuppa. Fresh juices and milkshakes are also available.
Oakover Grounds
14 Yukich Close, Middle Swan
Breakfast Served Sat to Sun 9am–11am (limited breakfast menu is available weekdays)
A winery that does coffee paddles? Oakover Grounds is the place, with savoury breakfasts also on the menu.
A winery that also roasts coffee is a place worth going to for breakfast. Sharing the limelight with the Oakover wine is Fiori Coffee.
If you want to try their coffee a few different ways, order the paddle. It includes filter, espresso and cold brew. Just to add to the theatre of it all, the barista will come and perform the pour over at your table. If simplicity is more your thing, a flat white won't disappoint.
The menu leans savoury with some interesting options. There's dishes such as the Elvis toastie - bacon, 3 cheeses, seeded mustard, topped with a fried egg or the towering breakfast burger with bacon, egg, American cheese, tomato relish on brioche bun. There's still good old bacon and eggs or smashed avocado for those wanting something more traditional.
Ordering breakfast also means you will get your first coffee free. Bonus!
If you need to work off your breakfast, take one of the free paddleboats out on the lake for a spin afterwards.
Slate Café
12 Dulwich Street, Bennett Springs
Breakfast served Mon to Fri 7.30am–3pm (coffee from 7am), Sat to Sun 8am–4pm
Slate Cafe is both kid and pet friendly with fenced-off areas and an all-day breakfast menu.
If you're looking for a café that is both kid friendly and pet friendly, then this one's for you. Equipped with a fenced off dog play area as well as a nature play and indoor playroom for the kids; parents can sit back and relax a while.
The mainly savoury, all day menu is one of the more reasonably priced going around. The top price is only $18 for either the big breakfast or the espresso mushrooms – sautéed mushrooms, double shot espresso reduction, crumbled feta, honey roasted walnuts served on sour dough toast.
Those with a sweet tooth haven't been forgotten. French toast ($17) is served with muscat spiced whole poached pear, seasonal berries, honey roasted oats, nuts and piped cream.
As well the usual range of coffee, they also offer matcha, chai and turmeric lattes. Fiori Coffee supplies the beans and as expected it makes for a good cuppa.
Swan Valley Café
990 Great Norther Hwy, Millendon
Breakfast served Mon to Fri 9am–11am, Sat to Sun 8am–11am
If you're a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free eaters, Swan Valley Cafe will be music to your ears.
Swan Valley Café is heaven for the vegetarians, vegans and gluten free eaters. They also pride themselves on using local organic ingredients with no preservatives or additives.
The menu strikes a balance between sweet and savoury with dishes such as omelettes, buckwheat chia pancakes, granola and homemade beans on offer. All breads used are gluten free from Perth bakery, Strange Grains.
Coffee is supplied by Vic Park roaster, Antz Inya Pants. Almond milk aficionados will be pleased to see the milk it is made in-house. Juices, smoothies and organic teas are also available.
There's plenty to take buy to home too, including the organic Valley Tea, Strange Grains bread and raw treats.
A beautiful garden at the back of the café means customers can sit at shaded tables and enjoy the surrounds.
Taylor's Art & Coffee House
510 Great Northern Hwy, Middle Swan
Breakfast served Tues to Sun 7.30am–11.30am
Taylor's is a Swan Valley institution, with this pumpkin patch dish one of its more unusual breakfast options.
Taylor's is a Swan Valley institution. The café is part of an art studio run by Jude Taylor. The café is looked after by her children, Caroline and Michael, who pride themselves on using mainly free range and organic, low mileage food.
The setting here is tranquil. Sit in the shaded courtyard under vines and white gums or inside the old rustic café surrounded by artwork and crafts.
The seasonal menu, created by Caroline, is simple without being boring. Dishes such as green pea and broadbean smash, and pumpkin patch (roasted butternut, oregano pesto, feta, toasted pepitas, dressed greens and a poached egg) keep things interesting among the usual suspects such as pancakes and the big breakfast.
Michael takes charge of the coffee and makes a brilliant cup with a custom house-blend from Darkstar.
The Nest at Sittella
100 Barrett Street, Herne Hill
Breakfast served Sat to Sun from 9am
The Nest at Sittella is perfect for champagne breakfasts, and also includes a new, modern wine bar.
Sittella recently expanded its offering to now include a modern wine bar to the side of the restaurant. Big glass bi-fold doors and a shaded verandah means customers are treated to the view across the valley and vineyards.
The breakfast menu is concise with only a handful of dishes including muesli and baked eggs. The Scotch egg with sausage, bacon & mushroom coat on a bed of beans in tomato with crisp potato is a nod to head chef Mike Price's English heritage. Customers can build their own breakfast from choices such as bacon, smoked salmon, black pudding, pork sausages, herbed mushrooms, confit tomato, avocado and hash browns.
This is the perfect setting for a champagne breakfast, with Sittella's range of sparklings and wines available from when the doors open
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