The best of dining in Perth's Northbridge

Family friendly by day, hipster hangout by night, Perth's inner-city suburb of Northbridge has some of the best dining options in the west. From a tiny spaghetti bar to indulgent breakfast offerings, this vibrant community sure knows how to eat.

Francoforte Spaghetti Bar

The spirit of collaboration is high in Northbridge, with Julian Staltari, who owns Francoforte Spaghetti Bar coming together with two other traders to offer 'Tre Amici' (Three Friends). It's a kind of Italian culinary walking tour of the neighbourhood. Start with wine and antipasto at No Mafia. Then wander down to Francoforte for Primo (the kale pesto pasta with lemon is a hit with vegetarians and meat lovers rave about the guanciale carbonara). Finish off across the road for Dolce at Chicho Gelato (try the cinnamon, toasted brioche and nutella swirl). It's all a delicious bargain at $35.

Francoforte - 4/189 William Street Arcade

No Mafia - 11/189 William Street Arcade

Chico Gelato - 180 William Street

Arthouse Dine

Too often cafes attached to art galleries are ho-hum. Not so at Arthouse Dine, a light filled modern dinner housed at the Art Gallery of WA. It's the perfect place to grab a snappy bite or drink. Breakfast offerings range from light (spiced avocado mousse, salted baby cucumber and heirloom tomatoes) to decadent (french toast, caramelised banana, salted caramel and blueberries). Come back after hours for the beautiful treacle tart served with crème fraiche and blood orange.

Art Gallery of WA Perth Cultural Centre, 08 9228 3100, arthousedine.com.au

Sauma

If you're after something punchy and authentic, you can't go past Sauma. It's Indian street food with a modern twist - think goan sausage with toddy vinegar and mini naan bread or wagyu beef samosa with beetroot ketchup. If you're on the straight and narrow, the mango lassi with slivers of pistachio will cool your mouth but warm your heart.

200-206 William Street, 08 9227 8682, sauma.com.au

Mr. Fox on William

The rustic interior of this cafe belies the serious nature of the eating that happens here. If you're someone who embraces fusion, the mac 'n' cheese breakfast waffle is for you. It's gooey, cheesey, crunchy and with chicken, maple syrup, goat's cheese and jalapeno jam, it's breakfast, lunch and dinner in one.

270 William Street

Young Love Mess Hall

The crockery and walls of this striking restaurant are dark and moody, with plants cascading from the ceiling giving a lush, otherworldly feel. The Japanese succotash is the standout dish - a delicate tumble of fried eggplant, edamame beans, pea puree, pickled daikon, pink ginger and sesame. Come prepared to fall in love.

175 William Street, younglovemesshall.com

Bangkok Brothers

Come for the Thai tea crepe cake, piled high with layers of pastry cream, but stay for the spicy-sour Tom Yum Gai, the Som Tum Thai, with its shredded green papaya tossed with chilli lemon dressing and the chilli basil fried rice.

91 James Street, 08 6161 6562, bangkokbrothers.com.au

La Cholita

If you're going to try any one of the 120 varieties of tequila on offer at La Cholita, you'd better order up. Not that it's hard – there's zingy fish cerviche or grilled octopus and smoky potato for entradas, followed by slow-cooked pork, pineapple and onion tacos or rich three cheese and jalapeno quesadillas. Or you could just sit and sip sangria, dunking the house-made corn chips into the creamy guacamole.

279 William Street, 08 9227 9238

Lil' Toastface

This tiny hole-in-the-wall offers six toasties to choose from including the Classic (cheddar, gruyere and emmenthal), shroomy shroomy ya (mushroom, spinach, double cheese and dijon) and ol' faithful (smoked ham, ergmont cheese and sweet pickle relish). It's a delicious example of focusing on one thing and doing it perfectly.

179 William Street, toastfacegrillah.com

Brika

While the food is meant for sharing, you may not want to. The menu reads like a roll call of the best of Greek food – flaky spanakopita, piperies gemistes stuffed with feta and salted cod, hot and salty saganaki, hummus, kalamboki, goat keftedes and slow cooked lamb. Bring a group and try it all.

Shop 3, 177 Stirling Street, brika.com.au

Aisuru Sushi

Not only can you eat bacon sushi here, but you can also pull up a stool and watch it being made. If your tastes are more traditional, try the creamy avocado and crab wrapped in nori and topped with tempura Tilapia or the umami-rich unagi eel and cucumber roll. There's plenty for vegetarians and vegans too - the marinated shiitake mushroom and cucumber, wrapped in nori is highly recommended.

208 William Street, 08 9328 8578, aisurusushi.com.au

Feeling thirsty? Try:

Cocktails and South African fare at Baby Mammoth Shop 2, 305 William Street, 08 9227 1474, babymammoth.com.au

Sip and sup at the bar or in the garden at The Standard 28 Roe Street, 08 9228 1331, thestandardperth.com.au

Get your fix of freshly roasted coffee from Ristretto Wall Coffee 53 Aberdeen Street