Sapore Espresso Bar, Belmont
Let me say upfront: I enjoyed my mushroom bruschetta; lots of bouncy mushrooms, tangy goat’s cheese and punchy fresh herbs, all generously spiked with truffle oil. Jac’s eggs Florentine was a beauty, with spinach, tender smoked salmon and two perfectly poached eggs on sourdough toast, all smothered in satiny homemade hollandaise.
Sapore was bustling when we dropped by for breakfast a couple of Sundays ago. The food coming out of the kitchen looked good. The breakfast boards look great (bacon and egg slider, mini granola pot and potato croquette). Service was friendly. Behind the counter, the staff pumped out coffees, fresh fruit juice in jars, and those monster diabesity milkshakes topped with whipped cream that are all the rage now. Belmont’s got itself a neighborhood cafe to be proud of – get there early or be prepared to wait in envy.
But apologies to Sapore – I came for breakfast and realised I wasn’t really in the mood. There was nothing wrong with our breakfast at Sapore but I’ve fallen into a ‘bored with breakfast’ phase – I think that’s why May Street Larder’s soul sandwich got me so excited recently. I’m not suggesting that all Perth cafe breakfast menus are the same (ahem, soul sandwich), but I’ve found many are now too predictable, and even without looking, I can usually reel off the repertoire: eggs Benedict and its variations (ham, spinach, smoked salmon); Spanish-style baked eggs with spicy tomato sauce and chorizo; the token Bircher muesli or porridge dish; smashed avocado or eggs or mushrooms on toast… I get it – that’s probably what most people expect for breakfast. I’m just speaking for myself, and I’m craving something different.
I’m now on a quest for Perth’s ‘unbreakfasty’ breakfasts, starting this weekend. Stay tuned, and feel free to suggest your favourite unbreakfasty breakfast joint below.
Sapore Espresso Bar
4/275 Belmont Avenue (corner Fulham Street), Belmont






