Welcome to the inaugural edition of House Favourites—a new monthly series where the WAGFG team shares what we’re loving right now.
From standout snacks to new openings, upcoming getaways and the drinks we keep going back for, think of it as your go-to list for what’s worth eating, drinking, booking and buying right now.
Some are hot tips, others are long-time favourites, and all of them are worth your time.
Tessa Gallagher, Managing Director
1. A La Carte Cap by Worktones
For those who plan their holidays around restaurants (me), it’s the cap you didn’t know you needed. Stylish, good quality and made by hospo people for hospo people.
2. “Wash Yo Hands” Pennant by Rayo & Honey
A gentle reminder (but make it chic). Equal parts statement piece and public health PSA.
3. Boundless Books, Leederville
A dreamy little bookshop with a tight, thoughtful cookbook edit and that perfect ‘accidental hours lost’ energy. Go for the Ottolenghi, stay for the community vibes.
4. Havza’s Crayfish Börek on Rotto
Delicate, flaky pastry with a buttery, oceanic filling, this Turkish-style snack is one of the best things I’ve eaten on the island—and a reason alone to ferry over.
5. The Lodge Wadjemup
Speaking of Rotto, TIME Magazine agrees—this newly opened stay is the elevated Rotto experience we’ve all been waiting for. The design, the views, the colour palette—it’s architectural elegance meets barefoot luxury.
6. Maison Balzac Olive Oil Bottle
This bottle lives on my kitchen bench and makes pouring olive oil feel like a ritual—chic, sculptural, and surprisingly functional.
7. Good Cooking Every Day by Julia Busuttil Nishimura
This cookbook is a masterclass in seasonal simplicity. Julia’s recipes are unfussy yet deeply satisfying and it’s the kind of book that lives on your kitchen bench, not your bookshelf.
8. North Street Store Family Beef Pie
One of the best pies in the State and the perfect dinner for when the kids are hangry and nothing is prepped. Flaky, golden pastry meets slow-cooked beef, it’s worth every minute of that queue.
9. La Casa Soho Dinner Set
Good food deserves a good plate—and these bring restaurant-at-home energy in the best way. Understated, elevated and endlessly mixable.
10. Hencla Croissant Bracelet
My two great loves—carbs and jewellery—united in one gloriously unnecessary but totally essential piece.
Anna Franklyn, Managing Editor
1. Jalapeño Bread at Ooh Coffee
If there’s one thing I wish I had in this life, it’s a never-ending supply of this jalapeño bread from Ooh Coffee in North Fremantle. Cheesy, spicy and soaked in butter. The perfect start to any day.
2. Chilled AF Chilled Red by LS Merchants
’Tis the season for chilled reds, and this one from Margaret River’s LS Merchants is everything I could ask for. A juicy, slightly wild blend of grenache, shiraz, sauv blanc and chenin, it’s vibrant, smashable and almost too easy to drink. Serve not-quite-fridge-cold with anything salty.
3. The Great Southern in Autumn
Autumn is prime time to head south, and I’m counting down to my annual Great Southern pilgrimage. Top of the hit list? Libertē, the newly revamped Denmark Hotel, and Bred Co for the best gluten free bread in the region. Bonus: Taste Great Southern runs 1–4 May and the lineup is looking sharp.
4. Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns by Panna Artisan
It’s not easy being a coeliac at Easter, but Panna’s buns make it a whole lot sweeter—perfectly spiced, loaded with organic fruit, and up there with the best I’ve tried. Pro tip: grab a brownie too. Possibly Perth’s best, gluten free or not.
5. The Lola Paloma at Light Years
Light Years has landed in Perth, and this cocktail is a standout—juicy watermelon, a lick of chilli, and the kind of balance that makes you order a second before you’ve finished the first.
6. Purnama Platter from Cisco and the Sun
There’s nothing I love more than a winter dinner party—and this handmade platter is built for it. Beautifully weighty and big enough for a table full of snacks. Consider this your sign to host.
7. Ember Bathhouse
Steam, sauna, cold plunge, magnesium pool—then a snack station stocked with Mayde Tea, dark chocolate and almonds. Ember is the closest thing Perth has to a Euro-style bathhouse, and I am all for it.
8. Mulled Wine Crème Brûlée at Intuition Wine & Kitchen
Intuition quietly opened late last year, but it’s more than ready to be on your radar now. Chef Matthieu hails from France and trained alongside Michelin-starred chefs before spending seven years as head chef at Chez Pierre—and it shows. The eye fillet was outstanding, but it’s the mulled wine crème brûlée that’s been living rent-free in my head ever since.
9. Iced Vovo Print by Carmen Hui
I could hang every print from Carmen Hui’s snack series, but the Iced Vovo has my heart. Retro, charming and joyfully nostalgic—it’s like childhood on your walls.
10. Willi’s Pizza Bar
I’d been eyeing off Willi’s Pizza Bar since it opened, but figured a gluten-free deep dish pizza was a long shot. Turns out, not only did I get an exceptional pizza on a recent visit—I also ate some of the best gluten-free focaccia in Perth. A happy reminder that sometimes you just have to ask.
Abbie Kinsella, Content and Partnerships Executive
1. Maple Bacon and Black Pepper Croissant from Pelican Croissanterie
Flaky, sticky, sweet-savoury maple bacon goodness. A downright dreamy pastry moment—made even better by the fact your coffee comes with a little cake on the side.
2. Mario’s Garden Karridale Salsa Verde
Under the bright green tent at the Margaret River Farmers Market, you’ll find Mario—a nonno to all—selling homemade oils and condiments made from his garden. While his basil olive oil is a staple in my kitchen, it’s the roasted tomatillo salsa verde that’s a game-changer: punchy with garlic, herbs and chilli, and good on just about everything. Don’t leave without one of his giant arancini. Trust me.
3. Wild Rice Pudding from Testun
Chamomile-poached pear, apricot kernel, toasted rice honey joy… as Testun’s Head Chef Chris Caravella said, “When was the last time you had a Honey Joy?” This dessert is simply nostalgic fun. The best part? It’s staying on the menu for a while, with a few twists still to come.
4. Vallée du Venom Yallingup Clique
As the cooler months roll in and we start reaching for red, this bottle is the one to have on standby. Smooth as anything, it’s an easy favourite for Friday nights on the couch—glass in hand, footy on.
5. Savoury Bagel from Loafers Artisan (Subi Farmers Market)
My non-negotiable every Saturday. Coated in poppy and sesame seeds, onion flakes and fennel, I always throw at least one into my market haul before heading home to make a breakfast bagel to kick off the weekend.
6. Long Mac Topped Up from St Brigid’s
I’m not usually big on espresso martinis, but St Brigid’s riff has me converted. It’s been on the menu since day one—and rightly so.
7. Ripe Figs by Yasmin Khan
A well-worn favourite from my cookbook shelf. Easy-to-cook recipes that celebrate the flavours and heritage of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. The stuffed roast eggplants and Rakhine chicken curry are regulars in my rotation.
8. Any Cut from the Meats Menu at Nextdoor
Whether it’s the Stone Axe wagyu flank or the 750g Cape Grim ribeye to share, this is some of the best beef in Perth. Served simply with a fire-roasted chimichurri you’ll want to eat by the spoon. Book a front row seat at the fire bar and watch your cut grilled over wood fire right in front of you.
9. Welsh Rarebit from The Corner Dairy
A new addition at The Corner Dairy that takes cheese on toast to a whole new level. Thick-cut sourdough, confit garlic, a base of red Leicester, piped smoked cheddar, and shavings of parmesan. Say less.
10. What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci
Only Tucci could recount a year of eating with such charming charisma. A witty, endearing read full of heart—and a reminder of how food anchors our memories.
That’s it for April, check back next month for more House Favourites, or find Off Menu: The Latest News from WA’s Dining Scene here.