Welcome to a new round of House Favourites, WAGFG’s monthly round-up of what our team is eating, drinking, booking and buying.
The days are cooling down, travel plans are taking shape, and the quiet brilliance of autumn is just around the corner.
From fresh adventures across Asia working on our Stays accomodation guides to fitness apps, a must have kitchen gadget, a special guide announcement and some solid local favourites, March’s picks are diverse and well worth noting.
Georgia Moore, Editor in Chief, WA Good Food Guide
Hobart; a trip for the Tasmanian Good Food Guide
A small (or large) scoop to start. The West Australian Good Food Guide is heading to Tasmania in 2026 to establish a full Guide, with the formidable Michael Harden joining as our Guide Editor. My few days in Hobart recently were filled with energetic meetings and phenomenal food. Firstly, the produce alone is extraordinary. My growing short list from the trip (on rapid fire); the egg salad sandwich from Pigeon Hole.. grab some Angasi oyster hot sauce by Rough Rice while you are there. Coffee from Wide Awake in North Hobart quickly became a morning ritual. At the Hanging Garden, the Ethiopian pancake from Queen Sheba is a must. The whipped anchovy at Lucinda and a standout runner bean tempura with nasturtium mustard at Sholé also made the list. I could go on, and I certainly when I return next month.
Eve Hotel & Saint Peter Bar, Paddington
A quick stop through Sydney saw me staying at the super cool Eve Hotel in Redfern. The attention to detail across the rooms and public areas is impressive, the staff are some of the friendliest you will encounter, and the rooftop poolside food at Lottie’s Sydney is excellent. Order the ceviche; it is not your standard interpretation. Next stop should be the bar at St Peter in Paddo, and yes! it lives up to the hype. Order the Double Yellowfin Tuna & Swordfish Belly Bacon Cheeseburger and, if it is still on the menu, the nannygai eye magnum. One of the best things I have eaten.
The Ladder App
I am trying to build more consistency into my day to day life across eating well, meditation and working out. Scheduled classes are not always conducive to parenting, life and travel, so I have been loving the Ladder app. Thirty five minutes a day combining strength and Pilates, minimal equipment required, and it integrates neatly with my WHOOP. The instructors are excellent and the interface is extremely user friendly, which explains the many accolades it receives in the App Store. For me it has been a genuine game changer.
The 2026 WA Good Food Guide Awards Night
I am still buzzing from this incredible night and the messages that followed. There is something about having 800 people in one room each year that makes the entire year of work worthwhile. This year felt even more special in the grandeur of His Majesty’s Theatre. Seeing the industry together, cheering each other on and celebrating the wins and the work behind them is something I never take for granted.
Nieuw Ruin – End of an Era
I was lucky enough to attend the final collaboration event ever held at Nieuw Ruin, with Blaze Young and Ben Ing coming together for the Alberta’s takeover. Miller and Baker Danish rye bread, Revolution Fisheries skipjack, Mottainai lamb neck and ricotta ice cream were just some of the highlights from a menu twice that size. Long live Nieuw Ruin.
Sophie Gargett, Reviewer, WA Good Food Guide
Nonoji CBP-04G Cabbage Peeler
Like me, you may have thought that the razor thin side serving of cabbage on your sashimi plate was the artwork of a samurai sword wielding chef. Superfine is the only way to eat cabbage and it is a revelation that you do not need knife skills to DIY. This Japanese cabbage peeler is both my favourite kitchen implement and my favourite gift for friends who love to cook.
Six-Eyed Scorpion Crispy Chilli Oil
After a decade living in China, I am constantly on the hunt for the ultimate chilli condiment. Some fail the heat test, others go too large on umami, and many simply do not deliver the flavour punch to meet your noodles at their level. Enter my new dining bestie, Six-Eyed Scorpion Crispy Chilli Oil, which I was introduced to while staying with Chinese friends recently. Over a breakfast of fried dumplings handmade by Grandma, she declared that this was the only chilli made outside her own kitchen that she would ever serve. High praise, well deserved.
The Agrarian Kitchen
I am not unique in lauding Tasmania’s The Agrarian Kitchen, recently named Gourmet Traveller’s best restaurant on the island, but part of the beauty of this experience is that it feels deeply personal and intimate. The first of your dishes is served just for you in the lush greenhouse, surrounded by the fresh produce that will soon find its way to your plate. Then you amble through their kitchen garden blooming with edible flowers and greens, before more refined food that mirrors the gardens’ abundance and colour. It is a feat that something so special does not feel pretentious.
“I Love Salt” T-Shirt
For me there were no truer words ever spoken than “there’s not enough salt in salt.” I love the stuff so much that I carry a small shaker of sea salt in my bag at all times just in case I am faced with the horror of an insufficiently seasoned meal. Molly Baz agrees with me, which is why my favourite gear is her “I Love Salt” T-shirt.
Govinda’s Northbridge
I can barely believe I am lifting the gate on this one. But in the Hare Krishna spirit of peace and giving, I give you the best samosa in town from Govinda’s Northbridge. There is something very gratifying and a bit magical about food made with devotion, meditation and purity at its core, but it is the sanctity of this golden fried pastry and hefty spiced filling that keeps me coming back.
Rosamund Brennan, Writer and Reviewer, WA Good Food Guide
Cheese and onion stracciatella at Bar Rouge
A quick pre gig drink turned into an unexpected highlight thanks to this dish at Bar Rouge. Creamy stracciatella lifted with lemon thyme and finished with a savoury scatter of black garlic crumb. The flavours echo a classic cheese and onion pairing, but with a deeper umami edge. Add the kombu potato crackers and it becomes the perfect scoop and share starter, ideal for an after work wine and a spot of people watching along Beaufort Street.
Breakfast at The Cool Room
If you have not been to The Cool Room in Fremantle lately, go. Chef Drew Dawson keeps the breakfast menu simple and European leaning, and it really works. I had a beautiful plate of soft boiled eggs, smoked salmon and thick slices of crusty brown bread that felt almost Nordic in its simplicity. The mushroom, goat’s cheese and chives omelette was next level too. Afterwards it is hard to resist a wander next door through Old Values vintage.
Solo dining with a book
Recently I have been loving a weeknight solo dinner with a book and my dog Olive in tow. We wander the streets of Fremantle until a place catches my eye, then settle in for a glass of chardonnay or pinot noir and a few small plates. Recent highlights include Ode to Sirens, Vin Populi and Urban Winery. It is such a simple but luxurious ritual and feels like the ultimate act of self love. Chef’s kiss.
George Street, East Fremantle
With the dreaded closure of the Fremantle traffic bridge, George Street has been seeing a little less foot traffic lately, which is a shame because it remains one of the liveliest little strips around for eating, shopping and wandering. Start with a coffee at Hubbles Yard, grab a slice of cake at Bittersweet Bake, settle in for a table at Young George or La Lune, then browse the boutiques and homewares stores along the strip. It is well worth the small detour.
Paul Bui, Creative, WA Good Food Guide
Pelican Croissanterie
I do not line up for much, but I would line up for this. Hidden in the suburban streets of Willagee, this is one of my go to’s for after school drop off. The air is laden with butter and the pastries are to die for. Getting food straight out of the oven is one of the many joys that keeps me coming back. My favourites are the mushroom danish and the matcha crème brûlée. For matcha lovers, these guys do it right. Their matcha powder is fine and smooth with just the right amount of sweetness.
Le Vietnam
Banh mi are everywhere nowadays but these guys have long been an inner city favourite. Lee pays close attention to all the important details of making a banh mi, respecting the origins while innovating at the same time. I especially enjoy his collab banh mi, particularly ones like Big Don’s. If Don’s briskets or burnt ends are there, consider me a daily customer.
Max Brearley, Guide Editor, WA Good Food Guide
Mandapa Reserve, Ubud
I am writing from Bali, where last October I first came to Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Then I was lucky to tag along for brunch with a friend and colleague. This time I am a guest and smitten in minutes. A welcome drink that felt like the elixir of life, time to plunge into a private pool, dinner at Kubu, their zero waste fine diner, and cocktails with spectacular views at Ambar. And that is just the first five hours. Full listing coming to WAGFG’s Bali Stays very soon.
Powder Room by R4D, Ubud
Much has been said about chef Will Goldfarb’s world renowned Ubud restaurant and, as much as I love the concept and the season to season change in menu, I am overjoyed to be reunited with Powder Room, their casual spot that does perhaps my favourite breakfast anywhere. I will just say, jamu forever.
The Mountain, Gorillaz
I am low key obsessed with the latest album from this collaboration that spawned many more. Indian inspired you could say, but that would be too simple a read. Seek it out, listen and you will likely be hooked. I am also trying to grapple with the fact that Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett first brought Gorillaz to the world 25 years ago.
LA Baby, Tim Key
You may know Key from The Ballad of Wallace Island, which was one of my favourite films of last year, or from Alan Partridge if you are a fan. You are perhaps less likely to know his poetry, which often has a comic edge. This compact volume currently lives in my travel bag. A short read is a good read for me.
Idée Fixe, Margaret River
This has been my blanc de blancs to gift for several years, especially as I can have it sent to friends and family in the UK. Now you can get a little closer to the story with their bookable experiences just south of Margaret River. It is all part of the staged opening of their tasting salon, tours and eventually a bistro.