Word of a new breakfast hotspot in town spreads pretty quick around Perth, and before you know it, there are lines out the door and a twenty minute wait at somewhere that has only been open a few months.

This was the case when hubby Dave, my sister Mel and I ventured to Flora Terrace’s Tropico in North Beach on a warm Saturday morning.

Mel arrived slightly before us just before 9am and popped our name on the list (yep, already a queue and they don’t take bookings, which I actually approve of). She was warned of a twenty minutes wait and sure enough, we did wait about twenty minutes before our name was called. The wait was not bad though, there are little stools out the front and the blue and white painted sign on the wall advertising the brand of coffee used (Wills and Co.) does a nice job of setting the vibe for this breezy, casual and funkified cafe.

Dave and Mel out the front of Tropico

Just inside the front door on the right is the counter where you pay as well as display cabinet with all sorts of mouthwatering food. Although I hadn’t even eaten breakfast when we first walked past, the fresh rolls and wraps had me craving lunch in no time! Will have to try those babies next time I am in the area around lunchtime.

Lunchtime deliciousness on display

The cafe itself was light and airy, and the wooden ceiling feature and funky lights added a different touch. The white subway tiles with black grout are the same as what we have just done in our home kitchen so that got extra marks from hubby! The seating is a mix of high tables (which seemed to be communal) and normal setting.

Inside Tropico – good mix of seating

The menu itself has enough diversity, as well as the classics (big breakfast anyone?) to satisfy most people and it didn’t take long for the three of us to have narrowed down our choices, making sure we ordered a good selection to try a few things.

Tropico’s menu

Mel started off by ordering the cold pressed Punch Love juice, which included pineapple, granny smith apples, kale, lemon, ginger. The juice was very refreshing and nice and cool, but I think the kale in it was abit overpowering and it could probably have done with either abit more ginger or a bit more lemon. Still a nice way to start the day though. Dave and I both ordered coffees and I have to say, coffee was really good. The little ceramic cups they served the coffee in were also pretty cool – they look like takeaway cups and are very deceiving until you pick one up and realise its ceramic. Good for keeping the coffee hot too when you get caught up chatting!

Punch Love Juice and Coffee in my new fave cup

I was debating as to whether to go the wood roasted mushrooms served with basil pesto, poached eggs and artisan sourdough ($17) or the zucchini fritter with smoked salmon, poached egg, lime and avocado, chives ($18). In the end the fritter won (although I subbed out the salmon and ordered a side of bacon instead which was a super generous serving).

It was super delicious – the fritter was nice and crispy on the outside, and the perfectly gooey eggs just popped and oozed all over the avocado, fritter and the salsa. A nice dash of salt and pepper and a squeeze of lime, and it was a fast extravaganza in my mouth! Not sure how it would have gone with smoked salmon to be honest, but the streak bacon side was again, perfectly cooked. Not too crispy but nice and tasty.

Zucchini fritter with avo, tomato salsa and poached eggs ($18)

Generous side of bacon ($4)

Mel ordered the paleo platter which was a bit of a bargain really – $14 for 2 soft boiled free range eggs, avocado, spiced nuts and seeds on a bed of baby spinach. Mel loved the combination of the nuts with roasted capsicum, and the avocado and eggs beefed it up that bit more – “healthy and satisfying” was her review!

Paleo Platter (looks good huh?!) $14

Dave went for the ‘manly’ choice and decided on the full breakfast – 2 eggs fried, sausage, house made beans, tomato, bacon, mushrooms, but asked for avocado in place of beans. They were happy to oblige (although we did notice they added on the cost of a side on the bill – I don’t mind them doing this but really, they should let you know when you are ordering). When it came out it did not look that impressive but by all accounts, the tastes were good and he certainly didn’t leave hungry! I forgot to get a photo of the avocado side, but as with the bacon, it was a big portion.

Full breakfast minus beans ($24) – bit on the hexxy side for what it was

All in all, Tropico is sure to be a magnet for the trendy northern suburbs crowd for awhile longer – the food is good, reasonably priced (except where they get you on the substitutions and don’t tell you!), the coffee is a winner and all in all, it has a nice, relaxed beachey vibe.

Following our brekky, we grabbed our towels from the car and walked down to the lovely beach at the end of Malcolm Street for a swim – NOT a bad way to start the weekend. Highly recommend.