The Little Pantry — Restaurant in Subiaco

This place has clearly changed ownership since we first visited 3yrs ago. Everything from the non-existent service to the average food to the crumpled up menu screams of cheap and nasty.

Gone are all the trendy and creative dishes. In their place are bog standard menu items. Gone is the super friendly team who would go out of their way to welcome you into their little space. In their place were two young girls today who honestly looked like they couldn’t be bothered working. No hello, no good morning, just empty faces really.

My coffee looked the part but was tasteless — maybe they’ve changed the beans (?). I also ordered scrambled eggs and they turned up on shop-bought sliced bread (not the fancy ciabatta on the menu).

But the worst part of our experience was the “big breakfast” coeliac option — McCains hash browns served with Country Life GF bread (charged $2 extra!), few dead spinach leaves, burnt bacon and chorizo (which was prob the tastiest part of the dish). Zero effort to present any of this in an appetising way — was just slopped onto the plate like a campsite mess hall. Turns out it’s just one little man working in an open kitchen to pump out average food at high prices (compared to the previous kitchen team).

Little Pantry used to be the most amazing cafe with excellent coffee and a seasonal changing menu. Unfortunately the new owners have kept the name but nothing else. This place was truly disappointing today and can’t recommend.

** any cafe that has to place a banner outside to lure customers in is a fat red flag that we ignored but you...

We popped in while killing some time in Subiaco and the atmosphere was immediately inviting. With alfresco options, a warm and cozy inside seating area, as well as an outdoor seating area, the size is quite deceptive.

The waitress was friendly and the prices were reasonable compared to other gourmet cafes.

I ordered the Breakfast Bagel, while my wife ordered the French Toast Brioche. I also ordered the 'refreshing' fruit juice, consisting of orange, watermelon, carrot & ginger.

The breakfast options are fairly limited, but cover fruit, muesli, eggs, bacon, french toast and pancakes, so there's something to satisfy most cravings.

The coffee and drinks came shortly - coffee was very nice. The juice was actually quite nice. I'm not a fan of ginger, but there was just a slight hint - not overkill.

The Breakfast bagel looked pretty good. It arrived open-face, and honestly, it didn't need the lettuce or tomato. Trying to eat it as a proper bagel made it too big and uncomfortable to eat (as I belatedly found out).

The French toast was decadent with ample caramel sauce, nutella, ice cream. The bread was nice thick cuts too.

If you're in Subi, I'd definitely recommend this place and I will definitely be...

This mornings visit to The Little Pantry was sheer heavenly delight! My taste buds danced to the sensations of Coconut Milk Porridge, infused with sour cherries, young coconut, vanilla mousse and toasted coconut, decorated with a brilliant rainbow of edible flowers fresh from their backyard garden. This subtle yet well balanced meal had me close to a satisfying "Yes... Oohhhh Yes.. Yessss!!!"

I then sampled their gloriously appealing Spring Bruschetta, comprising of toasted fruit bread, macerated strawberries, whipped ricotta, leatherwood honey and chopped almonds. This richly sweet (without being too sweet) fruit cocktail on top of a crispy firm fruit toast virtually exploded in my mouth!! Certainly the climax of my experience here this morning.

Thankfully the smoothly brewed cappuccino helped me settle my excitement, ending in a deeply satisfying brunch.

Will I come again? YES...