Overview

Nestled in the heart of Perth’s bustling Hay Street Mall, Something French on Hay St offers a genuine taste of French cuisine in a cozy, unassuming setting. This little gem captures the essence of a traditional French café, far from the pretentious but rich with warmth and careful attention. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel welcome the moment you step inside—a space where authenticity and flavour come first.

The restaurant’s highlight is undoubtedly its breakfast and brunch offerings. The Eggs Benedict with Salmon shines with perfectly poached eggs, delicate hollandaise, and fresh salmon, delivering a refined yet comforting start to the day. Their crepes, from the classic Crepe Suzette to the inventive Strawberry Jam Crepes, balance sweetness and texture with precision, evoking the delicate artistry of French patisserie. Not to be overlooked, the almond and chocolate croissants, alongside the Pistachio Millefeuille, offer buttery, flaky bliss that pairs beautifully with their expertly crafted coffee—be it a latte, flat white, or long black.

The lunch menu dives deeper into French-inspired comfort fare with items like the Cordon Bleu served alongside Provençal vegetables and fresh salads. The smoked salmon baguette is a refreshing, flavorful option that speaks to their promise of using quality ingredients with thoughtful preparation.

While some patrons have noted inconsistencies in service speed and occasional greasiness in certain dishes, the overall consensus highlights a genuine passion for French cooking and a commitment to delivering well-executed classics. This is a spot where traditional favorites like Duck à l’orange, Croque Madame, and homestyle soups remind diners that French cuisine thrives in simplicity and care.

The space itself is modest but inviting. It does not overwhelm with decor but instead focuses on a relaxed and intimate ambiance that suits solo diners, couples, or small groups who appreciate the subtle charm of a local café with international flair.

For those who cherish the ritual of breakfast or casual French dining in the city’s core, Something French on Hay St is a meaningful find. It appeals especially to Francophiles, food lovers, and anyone seeking a heartfelt culinary experience without the fuss. With its classic menu and dedication to authentic taste, this café embodies the philosophy that good food needs no embellishment—just passion and precision.

If you’re wandering through Perth’s CBD and crave a slice of France paired with excellent coffee and genuine service, Something French deserves a spot on your itinerary. It’s more than a meal; it’s a quiet celebration of French tradition, crafted thoughtfully in the midst of the urban rush.


What Customers Say

aus macuser
Sep 7,2025
5/5
⭐ 5/5 Something French is a true hidden gem on Hay Street, and I honestly can’t recommend it enough. Every time I visit, I’m greeted with genuine warmth and impeccable service — the kind that makes you feel both welcome and cared for. It’s rare to find that level of attentiveness without pretension, but they manage it flawlessly. The food is divine. Every dish I’ve tried has been bursting with flavour, prepared with real skill and care. Whether it’s a rich Duck à l’orange, a comforting Croque Madame, or the Soup of the Day (which never misses — truly, it’s always a delightful surprise), each bite feels like a love letter to French cuisine. Even the bread is extraordinary — not just a side note, but a highlight in itself: deeply flavourful, crusty, and perfectly warm. Their all-day breakfast menu is filled with thoughtful touches (hello, Eggs en Meurette and Pain Perdu!), and the crepes — oh, the crepes! — are delicate and delicious, with just the right balance of texture and sweetness or savouriness. The setting is cosy, unpretentious, and filled with that understated charm that reminds you good food doesn’t need to shout. It just needs to be made with heart — and here, it absolutely is. I truly give this place 11/10. A must-visit for food lovers, Francophiles, or anyone who appreciates flavour done right.
Brey
Sep 7,2025
3/5
Small cafe in the middle of the CBD. There’s some options for hot breakfast, as well as the bakery options (which were sold out and not replenished while I was there). Service was really slow and it took much longer than expected for the food to be served. Food was quite average, especially given the price. We got a breakfast roll and an avo toast. Quite a few of their food options (including galette and avo toast) were quite oily and had oil dripping out of them, so pick carefully. Breakfast roll was nicely heated up and had some sort of sweet jam inside, which provided contrast with the savoury hashbrown and bacon. The texture of the scrambled egg and avo on the avo toast were both too watery.
Joe Olson
Sep 7,2025
4/5
Something French was a fortunate find on my first morning in Perth. The pastries, coffee are eggs Benedict are delicious. The galettes were pretty good but not the best that I've had. In particular, the curried chicken one was a bit dry. Otherwise, I love this place as is evidenced by the multiple times I returned for breakfast.
anne-marie harvey
Sep 7,2025
4/5
My husband and I stayed in Perth city for 2 weeks. Popped into Something French for coffee and a pastry. Great service . Coffee was great and the eclairs delicious. Thank you Oliver for the lovely service and the complementary eclair on our last day. Annemarie and Gary ( From Christchurch New Zealand.
Flower Power
Sep 7,2025
3/5
Nothing spectacular. It is OK. It is not bad, but the menu and dishes are standard. The mushrooms crepe and burger with fries we ordered are okay. We have had better. The place and menu have the potential to be better. We walked past this cafe several times, and we just wanted to try it. Will I recommend it? No, try somewhere else. Will I come back? Maybe once the menu has improved or something amazing is being served. For now, it is just OK.
I M HUNGY
Sep 7,2025
4/5
A busy French cafe in the heart of CBD, long queue when we arrived, but we didn’t wait for long. Huge big croissant only cost $4.8, very reasonable priced. Generous amount of smoked salmon in the crepe, but I couldn’t taste the crepe pancake wish it can be a little thicker. Hunter Breaky is lacking some seasoning, but you can add salt and pepper yourself. $5 sausage add on is a bit small for the price. My coffee was only ok because it arrived way too hot, so I waited for a while.
Nooz Gardner
Sep 7,2025
5/5
Lovely atmosphere and happy that there was gluten and dairy free options. Food was yummo and staff were lovely and accommodating. Was saying to my friends that it would be nice if they played some cool French Jazz Music on a Sunday for added atmosphere
Ming Khor
Sep 7,2025
5/5
Went to this place for lunch with my family. We got the 'Montagnarde' (a savory pancake with ham potatoes in it, 14 dollars), a ham and cheese croissant which was about 9 dollars and a ham and cheese toastie which was also about 9. Also got chocolate chip scrolls from the cabinet (7 dollars). Food tasted good. The coffee from this place was not the best, but still drinkable. Fed a family of four, two adults, two kids for 54 dollars so all good

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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