Maddox is a neatly designed cafe that sure knows its breakfasts. It was refitted from scratch by Perth couple Marsha Salam and Brendon James.

Their first independent endeavour is named after their young nephew. The two collaborated across the entire refit which Salam designed and James built. They kept the kitchen open to let more aromas escape and keep the chefs' smiling faces visible.

Flowing through two rooms, a raw aesthetic is accentuated by crisp, black accents, with wooden tables and vintage office chairs reworked into comfortable bench seats. A roughly sanded feature wall pays homage to occupants past, revealing layers of paint from its various incarnations.

James' menu doesn't limit itself to any one cuisine. On a given day there might be Tuscan eggs with basil and goats' cheese; a Moroccan salad filled with seeds and nuts; or black rice Bircher with coconut cream. For traditionalists, the usual toast dishes are also available. There's always plenty of gluten-free options, too.

In-house pastry chef Josie Goldfinch bakes a range of treats to accompany, such as wagon wheels, fudge and various slices.

The house coffee is a single-origin which Maddox has custom roasted. It's matched with a range of milks, including lactose-free and soy.