IL CIBO (The Food) is an easy, no-nonsense café – the menu is simple but boasts fresh and filling options perfect for a quick lunch.

There was plenty of outdoor seating but the Doctor was brisk so we sauntered inside, past the vibrant delectables on display.

The cafe is comfortable and spacious, industrial chic with textured furnishings. You can actually hear your conversation, something often lost in the hustle and bustle of many busy, clanging restaurants.

Freshly made salads accompany many meal options and can also be chosen as a main for those still keeping to resolutions six weeks after new year’s.

Generous windows reveal a patron, equipped with laptop, enjoying the perfect place amongst lime trees and canopies to work through lunch.

There was a slight mix up with our order but it went uncorrected as the grilled chicken and gourmet salad dish ($22) looked too good to turn away. The chicken was tender and flavoursome and sat neatly atop a colourful Thai coleslaw and mushroom and broccoli salad. The coleslaw was a refreshing Thai take on the dish, enlivened with coriander and bean sprouts.

The mushroom and broccoli salad was a necessary form of green but would have loved a few more cherry tomatoes dotted through it.

The pork and fennel sausage roll ($17.50) was hearty and wholesome, with the fennel providing beautiful flavour. The chunkiness of whole peas and proper meat was a world away from the mystery slab-in-pastry variety we grab down at the local servo.

The Marilyn and Summer juices ($7.50) were perfect for a hot day: an impressive list of other healthy, refreshing juices and smoothies should keep the fussiest slurper happy.

As we were leaving, a beautiful display of sweet and savoury muffins caught our attention so we plucked a raspberry and chocolate muffin ($4.90) to snack on later.

Located across the road from the Fremantle train station, Il Cibo is a great place to enjoy a peaceful, simple meal. Little wonder it’s a firm Freo favourite.

by LUCINDA PEARSON and KATRINA MAHONEY