Pollen

Overview

The best breakfast food sits at the intersection between creativity and comfort. Pollen's found the sweet spot with a creative yet familiar menu, all served in a simple and attractive space that feels far removed from the office building it occupies. Golden globe lights hang from the ceiling and minimalist benches sit next to a long black cabinet stocked with fresh baked goodies.

The team behind Scratch Bakers and Three Beans know a thing or two about opening a successful café, and that's all on show here— it's open from 7am for under caffeinated early birds, the cabinet food is second to none and the menu reads (and eats) extremely well. Our favourite has to be the slow scrambled eggs and prosciutto, which is slathered in sriracha and sandwiched between a buttery brioche bun ($12.50). It's simple and familiar, perfectly executed and a little surprising.

Another highlight is the wagyu beef mince on cornbread with chipotle mayo and poached eggs ($19.50). It's anything but elegant, but is a considerable improvement on good ol' mince on toast, and it tastes bloody beautiful. There are a number of other meals that have no right being on a breakfast menu but somehow still work— like the jerk pulled pork and hollandaise or the open omelette with melon prosciutto and figs.

All those little risks they take work to create a breakfast experience that's a little unconventional and better for it. On top of the creative fare Pollen serves all the regulars: strong coffee, cold pressed juices and a range of smoothies, including one featuring hazelnut butter, chocolate, milk and cookies (do yourself a favour and consume one soon).

There are a lot of suits milling around the place, but it still feels incredibly relaxed. Perfect for a quick pre-work bite or a prolonged lunctime feast.