Pollen 185

Cute name, good location and a lovely eye for detail in how the place is presented. Let down by poor service recovery …
I liked this place instantly. Beautiful patterned and coloured plates to eat off, wooden puzzles on the table to keep you entertained while you wait for food and a diverse and interesting menu with lots of vegetarian and gluten free options. Added bonus of an open kitchen so you can see how much love and attention is put into your food.
The service started very well by being greeted with a glass of water brought to the table. Not many places do table service. Great first impression… We ordered. I went for a scrambled egg wrap. It had really nice flavours, was a generous serve and even decorated with flower petals. I’d recommend it highly. Great coffee with coconut milk too.
But there was a problem with my friend’s food being undercooked. And it was a bakery item so not really something that varies according to taste, like a steak. I couldn’t/wouldn’t have eaten it either and I’m pretty unfussy. The staff handled this situation really poorly, one claiming he «didn’t do the food stuff» when we initially raised it and the woman who did manage it ignoring the issue by not telling us what she was doing about it once we returned them to her cooking area. We waited for a while but (when I had finished) we gave up eventually, paid (not for the scones) and left. A simple «sorry those weren’t right» or «I’m cooking them more for you» would have made a world of difference and had us coming back instead of the sour face and sullen attitude we received. Maybe we got them on a bad day… I have to think so given previous reviews mentioning how helpful the staff were.
So, overall my evaluation is mixed. A great menu and ambience, but an inability by the staff to handle problems if they arise. For me, it’s easier to just head to Nutrition Republic up the road where you know you’ll be looked after even when things go wrong on the food front.

Came to try the food today and thoroughly enjoyed my veggie/​GF lasagna and the side salad was vibrant with a brilliant dressing. Super flavours. They had a sign out the front today saying words to the effect of, «Food without Fashion». And it’s true. Te vegetarian/​vegan menu is just full of home cooked, whole food, fad-​less goodness. I’m in love. Sometimes you need nothing more than a rule-​based diet and sometimes you just need healthy comfort food, and that’s what you get at Pollen 185.
My chai latte was served in a rustic looking jug which you then pour into your glass as need be. My experiences with chai in jugs have never been overwhelmingly positive so I’m glad to say that this one changed the game. Delicious!
Just like my last review the staff are still super friendly and the décor is still super cool. Looking forward to heading back soon.

Best coffee in the Inner South. Yep, better than A Mothers Milk. Super friendly staff, too.

As a vegetarian, I get overly excited to discover and try new eateries especially in my home city. I’ve been twice to the recently opened Pollen 185. I ordered the ‘Samosti’ on my first visit and it was delicious in flavour, would definitely eat again! Second time I had the raw zucchini pasta. Very fresh and flavoursome, but not overly filling. The overall menu is quirky and UNIQUE! Very important in this day and age. Pricing is average-​high for the portion sizes (not massive). On my 2^nd experience we had to go to the counter to order because I believe the staff were distracted with a photographer in the café, and forgot to revisit us. I’m sure with time everything will become more refined!