There are plenty of great spots to grab a bite for brunch in Manchester, and one place that many have been buzzing about lately is Pollen Bakery. The Sourdough and Viennoiserie Bakery has recently made headlines for being shortlisted for this year’s National Bakery Awards.
This place is known for having queues that go out the door each morning, where early birds eagerly wait to get their hands on all it has to offer including its pastries, notably their ‘cruffins’, a cross between a croissant and a muffin.
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I had never paid a visit to Pollen Bakery, which is tucked away in Ancoats along the canal, so decided to try out some of the amazing eats it had to offer. As expected, there was a pretty long queue ahead of me which to me is always a good sign that the wait was going to be worthwhile.
Notably, the service in the bakery was exemplary - from the moment you walk in the door, you're greeted with a friendly face. You can tell the staff that work here have a really good relationship with their customers. Everything ordered was brought quite promptly, so while you may have to wait to secure your seat you can expect your coffee and food to land on your table reasonably quick.
The food was absolutely stunning. The cafe recently added some new additions to their menu where you can find Housemade Hash Brown, Tiramisu French Toast and Smoked Harrisha Chickpea sandwich which is suitable for vegans.
I had the hash brown breakfast bun which honestly was as big as my head. I tried to eat with my hands but had to give up and turn to knife and fork to tackle the dish. The shakshuka sauce was tasty but messy and the egg still had that wobble but didn't run which personally l like as it reduces the mess.
I also grabbed an apple tart pastry to take home for later which paired perfectly with a coffee.
The place runs like a well-oiled machine, from servers to bakers and baristas - there was a great dynamic in place which made ordering and eating here a smooth experience without a hiccup.
I even got to get an inside look at the bakery, where their famous sourdough bread which is proofed for over 24-hours is made.
Inside the kitchen you get hit with the warm smell of baking bread - is there a better smell on earth? The bakers were extremely friendly as they worked away baking the tasty treats served in front of the café.
Kitchens are often thought to be a stressful environment, but the bakery in Pollen matched the chilled vibe of the entire eatery.
I love sitting outside whenever I get the chance to, especially for brunch. The views outside of Pollen café are stunning as it looks out onto the canal.
While the café itself is very busy as customers queue to get their hands on the delicious grub served here, the area in which it's located is quite calm and quiet, making it the perfect place to chill and grab a coffee.
The bakery was also listed in the top 20 in the whole of the UK in a list published in the Financial Times last month.
It noted ‘whether you want to try one of its signature staples, such as the 28-hour sourdough bread, or experiment with a cruffin, be there in good time – they often sell out’.
The prestigious awards will take place in London, with the county winners going into the regional heats. A winner will be announced on July 12.
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