Pollen Bakery — Restaurant in Manchester

Maybe the worst and rudest service I have ever received

Just got back from pollen in Ancoats, first time going and looked good on the pictures. We arrived and got in the queue, and waited 20 mins to get to the front which was fine as they were busy. About 10 mins into waiting it started pouring down with rain, so the already busy cafe had people quickly coming in from outside with their food and trying to find places to sit (again absolutely understandable) but after waiting a while and planning to eat in we started to become a little concerned of where we were going to sit. We watched other people hover around tables that were putting their coats on and then sitting straight down after they left, then one of them joining the back of the queue to start ordering their food and there were less and less spaces available.

No staff had spoken to us on entry at all, or whilst in the queue (again fine we wouldn’t expect them to) but after getting to the front of the queue the lady on the till asked where we were going to be sitting, we looked around and saw a couple on a table with two seats on the end and my partner said to her “we are going to ask if we can sit there” and she said ok. There were very nice and let us sit down, and we were handed our pastries and told our drinks would be brought over. We started eating them whilst we waited for our drinks and a blonde lady came over and said “just to let you know there is actually a waiting list for the tables” and then just stared at us. Me and my partner looked at each other and were shocked, as no one had told us of this rule, we had watched lots of other people do this, and the lady at the till knew we doing this, i responded “oh.. ok.. where should we sit then?” Obviously now wishing I had defended us a bit more and questioned this secret rule that we weren’t told about and no one else was honouring and said rudely “well I suppose your here now so…”

I actually couldn’t believe it! Happy to take our money, and be asked at the till are you eating in, but once you have our money and we have food told we aren’t allowed to sit there… and rudely! I responded and said “well the lady at the till didn’t say we couldn’t sit down she knew we were joining another table” and she just said “it’s fine” and walked off Me and my partner were so shocked we didn’t know how to respond, if there was an option to give back our food and get a refund we would have because we felt so uncomfortable and unwelcome however I am not the sort of person to half eat food and as for a refund, and I felt bad for the other customers/ staff that weren’t rude who would have to stop serving and faff around with a refund so we just ate as quickly as we could and hoped our drinks would come soon so we could down them and leave. The drinks took an extra 20-25 mins to come (an apple juice and a latte) There were no spoons or sugar on the table to so I had to get up and search around for some sachets which were in the corner over by the coffee machine. We had to use the paper straw from my Apple juice to sir the sugar in.

during this wait the couple that we shared a table with were still waiting for a flat white, and had finished the hot food that was cooked for them and served before this had come. Whilst I was gone searching for the sugar the same lady came over to my partner and asked shortly if he was waiting for a takeaway sandwich from the kitchen, (I think to try and make us feel like we had done something wrong by ordering a takeaway sandwich and sitting down… except this wasn’t ours.) and he politely said he wasn’t but pointed over at that the couple and said i think they are waiting for a flat white, and she ignored him and walked away!!!

We paid 13 pounds for 2 pastries, late drinks and for someone to be rude to us, so safe to say I would never return here. I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else, hence taking the time to write this so hopefully this spares someone else wasting their...

Fresh baked goods, sweet and savoury, at Pollen

It’s so good that we’ve been back in a matter of weeks, and with their sweet options changing continuously, we’re likely to be back. Situated in Ancoats, this place is busy regardless of time you get there but with their efficiency and queues moving quite fast, it’s not that slow.

Over our multiple outings, we’ve had a variety of items with savoury ones of; Wild mushrooms, poached eggs & creme fraiche - Didn’t know what we were expecting, but it all worked so well together. It was quite smooth, but the eggs weren’t as gooey this time and regardless we demolished this...may have been just really hungry Green Shakshuka - Very green and healthy tasting, making for a very filling breakfast. Perfectly poached eggs Veggie Pizza - If you can’t pick what you want, but want some vegetables get the freshly baked pizzas. It’s topped with pretty much every vegetable and tastes yummy at the same time

The bread with both of these was so good, and you can tell it was made fresh in the bakery. In the mushroom dish, it had a bit of a hard crust but the inside was pure softness

The sweet items were; Plain Croissant - Absolutely fabulous...simple, yet so tasty and crumbly and just as a croissant should be Raspberry & Vanilla Slice - Loving the taste of raspberry right now and this fulfilled the craving - happy, sweet goodness Salted Caramel Brownie - Exactly what it says in the name. It was rich, chocolatey and the perfect brownie Pistachio Cake - Subtle pistachio taste which works really well with the white chocolate mousse on top Almond Croissant - Pure energy, sugar hit made with an extra flaky croissant and an almond syrup type on the inside...an explosion of nuts in your mouth ;)

All we’ll say, is we’ll be back

Recommendation Rating: High Service: High Price: ££ Halal:...

Completely house made breakfast bun? We say yes please.

If you’re after a traditional big breakfast or some of the usual hits like Avo toast, Pollen might not be the place for you. But if you want some incredible bread and fresh, house-made food then give it a go!

@pollenbakery is situated in New Islington on the marina. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee in the sun. And let us tell you that their coffee is goooodd!!!

We were first introduced to Pollen after noticing ‘Pollen 28hr Sourdough’ on so many local cafe menu’s. The bread is soft and spongy with a crispy crust. It makes that perfect ‘crackling’ sound when you slice through it. There’s a reason everyone loves their bread!

On this occasion we ordered the hash brown breakfast bun (and added bacon) as well as the Mushroom sandwhich. Both were flavoursome and you could tell that each ingredient had been made from scratch. There was nothing generic to it. We particularly loved the potato bun as it was something unique.

We’ve been to Pollen a few times, and noticed that previously it’s been a stand and pay situation (and still is for takeaway) but this time it was table service. We’re not sure if it’s changed or it was always like this? Whilst we were confused, on this occasion we are happy to report the service was great. Everyone was smiling and happy, they asked numerous how the meals were, if we enjoyed them and if there was anything else they could get us.

If you’re looking for some delicious bread, flavoursome coffees or some baked treats, @pollenbakery has got your back.

Taste: 💖💖💖💖💖 Instagramability: 💖💖💖💖💖 Vibe: 💖💖💖💖💖 Service: 💖💖💖💖💖 Vegan option:...