If I had to choose one place that reminds me of my first months in Manchester, it would be Pollen.

It was the first café I visited after moving here and for a very long time, it became my safe place. I loved it so much that I kept going back, almost afraid to try anywhere else in case I ended up disappointed. Looking back now, it sounds funny, but that’s exactly how I felt.

There’s something about walking along New Islington Marina, grabbing a coffee, and sitting by the water that instantly slows everything down. It became a little ritual for me.

Let’s start with the coffee – incredibly smooth, well-balanced and consistently well made. It’s the kind of coffee that doesn’t need syrups or anything extra to impress. Whether you order a flat white, cappuccino or iced coffee, you can tell that every cup is made with care.

The brunch menu changes regularly, which is something I absolutely love. Every time I visited, there was always something new to try. The dishes are seasonal, creative and never boring. They somehow manage to combine flavours you wouldn’t normally think of together, yet everything just works. Even though I went there for coffee much more often than for brunch, whenever I did stay for food, I always ordered something different.

And then… the pastries.

This is where Pollen really shines.

If you’ve ever asked me for my favourite bakery in Manchester, you already know the answer.

Their Basque cheesecake is, without exaggerating, one of the best I’ve ever had. Rich, creamy, perfectly caramelised on the outside and somehow never too heavy. It’s the one thing I almost always order.

If I don’t choose the cheesecake, then it’s always the almond croissant.

Hands down, my favourite almond croissant in Manchester.

Perfectly flaky, buttery without feeling greasy, generously filled and with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s one of those pastries you keep thinking about long after you’ve finished it.

One thing I love about Pollen is that it’s one of those rare places where you can confidently order almost anything on the menu and know it’s going to be good. You don’t spend ten minutes wondering what to choose because, somehow, everything is consistently excellent.

We also used to buy their sourdough bread regularly to take home.

It’s honestly some of the best sourdough I’ve tried. Crispy crust, soft interior and full of flavour – the kind of bread that barely makes it home before someone cuts off the first slice.

In fact, their bread has become so respected that it’s served beyond the bakery itself. Even the private terminal AETHER in Manchester uses Pollen’s sourdough, which says a lot about the quality.

Pollen also has a second location in Kampus as well. I haven’t visited that one yet, but it’s definitely next on my list.

Even after discovering so many cafés across Manchester over the years, Pollen will always have a special place in my heart.

Not because it is the trendiest café.

Not because everyone was talking about it.

But because it was the place that introduced me to Manchester’s café culture – and set the bar incredibly high from the very beginning.

If you’re visiting Manchester for the first time and only have time for one bakery, make it Pollen.