Hindmarsh’s Pony and Cole takes out title for best cafe in Adelaide’s west

A Hindmarsh cafe which draws patrons from across the state has proven its popularity – named best cafe in Adelaide’s west. See the top five.

One of Pony and Cole's most popular dishes – The Nest. Picture: BIE Creative

Hindmarsh favourite Pony and Cole has taken out the title of best cafe in Adelaide’s western suburbs in our Delicious Local poll, receiving 32.14 per cent of the overall vote.

Owner Nicolle Hahn said she was “blown away and humbled” to receive the award.

“It means a lot – for our customers to vote for us,” she said.

Pony and Cole opened in August 2017 and had built up a loyal following over that time.

Ms Hahn already had a strong background in hospitality, growing up surrounded by the industry, with her parents running hotels in country SA.

Pony and Cole owner Nicolle Hahn plating up. Picture: Craig Arnold

Prior to opening Pony and Cole, Ms Hahn worked at the Hilton International in Adelaide, where she completed her cooking apprenticeship.

“I decided I really wanted to do something for myself,” she said.

“I could see there was a big gap in the market for something unusual.”

So, Pony and Cole was created, with Ms Hahn describing the cafe’s food as “contemporary classic – with a twist’.

One of the cafe’s most popular dishes is ‘The Nest” – a tempura vegetable dish, with soft poached eggs, lemon hollandaise, furikake, crispy leek and baby herbs.

Another bestseller is the sweet potato rosti dish topped with avocado, Pico de Galo and housemade dukkha.

Housemade is a major focus for Pony and Cole with the cafe’s bread and sausages all made in-house.

Pony and Cole's popular sweet potato rosti dish. Pic: Craig Arnold

The cafe also supports another western business, with coffee from Plympton’s Patio Coffee Roasters.

Ms Hahn said Hindmarsh was a great location to run a cafe, with its good mix of business and residential drawing a diverse clientele.

To cater for the local business community, Pony and Cole runs networking breakfasts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Creating bespoke experiences for events is another focus for the cafe.

COVID-19 meant the business closed its doors for two months last year, but Ms Hahn said it rebounded quickly.

“I had people contacting me all through COVID-19 (shutdown), saying they missed the place,” she said.

THE TOP 5 CAFES IN ADELAIDE’S WEST VOTED BY YOU

1. Pony and Cole – Hindmarsh

2. Grange Jetty Cafe – Grange

3. Salted Cafe Bar and Beans – West Lakes

4. 303 By The Sea – Henley Beach

5. The Banksia Tree Cafe – Port Adelaide