Pony and Cole in Hindmarsh has emerged as a major winner at the 2024 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence in South Australia, where they proudly took home both the Best Casual Dining Restaurant and Cafe Dining awards.
The awards are judged by undercover reviewers who dine anonymously, assessing the overall experience, including food, beverage, service, and restaurant presentation. Pony and Cole’s victory in the Cafe Dining category put them in the running for the prestigious Best Casual Dining Restaurant award, where they excelled in both.
“It takes a whole team to win an award, and we are so proud of our staff who made this possible,” Pony and Cole Director Nicolle Hahn says.
With an 80-seat capacity, Pony and Cole focuses on contemporary cuisine with a no-frills approach. They skip the fancy flowers decorations and elaborate garnishes, honing in on what really matters: good food. By keeping things simple and returning to the basics, diners get to enjoy something truly satisfying every day of the week.
“What we do is really good food, really good prices, really good coffee and really good service,” Nicolle says.
The menu features Australian-style soul food with hearty classics. Standout dishes include the Pork Belly Benny, which comes with poached eggs, crispy pork belly, sriracha hollandaise, baby spinach, and jalapeño cheddar cornbread. They also offer a range of burgers, from chicken to smashed beef, along with vegan options like crumpets and nachos. The drink selection is equally as good, featuring a bar with cocktails, beer, and wine, along with coffee, tea, smoothies, and milkshakes (check out their full menu here).
Inside, the vibe of Pony and Cole is contemporary and welcoming. Nicolle says, “It feels like it always been here” and indeed, the cafe has been a staple in the community since opening in 2017.
Consistency is the key to their success, as is their loyal customer base. “Without the customers, we’re nothing. We have very loyal customers which is just amazing,” Nicolle says.
The team is gearing up for the National Awards in Melbourne, where they are nominated in the same categories. “We’re always in with a chance,” Nicolle says.
Last year, Pony and Cole won the title of Best Breakfast in Australia, an unexpected but special achievement. This year, while they would be thrilled with any award, winning a major title would be the ultimate goal.
For those looking for a taste of Adelaide’s best, Pony and Cole in Hindmarsh is a must-visit!
What: Pony and Cole
Where: 6 Manton Street, Hindmarsh, Adelaide
When: Monday to Friday: 7:30am to 3:30pm
Saturday to Sunday: 8am to 2:30pm
Instagram: @ponyandcole
For more information, click here.
More News
