Pond Cafe is along The Esplanade, Torquay. Opened by ex Seven Seeds barista Tom Sereika, it's the perfect spot to brunch when you're down the Great Ocean Road way. The menu has a good selection of breakfast and lunchy brunch items, with some decent coffee to match.

The café itself is situated on the corner of the Esplanade and Gilbert street, over looking onto the beach. Fitted out with lovely reclaimed wood benches and stools, it is a bright and cheery place to sit and relax. 

Latte was well balanced, with nice flavours. The mocha I order whilst I know is not a true coffee, lets me enjoy my caffeine and chocolate in one single drink; it was not overly sweet or too strong. 

From the menu my dad chose the Big Breakfast served on Zeally Bay bread with poached eggs, bacon, avocado, sausages, potato rosti, tomatoes and kasundi. I managed to sneak a bits and pieces off his plate, and the sausages were just right, not too salty or overpowering with any single flavour. The kasundi is a tomato based pickle/chutney of Indian origin - so think mustard seeds, turmeric, cumin and chili for flavours.

I tried the Poached eggs on seed & sprout toast with hollandaise smoked salmon & avocado. The smoked salmon was yummy, with good flavour, and the poached eggs were a little stringy, but oozed in the middle.

I can see the Pond Café becoming an institution in Torquay, and as a wonderful brunch stop over for those travelling onto the Great Ocean Road. If you're ever in the area, it's a great place to stretch those legs, and enjoy a nibble and some great coffee.