Pallet Espresso café not only is a hidden gem but also one that has been around for a number of years. It is as other reviewers have stated the sister café to Purple Peanuts. Their menu is slightly different where it is more Japanese-Italian fusion based but also maintains its quality Japanese unique flavours.

I often visit Pallet Espresso when I am unable to wait in queue for Purple Peanuts.

🔆LOCATION🔆

Pallet Espresso is situated in a very small lane way, just behind Purple Peanuts off Collins Street, near to the corner of Spencer Street.

The café is a simple set up but embodies similar design as Purple Peanuts.

🔆SERVICE🔆

The staffs at Pallet Espresso are always warm and welcoming.

It is a very laid back vibe and small open kitchen.
Towards the back counter, customers can help yourself to lemon flavour water.

🔆MENU/PRICE🔆

Their menu has a variety of interesting options including sweet and savoury muffins, tarts, okonominya Japanese pancake, light ciabatta rolls – chicken katsu, Rueben, burgers etc.
Their cooked menu list is minimal with only 9 items but it's enough to keep it simple since their kitchen is small however it works as all their options are very tasty.  Their menu board against the wall behind the counter is neatly arranged according to food type: chicken, salmon, katsu, vegetarian options:

Tori Nori, $12.50
(Fried Chicken, tofu, bokchoy, carrot, mushroom, Byron Bay Nori, rice, ginger & Dashi broth)

Karaage Burger, $10.90
(Japanese style fried Chicken, lettuce, tartare sauce & kimpira)

Mr. Karaage, $12.50
(Fried Chicken, slaw salad, with housemade chilli & mayo)

Wasabi Salmon, $12.50
(Grilled Salmon, yuzu coleslaw, Ajitama boiled egg, miso/cashew eggplant, rice and dashi somen)

House Smoked Salmon, $10.90
(House Smoked Salmon, miso scrambled egg, spring onion and fresh herbs on sourdough)

Tori Katsu, $12.50
(Japanese crumbed chicken, potato salad, house-made radish and red cabbage pickled, katsu sauce)

Katsu Curry, $12.50
(Tomato based curry, fried chicken, tomato salsa, miso eggplant, coleslaw, jalapeno)

Agedashi Tofu, $11.90
(Deep fried tofu, carrot, bokchoy, lotus root, mushroom, peas, dashi broth and rice)

Okonomiyaki Fritata, $11.50
(Cabbage, zucchini, eggs, S.P. onion, benishoga with miso eggplant, tomato salsa and salad)

🔆VERDICT🔆

When I visit Pallet Espresso, I always tend to gravitate towards my 2 favourite:
Tori Katsu – for when I want something light (not too heavy) but still satisfying I would order this. The chicken is nicely crumbed and fried lightly so that the chicken is still tender. I really enjoy the potato salad (which is the same as Purple Peanuts) and their pickled vegetables. It overall complements the chicken! Yum!

Katsu Curry – is my go to dish when I want something that is filling. When you first order this you think the serving is average BUT it is definitely a very good size portion I am always left content. The purple rice is just the right quantity to balance the delicious fried chicken and the curry which is tomato based is very flavoursome. I also love their miso flavoured eggplant.