Six months after announcing its closure, Pope Joan is raring to return to the Melbourne dining scene, albeit temporarily. Having closed down its original Brunswick East space, Matt Wilkinson’s adored eatery will be making its way to the CBD for a special pop-up (or Pope-up as its been dubbed). Making a new home for itself at 45 Collins Street, Pope Joan will be open all-day from 7.00am to 7.00pm, February 4 to April 18.

Yes, that means Wilkinson’s famed sandwiches will be back for your eating pleasure. Expect a return of his most popular carby creations, including The Cornish, The Cuban, The Reuben, and The Pope Joan. There will also be two new menu additions to indulge in; The Turkish Delight (harissa carrot, paired with hummus and grains) and The Club Salad (salad and whipped cheese with optional Mr Cannubi mortadella).

But there won’t just be sandwiches on offer. There’s also an array of dishes designed for breakfast, from rice pudding to boiled egg and soldiers, and desserts, plucked from the accompanying cake trolley. A selection of indulgent lunch and dinner options have also been promised- a bowl of local mussels, smoked in tomato romesco and hanger steak paired with tomatoes and mustard included.

It seems Wilkinson wasn’t quite ready to bid goodbye to Pope Joan for good back in June of last year. “Ever since we closed Pope Joan in Brunswick East, I’ve been missing cooking (and eating) the food,” he explains. “In my mind, it didn’t feel like that chapter had fully closed. So, when Dave called me just before Christmas with a proposal to open Pope Joan in the city it was basically the best present ever.”

Pope Joan pop-up partner David Mackintosh is simply glad Wilkinson agreed to the temporary eatery idea. “I’ve long been a fan of Pope Joan and Matt – I mean, who isn’t? I think there is a huge appetite in the city for his kind of food.” Wilkinson continues: “The gang is back together. New digs, old faces and the same delicious food. It’s going to be great.”

Pope Joan
45 Collins Street, Melbourne (Sofitel driveway)
Monday to Friday, 7:00am-7:00pm