We’ve often seen the sign to “Breaktimes Cafe”:https://www.facebook.com/breaktimesporthmadog/
advertising the best English breakfast in Wales when we’ve stopped at the Porthmadog Travelodge, but never been to investigate. The cafe was given an excellent review in the Spring 2015 Ffestiniog Railway Magazine and reviews on Trip Advisor are consistently good too. We decided we ought to try it out.
The cafe is in a unit on the Penamser Industrial Estate on the edge of Porthmadoc, but there is nothing ‘greasy spoon’ about it. They are very proud of their 5* rating. There are antiseptic hand gel dispensers and it was noticeable that all staff used them when they came in front of the counter. Tables are cleared quickly and wiped down. It is an attractive transport style cafe with a counter to place your order which is then served to your seat. Staff are pleasant and nothing is too much trouble for them. This is Customer Service with capital letters.
There is a choice of breakfasts from toast and marmalade through to the Goliath Breakfast which would easily serve two, or even three people. I’ll leave you to find out about the ‘Undefeated’ advertised as beat the chef and get your money back.
Food is freshly cooked, so there may be a short wait if they are busy. They use good quality produce. So often the sausages let a place down. Not here. It was a good plateful with plenty of variety. My Best Breakfast for £6 included two rasher of bacon, two fried eggs, two sausages, beans, tomatoes, orange juice and two slices of toast. Michael’s Hearty at £7 had a fried egg, bacon, sausage, black pudding, mushrooms, hash brown, potato waffle, tomatoes, baked beans, fried bread, orange juice and toast. Both came with unlimited tea or coffee and staff came round checking if we wanted refils. After that, we didn’t want much lunch.
They also provide a lunchtime menu and also a take away service.
Children are welcomed and they provide a colouring book and crayons for them plus a sweet at the end of a visit. Under threes eat free. There is a children’s menu or they will provide an extra plate for a child to eat off their parent’s plate. High chairs and toilet seats are provided too.
Talking to the manager as we left he commented that the cafe is popular with Ffestiniog Railway volunteers. They are hearty eaters and know when they are onto a good thing.
The cafe is signed from the A497, heading towards Criccieth. The turn is just after Lidl Supermarket and the cafe is opposite the Snowdonia Press. From the Travelodge, follow the signpost along the footpath which runs down the back of the industrial unit to reach the cafe. There is parking outside and it is disabled friendly. It is open from 8am – 2pm. We wish we’d discovered this on previous visits to the Travelodge.
