The Clock Cafe
Quick info
About The Clock Cafe
Breakfast anchors the day at The Clock Cafe, an owner-run cafe on Bristol Road South in Northfield that has been going for more than twenty years, with the same host still front of house. Cod and chips with peas arrives as a full sit-down meal, served with bread, butter and a cup of tea, so nothing else needs ordering alongside. The morning menu runs from a small breakfast to a large one of bacon, sausage, egg, beans, tomatoes and toast, with baguettes, sandwiches, salads and jacket potatoes filling out the rest. There is no booking; customers are greeted at the counter, handed a menu, then seated and served at the table. A step-free entrance lets visitors with mobility needs get in without help, high chairs suit families with young children, and tables outside give the option of eating in the open air. The kitchen runs daytime hours Monday to Saturday and stays closed on Sundays, and regulars are given a free hot or cold drink.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingParking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention breakfast fry-ups, cod and chips, apple pie and custard and breakfast baguettes.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention breakfast fry-ups, cod and chips, apple pie and custard and breakfast baguettes.
Customer Review Summary
The cooked breakfast is what brings people back, described as piping hot, generous in portion and cheap, with one reviewer itemising the small version as bacon, sausage, egg, beans, tomatoes and toast. Close behind is the welcome: several describe being handed menus and greeted at the door by the owner, asked whether they had visited before, and allowed to swap out items they did not want. Also singled out are the breakfast baguettes, apple pie and custard likened to home cooking, and cod and chips with peas served with bread, butter and tea. Long-standing regulars mention decades of visits and a clean, homely room. The dissent is pointed and recurring: one diner found the coffee lukewarm and burnt-tasting, a baguette stale, tables sticky and the music too loud, another described sausages dry and hard as if reheated with no butter on the bread, and a third felt staff were sullen unless you are a regular and that beans and tomatoes came watery. One reviewer notes cash is preferred. Small gestures recur, a free hot drink with breakfast, a cold one on a hot day, a baby cup filled for a grandson.
Customer Review Summary
The cooked breakfast is what brings people back, described as piping hot, generous in portion and cheap, with one reviewer itemising the small version as bacon, sausage, egg, beans, tomatoes and toast. Close behind is the welcome: several describe being handed menus and greeted at the door by the owner, asked whether they had visited before, and allowed to swap out items they did not want. Also singled out are the breakfast baguettes, apple pie and custard likened to home cooking, and cod and chips with peas served with bread, butter and tea. Long-standing regulars mention decades of visits and a clean, homely room. The dissent is pointed and recurring: one diner found the coffee lukewarm and burnt-tasting, a baguette stale, tables sticky and the music too loud, another described sausages dry and hard as if reheated with no butter on the bread, and a third felt staff were sullen unless you are a regular and that beans and tomatoes came watery. One reviewer notes cash is preferred. Small gestures recur, a free hot drink with breakfast, a cold one on a hot day, a baby cup filled for a grandson.
Featured reviews
- Karl Mg
“I have been a regular visitor to Frank's cafe "The Clock cafe" for over 23 years, dining there several times a year, every year. Frank is a wonderful host, always friendly, polite and cheerful, the staff are friendly and chatty. The cafe is always immaculately clean, service excellent, relaxed atmosphere and great food. Frank has a smile and a greeting for everyone, a great community asset.”
- sara gracie
“Staff are lovely. Nice friendly atmosphere”
- M
“Unless you are a regular, where you get free drinks and called sweetie then the staff will at best be sullen if not outright rude. The staff member basically threw the food at the table. Large breakfast feels small and tomatoes and beans were watery. I should have gone to Weatherspoons.”
- Robert Szymajda
“Tasty food in right price Very nice service”
- daljit sohal
“Frank makes this place extra special, he is such and amazing person who makes sure everyone who visits the Cafe gets the best service....if only I could give more than 5 stars”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Parking
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Casual
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Offerings· 1
- Small plates
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Location
Cafes near The Clock Cafe
- Cosy Coffee Co.4.58420.1 miOutdoor seatingVegetarian optionsVegan options
jacket potato, banana & caramel crepe, vintage memorabilia decor
- redhill cafe4.71821.1 miOutdoor seatingVegetarian options
full english breakfast, home made cakes, breakfast sandwiches
- 1.6 miOutdoor seatingReservationsWi-Fi
parking fines, fish finger sandwich, bacon sausage egg sandwich
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Clock CafeOutdoor seating · Delivery | 4.5555 | — | breakfast fry-ups, cod and chips, apple pie and custard |
| Cosy Coffee Co.Outdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.5842 | 0.1 mi | jacket potato, banana & caramel crepe, vintage memorabilia decor |
| redhill cafeOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options | 4.7182 | 1.1 mi | full english breakfast, home made cakes, breakfast sandwiches |
| The Hayes Bar, Cafe & Training PitchesOutdoor seating · Reservations · Wi-Fi | 4.4173 | 1.6 mi | parking fines, fish finger sandwich, bacon sausage egg sandwich |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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