
The Thirsty Elephant Coffee + Bar
Advertisements
Quick info
About The Thirsty Elephant Coffee + Bar
On Cowbridge Rd in Pontyclun, close to the rail station, The Thirsty Elephant Coffee + Bar is a cafe with a menu of around 110 dishes. Breakfast options include a full brekkie, eggs benny and pancakes, alongside plates like marinated chicken and flatbread, halloumi with grilled nectarine, and bacon-wrapped dates. Mushroom croquettes and gordal olives sit among the smaller bites. The space is walk-in, with no reservations taken, and a recent renovation added capacity to the room. It gets busy at times. Dogs are welcome on site.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs · Family-friendly
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Advertisements
Menu & Prices
110 dishes · mains £1–25- Marinated Chicken & Flatbread£6.50
- Gordal Olives£4.00
- Full Brekkie£14.50
- Mushroom Croquettes£6.00
- Halloumi & Grilled Nectarine£5.50
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates£4.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee, eggs benny, cooked breakfast and pancakes.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee, eggs benny, cooked breakfast and pancakes.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return mostly for breakfast and coffee, with the cooked breakfast and pancakes singled out, and a few describe friendly staff who make time to chat despite being so busy. The cozy atmosphere and dog-friendly welcome also draw praise. One reviewer finds the food hit and miss, saying the eggs benny muffins have tasted like cardboard on the last couple of visits after a lovely first one.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return mostly for breakfast and coffee, with the cooked breakfast and pancakes singled out, and a few describe friendly staff who make time to chat despite being so busy. The cozy atmosphere and dog-friendly welcome also draw praise. One reviewer finds the food hit and miss, saying the eggs benny muffins have tasted like cardboard on the last couple of visits after a lovely first one.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Lovely place with lovely atmosphere and really glad Pontyclun has a nice hub and a cozy welcoming place for people to go. Coffee and drinks are always great but I’ve found the food a bit hit and miss. Had eggs benny a few times lately and it was really lovely the first time but the last couple of times the muffins have been like cardboard. All in all though would still definitely return.”
- Google user
“Fantastic breakfast, great coffee, and friendly service. Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and a cozy atmosphere. Easily one of the best breakfast spots around. Highly recommended.”
- Google user
“I come here pretty regularly and it’s always a solid choice. This time I had the steak and eggs, which were cooked well and really tasty. The atmosphere is great, and the staff genuinely can’t do enough for you—always friendly and attentive. Chris, the owner, is fantastic as well and clearly cares about the place and the people who come in. Definitely somewhere I’ll keep coming back to.”
- Google user
“Lovely local coffee shop (and more). Located on the high street close to the rail station and other amenities. Comfortable, relaxed atmosphere with very pleasant decor. Recently renovated to extend capacity, and high quality feel throughout. I use it as the half way point on a local walk and the best bit is they are dog friendly.”
- Google user
“Great atmosphere and the food and service are first class. It can get very busy and there can be long queues at times but they soon go down pretty quickly. The prices are rather expensive for a cafe as for the 3 of us Egg Benedict and 3 coffees came to just under £50. However it is well worth a visit to celebrate a special occasion. The food is beautifully presented and cooked perfectly. My only criticism is the cost of a coffee which is served in a very small cup which for just under £4 did not represent value for money.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“An independent coffee shop + bar in the heart of Pontyclun with brunch, brews & booze.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for breakfast
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
Show more amenities
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Offerings· 12
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Service options· 1
- Onsite services
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 5
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Trendy
- Upscale
- Parking· 3
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
Location
Cafes near The Thirsty Elephant Coffee + Bar
- 5.6 mi awayOutdoor seating
cakes, coffee, lemon drizzle cake
- Pisani's Cafe5.0255.8 mi away
burgers, egg and mushroom roll, vegetarian breakfast tray
- The Village Kitchen4.9735.8 mi away
baguettes, breakfast rolls, sausage and egg baguette
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Thirsty Elephant Coffee + BarOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.8602 | — | coffee, eggs benny, cooked breakfast |
| Walnut Tree Junction CafeOutdoor seating | 4.761 | 5.6 mi away | cakes, coffee, lemon drizzle cake |
| Pisani's Cafe | 5.025 | 5.8 mi away | burgers, egg and mushroom roll, vegetarian breakfast tray |
| The Village Kitchen | 4.973 | 5.8 mi away | baguettes, breakfast rolls, sausage and egg baguette |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Cafes nearby
More to explore in Pontyclun
Places in Pontyclun
See all places in Pontyclun






