The Dutchess Cafe

Called in on the road off chance as we were driving through Brecon and felt like a coffee! Haven’t been before but it was a very pleasant experience. Friendly, efficient staff and nice coffee and cake. What more could you ask?

I know it was all for my own good but I had failed in my bid to have a swift cup of tea at Costa Brecon as the clerical component of the visit looked as if it was going to take more time to complete than the tea was going to take to brew. Add the fact that the young girl at Costa was moving towards being surly , most chairs were inaccessible and the young barrista's words were barely audible through a black mask that reminded me of Zoro ; I had decided to leave. I was not in a good frame of mind as I usually enjoy a cup of tea in Brecon before my 50 mile drive home. Now Brecon is a very quaint and interesting place but just as Seefeld resting on its alp above the Inn valley paints a brochure perfect version of Austrian life so does Brecon offer a sanitized and somewhat wax cotton version of life here in Wales. It can see itself as a bit precious probably because it has never been through the fires of industrial growth, turmoil and change as have the effervescent valleys of the South. If you like a little brogue shoe and wicker basket with your Welsh tea, Brecon could be just the place for you. Disgruntled I came across the Dutchess Café - the name I gathered is not as a result of poor spelling skills but is rather driven by the fact that the lady owner was Dutch born! Today one could take a snack outside or enter the Covid complying interior. Those wishing to stay outside as I had intended could be served through a pleasing and accessible open hatch. My turn for service came. A young de- Zorod girl with a pleasant smile at an easy 2m distance welcomed me and guided me most effectively and pleasantly as to my snack options. While waiting I popped my head inside. At the door was the Covid register for track and support as required. I was at once in a dilemma, for so welcoming softly furnished and sparsely populated was the interior I was tempted to stay within. Not being the best to deny temptation - I did. I checked the menu and decided to augment my meagre order of tea and scone with something more substantial. I asked another young lady if I could do this and as a paragon of an obliging polite waitress she readily acceded to my wish and forgave my fickle nature with a smile. The food, friends was really quite excellent and I was able to feel utterly confident in the establishment as there was so much space between diners and the staff were clearly vigilant re hygiene. I know one can never be 100% secure these days but I did feel far more at risk in dodging some Audi driver rushing home as I crossed the street than I did in the Duchess - sorry Dutchess cafe. It is Well worth a visit and a thin wallet like mine will come admirably. "Croeso I Aberhonddu ac I Gymru. Mwynhewch". DanGriffiths.

we were driving past and everything was closed. Popped my head in to ask if there were any sandwiches and had the best tuna melt sandwich ever. The chef even give us extra homemade bread and homemade salsa for my vegan partner. They had an amazing vegan flapjack. Very kind, very sweet people. Definitely recommend them and looking forward to popping in again. Makes me realise why I love Brecon so much. Thank you.

Beautifully decorated cafe that would appeal especially to lady visitors due to the colours, fabrics and accessories. The menu is quite extensive, certainly not boring and the food beautifully prepared and tasty. Well catered for and organised in terms of covid safety too.

Quality establishment. Beautiful breakfast. Professional and friendly service. Highly recommended.