The only thing I would have changed about my lunch at the Mindful Munch Café in Pontrhydyrun last Friday was where I sat.
Everything else was perfect. How much better would that photo of my toasted BLT have been with that gorgeous oak tree in the background?
I love photo composition and spent far too long boring my dinner date mate about this as we ate. Sorry Yanto.
I had the pick of the tables outside Pontrhydyrun Community Hall when I arrived at midday, and opted for the one with a bit of shade.
This new (ish) cafe in Cwmbran has plenty of tables inside, but the ones outside caught my eye with the warm weather. By the time my friend arrived, one of the larger tables on the edge of the playing fields was already taken- and the other one went minutes later.
My toasted BLT arrived club‑style – three slices of bread, two generously filled layers. It came neatly plated with salad and coleslaw. Tidy.
The warm weather meant I ordered a can of sparkling Rio instead of a coffee. I grabbed it from the fridge by the door and was very happy to find it ice‑cold.
Vanilla Iced Latte
As I waited for my food, I had a second thing I would have changed. I overheard a customer inside order a Vanilla Iced Latte- and was told by the member of staff, “you won’t regret it”. Cue me daydreaming about how I’d frame that cute drink with the oak tree behind it.
The menu includes a range of breakfast options, jacket potatoes, toasties and cakes. Recent weekly specials have included ‘Ange’s Homemade Curry with Rice. Homemade, hearty and packed full of flavour’ and BBQ Pulled Pork, Bacon & Cheese on a Baked Potato.
I paid £8 for my BLT and a can.
The cafe’s strapline is: “Building a space to Feed the Soul & Support Mental Wellness | Passionate about Community, Connection & Good food.” The customer service matched that – warm, friendly and full of chat. A quick look at their social media shows plenty of posts about mental health, including a Companions in Loss bereavement support group held in the café.
Mindful Munch Café opening days and times
Mindful Munch Café, Pontrhydyrun Community Hall (NP44 1SB) is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm.