Black Rock Cafe in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Lovely cafe to enjoy some food or a drink before or after a walk around the country park. Although we visited in August during the peak of Summer, we had a pleasant time and there wasn't much disruption with children running around etc. There was a small play area just outside the cafe for children to blow off some steam while parents enjoy a drink in the cafe knowing the children are not too far. Fantastic cafe with friendly staff.

Recently visited this cafe, not been there for over a year and don't intend on going back, the place has lost its warm atmosphere and friendly service, the seating is sparce and and who thought I was a good idea to lose the sofa. There isn't a menu on a wall you have to ask what hot drinks are being served, the only thing they advertise is alcohol, not family friendly. Management need retraining on howbto make somewhere feel welcoming and cosy family friendly because this place has lost it. I won't spend another penny there.

We used this cafe the weekend after a walk, it was very loud which we didn't mind but the people serving didn't smile once or make us feel welcome. The food was at best passable and also expensive, side salad consisted of a few leaves 2 small bits of tomato and 2 half slices of cucumber, no dressing what so ever. The family sitting by us weren't happy either! Cutlery was grubby and condiments lacking unless you wanted brown sauce or salad cream both of which i dislike so my fries went bare. Service was slow, all our food came at different times so 1st food served was tepid by time the last dish came. I wanted to complain at the time but the boy serving our table was not approachable. I read the reviews so maybe it was a off day but i work too hard to spend my money in a place where staff are so sullen and where food is at best average which is a shame as hospitality needs all the help it can get and a smile may have tipped the balance and i would have had no need to write this negative review.. Needless to say we will not be back.

As above, just so smooth and rich. Better than any other I've had, anywhere. I had a full breakfast too, which on it's own was very very good and worthy of a 5* rating, but oh my word, that Latte! Staff were cheerful and helpful, welcoming and accommodating (served me breakfast with a smile, despite my arrival after official breakfast times). I'll be going back, more often than I probably should!

The meal we had was lovely. Garlic bread, risotto and balti chicken curry, followed by one bread and butter pudding and custard to share. The premises has a licence so we also had a couple of drinks. It is beautiful clean and well maintained. The lady waiting on our table couldn’t do enough for us. The helpings were more than generous. All in all a wonderful evening. Thank you

We recently visited Dare Valley Country Park and whist there we visited the Black Rock Cafe. When we arrived it was explained that there would be a wait for food, because the cafe was full to capacity.  This was perfectly understandable, because it was a busy Saturday afternoon in the middle of summer. This is a popular cafe and we were lucky to get a table. Before we sat down, our table was cleaned by the friendly waitress. Some of the children felt hungry, despite already eating a pack lunch earlier in the day.  There was a great menu choice including salads, sausage and mash with gravy, pizza, pasta, fish and chips, cooked breakfasts,  sandwiches and so on  The cafe also offered Sunday roast dinners, vegan and vegetarian options, snacks and coffee and cake (wide range of desserts). Due to already eating we just ordered portion of chips and drinks.  The chips arrived at our table within about 20 minutes, so we knew they were cooked fresh to order. They tasted lovely and i have to say that the meals that we saw being brought to other tables were nicely presented and looked delicious.

I arranged to meet an old work colleague for a cuppa and something to eat at the Black Rock cafe. For those that don’t know, the cafe is situated in the Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, and is a place I’d never visited before. The Park is relatively easy to find, either by following the signs or by using your sat nab. The cafe itself is really nice with very friendly and efficient staff and the drinks and food were really good - in fact the bacon roll I ordered was without doubt one of the best I’d ever had the good fortune to eat. The bacon was nice and thick and it was served in (I think) a very nice ciabatta roll. I could have been greedy and had a second one, but the one roll was more than filling. There was a nice crowd in the cafe, which gave the impression that it’s a very popular place with locals, and I can see why. The place is about 25 to 30 minutes away from my home, and I’ll definitely be visiting again.

This café has really gone downhill. Meal didn't taste freshly cooked, poor customer service and long waiting times. It is clearly understaffed and staff need training.

There were were three tables of two people in the cafe (now called Black Rock, not Cwtch), only one of which was waiting for food. Despite this, the girl had to ask the kitchen it would be OK for me to have Welsh Rarebit (despite it being on the breakfast menu). My food took over 30 minutes to arrive, more than twice the time I'd been told. It was a bit irritating that a family who arrived 25 minutes after me got their food first. There seemed to be only one guy in the kitchen, which definitely didn't help. The waitress apologised for the wait and offered me a free coffee, but it wasn't her fault. It seems like the cafe needs more kitchen staff as it really shouldn't take that long to rustle up one plate of cheesy toast and people who've only been waiting 5 minutes shouldn't be getting their orders before one person who's been waiting 6 times as long. On the plus side, the cafe is attractive, there are several veggie/vegan choices and non-dairy milk.

As a local I have been a regular at this cafe for the last 10 years. The system they have there now since covid is very poor. Long queues and extra long waiting times. Not enough staff and poor service lets it down. On a busy half term day last week we queued for over 25 minutes and when we eventually ordered chips to take away we were told the food wait time was 30 minutes. We waited 30 minutes and still no chips so we had to go back in and ask again. There used to be a system in place where they had a hot counter so food was served much quicker. Food is lovely so no complaints there but a lot of other people I spoke to that day said the same thing about the wait time and service. I hope it will improve.

Excellent service and food. Very friendly and clean. Highly recommended. Had breakfast and dinner every day of our break.

We loved our time here. We ate everyday at the cafe while we stayed. Food and staff were amazing. Highly recommend. Also the accommodation next door and the country park was also great 👍. Keep up the good work. Hopefully be back on day 😀