Ocean Bells Coffee in Watford

Popped in for a coffee. Ordered a large latte, a medium chai latte, both extra hot and 2 pain au chocolate. A young girl came and babbled something about a latte and put the one drink down. She then appeared with a biscoff latte. I explained these weren't ours and she stropped off with them. I followed her in to hear her moaning about me. I corrected her over the order being wrong and her response was "you accepted them ". What? No, which is why I told you they were wrong! No pain au chocolate ever arrived and when the correct drinks did, they were plonked down on the table without a word. Rude. Not worth the wait or the tip my husband gave them. Unfortunately, very disappointed with the service this time. Update. I posted this a couple of months ago and OB's still haven't responded!

Ocean Bells is an independent coffee shop located in Watford town center. They offer a nice array of food, cakes, hot beverages and snacks which cater for all dietary types. They've recently expanded which means there is extra seating available inside as before it was quite cosy but limiting in space. The staff are always super friendly, service is great and food is always high in quality. Their coffee is divine and the atmosphere is very chilled. Also dog friendly which is a bonus, so your best friend doesn't need to be left out in the rain. They also offer free WiFi incase you need to anchor down with your laptop. A short walk from Atria shopping center, this is a must visit for a pit stop to recharge or even for a brunch or lunch. I make it a point to support local businesses instead of chain coffee shops, I've loved this place since it first opened and it's been amazing seeing them grow and expand both in premises and menu items over the years. Highly recommend.

Lovely welcome by young team, really interesting menu slightly different from most others, great different spaces to sit and good wifi too. Thank you team

Really lovely staff and amazing coffee

The establishment provides an exceptional dining experience. The food preparation is meticulous and conducted in an open kitchen, allowing customers to witness the culinary process. The menu offers a diverse selection of dishes, each crafted with fresh ingredients and tantalizing flavors. Notably, the goat cheese and fig sandwich leaves a lasting impression on the palate. The beverage selection is equally impressive. The restaurant provides ample seating, both indoors and outdoors. Upon placing an order, customers are informed of the preparation time, and their meals are promptly delivered to their tables by courteous staff. One minor area for improvement lies in the table surfaces. While they appear to be wooden, they tend to become sticky after being wiped, resulting in an unpleasant tactile sensation and odor. It is recommended that the establishment enhance its hygiene practices in this regard, particularly with respect to the table surfaces and open sugar jars.

I’ve been coming to Ocean Bells for several years now, and the coffee and food are always fantastic. The staff are great and always make you feel welcome. Would strongly recommend!

Amazing coffee and great cakes! They also have a nice selection of gluten-free or vegan cakes.

This was so disappointing. I used to be a regular customer but hadn’t visited for a while. I ordered an iced Americano and a piece of lemon drizzle cake. The coffee was so weak it was almost tasteless, the lemon drizzle, so dried out I had difficulty swallowing it. I was short of time so didn’t complain. I noticed the cafe had opened an extension, it’ll need to perform better than this if it aims to fill it. I’ll give it another go soon and hope for better. After that….

Gem of a place. Visit here when we're down for the football. Excellent choice, last visit we had the breakfast sandwich and the eggs were over cooked, I had the b a t, absolutely lovely. Yes, service might be a little slow but nice to sit down and catch up with paper.

This morning, I went into this coffee shop to have breakfast. When i got in, I asked the woman they do serving. She told me to sit down and she would bring the menu.  Three people were behind the counter while the coffee shop was almost empty.  I stared at them for minutes as they were chatting and drinking them own coffe, meanwhile not just I couldn't order, but they didn't even brothered to bring the menu. So i decided to leave, of course. I hope the owner reads this feedback because my "question" is really simple. Do you think your business can afford it? Never again go there.

What a shame, obviously this café was short of staff today and the people pulled in to help hadn't done any customer service training. The tables weren't cleared or wiped down, when I asked if this would happen (I was happy to do it myself, I just needed the cloth) I was told that I would have to get the cloth myself as she was too busy serving drinks. On leaving when I asked for a refund for the item we did not receive, I did not receive an apology and the refund was given very begrudgingly. Food was good though.

Ocean Bells' refit is lovely. It is far more spacious, light and comfy. My only two complaints would be the small fruit flies present and the quality of my coffee. When choosing between the croissant pudding (which looked delicous) and the almond croissant, I had to go with the latter. This was due to fruit flies clearly present on the croissant pudding which was a real shame. I ordered a flat white which was lacking in depth and crema.

Been a few times and really shocked by the slow service and complete unawareness by the staff. They seem to have no flow to service and today was almost laughable. I was served by a literal child?! Who the smashed a glass and watched as another staff cleared it up. All three staff members stood around and didn’t notice customers waiting to be served who eventually left in the 15 minutes they waited to be noticed. Would recommend for the surreal customer experience and the coffee is decent.

Situated next to pizza express worth trying their Brie and bacon sandwich warm fresh sourdough. Got rather confused as when you find your seat you have to get up to order

Perfect place to get attacked by mosquitos. Hygiene level well below average.

The service was very friendly but a little understaffed. The food was tasty! It would be better to have allergens posted for the pastries (e.g. peanuts).

Whenever I visit Watford I make a point to go and have a cortado here. Very good, consistent coffee. Also had a smoothie today which was great! Well worth a trip!

First time I've been met up with a friend who recommended it Lovely place to have a catch up and very relaxed

Great coffee and sandwiches. The vegan B.A.T sandwich was delicious. The Nutella latte and biscoff latte were warm and comforting

We found a table by ourselves, which was not clean. Used unwashed crockery was on the middle of the table as it was a big table. But no one was bothering to clear that mess. I have ordered avacado toast with additional poached egg. The egg yolk was hard instead of runny yolk. My husband ordered bagel, which was stale. Very disappointing experience. We won’t go there again

Fresh delicious food in a warm and lovely setting. A must visit!

Have been going to Ocean Bells for years and was excited to visit after the expansion/revamp. The place looks amazing, and love the new comfortable chairs and bright extension. The coffee is as goos as ever (the best in Watford imho), and as before the food is freshly prepared to order. However, our lunch (having been told it would be 10-15 minutes) took 35 minutes to arrive, by which time we’d almost finished our drinks. The cafe has almost doubled in size, but the owner is still trying to run it with the same number of staff even when the place is packed. Also, the staff seem to spend a lot of time chatting rather than making drinks and ensuring there is someone to take the orders as customers arrive. If Ocean Bells is going to remain successful, a rethink on staffing is needed. Otherwise, even loyal customers like us will think twice before going, certainly to eat :(.

The coffee shop has had a good revamp and it was good to see it so busy. The food was great but took 45 minutes to arrive . Work to do on staffing I think!

So slow! Took nearly 20 minutes from ordering to get our drink to take out. All staff standing about, two people making one drink. So disappointed.

The pastries were amazing and the Nutella latte was so good! Nice and cozy atmosphere

Very long wait typically over 40 minutes

Very unfriendly for disabled customers. Only bathroom is in the nearby shopping centre, down a cobbled walkway and down some stairs. Strange for a restaurant with 20+ seats to not have an on-site bathroom. Also, the alarm for food goes off every 2 minutes and it took 20 minutes to make a smoothie.

Was excited to return to this lovely independent cafe, which has just reopened after renovations/enlargement. It looks really good and the atmosphere is great - modern/streamline look, yet cosy and welcoming. Friendly staff, as always. Today I chose their vegan sausage/avo bagel, which was delicious. (I'm not used to gherkins, but they made the bagel even nicer, I think.) I also ordered tea, which is served in a cute little teapot. (Later, they kindly topped up the teapot with hot water, so I got a third cup.) This is a place to go to meet your friends or just sit and relax by yourself. (Incidentally, the Atria Centre, just a minute away, has 'facilities'.)

My favourite café in Watford, and it just reopened after getting refurbished and expanded. I'm sure I've tried at least half of the menu here, and it never disappoints. A bit expensive if you're not just getting a coffee, however you absolutely get what you pay for. Food is amazing and fresh, and the coffee is always great. (Pictured: Cookies and cream milkshake, Carrot Cake)

Absolutely lovely house blend coffee, not generic branded coffee. They even have a special order Decaf! Staff were lovely and vibe was very pleasant. Only downside is no toilet on site.

We appreciated the fact that there wasn't any of that moronic music. However, we don't visit this cafe anymore because of the metal chairs which I find quite uncomfortable to sit on for any length of time. There are two low down soft armchairs in the window, but it's hot in the sun and it's not at all private due to being stared at by passers-by. £3.50 for a small bitter coffee isn't good value in my book.

I was waiting for the Aria shopping centre to open one Sunday morning and this was one of the few places open early nearby. The folks sitting in the front window alcove seemed so happy and companionable on the sofa and when I cast my eyes inside, the place was alive with patrons. It was a lovely vibe for a Sunday morning. Service was fast despite only two seats being available. They do lovely fresh baked items and their croissants are so buttery and yumm!

Did not expect to find such good food and coffee for a reasonable price in the centre of Watford. Definitely worth checking out.

Very nice coffee and friendly welcoming service.

Coffee shop along the southern end of the Watford High Street. Excellent quality coffee here, the nutella latte being my favorite, along with great pastries. Interior is small and can get quite noisy, come early and/or at off-peak times.

Amazing sandwich! Great value for money and very friendly staff

The best cafe in Watford (definitely the best sausages!). Lovely food and friendly staff. Smoothies and coffee great too. It can get busy but never have to wait long for a table.

This has been my first choice coffee shop in Watford for a long time. Previously the food and coffee has been excellent. Sadly on this occasion, the pastry did not taste fresh, was chewy and greasy instead of soft and flaky, which I raised with the serving staff, only to be told with a shrug that they were delivered fresh first thing, which didn't resolve the fact that I had left the pastry. And the coffee was just lukewarm. I wasn't happy with customer care, it may have just been an off day, but I don't think I'd go back.

Great place...a hidden gem x lots of choice x

Simply a great cafe. Lovely food at reasonable prices in a comfortable setting. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful and most of all, the food is very tasty and delicious. Lots of choice and great atmosphere. It can be a little slow at times, but we'll worth the wait if there is one. Highly recommended

Really disgusted at how dirty the cafe is. Flies and used dishes by customer tables. Asked for a simple toastie which was cold, wish that they’d said no to making it as opposed to serving something that was clearly too much effort.

Was greeted by a silent blank face that only said ‘anything else’. Not sure if she’s new and intimidated by customers but definitely lets down the experience. Other than that good coffee.

Good coffee, good prices. Helpful staff. Nice place to sit down. Have yummy banana bread.

My favourite coffee shop in Watford. Coffee and food is so delicious, good vegan and vegetarian options, and the vibe is so nice in there. Will always be my go to!

Lovely calm ambience, delicious aromas of coffee on arrival, well balanced and flavourful flat white which was well received. Overall, the best coffee I enjoyed whilst on an extended stay in Watford

First time here and I must say the sandwiches are absolutely amazing. I ordered the full English breakfast sandwich on sourdough with a sausage roll. Atmosphere is great. Nice little cafe. Definitely recommend.

In all honesty the brekky tasted so good. Delish as well. Presentation was excellent. Would give a 10 out of 10. I will be back. Ate everything look at my 3rd picture. Nothing to waste

Leider war es absolut nicht so schön wie erwartet. Aufgrund der sehr vielen guten positiven Bewertungen haben wir uns für ocean bells coffee entschieden und waren leider total enttäuscht. Vielleicht haben wir einen schlechten Zeitpunkt erwischt aber das Personal, bzw der Service, war eher wie ein Roboter und wenig menschlich/freundlich und auch unser Avo auf Toast eher mäßig und traurig. 😢

Excellent to find this nice lunch place serving the fantastic Campbell & Syme coffee, and impressive flat whites.

Proper speciality coffee, excellent quality. Lovely people watching spot in the window on the wingbacks. Often had brunch here and swapped the balsamic for Siracha Mayo, all dishes were absolutely delicious. Highly recommended.

Ocean Bella Coffee in Watford: "I recently had the pleasure of visiting Ocean Bella Coffee in Watford for breakfast, and I must say, it was a delightful experience from start to finish. The food was simply amazing - each dish was packed with delicious flavors that left my taste buds dancing with joy. The attention to detail in the presentation and taste was truly impressive. What stood out equally was the exceptional service. The staff members were not only attentive and efficient, but they also had genuine smiles on their faces, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The ambiance of Ocean Bella Coffee was superb, adding to the overall enjoyment of the meal. It's clear that the team behind this establishment takes great pride in providing a top-notch dining experience. I highly recommend Ocean Bella Coffee to anyone looking for a fantastic breakfast spot in Watford. Whether you're a local or just passing through, the combination of delectable food, outstanding service, and wonderful ambiance make this place a must-visit. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu!"

Excellent coffee, delicious food and a lovely atmosphere, with original art all around you. Service can take a little while when it's very busy, but it's absolutely worth a little wait. This much love and attention takes time. A really brilliant place for brunch! Excellent value, too! 😍

Best coffee in town. Had the peanut butter mocha which was outstanding.

Never been here before but will definitely come back! We had the English breakfast sandwich and some iced coffees! very, very tasty!!!

The avocado toast was so good. I didn't even expect it be such a tasty. Nice coffee and service

Without the doubt the best coffee I ever drank in Watford. I’d even say during all our trips to the UK. The flat white here is delicious. Crafted with care. The milk, or better said, latte art stays perfectly intact. This is clearly a sign that this establishment serves high quality coffee that taste great!

Dog friendly which is always a plus. Nice selection of hot and cold drinks. Didn't done there but good choice for food. Recommend

Gorgeous coffee and lovely, helpful staff

Best coffee in town. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options, AND pet friendly! I've been there a couple of times (one of them with our pup) and I've always had a great time. The staff is friendly and the coffee and cakes are amazing. One day I need to go again and try the brunch menu, looks delicious!

Overall good coffee, but taking advantage of parents with a only foam babychino over £2 it's not acceptable.

Lovely friendly little place, nice drinks, friendly staff, and most importantly, dog friendly :) will be returning. Thank you

A great find as opposed to all the chains of coffee shops in the town. Great coffee and the food is no cheap, but don't mind that bit extra for quality, freshness and great service.

Called in for the first time. What a great artisan coffee house! We ordered cortardo and flat white and saw they had a lovely selection of pastries and cakes, so added carrot cake to the order and then decided to order Avocado toast with an extra poached egg, the best we have ever tasted! Gave 5 stars for delicious food and amazing service! We will definitely be back.

We tried an americano coffee and an earl grey tea, both very good, especially the tea, served in a beautiful tea pot. They have gluten free and vegan cakes. They also asked me if I wanted my banana bread warmed, which was good! The staff is polite and kind. Thanks!

Popped in after work for a cuppa and snack. Had bacon and cheese toastie in gluten free sourdough bread and pot of tea. Both were excellent as was the service in the relaxed atmosphere.

The food was delicious and the the staff were very accommodating towards me (as I am deaf). I would absolutely recommend this cafe!

Been here a few times already and it’s definitely one of the favorites. Coffee is very smooth and delicious. Tried a few brunch items which were very fresh and tasty. 10/10

Great little independent coffee shop. Organic milk and eggs and coffee from Cambell and Syme. Highly recommend this cafe!!!!

We were really excited when we came across this on Google and saw their vast options for vegan and vegetarians! However, midway through my oceans on toast meal I found a piece of clingfilm in the dish. This put me off but I appreciate everyone can make mistakes. I continued to eat cautiously but a few bites late I had bit into hard plastic (similar to that off a lid/plastic cutlery) and had to immediately spit the food out. Once would’ve been a mistake but this was concerning and a health and safety issue. I took the dish back to the counter and asked for a refund in which they apologised immediately and gave a refund but upon leaving there was no sympathy or remorse of the incident. It’s a shame as the menu and food itself looks really appetising but due to this I wouldn’t return.

Lovely little cosy cafe that did a really good flat white

Had a very poor experience today. The dirty plates on the table were not removed for 10 minutes - had to take them myself to the wash area. Had ordered coffee and a piece of cake. The coffee took 20 minutes to get but without the cake. Reminded the staff twice - the excuse given was that they are short staffed but all I could see was staff (3 of them) just pottering around because there were hardly any queues. Also, not sure how long does cutting a piece of cake take?!. Finally, had to cancel the order for the cake.

I love this place! The menu is super creative for both the drinks and food. I would recommend the Biscoff latté and the peanut butter mocha - I've never had either of those anywhere else and both were genuinely some of the best coffee I've ever had. It's a great, quiet, cute place to study and relax. Very vegan friendly for both food and drinks. The staff is very nice and the service is super quick as well!

Lovely coffee/tea place. The atmosphere is great, and the food is top standard 👌

Beautiful Chilled Music sublime Visit....x

Friendly, polite staff and tasty options on the menu

I chose this cafe as a cosy place to while away some time waiting for my Watford-supporting family and it was the perfect choice - tea served beautifully and delicious carrot cake (see photos). I ordered at the counter and it was brought to the table. It had a happy atmosphere, if that makes sense. Although I was only there for a snack, I watched as other visitors were served tasty looking salads. I really can recommend this on all accounts.

Small unpretentious coffee shop serving good coffee and cake.

best coffee and mocha in town ☕

I don't often do reviews but this coffee shop hits the jackpot. Second time coming here and not once have I been disappointed. The avocado on toast is to die for! Lovely coffee and staff as well.

Great, independent town centre café. The coffee is exceptional.

The best coffee in Watford by a mile. If you fancy something sweet, I would recommend giving the Nutella latte a try! Not to be missed!

We have a nice moment in this beautiful little coffee shop. The staff was so nice and lovely. Food was also delicious. It was a very good first brunch experience, i recommend!

Lovely breakfast and lovely venue. 😁

Waited 20 minutes for a sandwich. The “large” coffee was actually a small coffee. I also ordered a lemon drizzle cake… and it was by far the most bitter cake I’ve ever eaten. Couldn’t eat it. Ps. I saw them “washing” the dishes without any dish soap.

Great customer service. Lovely spot for a cuppa

Absolute best coffee shop in Watford for so many reasons. Great customer service, the staff are always patient and friendly. The lattes made perfectly as the coffee is very smooth and they have very good food options such as avacado and egg on sourdough toast. However; I do believe a thicker slice of toast would be better because they are generous with the other ingredients that go on top , I need there to be a bit more bread to balance things a little more . Everything else is really great. There is a very inviting and cosy atmophere here. They pay attention to detail and they have the best almond crossaint I’ve ever had in life. I highly recommend coming here.

Wonderful company with amazing coffee & cake.

This cafe has the right 'blend' of relaxing, cosy and yet trendy/modern. It is one of my all-time favourite places, and is always welcoming and friendly. I like the wide selection of drinks and their tasty range of food, with quite a few vegan options. Above all, it is a place where you can feel at home. It's right next to the Atria shopping centre and close to Watford High Street station and is an ideal place to meet a friend for a chat or relax and linger over a paper. I briefly popped in today to get a couple of takeaway hot drinks (as I was going somewhere) - delicious!

Fantastic coffee with various options.

Delicious food and coffee and very pleasant owner and staff. I recommend it highly.

Best independent coffee I have ever been to! The food is delicious.. Lovely people working here.. Will come back for sure x

A fairly good place to drink coffee. Nice atmosphere there.

Great coffee and staff really friendly, for sure will be back! Happy to have them close 🥳 Nutella special highly recommended 🤤

Fresh coffee. Nice little cosy place and very dog friendly.

Great coffee (and I'm fussy) And a perfect avocado on toast. Highly recommended, will visit again when in the area.

Friendly independent coffee shop

Fantastic! I had the maltesers latte and croissant pudding and I’m ready to go back for more. The barista was very nice, and I will definitely visit again.

Nutella soya latte is fabulous!!! I wish I can make it in the afternoon for another peanut butter one :P So far the best coffee I’ve had in Watford. Really appreciate the creative and unconventional brunch options (a bit tired of egg benedicts). The caramelized onions might be a little too sweet especially with the sweet chili sauce and my Nutella latte, but the feta and roasted pepper is quite refreshing.

Quickly popped in for an iced drink and a snack to takeaway. Service was very friendly and the interior felt extremely cosy. Annoyed at myself for never coming here before, but will definitely be back soon!

served my Courtney and Erin both lovley ladies who make a tasty milkshake!!!