Signal Box Cafe in South Hams

During our month-long stay in Totnes, I visited our family at least four times a week at the Signal Box. I enjoy the sandwich selection, sausages, fish sticks, and hashbrowns, as do my grandsons. They are regulars. The staff is excellent, and the chef takes pride in the work.

Cafe in a lovely old signal box at Totnes station. Very nice breakfast at a reasonable price and served quickly. Would definitely visit again.

Lovely little cafe with sensibly priced food/drinks, decent WiFi and friendly staff, they sell newspapers and offer takeaways.

Absolutely well worth a visit if you are in the area. Spotlessly clean with a good selection of food, drinks and staff. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The fact that it always seems to fairly busy is a good indication of how good it is.

Stopped off at the Signal Box Cafe today with three friends. We all had a full breakfast which was served with a friendly smile. The food was fantastic,good options as well,great quality produce, and cooked to perfection.... This is the best place around for an English Breakfast at a good price to ...Highly recommend ....

A little gem nostalgic to sit in the old signal box away from the 0latform and enjoy views of the train and Totnes Simple fare just what t4avellers need don’t miss it

We stopped here on a recommendation by a friend and we weren't disappointed. The breakfast was very well cooked and not too much. Staff very friendly. Very spacious and clean. Thank you.

I almost missed the Signal Box Cafe although I knew it was somewhere close as the tantalising smell of breakfast reached me on the London bound platform. I just couldn't find the entrance! I had to cross the train lines via footbridge to work out that everyone was sitting upstairs, enjoying the warm drink I was by now desperate for. Luckily, I made my way back over the tracks and up the stairs in time to order and enjoy a lovely cup of tea and perfectly cooked egg bap before catching my train. My table neighbour told me he often makes time and a special detour to have his breakfast here. I wasn't suprised at all! Highly recommended.

Fantastic bacon butty Sausage Dave a very genorous man. I am sending a plaque to go on the wall and if I can spare a knighthood next year it will be Sir Sausage HRH Charlie

Railway journeys need great cafés and most these days are dreadful plastic franchises. The Signal Box café is however the real deal. It’s how a café should be…..and it’s in an old signal box which just makes it that little bit special. And the breakfast is just as an English breakfast should be!

I was booked on a train from Totnes to Reading that was due to depart at 10:41. Having been staying in Salcombe I decided to get to Totnes by 9:30 and have breakfast at the signal box rather than run the risk of arriving at Totnes late after breakfast in Salcombe. I went for the full english which was excellent. It was cooked and served quickly and the bacon and sausages were particularly good. Many cafes economise on these items but that clearly isn’t the case here. Value for money was also very good compared with Salcombe breakfast prices. Well worth using with friendly service.

Great spot if you need to wait for a train. We had the sausage and egg bap which was nice and hot, egg was runny which was perfect. But I have to say it was the worst coffee (cappuccino) I’ve had. It didn’t taste of anything, it was like having a mug of warm water with sugar. Maybe it was just an one-off, I don’t know. Be careful when you sit down or get up if you have people sitting behind you as there is no much room and you’ll end up spilling your drink on the table.

Great place for coffee or a Full English while waiting to catch your train. Heck, it’s a worthwhile diversion to ignore the diet. Always clean and food nicely cooked in quirky environment.

cant remember was a long time ago dont even remember what year.prob around 2013/2014.i cant even remember what i had

This is a review for the coffee in the downstairs part. Best coffee in town...I hate the “ coffee to go” culture but this is worth breaking it for.

When we travel from Totnes station we always allow time at the cafe, usually breakfast. Really great atmosphere being in the old signal box, matched by nice welcoming staff, quick service, whatever our choice. Quality and quantity of the food ordered has always been excellent and great value for money. If you are in a rush the take out to have on the train is equally good. A must try if you are in Totnes, even if you are not taking the train!!

Visited for the first time today for Breakfast as recommended by a couple of GWR Staff. Very impressed with the food served fresh I had a Veggie breakfast very well presented on a hot plate and my partner had a bacon bap with crispy bacon as she likes it. Great customer service with a smile we will visit again next time we pass by.

Have been to this cafe several times, it’s really good value and the staff are friendly. Went on Saturday morning and it was nearly full.

I have regularly used the Signal Box Café for breakfast for several years. The portion sizes are generous and the quality excellent. And you can watch the trains!

Popped in for breakfast before travelling to London (after seeing previous reviews). Gorgeous breakfast, friendly staff and quick service. Will definitely do it again.

Had breakfast here was well priced and presented well didn’t have to wait long for it, staff were smiling and friendly, which goes a long way these days 🤓

Worth a special stop at the Sugnal Box wherther you are waiting for a train or not

Very good value for money breakfast served here. It may not be all that healthy bacon eggs and sausages but it is great fun to indulge yourself. It’s cosy and friendly and staff are very efficient and so service is quite prompt.

Always a reliable place for traditional English breakfast at al times of the day, there is now a designer coffee option downstairs with beans ground freshly and patterned hot milk and the works. Not just for weary travellers, local throng here.

This is an unusual cafe located in an old signal box at Totnes station. Stopped for drinks and a snack , the service and drinks were good and the view too.

We have been into this station Signal Box cafe three or four times recently, and always found to be excellent both food and service the service is very quick and food although not fussy always hot and wholesome, and with reasonable prices. I would highly recommend this cafe and the staff that work here.

I didn't want to tell anyone about this brilliant cafe, as it may make it difficult to get a table. However, as with all enlightenments, it's good to share the benefits.....Apparently.

Nice little spot and the breakfasts are good!! everything on the plate is excellent and well cooked minus the sausages!! Unfortunately they don't appear to be cooked from fresh as they taste days old and leathery, its a shame as this lets the breakfast down abit. I would be very happy to wait for fresh sausages and the breakfast would easily be a 5 star. Please consider cooking them fresh as it would make all the difference

Popped in here before catching the train back north. Nice view over looking the station as it was the old signal box. Didn’t have food but there was a good menu choice and the food served to other tables looked good.

I sometimes nip in here for a cheeky lunch on a work day. I love the location and building, the staff are incredibly friendly and the food is really tasty. There should be more places like this. Plus, EXCELLENT value for money!

I usually choose to catch the train from Totnes, rather than Newton Abbot, many because of the Signal Box cafe. It's basic and slightly old-fashioned - but that is part of it s charm.

We happened upon this cafe while we were waiting for our train to London. Loved the name and made the effort to drag our luggage up the stairs. Staff were lovely and even went downstairs to get the cappucino for us. We had already had breakfast but the simple local breakfast there looked great too. There's always next time!

Popped in for a coffee whilst waiting for a train. Lovely old building, must be a couple of hundred years old and the cafe looks like it was last cleaned back then too.

I’ve been travelling from Totnes to London nearly every week for 15 years. This place is a godsend. In the winter it’s warm and welcoming, when the weathers against you is dry and comfy, if you’re in a rush they try to help. It ain’t the Ritz and it ain’t Starbucks but you get very good tea and coffee (to go if you want, just ask) there’s a great selection of cool/soft drinks/ water, a huge selection of magazines and sweets for the journey, but if you do give yourself the extra time they’ll make you a classic, world class bacon (and egg) butty, eat in or to go, but the full English is so good, I mean so good, it’s worth a trip even if you’re not catching a train....and there’s a bunch of locals who do just that on their way to work. I’ve travelled the world for 40 years, and of the many pearls of wisdom I’ve collected, there’s none truer than “follow the locals”.

The Café is a place for a wide range of meals when you are starting a journey. A hot or cold drink and a sandwich or a main meal. Great opportunity to have a bacon sandwich. If you are in a hurry, get a take away.

We loved this cafe while waiting for a friend to catch a train. It is very busy with locals coming in for amazing large cooked breakfasts. Very friendly staff and equally friendly locals. Very good value, especially the cooked breakfast.

Made a spontaneous visit to this neat little café, having just got off a train from Cornwall and not wanting to walk, in the rain, into the town. Ordered cheese and tomato toasty sandwich - could have had virtually any filling I wanted - and despite the café being full, the snack arrived promptly. Really good value and service. I looked in again on my return journey, when the café was full of Sunday morning visitors, eating huge cooked breakfasts. Will definitely call again.

I often pop inside to pick up some snacks and occasional I will sit and have some of the chips, good size for a £2 portion and they are cooked very well, I do enjoy how cozy and small it is especially on a rainy day, with great chips, access to new papers and capable of finishing food to a good quality at a last minute run fro the train! I would very much recommend it.

try the breakfast. Its excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the staff are really friendly and you can adjust the breakfast to your liking

Café perfecto para esta estación - proveedores de desayuno - Tocino butties y tés y cafés - obviamente justo en la estación. Amable y con buena relación calidad-precio.

El caballero que me atendió fue muy amable y educado.

Love this little cafe, always make sure we arrive long before our train is due so we can have a coffee and snack in here. Friendly staff, very reasonable prices. Worth a visit.

Very Friendly scruffy cafe but very cheap and just right for a cafe and breakfast before getting on GWR Recommend you eat here before trying to eat Rail food Very nice Breakfast Bap and Coffee all for under £4 . You can hear the train announcements from your seat so no need to run until the last minute

This unusual cafe is in the old signal box on the up platform at the station. The staff are friendly and welcoming and the good quality bacon and egg and sausage and tomatoes worth every penny. Loved this place

Great value break fast. Free parking for this quaint signal box conversion.Very friendly helpful jovial staff. From full English to bacon butty its just wonderful value. Especially with a cup of tea or coffee.

Best use of a Signal Box I know of!..Nothing to do with the railway itself (as far as I know!) Exactly where you expect it to be, with an endless stream of locals in the know passing through or staying awhile. Good chat, good food - nothing pretentious here! Enjoy! Parking is a little "uncertain" but if you got the time and or are in need drop in and see!.. If you seek a quiet corner for a few hours I would look elsewhere!..

Sad that we didn't get a chance to stay for longer as this is a great café for anyone travelling by train, but also for all those who love visiting railways.

Great inexpensive food. Pleasant service. Clean surroundings and unusual location. So much better than the 'normal' station offering.

Had a breakfast here with friends, ideal meeting place, small but comfortable cafe with good range of meals and snacks. All breakfasts cooked to order and enjoyable.

my first time in the signal box, friendly staff , lovely breakfast , really crispy fried bread it was so tasty . And a proper cuppa not cheap rubbish teabags , good quality ones . sat there in the signal box the sun was shinning outside the trains were passing ,Really enjoyed it can`t wait to go back Ann Paignton

It really was a signal box and from the outside it looks like it. Inside its a long room with the kitchen and serving counter at one end. Its very functional - totally unpretentious and you're basically sitting just above the platform and can watch the trains go by - or stop. The grub is basically full English, rolls, sandwiches, tea and coffee - none of your latte nonsense. If you want a great English breakfast this is your place. If you want something posher - stay away. I love it.

Sunny winter morning on the way to Dartmouth and a 45m wait for a connecting bus. So a delight to find this welcoming cafe in the station, perched above the track and in full sunlight. Basic food and drink, but classic decor and location.

This is a friendly, no thrills, very pleasant little café that ticks all the boxes if you are looking for a conveniently located, welcoming and friendly establishment that serves excellent food at reasonable prices. The menu is fairly varied and offers a range of home cooked food, served to your table. The quality of the food is first rate and the atmosphere of dining in a converted signal box, right next to the railway, adds to the experience.

Call into the Signal Box Cafe adjacent to the up line plate form.Full breakfast or just a drink to pass the time this happily run cafe is a bit 'you get what you see' but everything very clean good is cooked to order & served fresh and hot.Basic menu of sandwiches, breakfasts and snacks, hot drinks etc to eat in or take away.

Locals love the breakfast here.lovely ladies doing good value full English. It has its own free parking.So quirky because it is an elivated old signal box at the end of Totnes railway station. Just on the old junction of the branch line for Buckfastleigh. Just a few hundred yards of track missing as the old line is now a heritage steam line.On a cold winters morning the smell of bacon and steaming coffee is very welcome before catching the train.

We visited the cafe for a spot of lunch after a short walk from the South Devon Steam Railway. It is everything a cafe should be, great bacon roll, coffee and cake. Clean and friendly service.

Don't expect gourmet food but do expect one of the best little cafes serving traditional style menu to a very good standard in a very nice little location.

I go to the Signal Box once a week and have the veggie breakfast which is very nice. My partner has the regular breakfast. The food is consistently good and the staff very friendly, Reasonable price too and you can watch the trains!

I have a soft spot for this place. It doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is. The service is always friendly. the food hot and plentiful. Ham egg n chips is one of my favourites. Great value too.

Having dragged my partner all round Totnes trying to find a place for us to eat (all too full of veggie/seeded foods for his liking...) we ended up here, with half an hour before our train left.I didn't hold out much hope, but he was happy with the menu choices (cooked breakfast for a fiver, lots of bap choices on offer...) so we went to the counter and ordered. The staff are really lovely, very friendly and helpful. I watched them with other customers, many of whom were old chaps by themselves, and the women behind the counter were so kind and patient with everyone who came in, young or old. We got huge mugs of tea straight away, and the food arrived within about ten minutes. The breakfast baps are HUGE, but really fresh, soft, and just right for soaking up the bacon fat! Bacon was thick cut and tasty, eggs cooked to perfection. It was all under a tenner and we left feeling very full and satisfied. You have a great view of the railway tracks and there is a really nice atmosphere to this place. Highly recommend!

Found myself with a 3 hour wait for a train. Wiled away the time with a delicious veggie breakfast for £4.75 and a good mug of coffee. Highly recommended!

Went in to wait for my brother and kill some time, breakfast was amazing and really really nice staff!! Food was cheap and top notch! And quick. Defo go again!

Visited with my parents who had been raving about the cooked breakfast. Wasn't disappointed. The portion was generous but not obscene and everything was cooked to perfection. Vintage decor with a view over the rail track, a big improvement over the usual rail station offer.

Absolutely brilliant. Bargain prices, and freshly cooked breakfast. Very tasty - and you can watch the trains if you are so inclined. Not many tables, and it does get busy, but not surprising. Certainly no complaints here.

This honest , friendly cafe just needs a wood stove or any form of heating to make it one of the best breakfast venues. The staff are really friendly and helpful.

Based in the old Signal Box this is a station cafe from the past - greasy spoon but not too greasy.They have a basic menu of sandwiches, chip based meals, and a few additions such as curry or lasagne.Serve tea and coffeeAll food prepared on ordering, good basic eating, very low prices.Ideal for a meal while waiting for a train, or for probably the most filling meal for the price in Totnes.Much better than eating from the train buffet - and will cost you a lot less.

If you are travelling by train from, or to Totnes don't miss out on the opportunity to sample this cafe. It has old fashioned charm and very good food. You must try the breakfast, and take the large option. If you like fry ups, this is the place for you. Staff are lovely, even Davey, the owner, they will give you the time of day, and more. I love the world map on the wall, it gives a sense of travel, just what people need when they may be off to anywhere in the world from Totnes.

Called in for a coffee and plate of chips and both were lovely. Prices very reasonable. Would visit again.

Step up from the platform and a welcome awaits. The staff are keen to cook exactly what you want for breakfast and do not hassle you if you are waiting for a train. There are freshly made sandwiches and magazines available in a bright lively setting.

It might not look like much, but if I want good honest ham egg n Chips, then this is the place to go. It doesn't pretend to be anything it is not. Staff always friendly and helpful. Food doesn't take long, and is always hot and plentiful.

Cheap and cheerful but fun - very English and quirky but lovely hot tea and cake in unusual surroundings

Staff are Always pleasant and friendly, good basic food served at reasonable prices. Cosy cafe right beside the railway line (up line) at Totnes railway station. A breath of fresh air from the usual railway station food.

In a town where you are more likely to get vegan lentil specialities, this superb traditional cafe located in a signal box, with the heritage steam railway on one side and the main line on the other is a gem. Traditional food, large portions, well cooked and fantastic value for money, no trendy distractions or extras here, it great.

Love the breakfasts... We live locally and frequently have breakfasts from Signal Box. Nothing flashy but well priced, good comfort food and friendly staff. Recommended.

At a railway station its a very good sign to here customers being greeted by"your usual?"whether it be hot buttered toast at 7 in the morning,after a jog from Dartington,A jumbo full English (from a couple who live opposite)or just a coffee for the 8.50 to London.! Faultlesssly honest food for people on the go.

Sited in the old signal box on Totnes Railway station, is this charismatic cafe'. Here Totnes and Dartington locals join travellers to get hearty fry-ups, sandwiches, soups, snacks, cakes, ice creams, papers and magazines, advice on the trains, and even sit all day to train spot! Starting very early for the commuter trains, the smell of bacon and eggs wafts across the platform and what should have been just a takeaway cup of tea suddenly turns into yummy breakfast. Unpretentious, reasonably priced and for Totnes... not a mung-bean in sight. Recommended whether you are travelling on the trains or not!

Simple but excellent café in the old Signal Box at Totnes railway station. Basic and friendly, good value, great atmosphere - cramped, yes - but hey this is an old signal box. If I Lived in Totnes (I have friends close by) then I'd read a newspaper here, have a (small) business meeting here and run to it on a bad weather day. Wish they'd get something to close the door automatically though!

We had a PERFECT traditional English Breakfast here after stopping at Totnes Station, with proper Builders Tea. Lovely ladies to serve you, nice ambience, and fast service. Go there, you won't be disappointed, even if you are not travelling on the train. It is a lovely experience!

Eaten here for many years, always reliable, always friendly, snacks, papers, meals, a good place to start the day

I have had yet another breakfast for my wife and me to take away. The staff are friendly helpful and always a pleasure to talk to. The cafe is always busy when I go no matter what time of day. Keep up the great work ladies

After sampling this establishment recently, I have to say that it was ok but has the potential to be good and possibly great with just a couple of minor adjustments. The toast was a bit soggy. Perhaps ask the customer how they like their toast, I would suggest most would like a little more brown (toasted) than white (just crisp) in colour. Secondly, a bit more smiling and making the customer feel welcome to be there and the staff to be pleased you are there, rather than just taken for granted. Also noted not too much hand washing going on, although the tea did taste a tad soapy. Don't get me wrong this is a fabulous location and over all for the price (£4:00 for egg x 1, bacon, beans, sauce x1 toast + tea or coffee. There is also an option at £5.50 for eggs x2, sausage x2) it is value for money, but it could do better and get a few more 5* ratings.

next to Totnes railway station this cafe is a gem, the breakfast is to die for and the coffee is the best in Totnes. The staff are warm and friendly.

Stopped in for a snack lunch, was busy but did find a table. Could be seen as a little cramped in places and table by door would'nt be great if weather bad. Food excellent, breakfast bap freshly cooked bacon and eggs. Staff very friendly.

I have already given a review on the rare breeds attached to this little cafe, but I will say our meal here was BRILLIANT,and whoever said the coffee was not good and the tea wasn't up to scratch,etc etc........I have three words to say to them......" Get a Life", it was amazing value,excellent food,and fresh at that,we had a great time there,the staff were great too. tHANKYOU to all the staff,all volunteers I was made to believe,you do a great job,and if I lived nearby,it would be a regular stop off...WELL DONE

A great cooked breakfast to fill anyone, good food :) nice atmosphere and nice being in the old signal box with the trainline just out the window

Difficult to give this gem the right review. It is totally unexpected & charming.If you have to catch a train from Totnes, do as we did, arrive early & relax here before your journey.Reminded us of an old fashioned transport cafe, quaint surroundings, lovely friendly staff & a freshly cooked "lorry drivers" breakfast, all at very little money.This is an experience to enjoy & it is about so much more than food or complaining about the coffee. A cup of " builders" tea would be a safer option!Loved it.

I like this little caff. Been there for many years and works very well. Seems to be an independent. Like the bustling feel and the quickly served snacks. Good value too. Useful if you live or are staying in the South Hams and need to wait for a train or be picked up on arrival. This is a small station but very busy.

How the women who served us today is still in her job I will never know! We were overcharged by £5, when we realised & went back to enquire she accused us of lying, stealing drinks when she wasn't looking & having unruley children (she might of been right there:) ) she said as we were not local (we live 10 miles away) she wouldn't believe us, she actually thought we were conspiring against her & stealing! With 4 kids in tow! The bloody cheek!! She's smoked too much of Totnes' finest! Paranoiiiidd!! Breakfast actually wasnt bad, good value if we were charged correctly!! But I'd stay clear as this individual was VILE!!

Stopped here for breakfast purely for the convenient location I was more than dubious when I saw the price but was so pleasantly surprised, the breakfast was well cooked, tasty, not at all greasy and well presented, the eggs were really fresh and I haven't had such good mushrooms in years. The staff were polite and friendly even though they were fairly busy. The tea was drinkable but was the only thing not up to scratch. If I lived a little closer I would become a regular visitor. We didn't realise you do not have to pay for parking if using cafe parking spaces.

I simply cant understand why people are moaning about this gem of a caff on Totnes station, thats all it is, a caff, a greasy spoon whatever. If you want overpriced high end food go to Dartmouth or Salcombe. The signal box only has a dozen items on the menu, but they are cooked with care, fresh and to order, ok it can get a little cramped but I make a bee line for this place when im in town. The staff are always friendly, even when its busy and they are up against it. Iwould love to see a few nice railway related signs and pictures on the wall but really I cant complain, NOTE TO OWNER.....you have a goldmine here, long may your business continue to thrive, and as for the person who moaned about the coffee.......bugger off to Costas.

Coffee not good at all...... more of a 'transport cafe' than anything... I will take my own coffee in future

If you're looking for a place to have a hearty breakfast or meal in Totnes, the Signal Box comes highly recommended. It's one of two favourite places for my husband and I to eat breakfast as a treat. Their fry ups are not greasy, but full of flavour. Their prices are very reasonable and the staff are salt of the earth people with a smile for everyone. Definitely worth a visit.

Quirky little entrance, wooden floors, blue checked tablecloths, windows that look out over the platforms below, a fine setting for The Railway Children. Ok, the decaff coffee was instant, but it tasted fine; and the toasted teacake made up for it entirely. I wasn't in the mood for a full English breakfast but I'd wager they're GVFM. The recent hygiene certificate on the door gave them the top rating and you could tell the staff were proud of it - attentive, well turned out, friendly, smiling. Great little place to dream away the minutes until your train arrives, and what a pleasant change from the costabucks outlets.

If you want a mug of tea, a welcoming smile and good value full English breakfast this could be for you in this wonderful converted signal box at Totnes station. Always busy and I can see why.

Every now and then you just fancy a decent full English and if your in Totnes or waiting for a train I would recommend popping in to this friendly little 'caff' that once was the old signal box.....have a decent cuppa and read the paper.genuine friendly staff .....if you can't go with a calorie busting brekkie they also do great cakes....probably the same amount of calories....but you have to treat yourself sometimes!!

Respectably ok caff in an old signal box on the platform at Totnes Station. Perfect for train spotting (if you're a bit nerdy like me). It feels nostalgically like the early sixties, the food is just about ok but the whole place could do with a paint and spring clean! Good tea!

This cafe is on the London-bound platform on Totnes railway station. It is a straightforward greasy spoon with English breakfasts and toasted tea cakes (my fave). You can also get takeaway coffee and tea to have on the train. Also newspapers, drinks, etc for your journey.

Used to be the best place to have breakfast when down visiting family. But on our recent visit. The coffee wasnt even drinkable so we had to buy cold drinks aswell. The breakfast let me down tpo. All I can say is bring back the old staff as was 100% better last year

Papers, hot and cold drinks, confectionary and some basic sandwiches and fry ups. You'd be pushed to get this stuff in the High Street. No hint of healthy Eco food here. Twice I've turned up here to find my mainline up train delayed by 30-40 minutes. This is not a bad place to wait. The person serving is usually interesting to watch, the other customers tend to be uninhibited characters ranging from posh south Devon rural types or gossiping school kids or people starting or ending holidays. Sadly the Dartington students have all gone to Falmouth. The signal box is an entertaining place to people watch. Who knows there may be boyfriend material in there sometime?

My colleagues and I go in here regularly. Quick and friendly service. Excellent value. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, they always accommodate your needs. They serve breakfasts all day. If you are in the Totnes area and fancy a fry-up then this is the best for miles around. A great way to start your train journey, or a cracking lunch stop venue.