Cloud 9 coffee shop in Treorchy has been full of customers most weekends for three months since opening in the middle of summer 2026. Queues along the main road at weekends as people wait for a table for brunch have become a regular sight.
A steady stream of customers since opening
The small coffee shop sits on the corner of Stag Square, a position that means everyone sitting in traffic has watched the café's development for more than a year. The waiting crowds have only added to the interest.
After failing to get a table since it opened, our reviewer finally went down for lunch on a rainy Monday and managed to bag a spot. The place had a steady turnover with tables being filled as soon as they cleared.
Menu highlights and the sandwich test
The menu was filled with breakfasts, brioche French toasts, sandwiches, and healthy bowls packed with yoghurt, salads, or protein specials. There is also a drinks special menu with Nutella and cinnamon bun concoctions.
The grilled chicken and avocado sandwich (£9.95) came with a side of tater tots added on for £1.50 for a large bowl. The sandwich arrived with no skimping on fillings – loads of avocado, big strips of seasoned chicken that was not dry, and a delicate herby nut-free pesto. The bread struck the reviewer as a kind of sliced focaccia rather than a sourdough, but was lush either way. The tots were a big portion and all crispy.
Presentation and quality across the board
The Greek yoghurt bowl (£7.95) was huge – so much so it had to be taken half home. Topped with granola, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, coconut flakes and honey, and finished with an edible flower, it offered a lighter alternative to savoury breakfasts.
Presentation, flavour, and quality of ingredients are all there, the reviewer said, calling it a sandwich they will think about for a while. The menu is changing soon, so the sandwich is available while stocks last.
The reviewer also had their eye on the warm banana bread and brioche French toast, as well as the steak and eggs dressed with chimichurri, as reasons to go back.
Bringing modern brunch culture to the Rhondda
Cloud 9 has hit the ground running in bringing a modern brunch culture further up the valley, so those who enjoy it do not have to travel half an hour by car. There are lots of cafes and coffee shops in the town, each with their own identity and customer base, but Cloud 9 has already paved its own way when it comes to casual dining at the top of the Rhondda.
