morridge oats + coffee — Restaurant in Birmingham

Supporting local independent coffee shops is something that more of us should do. Here is a great example of a quirky coffee and morridge shop. Did they spell porridge wrong, or is that a play on words? Moreish porridge?

I've docked one star on 'Service' purely for the big sign saying 'Don't be a table hogger, no laptops during peak hours'. I'm 100% sure that Starbucks only became the global mega-chain precisely because it allowed people like me to pay over the odds for coffee in return for a no-questions-asked laptop friendly environment.

Being more welcoming to customers should be top of the list of independent coffee shop rules. And listen... if you spot table hoggers, how's about you go offer them to buy something from the pastry cabinet, or another coffee to keep them topped up. Let's try to turn a negative into a positive here - monetise those table-hoggers!

Otherwise pleasant but not mindblowing coffee. I'm going to have to think up a name for a short Americano, with a flat-white volume of water, so that the delicate flavour of a what I'm sure started life as a very good medium roast espresso isn't lost amongst the mug-sized amount of hot tap water it was diluted in to near homeopathic levels.

Otherwise, loved the decor, the range of seating options, cleverly using every inch of the quite diminutive space. The staff, in opposition to the no-laptop sign, were welcoming, extra polite and welcoming. No complaints there.

Summing up, ignore the sign, buy a good amount of coffee and nibbles, and if two single laptop users are preventing groups sitting down, buddy up to make better use of the space....

Came here at 11.30am today (Saturday) to find they had sold out of pancakes, bacon rolls, and breakfast rolls, leaving only porridge. We were in a group of 3, two of us had not been before and the visit was on my recommendation as previously on a weekday I had visited and food was lovely. Unfortunately this time the server was quite unhelpful. We had a friend who cannot eat the porridge so wanted a sandwich or bacon sandwich. This wasn't an option as the server said they only serve from 1pm and couldn't make an exception for our group. Ultimately we left feeling disappointed and went elsewhere. I appreciate they are popular and don't get me wrong I love the place usually hence recommending it to my friends but with little to no customer service or alternative suggestions I feel they really let us down and could have been more accommodating. If you know you're busy on a Saturday surely prepping enough food in advance is an easy win. Also was quite muggy and damp upstairs with condensation on the windows. Old building but just added to the frustration before we decided to...

Far better than anything that a chain restaurant or coffee shop could offer you. Morridge isn't just giving you a snack and beverage: it allows you to step into a world that you never knew, yet nonetheless feel nostalgic for. And it doesn't charge you anything more than the cost of a cup of coffee and a bowl of porridge.

I really recommend the Chocolate Granola dish: that's my personal favourite. Though the mango granola and the crumpets are delicious too. Don't forget the vegan cakes!

Look out for the intriguing retro-futuristic decor to pique your curiosity. Lava lamps in sconces, a swinging wicker egg chair, prints of various 60s films and albums and a Cadbury's Chocolate promotional mug on the shelf!

If you remember or are fascinated by the 60s, this place is for you.

I forgot to add: if you can't finish your porridge, they do have little pots for you to take the remainder of your food home with you. Great idea and more places...