We were lucky enough to be one of the first customers to sit down at a table on Mocka Bistro’s opening day, and we were glad we got there when we did. After ten minutes of being open, the place was full to the brim with hungry customers, all eager to sample the new place in town. Having taken over the location on The Old High Street where Marley’s used to serve their top-notch food, Mocka has big shoes to fill.
We walked in to an incredibly warm welcome and the super-efficient, friendly staff showed us to our table immediately. The decor exudes a relaxed vibe with a touch of modern class. The buzz of chattering patrons and the bustle in the open kitchen underpinned by just the right amount of background music gave it a chilled but lively feel – it’s a nice place to be.
A Great Selection for Breakfast
Perusing the breakfast menu, served here until 3pm, we were presented with plenty to choose from. There are 3 fry-up options, including a veggie and a vegan version of their meat-eater standard called “Mocka’s Fav.” There’s a variety of things served with sourdough toast (also available gluten-free). These include scrambled eggs and cherry tomatoes or smashed avocado, halloumi cheese and poached eggs.
However, what interested me the most was the Pancake and Waffle Breakfast section. I’m a sucker for an American-style breakfast, and the promise of eggs, smoked bacon, succulent farmer sausages and hash browns to accompany a stack of pancakes or waffles was too much to resist.
Oh Lord, I’m in Sweet & Savoury Heaven!
So I opted for the “Oh Lord” – a stack of sweet, fluffy pancakes served with scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, farmer sausage, hash brown… you get the idea. And oh Lord was it good! Scattered with strawberry slices and mixed berries, this sweet and savoury combo really hit the spot. Those sausages were something else – fat and juicy – a real highlight. The pancakes were light, fluffy and deliciously filling. I absolutely loved it.
Mrs FF had her “Mocka’s Fav” breakfast served in a cast iron frying pan. Now, call me old-fashioned, but I’m more of a plate man myself. With my appetite, I’ll always be scraping the plate clean, and it can go right through you like nails down a blackboard when metal cutlery scrapes against cast iron. But hey, it’s a funky idea and it makes for great presentation. And with a nice side order of sourdough to mop it all up with, Mrs FF was more than satisfied.
Everything came out perfectly cooked with nice, runny egg yolks, tender, crispy bacon, those fabulously fat sausages… superb! It’s definitely up there with the competition if you’re looking for a decent Full English Breakfast in Folkestone. They haven’t scrimped on the quality of their ingredients, and it really shows in the end product.
Extras for Those Big Appetites
The list of add-ons is as long as your arm, so if you’re feeling particularly ravenous, you can always add extras to your meal. We fancied some smashed avocado, but you can add anything from waffles to grilled halloumi and sweet potato fries.
A Dog-Friendly Bistro with Something For Everyone
The menu is a great balance of naughty and nice, with a fabulous looking range of salads available along with an extensive choice of pancake, waffle and croffle-based desserts. There’s plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options too, so whatever your preference, it can probably be catered for. Mocka is also dog-friendly, which is good to know.
Mocka Bistro is licensed to serve alcohol, so, along with their extensive selection of coffees, teas and soft drinks, you can also enjoy a decent range of wines, beers, ciders and spirits.
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And it’s Not Just Breakfast
We had a sneaky peak at the evening menu, which we definitely plan on sampling very soon! I particularly like the look of the Korean BBQ Chicken Waffle and the Ribeye Steak. Two surefire winners right there. Mocka Bistro reminds me fondly of a fantastic little place in Amsterdam called Staring At Jacob, a place we liked so much we visited twice on the same trip!
Chatting to owners Hazal and Urgur was a real pleasure. They have a great attitude and were really keen to receive feedback on our experience. I get the sense that Mocka Bistro will be constantly evolving as they get themselves established, and I, for one, am excited to see where it goes.
Mocka Bistro is open 7 days a week, which is great for Folkestone, as many eateries are closed on Mondays and often Tuesdays too. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9am until 9pm, and Sundays, 9am until 7pm.
Call 01303 905003 to book or try your luck just walking in. And don’t forget to follow @mockabistro on Instagram.
