Clocktower Cafe
A Syrian family-run cafe in a converted clocktower, serving fresh food and what locals call the best shawarma in Surbiton.
Why we love it
Community gem with a story. Syrian family-run since 2014, housed in a converted clocktower, known for excellent Middle Eastern food.
The Clocktower Cafe occupies one of Surbiton’s most distinctive buildings — what was once the public toilets beneath the Surbiton clocktower, now transformed into a welcoming neighbourhood cafe. Run by a Syrian family since 2014, it’s become a beloved community hub with a story.
The food bridges two worlds: solid breakfast staples alongside Middle Eastern dishes that have earned a devoted following. The shawarma, in particular, draws people from across the area — reviewers regularly call it the best in Surbiton. Fresh ingredients, generous portions, prices that haven’t lost touch with reality.
The welcome is warm in that genuine way — you’re remembered after your second visit, asked after by your third. The building itself is a conversation starter, the clocktower looming outside while you eat below. It’s quirky, unpretentious, and exactly the kind of local gem that makes a neighbourhood feel like home.
Local’s Tip: The shawarma is the thing to order. Breakfast is reliable and affordable. The building’s history is worth asking about — the transformation from public toilets to beloved cafe is quite the story.
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