Rock Ola

Was so glad I picked this place for a (vegan!) American breakfast. Astounded to get veg sausages, fake bacon, and amazing home-​made burger links along with hashbrowns, cherry tomatoes and pancakes/​syrup for just £7.
The portions were not ridiculous, which I was glad about as I just about finished my plate, but was still stuffed. For me the standout were the lentil/​garlicky burger bits which were crunchy on the outside and delightfully tasty on the inside with little bits of veggies.
Obvs the décor etc was a lot of fun and I loved the free jukebox as well as the cool vibe! Service was also really courteous and I would come back in a heartbeat. Superb spot, with an inventive menu and excellent value for money :)

We really loved this place. The atmosphere and music were spot on if you enjoy that 50’s vibe.
We went with the vegan full breakfast and enjoyed every bit. They even added a bit of vegan bacon, which was a cute touch.

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to find this place. Just thinking about all the years I’ve been missing out on Rock Ola makes me very sad. If only we’d crossed paths sooner… oh the fun we could have had!
It wasn’t until I was sitting inside Rock Ola, looking out the window at the passers by, that I realised I had walked right by the place on my way to and from work every day and barely noticed it for a year and a half. This shocked me because, once inside, Rock Ola is quite unforgettable.
Styled as your typical cool American diner, Rock Ola is jam packed with old cheesy trinkets, bright wallhangings and a brilliant old jukebox that sits in the corner just waiting to be played with. The décor is fantastic! It’s just cheesy enough to be fun but not make you feel as if you’re sitting in a Disneyland restaurant. The staff are dressed in little aprons and are very pleasant indeed.
But most importantly, the food. The burgers in here are to die for. They’re massive, juicy and stacked with lots of little goodies, like onion rings, bacon, cheese and much more. The menu is wonderful — with additions such as the ‘Hypocrite burger’ which has both a meat and veggie pattie inside, and a host of vegan options which no doubt go down very well with many. They also serve the tastiest milkshakes, which are thick and creamy and taste and good as they are bad for you!
They also have a selection of cakes and puddings but, to be honest, after a burger and a milkshake it’s a wonder I even got out the door! Maybe next time though.
You may have walked past this place a few times. You may never have heard of it before, but for goodness sake — no matter how busy you are — get down there this weekend and feast on a burger! It’ll be the best decision you ever made…

Since going back to Rock Ola multiple times, I have upped my review to 5*!
When we visit Brighton we make a note to visit Rock Ola while we’re in the lanes. It’s tucked away on Tidy Street just next to the shops and has great prices considering it’s Brighton. The staff were also very pleasant. There is a particular lady that is very nice, we had only been 4 or 5 times and she already remembered exactly how we like things. She also calls us the ‘lovebirds’ which I think is sweet.
I’m quite difficult to please when it comes to my chips, but they were perfect here. They even arrive in a basket, so brought back lovely memories of all my holidays to America. The portion size is also perfect.
There is a retro jukebox and you can pick a song for FREE. The décor makes waiting for your food more entertaining, giving you something to look at.
We will be back for my birthday late November!

Great omlettes and funky décor!

I really like this place, they seem to have put so much effort into the décor and I think its really paid off as it does set a fun atmosphere. We’ve been there for breakfast and then lunch on a seperate occasion. The breakfast is as near to the ones you get in the States a la added indulgence of pancakes and mayple syrup.
Lunch wise, I had a fantastic jacket potato with a chilli topping that was so big I could hardly finish it. Nothing is over priced so its really an idel place to with a few mates for a nice meal.

Rock Ola is another of the North Street café brigade, but stands out due to great food, atmosphere and an exciting, different theme in its recreation of a small American diner. The recreation isn’t perfect, and there isn’t enough space to sit, but Rock Ola is a big step in the right direction for this over-​cafed part of town.
Rock Ola is very cool, and thus often quite busy. However, if you can get in a grab a table, you’ll have a chance to sample some of America’s finest exports: breakfast and milkshakes. The American breakfast is amazing, and heaven to a chubb like me: pancakes, bacon, syrup, the works! Must be tried if you’ve never eaten it before. Add a milkshake or float on top of that, floats being fizzy drinks with ice-​cream, and this place becomes seventh heaven for anyone who misses that slighty OTT American eating style.
I aluded to it above, but it needs reiterating: Rock Ola is painfully small. To get a table, you’ll need to have an early or late lunch: at peak times, it’s always a little too crowded. Still, if you do get through, the amazing prices for this lovely food will not leave you severely out of pocket for a very full belly. If you haven’t tried it, go soon, just make sure it’s at a peculiar time if you want a table!

So I was sitting with Richie in the window at Arnolds when this chick walks past looking like Annette Funicello in Beach Party. Richie practically falls off his naughayde stool.
Fonz, he tells me, I’ve been dreaming about that girl for over a month.
You dream about a girl you’ve never met? I ask.
Come on Fonz, have you never dreamed?
Richie, I say, I’m not the dreamer, I’m the dreamee.
(Sound of harp accompanied by wavy screen.)
Where was I? Oh yes, Rock Ola on Tidy Street, a shrine to teen idols from Johnny Rotten to Neil Sedaka. While the jukebox serves up one classic hit after another you can enjoy the all-​American Veggie Burger (two eggs, two veggie bacon, two veggie pattie burgers, hash brown, grilled tomatoes, three buttermilk pancakes and maple syrup) for £5.95. After all, why should carnivores hog the defibrillators?
For those who prefer their 1950s nostalgia laced with a little wickedness, the framed Bettie Page playing cards in the unisex loo might appeal. I know the Fonz would order a set for his office.

I love Rockola! I think I would have been happy to have been living as a 20 something during the 50’s and here you can pretend for an hour. It is quite a small café but what it lacks in size it makes up for in style and charm. They have retro surf green leather booths and baby pink swivel chairs with original 50’s artwork and memorabilia all over the walls. I recently had a bean burger with veggie bacon and a coke float (coke with ice-​cream) which was nice but it’s all about the breakfasts. The American styled breakfasts come with 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 patti burgers and 3 pancakes with maple cyrup, and theres the veggie version with meat replacements (served all day). All washed down with some pink lemonade, lovely.

Rock Ola is slightly removed from the main shopping drag of the North Laines — just onto Tidy Street. However, despite the location and lack of advertising, the café was really busy with couples, families and discernable regulars.
It’s a 50s themed American diner — the floats and milkshakes on the menu match the retro pop culture on the walls and free playable jukebox. My friend ordered a piece of carrot cake — too large to finish — for £1.95 and found it delightful. I had the soup of the day — a creamy winter vegetable served with buttery toast — for £3.95. Oh, wintery goodness.
Several meals are available for under £5: wraps, sandwiches, omelettes, jacket potatoes and full breakfasts. A separate vegan menu lists meat-​free temptations for apologetically (in print) higher prices.
The friendly service, upbeat tunes and delicious menu options make this café one of my new faves.