My name is Lizzie, otherwise known as @Lizzie.eats.explores. Six years ago this May, fate and family brought me to Clevedon, fulfilling a lifelong dream — I’d always wanted to live beside the sea. I say ‘fate’, because when I met my husband, I’d never even visited Clevedon (despite living only 20 minutes away). Maybe I’d bought into its reputation as a ‘retirement town,’ but I’ve found it to be so much more: a vibrant, welcoming community with a thriving arts and indie scene and, most importantly for me, a fantastic food offering!
I particularly love Clevedon seafront (who doesn’t love food with a view?!) and try to visit as often as I can. You may have heard the recent roadworks have made access trickier, but I want you to know it’s still possible to park nearby — and the venues are very much open, still serving up incredible food and drink. Over the past fortnight (in this glorious sunshine we’ve had), I have revisited those open and affected. Now, I’m excited to shine a spotlight on these local gems — in no particular order, because honestly, I can’t pick favourites…
Menu
Brunch besides The Beach
Prawns on The Pier
High Tea at Tiffin’s
Seasonal Sea View Specials
Pint at the Pub
Souvlaki at Sunset
Support our Seafront
Brunch besides The Beach – Scarlett’s
You’ll find Scarlett’s on the corner of the road known as, ‘The Beach’. It’s a relaxed licensed café & restaurant, particularly famous for its breakfast/brunch offerings and also their incredible Marshfield ice cream selection throughout the summer. That’s not all they do though, they have a wide range of lunch dishes and live music events on selected dates throughout the summer.
It’s virtually opposite the pier, so whether you sit on its terrace or inside, most seats guarantee you a view across the Severn Estuary to Wales. I’ve eaten many an ice cream on their terrace enjoying the views of my motherland. At the moment it’s just the little tubs, but when ‘the season’ officially starts they’ll open up the parlour window and you’ll be able to purchase by the scoop.
On my last visit we popped in for brunch. SO many people told me I needed to try the Sriracha Beans, which sounded delicious, but I went for the Royale sourdough (I’m a sucker for smoked salmon) and it was just as good as I’d hoped… Even with the roast tomatoes which I’d been sceptical of. Mr E.E. had the Classic Breakfast, and we were both overjoyed that it came with sauté potatoes AND hash browns. There is no such thing as too many carbs and yes I stole some for my plate.
The homemade cakes were really tempting and I’m a big believer in ‘brunch dessert’ (should be a thing) but I was absolutely stuffed. If you’re looking for brunch this place is hard to beat!
Coeliacs well catered, GF bread available, let staff know on arrival
Vegetarian/Vegan options available
Dogs allowed on the terracePrawns on the Pier – The Glass Box
Situated on Clevedon’s own Grade 1 listed pier with beautiful views of the Victorian pagoda, The Glass Box is run by the pier team. It prides itself on using local produce wherever possible and having a variety of gluten free, dairy free and vegan options available!
To enter the restaurant you do need to have paid to go on the pier. Adults are £5, 4-15 year olds cost £3, you can purchase a family ticket for £14 (two adults, up to 3 children) and under 4’s free with all tickets allowing return visits for one year from date of entry.
There are a number of ‘chip shop’ style classics on the menu plus a selection of jacket potatoes and weekly specials too. We felt it only appropriate to have fish when visiting, so Mr E.E had for the classic cod and I went for the breaded prawns with salt and pepper chips. All washed down with a ‘Pier Press’ cider from Rich’s Cider (just 25 minutes down the road) and a San Pellegrino (which came just a little farther).
I’m a bit pedantic about my prawns (I could tell the difference between Tesco & M&S as a child, feel sorry for my mum) but these past the Lizzie test! They were tasty, plentiful (most places scrimp on prawns!) and the chefs hot and sour dipping sauce has loads of flavour without blowing my head off. Highly recommend for your fish and chips fix!
Coeliacs catered for Dairy free and vegan options available Dogs allowed outside (takeaway boxes available)High Tea at Tiffins – Tiffins at The Beach
Tiffin ‘Teahouse & Eatery’ will always hold a special place in my heart, as it was the first place I ever took my mum out in Clevedon. Drinks, cakes and snacks are available all day, breakfast is on offer until 11.30am and lunch available from midday, all cooked fresh to order with daily local specials. Being on the seafront they have, you’ve guessed it, fantastic views across to Wales and of the pier, both indoors dependant on your seat and from their terrace.
The wide menu all looks delicious (their fish fingers in a Winnie’s bap is a favourite of mine, as are the cakes from local patisserie chef Clovis) but something which I think is particularly special is their ‘High Tea’ experience. Everything you’d expect (sandwiches, scones and dainty cakes) done very well. £20 for the first person, £38 for 2 and £19pp thereafter. My hard to please husband (possibly a theme with us two) thought the scones were particularly good – we’ve had our share of rubbish ones, these are amongst the best. The best afternoon tea I’ve had locally without doubt.
Coeliacs catered for with advanced notice Dairy free and vegan options available Dogs allowed outsideSeasonal Sea View Specials – Five the Beach
What you call a great all rounder, everything I’ve ever eaten at Five has been awesome. And no matter how busy they are (which is often very), the team are cool, calm and friendly. It’s beautiful inside, benefiting from lots of light and of course it has a terrace with a sea view. I’m personally obsessed with the Guinness Cake, and my coffee aficionado friends tell me theirs is the best on the seafront. (I don’t drink coffee so cannot confirm or deny ).
On a recent visit we tried some of the lunch specials, which change regularly and always sound tempting. One of the staples that you’ll pretty much always see on that menu is the quiche and three salads. On the day I visited it was courgette and Gruyère, which I was apprehensive about as it’s my least fave vegetable but whatever they did to it, it was transformed and I’d happily go back and order it again. Stunning. Husband went for the burger and we did half/half and the burger was great too, and we both thought the fries were better than ‘standard’ that you get most places.
It does have a slightly higher price point than some of the other seafront venues, but I think it’s pretty fair for surroundings and quality of produce. I’ve taken many visitors there when introducing Clevedon and will continue to do so!
GF & DF cakes definitely available, ask about other dishes (staff very knowledgeable) Dogs allowed outsidePint at the Pub – The Royal Oak
Kind of cheating as it’s not directly on the seafront, but it’s literally 30 seconds from the seafront if you walk up the little alley just to the right of Tiffins (if you have the sea behind you). In my eyes that makes it a hidden gem, which perhaps will mean fellow locals won’t like me sharing (sorry guys), but I think it’s a lovely little pub and if you’re a pub fan, a must visit.
You can watch sports, there’s a snug available for reservations (my book club use it!), a weekly quiz night, I think I’ve spotted a bridge club… Plus occasional live music too. They’re currently trialling food menus so I haven’t been able to eat, but am keen to do so when I get chance. In the meantime I love that there’s an offer on Thatcher’s Haze, it’s two for £7! Follow their socials for more info on ‘what’s occurring’ (well I am Welsh).
Fully stocked pub
Trial menu, check for specifics Dogs welcomeSouvlaki at Sunset – The Moon and Sixpence
My final stop on this epic food & drink tour was one where I hadn’t eaten myself before, only ever having stopped for a drink to enjoy its glorious views. I think I thought as it’s a Greene King I knew what to expect… But that’ll teach me you should never judge a book by its cover, as the menu is definitely not your standard Greene King fayre!
It has an authentic Greek Cypriot section, thanks to landlord Tony’s Greek heritage. We were lucky enough to try a mezze selection, which included many of the menu highlights such as the souvlaki, mousakka, gyros, homemade tzatziki… We had an absolute feast! The food was delicious (particularly loved the stuffed pepper and chicken souvlaki) and we had the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset and beyond, marvelling at all the colours of golden hour before the sky eventually went black.
Greek food not your thing? (Perish the thought!) There are a selection of pub classics and a roast on a Sunday. When I enquired about vegan food there’s apparently a vegan cherry cheesecake on occasion, which I quite fancied myself!
My daughter was with us and had a kids meal which she thoroughly enjoyed (chicken nuggets), everyone was very welcoming and we’ll definitely be back. There’s a weekly quiz, sports on TV and live music evenings also the added bonus of a very small carpark, but spaces are limited. Everything you’d expect from a pub, plus a whole lot more with that cracking Greek menu!
Coeliacs catered for Vegan options Dogs allowed inside and outSupport our Seafront
So you see Clevedon seafront still has so much to offer, despite the current roadworks. These fantastic venues are still very much open, serving up incredible food, drinks, and a warm welcome wherever you go. Whether you’re after a leisurely brunch, elevensies, a sandwich or something a little more special for lunch, afternoon tea, supper at sunset… There’s something for everyone, all with stunning coastal views.
Supporting local has never been more important, so why not make a day of it? You could take a stroll ‘along the prom’, take in the pier, and enjoy some amazing eats all whilst helping these brilliant local businesses thrive. If you like independent shopping Hill Road and Alexandra Road are just a few minutes away and in the other direction the Marine Lake is great for those who want to swim, paddle board, or even take advantage of the mobile sauna! Clevedon seafront is one of my favourite places, and if you visit and treat yourself to any of these, I think you’ll see why.
(Italics/smaller font) Disclaimer: This piece was partially funded by Clevedon BID, but all opinions are the writers own and not influenced in anyway by any of the businesses mentioned.