CLIffs

Cliffs’ menu has had a refresh, thanks to its new owners

Ah Cliffs. The Cliftonville cafe-hair salon-record shop that drew the crowds up from Old Town and along the Northdown Road, ten whole years ago.

The building has become a landmark of Margate’s new wave of artists and DFLS as well as providing somewhere low key and lo-fi for families, massive catch up, hungover weekenders and everyone else.

But this year it’s got new owners - Lorenzo and Loren from La Trattoria (the evening Italian restaurant) and a mission to restore the community vibes, shake up the menus and bring back a bit of fun and ‘why not?’ ‘attitude.

I popped in for a quick mid-week lunch to test the new menu (I definitely need to come back for a boozy brunch affair).

Cliffs has more focus on brunch now as well as a wider selection of cocktails

The menu

It’s all change in terms of food at Cliffs. It’s good to welcome in a change, along with fresh salads, proper brunch options including Eggs Florentine, stacks of pancakes, paninis and smash burgers.

I went for the intriguing saucisson tartare which was hearty, tasty and good to scoop up with tasty focaccia (great on a hot day) with a perfect runny egg on top, while my lunch date had the Eggs Florentine on a bagel - and made suitably impressed cooing noises while she demolished it.

There’s definitely a wider choice of dishes and I’ll be returning for a panini soon.

We followed up with a couple of coffees and sat and nattered for a while. Cliffs isn’t going to push you out the moment you’ve put your cutlery down and you’re bound to bump into someone while you’re in there.

The menu’s still a work in progress with more vegan and gluten free items to come.

Saucisson tartare might be my new lunch favourite

The drinks

While the soft drinks haven’t changed much, the coffee is now from Skinny Dip (roasting in Westwood Cross) and there’s now beer on draught.

As you might expect, there’s a renewed focus on grown up drinks - think summer spritzes, a proper cocktail menu (with more to come) and bellinis and mimosas on offer for with brunch or lunch - the team want you to think ‘well why not?’ and I’m inclined to agree!

The vibes

You know what Cliffs has in store for you.

A fab, busy cafe downstairs, along with Ghost Papa records to buy, plus co-working and Stirling hair salon upstairs. Lorenzo and Loren are slowly giving things a bit more love - you’ll notice the new pink marble table tops for instance and evenings, the cafe takes on a more intimate feel.

Pop in for a long brunch, see half of Margate and by the time you’ve had a chat it’s time for a pint.

Or in the sunshine, outside the front is a sun trap mid-morning, perfect for watching the world go by.

Don’t Miss This…

Cliffs has a variety of different evening options starting in June, so you can eat the world, right from Northdown Road.

Mon: Sara Ratcliffe - Sara’s Swedish inspired cooking (you love her buns at Afterparty) will be the star of the show on a Monday night.

Tue: Tini’s Tacos - long time friends of Lorenzo and Loren, the Tini’s team will be in residence every Tuesday for taco deals, margaritas and even maybe a Mariachi band.

Wed: Vegan Korean fusion cooking takes over midweek and returns Kormorebi Kitchen to Cliffs for another packed out run of nights.

Thu, Fri & Sat: La Trattoria - your fave (and mine) for lasagne, tiramisu and lots more, La Trattoria returns three nights a week from June from 5.30pm

Open 8.30pm - 5.30pm (as a cafe), seven days a week.

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