Clavell's Restaurant — Restaurant in Great Britain

GLORIOUS – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (Especially for Coast Walkers – and Vegans!) Aside from being just about the only restaurant in Kimmeridge Bay, and thus the only dining option for walkers stopping there on the Southwest Coast Path, this is one of the loveliest places I've ever stopped to drink and eat – staffed by the loveliest and kindest staff I've ever encountered. I was leading a group of four vegans walking the south coast, and trying to book us into the most vegan-friendly restaurant in each village or town every night. Kimmeridge was actually the one I was really worried about – only one place in town, and with like ONE vegan option on the menu. Figured we'd just figure it out – we'd have to! – eating crisps or chips or salad or trying to order off the menu or something. But I had mentioned in the booking that we are all vegan. When we got there, after a long day of hiking, we found the building and huge outdoor garden incredibly inviting, and settled down for drinks in the beautiful sunset. Whilst order at the bar, I chanced to look up to a shelf and saw: A WHOLE PRINTED VEGAN MENU. I thought, Hallelujah, how did I miss that!? We're saved! When I mentioned it to the barkeep, and manager, they said, "Oh, yes, well, we've got a group of four vegans coming in tonight, so we thought we'd make a bit of an effort." I was gobsmacked. First, I said, "We're them! We're the vegans!" Then, of course: "You DID A WHOLE VEGAN MENU – JUST FOR US!?" And they did. And it was truly fantastic, with multiple starters and mains, all of them terrific. (And including dessert – multiple ice cream flavours, including salted caramel, and a chocolate brownie – dessert was amazing!) I don't think I've ever been so blown away by a restaurant's kindness and generosity. Even aside from that, it's an absolutely cracking and lovely place to eat and drink. Recommended to...

This is has to be one of the most disappointing meals I've had in a while: set within an area outstanding beauty, the restaurant both looks visually appealing and comes with great reviews. Unfortunately, these are the only reasons that can be declared as positive about the place, apart from maybe the young team, who whilst not overly confident in service, were not outwardly cold and gruff like the older member of staff I presumed to be the manager. With neither a smile on welcome, nor a thank you on departure, this woman barely said a word to is throughout service, despite visiting our table 3, maybe 4 times. But service isn't the major downfall of this restaurant; that credit belongs to the very average, but very premiumly priced food. One sole and very small fillet of mackerel with 7 cubes of potato, a slice of soggy sour dough and a handful of leaves: £13. Half a pint of prawns, served cold: £13. A barely dressed salmon nicoise: £15 or so. Kids meals: £8, no dessert or drink included, with Jamie Oliver's favourite of molded turkey on the menu. And my favourite (genuinely as they were the only tasty, hot thing we ate) gourmet, or frozen to you amd I, chips for £4. There were a number of other dishes that may or may not have been good, but at £20 I didn't dare try the pasta special, and £17 felt a bit over the top for fish and chips. I realise that I sound like I'm ranting about this place, but that's only because the food and leadership were so poor. The place lacked any kind of warmth and engagement, relying it would appear, on being provided with captive audience of the solitary day tripping tourist. The place also has a fly problem and a dirty unisex toilet, which could be the cause of the fly problem. Regardless, out of the 9 or 10 pubs and restaurants we visited in the area, this is the only place I will...

Original review in 2018 * * * * * Very friendly staff that provide an efficient service. The restaurant I is cosy and comfortable. The menu is unfussy with a good variety of courses. The food is excellent and the portions are of a decent size providing good value for money. My only slight criticism is that the coffee is not the best that I have tasted. Nevertheless this is a great restaurant.

Reviewed on 24/09/2023 I don’t know if there has been a change in ownership or the owners have become complacent but if I was reviewing this now I would give * * *. I had a crab sandwich which was definitely not as good as before. I paid £13.95 for a crab sandwich. In the past the sandwiches have been on rolls, with chips and with a decent helping of salad. At this price I expected similar. What I received was a paste between two pieces of bread, some cups and a small amount of coleslaw. It tasted okay but was hardly the quality food that I had experienced on previous visits. My daughter had a bowl of soup with a slice of bread for £7.95. The staff were friendly and efficient but it was not too busy. I am not sure that the compulsory 10% service charge was neither necessary or deserved. I got the impression that the owners realise they are in a popular tourist destination and no longer have to try to retain customers. I for one will probably visit one more time to see if my visit today was an unfortunate “one off” or whether standards and value for money have slipped since my review...