Cliffords — Restaurant in North Warwickshire

Cliffords Cafe in Polesworth : Where Time is a Suggestion ​Seven out of Five Stars (The Scale Cannot Contain It) ​In an era dominated by artisanal sourdough and oat milk lattes served in reclaimed terracotta, Cliffords Cafe in Pol stands as a magnificent, defiant monument to the way things should be. This isn't just a café; it's a sensory immersion into a highly specific version of coastal Britain, circa 1993, and we are blessed to be its devotees. ​Stepping into Cliffords is like being wrapped in a blanket woven from the aroma of frying bacon, damp dog, and industrial-strength floor polish. The atmosphere is less "curated aesthetic" and more "everything we've owned since 1985, artfully placed." The décor is a stunning collision of plastic tablecloths (wiped clean with the dedication of a professional chef, yet retaining the ghosts of countless jam spills), mismatched mugs, and local notices thumbtacked over other, older local notices. ​The Architectural Marvel of the Toastie ​The menu here is a masterclass in clarity. There are no pretenders, no spiralized vegetables, and definitely no "deconstructed" anything. You are here for the classics, and Cliffords delivers them with the gravity of a papal decree. ​The Toastie, in particular, deserves its own monograph. It is not just toasted bread and cheese; it is a thermal insulation device, a pocket of molten dairy sealed into a crispy, golden rectangle. It demands a four-minute cool-down period before consumption, as the interior temperature is scientifically engineered to cauterize any latent dental issues. The chips are golden, plentiful, and retain a perfectly crisp exterior—a triumph of frying oil technology. ​Service & Philosophy ​The service at Cliffords operates on a beautiful, Zen-like principle: "It’ll be ready when it’s ready, and not a moment before." This is not slow service; this is forced meditation. It encourages mindfulness, prompting you to truly appreciate the simple things, like the sound of the kettle boiling, or the sight of the same local fisherman reading the same local paper he was reading yesterday. When your mug of tea arrives—a brew so robust it could probably strip wallpaper—you feel a profound sense of accomplishment. ​If you require chrome finishes, silent service, or a charging port at every seat, you misunderstand the assignment. Cliffords Cafe is the real deal: a beacon of greasy, cozy, unpretentious perfection. Go, order the largest portion of something fried, and allow yourself to be transported. You'll leave feeling full, warm, and profoundly grateful for the...

Stopped off in the middle of a 50 mile bike ride for a nice breakfast. I had a cooked breakfast, friend had a baguette. We were both specific around certain things (crispy bacon, coffee orders, breakfast order etc) and everything came as requested and in good time. Food was nice and service was friendly.

It was pretty busy (Saturday morning ~10:30) and its not the biggest place. Price was fair (£12 for everything: baguette, cooked breakfast, tea, coffee and coke). Somewhere to lock the bikes outside would've been handy but no biggy, found a drain pipe!

Great place for a nice breakfast,...

We are moored up on the canal, and have been to this cafe every day. It is a lovely walk through the park and over the river to get to it. They are so very friendly and welcoming! You can sit outside with the dogs and the fantastic staff come out and take your order. Nothing too much trouble and they didn't mind us being a bit high maintenance with the coffee. The breakfasts are delicious lovely quality ingredients freshly cooked. Lovely clean loos. But what really makes Clifford's special is the super...