The Paddle on the Green

I’ve made no bones about saying that my favourite place to eat or grab a coffee in Highcliffe is The Paddle - I wrote a blog about it back in February and it was the first place I headed once lockdown was over. I always try to support independents, and it’s really not a chore when the quality of produce, cooking and service is so high. Why anyone still goes to bland, over-priced coffee chains these days, I have no idea.

So I was delighted to hear that an extension of the lovely Highcliffe cafe opened in Milford on Sea last month - the Paddle on the Green. There is only space for a few tables inside, but as the name suggests, you can grab a takeaway and sit on the green. There are tables and chairs belonging to The Paddle as well as loads of public benches. It’s a lovely, civilised spot to sit and watch the world go by - especially in this unexpectedly gorgeous weather.

The menu isn’t as extensive as in the Highcliffe cafe, but they have distilled all you really need. Great coffee, fresh juices and soft drinks, homemade cakes and a range of tasty (all-day) brunch and lunch options. Between us we had sourdough toast with peanut butter, banana, honey and cinnamon; sourdough toasties with coastal cheddar, prosciutto and chutney; and smashed peas, mint, feta, pesto and poached egg on homemade nut and seed loaf, and it was clean plates (well, takeaway boxes) all round.

A big, happy thumbs up from this adventurous glutton.

4, Church Hill, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QH

Thursday - Saturday 8am-2pm, Sunday 9am-2pm