Saltwater Cafe in Milford on Sea

Whenever I go to Milford on Sea I head for the green or the seafront, so it was a treat to discover a whole road I knew nothing about! My nutritionist friend Nikki recommended Saltwater Cafe - she held a Kombucha workshop there recently - and I’m so glad she did. It may have been open for five years, but it’s brand new to me.

I visited for lunch with my mum. The first thing I noticed is that it is extremely Covid-safe. We had to wait outside to be seated, and all tables had a partition between them (clear, so you can still see what’s going on). I watched them deep clean a table and chairs between customers with some sort of steam contraption, and it was really thorough.

The menu was an early indicator that we were about to have a great lunch. They serve all day breakfasts, plus a couple of options each under meat, fish and veg categories. I could have happily chosen any of the dishes on the menu, and had real trouble narrowing it down. It was between the Smoked Haddock Rarebit, Kimchi Fritters and the Pork Belly Bao Buns (yum, yum and yum, right?) In the end I went for Wild Garlic Mushrooms, as I never can resist a funghi feast, and my Mum had the Smoked Salmon Pan Hash.

Our meals arrived in gorgeous pasta bowls, and were literally hugs in a dish. My mixed mushrooms were served with rocket, sourdough croutons, a parmesan crisp, a perfectly poached egg and pine nuts - plus lots and lots of garlic butter. It was divine. Mum’s smoked salmon hash contained loads of potatoes, spinach, capers, spring onion and a poached egg - plus a lemon and creme fraiche dressing. It couldn’t have been any tastier. It was my idea of brunchy lunchy heaven.

The cafe is licensed, so as well as teas, coffees, smoothies and milkshakes, you can enjoy a glass of wine, lager, beer or cider. The ‘hard shakes’ caught my eye too - particularly the spiced rum with caramel ice cream - but I was too full to try. Next time!

106 High Street, Milford on Sea