Clifton Mill | Facebook | T: @thecliftonmill | IG: @historiccliftonmill
75 Water St. (map it!)
Clifton, OH 45316
(937) 767-5501
Open Mon-Fri, 9a-2p; Sat & Sun, 8a-3p
Clifton Mill – and its signature Christmas lights displays – is a fixture of the Yellow Springs area. The bright red mill, along with the nearby covered bridge, are positively draped with millions of lights in season.
But the Mill is a year-round attraction, with its gift shop and restaurant known for giant pancakes and kitschy, rustic decor.
A couple weekends ago, Will and I set out on a hike with a local Boy Scout troop. They do an annual hike that begins in John Bryan State Park, hikes five miles to Clifton Mill for lunch, then hikes back.
Kudos to Clifton Mill for handling such a large crowd. It seems they’re accustomed to it.
The Mill’s breakfast menu focuses on big, hearty dishes: fried mush, biscuits and gravy, scrambles, chicken and waffles, omelets, French toast
I started with coffee. It’s classic diner coffee: hot, a little bitter, fully caffeinated. Good for the midpoint of a cold winter hike.
Will chose the biscuits and gravy, which were pretty good. Thick but well-seasoned gravy + soft biscuits.
I ordered a couple pancakes – one regular and one with apple cinnamon. The pancakes are the Mill’s signature, and they were decent. I think they could have been browned a little longer. They just needed a touch more of that buttery goodness.
If you’re really into the carbs, they offer the Millrace Breakfast. If you eat two pancakes, you get a third for free.
The full breakfasting crew.
It’s definitely worth spending a little time wandering the grounds, even in the grayer winter months. You can see the old millworks, the covered bridge, and other sights.
Clifton Mill is a fun breakfast destination. I recommend pairing it with a hike in the area. You can take a longer trek if you start at John Bryan State Park, or a shorter one if you start in the main parking lot of Clifton Gorge.
You can find plenty more to do around Yellow Springs or you can pair it with a trip to Young’s Jersey Dairy.
