Best Places To Eat Salcombe

Welcome to Salcombe, a gorgeous corner of Devon where the sparkling estuary meets the South West Coast Path, and where your toughest decision of the day might be which taste of the sea to chase first. This article is your cheerful, no-fuss guide to the best places to eat in this sailing paradise. Its purpose is simple: to save you from boring, overpriced meals and point you straight to the spots that locals love. The advantage? You’ll save time, money, and leave with a full belly and a big smile—because good food makes every seaside adventure better.

First up, you absolutely must start your day at The Winking Prawn. Yes, that’s its real name, and it’s as quirky as it sounds. Perched right on North Sands beach, this place serves up legendary breakfast baps packed with local sausages and crispy bacon. Grab a steaming coffee, sit on the terrace, and watch the boats bob in the morning light. Pro tip: arrive early to beat the queues—it gets packed by 9 a.m., and you don’t want to miss the smoked haddock scramble that has locals almost fighting over it.

For a lunch that feels like a holiday in itself, head to The Ferry Inn. This cute pub hugs the water’s edge, and its menu is a love letter to seafood. Think succulent crab claws, creamy mussels, and the crispiest fish and chips you’ll ever eat. The best part? You can enjoy it on the sunny deck while watching the foot ferry scoot back and forth across the estuary. Creative idea: order a cold local ale and try their “catch of the day” special—it’s usually caught just hours before, so it tastes like the sea kissed it.

Now, if you want something a little fancier but still utterly relaxed, book a table at Victoria Inn. Located a short walk from the town center, this gastropub turns comfort food into art. Their slow-cooked beef cheek is so tender it falls apart at the touch of a fork, and the sticky toffee pudding is the stuff of legend. For a real treat, go on a Wednesday for their “chef’s surprise” menu—you never know what brilliant, seasonal dish they’ll dream up, but it’s always worth the gamble.

Don’t forget the takeaway gems. For the best pasties in town, swing by Salcombe Dairy, where you can grab a flaky, golden pasty filled with steak and stilton, then devour it on a bench overlooking the harbor. And for dessert? Rockfish might be famous for fish, but their clotted cream ice cream sundaes are the real reason to linger. Try the “Salcombe Swoon” with local honeycomb and fresh berries—it’s pure joy in a cup.

THE 10 BEST Restaurants & Places to Eat in Salcombe 2025

Here’s your practical advice: book ahead for sit-down meals, especially in summer, as tables vanish faster than seagulls on a chip. If you’re on a budget, eat lunch at the pubs (prices are lower) and save dinner for a fancy treat. Always ask for the day’s special—the chefs here love using whatever came off the boats that morning. And finally, bring a jacket; even on sunny days, the sea breeze can chill your chips.

So go on, wander the narrow streets, follow the smell of salt and butter, and eat your way through Salcombe. Whether you’re a crab connoisseur or a pudding fanatic, this little town will feed your soul—and your stomach—with unforgettable flavours that taste like Devon itself.