
The Winking Prawn
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Quick info
About The Winking Prawn
The Winking Prawn is a family-run seafood restaurant in Salcombe, on Cliff Rd just over the road from North Sands beach, and it has welcomed visitors for more than 25 years. The lunch menu includes a crab sandwich and a prawn cocktail, and the larger seafood dishes include a sea food boil. A cooked breakfast is served as a self-serve buffet inside. Tables order by QR code. Dogs are welcome. Branded hoodies are on sale.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crab sandwich, prawn cocktail, seafood boil and fruit de mer.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crab sandwich, prawn cocktail, seafood boil and fruit de mer.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often point to the beachside setting just over from the sand, with views and an easy walk from Salcombe. Food draws follow: a crab sandwich and prawn cocktail at lunch, a seafood boil and fruit de mer in the evening, and sticky toffee pudding after. Staff are called friendly and helpful by several, and one regular describes a waitress who chats while keeping food quick. A self-serve breakfast and a dog seating area under a canopy also get mentions. The complaints are sharper. One diner got a cold cooked breakfast, with cool sausages and bacon and a plate holding only scrambled egg before being sent inside to a buffet, after ordering by QR code. Another found the food fine but expensive for what was offered, and felt some staff were rude and gave no apology when a problem was raised. One regular's closing detail is that props from the film The Roses are still on display.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often point to the beachside setting just over from the sand, with views and an easy walk from Salcombe. Food draws follow: a crab sandwich and prawn cocktail at lunch, a seafood boil and fruit de mer in the evening, and sticky toffee pudding after. Staff are called friendly and helpful by several, and one regular describes a waitress who chats while keeping food quick. A self-serve breakfast and a dog seating area under a canopy also get mentions. The complaints are sharper. One diner got a cold cooked breakfast, with cool sausages and bacon and a plate holding only scrambled egg before being sent inside to a buffet, after ordering by QR code. Another found the food fine but expensive for what was offered, and felt some staff were rude and gave no apology when a problem was raised. One regular's closing detail is that props from the film The Roses are still on display.
Featured reviews
- Lukey portina
“Well, that's the coldest cooked breakfast I've ever had. Google says "mixed reviews" and usually I give the benefit of the doubt, but I wish I'd taken heed. The drinks were fine, the staff pleasant enough and the location is wonderful. We arrived and were asked if we could order via QR code. I really do hate the impersonal nature of this, but did it anyway and I understand reading the reviews (and responses) that we could have ordered directly, but that didn't seem an option at the time. I I ordered the full cooked breakfast and my wife the small vegetarian version. A few minutes later a staff member came out with two plates. On mine was literally scrambled egg. He told us that we needed to go inside where there was a buffet. Now, nothing against this, but why even bring out the plate at all. The breakfast sausages and bacon was cool and nowhere near hot and the quality of the food was poor also. Now, some people might ask why I didn't complain at the time, but I tend not to - I don't wish to make a scene and as far as I'm concerned the establishment should know how to put out hot food. My suggestion is if you are in the area then by all means stop off for a drink, look at the beautiful view but I wouldn't eat there.”
- Fabian Andre Sanchez
“The food was fine overall, although I found it a bit expensive for what was offered. Unfortunately, the main disappointment was the service. We found a hair in the salad and, when we brought it to the staff’s attention, they didn’t seem to know how to respond or handle the situation. What was most disappointing was that we didn’t even receive an apology. In addition, some of the staff came across as quite rude and not very welcoming. It’s a shame because the place itself has potential, but the customer service and the way issues are handled definitely need improvement.”
- Mitchell Davidson
“We have been visiting the Winking Prawn for a couple of years now. Typically we visit in the colder months when it is quieter, but it was fantastic to see how busy it was on Monday afternoon. The service staff are some of the most authentic people you will come across and have mastered the balance between providing food quickly whilst also engaging in pleasantries with their customers. A waitress who we often see when we visit, made our experience all the better once again by providing a very personable experience and discussed her plans to go inter-railing around Europe and visiting Australia, all whilst showing a valued interest in us as customers, our overall experience and was just genuinely interested in how our day was going. We have never had any issues with the food and they always hit it out the park. Normally we visit for lunch for a crab sandwich and prawn cocktail which are always delicious, but this time we went in the evening for a sea food boil which we were told was a relatively new menu item, but still just as incredible. I remember debating with my partner when we watched The Roses whether or not it was the Winking Prawn that was used to film on location and to our pleasant surprise when we last visited they still had props from the film on display as well as signage and leaflets that discussed the time filming there; in my opinion the perfect choice of location and the atmosphere represented in the film is very on par with what you experience at The Winking Prawn too. The Winking Prawn also do some very good quality merchandise which I bought a hoodie from, as well as other bits they have that make excellent birthday/xmas presents/keepsakes. Overall a delightful experience.”
- Tom
“Enjoyed some lunch and champagne! Very well located, beautiful views and great service.. however all let down with the toilet areas. Broken toilet rolls holder. Dirty sides/vanity. Shame as the restaurant and outside areas kept in good order. Service was vibrant and very young! Maybe an older member of staff who think to check the toilets once in a while!”
- Nikki
“Amazing location, lovely walk from Salcombe and stop at the beach and a bite to eat at the winking prawn. Perfect setting”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“We will be reopen 28th December 2025. So close to the beach you can have lunch in your swimsuit, the Winking Prawn sits just over the road from North Sands in Salcombe. Welcoming visitors for more than 25 years, our particular brand of shabby chic beach restaurant always buzzes with activity as people congregate for lunch, dinner and all the bits in between. The Winking Prawn is a family run and family friendly restaurant where we aim to offer something for everyone. It’s date night, evenings out with friends, family lunches, a bottle of our own locally brewed beer whilst looking out to sea or a catch up with your best friend over coffee. Check the website for current opening hours and offerings as these differ throughout the year”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegetarian options
- Bar onsite
- Casual
- Onsite services
- Offerings· 9
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 7
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Highlights· 4
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 1
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 3
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Parking