Guide to Salcombe restaurants and pubs

Salcombe is a small town on the South Devon coast that is famous for its natural beauty, including golden beaches, turquoise waters and lush green hills. As well as being a popular destination for sailing and water sports, Salcombe is a foodie hotspot, and its fresh crab is so revered that the town throws an annual festival each May to celebrate it – Crabfest. Salcombe is also home to a gin distillery, a brewery and a rum company.

Salcombe has a wide range of restaurants, cafes and pubs where you can relax, perhaps after a walk along the water’s edge or a day spent at one of the town’s popular attractions. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to eat to help you decide where to treat yourself to a delicious meal.

If you fancy a holiday in Salcombe, whether it’s a romantic getaway or a break with friends and family, we have the perfect cottage for you. You can browse our collection of Salcombe cottages by clicking the button below.

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• Pubs in Salcombe
• Restaurants in Salcombe
• Salcombe places to eat with a view
• Seafood restaurants in Salcombe

Pubs in Salcombe

Salcombe is not without its fair share of pubs. Here we’ve detailed a few of our favourite finds...

Victoria Inn

Photo credit: Victoria Inn

This popular, family-friendly pub, owned by St Austell Brewery, is situated just a short walk from the banks of the Kingsbridge Estuary. Inside the Victoria Inn, you’ll find a relaxed and cosy atmosphere with a roaring log fire in the winter months. Outside, you can enjoy a peaceful meal or just drinks in the large garden. There’s plenty of seafood on the day and evening menus, and there are also options for vegetarians and vegans.

The Fortescue Inn

The Fortescue is located near the seafront and offers traditional food such as pizzas, burgers and fish and chips, all cooked to order and using locally sourced ingredients where possible. There’s a specials board which changes daily and a selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. There’s also a kids’ menu. 

Boatswains at The Kings Arms

The Kings Arms is a historic, Grade II-listed building where local seafood and pub classics from macaroni cheese to ribs and wings are served. At lunchtime, there’s a range of sandwiches and salads on offer – including crab, of course! A daily specials board is also available at lunch and dinner. 

Restaurants in Salcombe

There are lots of lovely restaurants in Salcombe, here are a couple of our recommended spots.

Primo Pizzeria

Primo is all about pizza, cocktails and sunsets! Their pizzas take inspiration from Neapolitan traditions, but if you need to switch to vegan cheese alternatives or a gluten-free base, it’s no problemo. You can even choose a special dip for your crusts. If it’s a nice day, you can enjoy your meal on the large sun terrace. 

Bo’s Beach Cafe

Photo credit: Bo's Beach Cafe

This family-owned cafe bar is situated in the old RNLI Lifeboat House on South Sands Beach. With uninterrupted beach views, Bo’s is renowned for its pizzas, which are served on set pizza nights, but also offers sandwiches, cakes, salads and ice creams. When you’re done eating (or more sensibly, before you eat) you can hire kayaks and explore some of the more remote beaches in the area.

The Wardroom

This small, waterfront restaurant was the eatery of choice for “Ginger Spice” when she and her family were in town a couple of years ago – they reportedly ordered the crab linguini and moules mariniere. Also on the menu are fajitas, burgers and salads. With stunning views across the estuary, we could have included The Wardroom in the next category.

Salcombe places to eat with a view

These Salcombe restaurants provide a delightful dining experience, combining exquisite cuisine with breathtaking views of the South Devon coast.

Dick and Wills Waterside Grill and Bar

For a sophisticated food and drink experience overlooking the water – perhaps to celebrate a special occasion or enjoy a romantic meal – try Dick and Wills. The menu is altered daily and features fresh seafood including Salcombe crab and lobster, locally sourced chargrilled steaks, and homemade burgers including a mushroom burger. A children’s menu is also available.

The Ferry Inn

Photo credit: The Ferry Inn

The Ferry Inn is Salcombe’s oldest pub, dating from 1739, and its most famous pub – some people even call it iconic. It has a large beer garden with fantastic views across the estuary and plenty of seating, making it the perfect place to sit and enjoy that holiday feeling. The menu features hearty pub classics such as hunter’s chicken and homemade burgers. The catch of the day can be found on the specials board.

The Jetty at Harbour Hotel Salcombe

The Jetty is a seafood restaurant and bar located within the Harbour Hotel Salcombe – so we could have put it in the category below, but it has panoramic views over the estuary. It serves British classics such as Sunday roasts and afternoon tea, as well as South West oysters, South Devon scallops and Salcombe lobster. There is also a children’s menu. The dress code is smart casual.

Seafood restaurants in Salcombe

Like any Devon coastal town worth its salt and vinegar, there are lots of ways to enjoy fish and chips in Salcombe. Here are a couple of our recommended spots.

Crab Shed Salcombe

Photo credit: Crab Shed

Crab Shed is a vibrant seafood restaurant overlooking the harbour, serving the finest and freshest fish and shellfish. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and pre-booking is essential. Its speciality is 100% handpicked local crab meat, which you can eat in the restaurant or order for collection between 11am and 5pm. For vegetarians, there’s linguine or gnocchi.

The Winking Prawn

This fabulously named, family-friendly beach cafe and BBQ is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s so relaxed, you can eat in your swimsuit if you don’t want to get changed! The daytime menu has a range of salads, fishy dishes and sandwiches. The evening menu features plenty of seafood, and mains are served with fries and vegetables or salad. 

Map of places to eat in Salcombe

Find all of the above Salcombe restaurants and pubs with the help of our handy map below.

Stay with us in Salcombe

We hope we have inspired your next trip to the South Devon coast. For more inspiration on eating out, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Devon. Whether you are travelling with your partner, family or friends, we have holiday accommodation in Salcombe to suit the occasion. Browse our collection of properties for your Salcombe holiday by clicking the button below.