A PLACE WORTH KNOWING
A sandy-footed lunch at North Sands
A cheerful beachside café-restaurant with seafood, cream teas and a garden just across the road from North Sands.
Some places make a beach day easy to organise, and The Winking Prawn is one of them. North Sands sits just across the road, so a morning on the beach can turn naturally into lunch, an ice cream or a warming pot of tea. Inside, the dining room has a bright seaside feel; outside, garden and deck seating provide space to stretch the visit, with part of the area covered for less reliable weather. The kitchen’s range runs from sandwiches and salads to seafood platters and popcorn shrimp, leaving room for an unhurried cream tea later.
There is a film connection to look out for, too. The restaurant was transformed into “We’ve Got Crabs” for The Roses (2025), starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. It became the seaside café run by Colman’s character, Ivy Rose. This is the newer adaptation of The War of the Roses, filmed here in 2024, with Salcombe and North Sands also appearing on screen.
Plan around the season’s actual service hours, and treat summer barbecue evenings as a seasonal extra.
The lovely little details
- Beside North Sands beach.
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- Open year-round with seasonal service hours.
SOMETHING TO LOOK OUT FOR
Recognise it from The Roses?
The Winking Prawn played “We’ve Got Crabs”, Ivy Rose’s seaside café in the 2025 film. Pair a visit with a wander on North Sands, another of the film’s locations.
From the venueTHE USEFUL LITTLE DETAILS
Make a little plan.
Getting there
The council car park is immediately beside the venue. The beach is across the road; check parking availability before relying on a space at busy times.
Before you set off
Breakfast and lunch are offered without reservations. Check the website or call 01548 842326 for current evening service and booking arrangements.
Shelter
Choose the indoor restaurant or the garden and deck, part of which is covered by a marquee.
Check the detailsFood choices
Vegan and vegetarian options are available alongside the seafood and café dishes.
Check the detailsSeasonal evenings
The barbecue is advertised for summer. Check current evening menus before travelling specifically for it.
Check the detailsOpening hours
The business operates throughout the year, with hours varying by season.
Check the detailsDetails checked 24 October 2026. Opening times, menus and access arrangements can change; confirm anything essential directly before travelling.
About this feature & our sources
This is an editorial discovery, researched from the venue’s own information and any visitor sources linked here. It is not a paid partnership or a first-hand review. Individual visitor tips reflect that person’s experience; they are not a live rating or a promise about your visit.
- The Winking Prawn · menus and service information ↗
- The Winking Prawn · venue and visiting ↗
- The Winking Prawn · contact and address ↗
- Film Devon · The Roses filming in Salcombe ↗
- Visit South Devon · the restaurant as We’ve Got Crabs ↗
Each photo has its own source and credit in the gallery. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
