The Castaway Cafe - North Devon

The most disgusting fish and chips we have ever had. The piece of fish was so small, I've had bigger fish finger. So little fish in awful hard batter. The only recommendation I have is don't buy food from here.

I rarely write reviews, but this visit tipped me over the edge. Today we had the misfortune to end up in this place. Ordered two bacon rolls with coffee, the rolls arrived after a while, no sign of the coffee. I opened the roll to see slimy cheap fried streaky bacon at least 50% fat. By the time I’d cut the fat off there was little bacon in a cheap roll. Still no sign of the coffee, so eventually we chased it up and it arrived a while later. Pointed out the mountain of fat on the plate to the waitress, who just looked blankly at us and walked away without saying anything. As we left we had to wait behind someone else also complaining about their food, and left the plate of fat on the counter saying it was unacceptable. Chap behind the till muttered “sorry ‘bout that” without looking up. Disgusting food, toilet needed a good clean. Not a chance I’ll ever set foot in this place again. I guess it’s target customer are tourists who they can catch once they certainly don’t deserve any return trade.

Visited for morning breakfast to sit outside in the sun. Wanted to go opposite to The terrace cafe but it was closed. Castaway cafe, now called Tides in&out was our only option. Table outside were dirty, had to unstuck chairs to be able to sit, bread crumbs cleaned with our own tissues. Dirty menus was the first red flag! Cooked breakfast for almost £10 with undone mushrooms, disgusting sausages, not proper done egg, toast without butter. Had to go and ask for some. Cold out of fridge was given to us then. No Ofer of any sauces or salt and pepper. Found pouch of tomato sauce and pepper on next table. Dirty pepper pot as well. Coffee was okay, not the best but not the worst. ORANGE JUICE… please don’t bother. The cheapest quality I ever taste. Please mind, we are not fussy eaters and we are always polite but this was too much so thought I will share our experience and warn others. Asked to change our orange juices as I thought they were old but new given to us were exactly the same. Food and hygiene check/visit is definitely in NEED.

We visited this establishment, now known as Tides in and Out, twice last summer and loved the food. However we've tried twice this week and been turned away both times. First time was Sat 26th June 2021 at 4.45pm having just driven for 7 1/2hrs, and was told they were closed. All signs were outside still and doors open to both takeaway cafe!!! Who closes a chippy at 4.45pm at a seaside resort on a Saturday afternoon??!!! 2nd attempt was today 1st July at 1 30pm, was told cafe weren't seating any more tables, but given no timefrane, so went round to takeaway kiosk but also told not taking any food orders there either! We ended up across the road at a lovely cafe, where we then watched as 5 people, 2 different parties, were subsequently seated and orders for food taken. Not going to bother again!!!!

Love this place! Has lovely food on offer and really amazing coffee and tea! Staff are heavenly and so friendly. Highly recommend!