Sandside Cafe

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981 reviews

#1 of 3 Quick Bites in Sandsend£, Quick Bites, Cafe, British

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Hours

Sun

9:00 - 16:15

Mon

9:00 - 16:15

Tue

9:00 - 16:15

Wed

9:00 - 16:15

Thu

9:00 - 16:15

Fri

9:00 - 16:15

Sat

9:00 - 16:15

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

981 reviews

#1 of 3 Quick Bites in Sandsend

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Quick Bites, Cafe, British, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

“Best crab sandwiches”

“Fab salad, nice location”

“Some of us had crab, others stuck with the prawns, both equally delightful.”

“I had a delicious ham salad which was piled high on the plate and to my great...”

Location and contact

East Row, Sandsend, Whitby England

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Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?

Yes

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Details

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CUISINES

Cafe, British

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards, Waterfront, Dog Friendly

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4.5

981 reviews

Excellent

574

Very good

267

Average

Poor

Terrible

Mark T

Holymoorside615 contributions

Some of the best beach views.

Mar 2020 • couples

Probably the eatery with the best views in Sandsend. We only stopped in for a çuppa on a sunny but windy day. The log cabin effect chalet disguise hides a really cosy place with friendly and accommodating staff serving good honest and freshly prepared food. Some of the cakes looked amazing. It also hides some amazing views of the beach. Really stands out from the local competition.

Written 12 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve I

Durham24 contributions

New Year Celebration - part 1

Dec 2019 • couples

Arrived early afternoon, the views over the bay towards Whitby were beautiful.we had a brunch for me, bacon and egg sandwich and a prawn sandwich for my wife. Excellent food with a great view. Its dog friendly and even though we don't have a dog had no issues.

Written 3 January 2020

njlaway

Lancaster39 contributions

Excellent cafe with good food and efficient staff

Sept 2020 • family

Our family of four liked this cafe so much we went there 3 times. Well planned queuing and seating systems (outdoor and under cover) and efficient cleaning after each customer, so customers are protected as much as possible. The staff on each visit were very good and managed customer service with a polite and informative approach. We were informed each time the toilets were closed and were directed accordingly. The menu was straightforward with breakfast sandwiches and toasties available, along with the delicious crab sandwiches. We'd highly recommend the crab sandwiches as there's plenty of crab meat and the bread is great quality, presented well with side salad in a card box. It was good to have a range of tray bakes and cakes - the mars bar crunch and the rocky road are worth sampling. Drinks were as expected, the deluxe hot chocolate was excellent and it was nice to have bovril for a change! If you are in Sandsend and have the time to stop and watch the waves, it is worth stopping here for a drink - at least! We'll be back next time we are in Sandsend - thank you

Written 6 September 2020

CRN1995

Leeds31 contributions

Can't use toilet if sat outside!!!

Aug 2020 • couples

We visit this cafe every year on our seaside holiday to Whitby, walking from there to Sandsend and back. This time, myself, partner and dog queued to get in. We were directed to a table outside because we had a dog. The young waitress doing the signing in said in these exact words "If you want to use the toilet that's absolutely fine, but please ask a member of staff first as we will check that there is no-one else in there". Absolutely fine, we thought. As we were finishing our lunch, I asked a passing waitress (different to the one from earlier) if I could use the toilet please, but she said the toilets were not open today. I had noticed a sign up saying this too, but as the lady who let us in mentioned that they were okay to use, I was rather confused, so explained this. The waitress then went off to check and came back out with the manageress who said "is there a problem?" (I was a bit taken aback by this approach as I never asked for the manager and didn't have a 'problem' really, I just needed the toilet.) I then explained myself for the third time, as a paying customer, about what I was told on the way in about the toilet situation. The manageress said the toilets were only for customers sat inside due to Covid. What an absolutely ridiculous rule! There was no way we could have sat inside with the dog and this was NOT mentioned on our way in by the young waitress doing the signing in. This cafe obviously just want to get you in and get your money, but won't allow more than half of their customers to use the facilities. How can this place segregate those sat outside from those inside? There were elderly people, other dog walkers and children sat outside who I felt sorry for, should they ask to use them. We also noticed, that whilst queueing to get a table, we noticed a father approach the young waitress doing the signing in with his two teenage children. This was before we had gone in so we weren't paying close attention. However, after a couple of minutes, his teenage daughter then walked inside as he said 'thank you so much' to the waitress. It was clear she had gone in to use the toilets, as she returned within 5 minutes. Obviously, when this point was argued, the manageress denied this, even though we saw it and so did the couple behind us. It seems to be one rule for some and one rule for another here. So, it had gone from the first waitress saying the toilets were open, to the 2nd waitress who said they weren't open, to the manageress who said they were open but to customers sitting inside only! After 7 years of visiting this cafe on our seaside holidays, we will NOT be returning, even when things go back to normal. Extremely poor customer service and a completely ludicrous rule for those having to eat outside. Only giving 1 star as I can't give 0!

Written 23 August 2020

Wanderer24882563896

1 contribution

Customer Service 😞

May 2021 • family

Travelled from York today to visit Sandsend and get a crab sandwich- which we have done many times and alway throughly enjoyed it. Knowing they stopped serving food at 4pm we rushed and got here at 3.50 only to be told they would not serve us a sandwich only coffee. How disappointing! Maybe as a customer service tip you could consider sticking to the times advertised.

Written 7 June 2021

SJa104

Stockton-on-Tees29 contributions

Don't go here the management are ignorant and don't care what so ever about customer service

Nov 2021 • couples

This cafe advertises that it is open until 4.15. We entered the cafe at 3.25pm this afternoon and stood in a queue until just after 3.30pm. Just as the lady in front of me had finished being served and had paid for her food and refreshments including sandwiches, an older women who I recognised from their website as the owner came up to the young girl serving and looked at myself and the other four or five people in the queue and just said no more food. I was next to be served and asked for sandwiches and was told they had stopped serving food. I protested but I may as well been talking to the floor because there was no interest at all in what I was saying and the girl turned to serve the man behind me. Outside this pretentious establishment is a sign bemoaning a shortage of staff and asking customers to show respect to their staff who have turned up for work. Well Karen and Neil how about showing some respect for your customers first. It is clear that this establishment makes so much money that they don't care about letting their customers down. If you say you are open then serve your menu. Neil & Karen instead of bragging about what Conde Nast says about your crab sandwiches how about getting the basic of hospitality and customer service right as well as simple courtesy. I would know if Conde Nast are correct as I couldn't taste one due to your ignorant behaviour.

Written 7 November 2021

DiscerningLondoner69

11 contributions

Poor

Oct 2020 • none

Oh dear, I had been here a few times pre-Covid and it was great. Now, even taking into consideration the mandatory sanitising and social distancing etc, it’s extremely poor. You come into the outside seating area, are greeted and seated. Then, even though there is a greeter and waiting staff, you have to note your table number, put your mask on, get up, go out of the cafe to a window on the roadside, order food, collect drinks in takeaway cups, go back into the cafe, sit down, remove mask and a few minutes later your food is thrown at you in polystyrene containers. At breakfast, if you are vegetarian you may as well forget it. No toast, no tea cakes, no croissants or pastries - the veggie with me was offered a scone! A toasted cheese and pickle sandwich was ordered (I know, not breakfast but hunger dictates) which, when it arrived, wasn’t fit for a dog (see photo) and it was left untouched on the table. Needs a re-think, can do much better.

Written 6 October 2020

Gillian P

25 contributions

Lovely cafe taking every essential care

Sept 2020 • none

We had lunch at Sandside and were impressed by the care they have taken to ensure the safety of customers and staff. The food was lovely, as usual. Obviously the menu is limited from the normal wide range but there is a good choice. They do lovely ice-cream too. People need have no fears about going there. I would recommend it.

Written 9 September 2020

RichardPeters

77 contributions

Good food with great beachside location

Sept 2021 • none

We stopped here 3 times in a week for a bacon & egg roll & coffees. It enjoys a great location right in the beach and has some outdoor seating which were a real sun trap. Simple menu - traditional breakfast favourites and good looking range of cakes - all served with a smile and not overpriced. A little gem.

Written 19 September 2021

MattC78

Ilkeston12 contributions

OUTSTANDING CAFE AND SERVICE

Aug 2020 • couples

We called in here last week following our visit to Runswick Bay and we had the most delicious tuna sandwich ever, so fresh and tasty! It also came with salad and crisps in a box it was so nice to chill out and relax at this wonderful cafe. The staff were so nice and friendly too. Definitely worth a visit!

Written 9 August 2020

Ali u

Blackpool30 contributions

Stunning views

Aug 2021 • family

Stopped off at this lovely cafe after our walk along the beach from Whitby harbour. We sat at the back of the cafe behind glass screens, where there was comfy sofas and rattan furniture. We only had coffees as it was mid morning but one of the party had a tuna sandwich, served with a side salad and crisps which they really enjoyed. It was a lovely sunny day and sitting there overlooking the sea was really relaxing. Definitely worth a visit 😊

Written 7 August 2021

Yorkshiregirl29

East Riding of Yorkshire351 contributions

Seaside Cafe

Sept 2022 • none

We were walking on the beach from Whitby on a beautiful Sunday morning late September and decided to walk down to Sandsend and the Sandside café. We sat outside enjoying a large latte, regular hot chocolate and shared a caramel shortbread it was all tasty and good value for around £9. Staff were very pleasant. We stopped again after a walk round Mulgrave Woods to warm up after getting caught in a rain shower.

Written 10 October 2022

yorkshirelass12125

Bingley20 contributions

Terrible experience!

Jun 2021 • none

Just been really upset by the front of house woman at this place! She was SO rude! Firstly she asked if I had a mask to which I replied I was exempt as I have asthma and suffer badly. She then huffed and looked the other way. Then She asked me if I’d been vaccinated! What has that got to do with her? You have to queue at a window for food instead of the staff taking orders therefore there was a long slow queue. We were told that only one person could go up to order. Rubbish system. The window should be for takeaways. The woman showed us to a table and we asked the young girl clearing the tables if we could possibly sit at a empty table near the window and she was so scared looking and had to ask the woman who’d spoken to us earlier as she obviously wasn’t “allowed “ to make a decision on her own. We were then told to stand away until the table was cleaned! We were told the toilets were closed due to COVID! Funny how non of the other cafes and restaurants’ toilets in and around Whitby were closed! Avoid like the plague! I was nearly in tears due to the treatment of this woman! So we left without ordering. Nice treatment after first break in over a year! I don’t expect to be spoken to and treated like that at the age of 54!

Written 12 June 2021

Roger B

Huddersfield332 contributions

Worst Coffee on Earth

Mar 2022 • none

We were served the worst coffee we have ever tasted, lukewarm, tasteless and overpriced. Not on our own either as the table next to us sent theirs back, we weren't brave enough so just left the stuff never to return. Something must have changed here as it used to be reasonable but the staff clearly need training in drinks preparation and customer service.

Written 31 March 2022

Gill Rodgers

16 contributions

Very disappointed

Jun 2021 • couples

We visited the restaurant/cafe a couple of days ago and we're very disappointed. There were no Covid cleanliness precautions in place, as the the staff did not wipe/sterelise tables and arms of chairs before new guests sat down. Everything was very lax. The meal (toasted sandwiches) were not worth the money and the garnish was poor. The wait for food (one of us had to queue to give the order) was too long. Not up to scratch.

Written 22 June 2021

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