The Pelican Cafe in Torbay - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Absolutely disgusting, half cooked chips , a massive wait , very inexperienced staff . All ended up in the bin Shocking 🤮

Utter, unequivocal, undiluted rubbish. Tiny portions - High price. So not bother going! £21 for what we got, it was utter rubbish and I’m afraid to say it seemed to be operated by dumb and dumber…

One of the mushiest burgers I’ve ever seen. Could not finish it.

Best chips we've had in a really long time! 😋

The food is absolutely delicious, good portions, the service is excellent, with very friendly, charming staff, where nothing is too much trouble, with the added bonus of the harbour side view, I highly recommended this place.

PLEASE Save yourself a trip!!!!! Place is run down, the place couldn’t run a bath the organisation is horrendous and food is poor quantity. If you fancy a laugh just walk in 🤣🤣

Recent visit to Paignton and found this cafe for a portion of chips £2.35!! Tasty and served with a friendly smile from the young lad cooking and serving, we walked along the seafront and found chips were double this price for a small portion. Didn’t try anything else as we had dinner booked at our hotel.

Health and Hygiene should look into this place.... It's full of dirty unused fridges etc, the whole place needs infumigating. Filthy floors tables and chairs, glass cabinet displays covered in dust. Every thing about it is dirty The staff looked as dirty as the cafe. The toilet Oh my god... How can people who sell food be this gross and get away with it. Keep well away!! PS. I see the owner, who can't spell has told me the cafe now has 4 stars.... As we visited a couple of years ago why has it taken all this time to reply. Your scoring is low, your cafe was dirty, your toilets were disgusting. If the council has supposedly given you 4 stars, let's hope there the ones to eat in your hovel.... Everyone else... Keep away

owner had gangrene on her feet dirty aprons underage children working on fryers the place smelt of bleach and year old fat cooking everything guy/girl with tattoos vaping in the kitchen

Had a fishcake bap with bbq sauce & lettuce back in June at Torbay Airshow staff was so helpful & very friendly the fish cake bap was absolutely stunning definitely be visiting here again

The food was vile, the service terrible, the manners off the staff appalling and if you look at the accommodation above you would never eat there again. Needs condeming.

Very long wait for a portion of chips and it wasn’t busy at all. Not great customer service from the very young boys serving- just seemed inexperienced. Chips were average and I also got given a whole potato! Overall, the place just seemed a bit rundown and not a very inviting atmosohere.

Can't fault this cafe chips cooked to order and fish good hot food and the best whippy ice creams at a good price joy is friendly and happy to help young lads working there also very helpful and friendly we used more than once whilst on holiday here plus side wheelchair acsessable don't understand negative reviews food is cooked fresh for you not sitting in oil drying up thank you joy and your lovely staff

Food took ages and was soggy. The portion of fish was also very small.

Gross place, only gave them the 1 star because I had to for the review. Waiting times atrocious and the service diabolical. Rude staff, particularly the lady in charge. Won't return again and wouldn't recommend

Wait was well over half an hour, wasn't even busy. People that ordered before me had an even longer wait and in end demanded half their money back as only took half their order. Food finally came out cold, the lad behind the counter didn't have a scooby about what he was doing. Worse place I've ever eaten. No toilets available had to use public toilets across the road opposite and be charged 30p to use, resturants/cars serving sit down food at tables should have customer toilets this was not good enough. Avoid this place really not worth the money or the hassle.

Went here in a party of 4. 2 got their food and 2 were left waiting for 40 minutes before asking for their money back - Of the 2 that ate, 1 became ill the next day. Avoid at all costs.

Waited 15 mins for fish cake and savaloy.. Was something from scene from faulty towers, no idea what they were doing or who ordered what. After taste from the fishcake with way over used cooking oil will probably last til end of summer now. 🙄

Absolute joke of a place. Young kids serving. Obviously inexperienced. Waited 25 mins from order to collection of a takeaway. Lots of other disgruntled customers who had been waiting even longer..once eventually had food .. wasn't worth the wait

On holiday on my own I dred eating out but when I came across the Pelican I felt quite at ease the 3 young men couldn't have done enough the chicken burger was the best I'd had for years and the chips were lovely. Thank you.

Lol - an experience. Hope I don't wake up with webbed feet tomorrow

This is a lovely chippy.. the staff are great..proper fish and chips

Inexpensive but surprisingly good fish and chips

My partner and I shared a portion of fish and chips and they were perfectly happy for us to have a spare plate. We were told the fish would be 4 or 5 minutes which was absolutely fine. Meanwhile both staff members were chatty with us and anyone who joined in. We liked the feel, the food was hot, the staff were professional, the cod flaked. We'll go back, thanks to the 2 of you working Tuesday lunchtime!

Visited the Pelican Cafe on three occasions whilst on holiday in Paignton last week. I was very satisfied with the service and the quality of the food. The fish and chips were lovely, good size portions and cooked fresh. Prices were similar to any fish and chip shop nowadays. Will visit again without a doubt on my next visit to Paignton later this year. Recommended.

Stopped in today as fiance wanted some chips, were far from disappointed. Service from all 3 staff was exceptional! Nothing was too much trouble, chef was present & talked through all options. Delicious, accommodating, politeness personified - highly recommended - looking forward to returning. Thank you all!

Never again. Unprofessional staff. Poor service. Small portions.

Breakfast very poor and waited 50min , nice people though

Best fish n chips in ages, and the best mushy peas ever

Went for breakfast (they're now opening 8am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Excellent food, polite friendly service and very clean. Good value, would definitely recommend

Proper fish and chips.. not rushed.. full of flavour 😋 👌

Tiny portion of fish at weekends when tourists are here half the size of normal fish shriveled up in a quarter size square box. Miserable staff

Should've read the reviews first! Went here 5 years ago and it's massively gone down hill. Looked scruffy and in need of a good clean. The food was terrible, worst fish and chips I've ever had. The fish smelt past it's best and tasted funny. Managed to get a refund for mine, but the kids had already thrown theirs in the bin. Such a shame because it's in a prime spot overlooking the harbour.

Run by complete gonks that haven't got a clue... Service shocking and food is worse... Do Paignton a favour and close the dump

went there last night for sausage and chips had to wait 40 mins and the chips were not worth eating and cost more then other places, never again avoid if possible, better off going to nikki's in the main street

Absolutely disgusting. Two 15 year old boys were left in charge of the shop. Food hygiene practice non existent. Sloppy service. They boys are more concerned about smoking their e-cigarettes. They were whispering amongst themselves and laughing once they served the slop which was supposed to be fish and chips . You get what you pay for I guess. Looks like a place with rodents. Never again will I go there.

Best chips we have had all holiday

A place to avoid! Popped in because it had a nice view over the harbour but I wish I hadn't. The tables were disguising, the napkins were dirty and the place looks like it needed a bit of attention. The staff were constantly swearing at each other and one of them even walked out. I think the young lads were embarrassed of the food they were having to serve. A cheese and tomato toastie was a sandwich put under the grill so the top was burned and the inside, raw and unmelted. After returning it, the lady looked like she was going to slap us. No concept of bringing the food out together. We received the milkshake after we had finished the fish and chips. We then got the omelette after everyone else had finished. Quite honestly the worst place I've ever eaten.

Hardly open maybe for fish and chips. Use to go there for years and now it has gone down. Open all hours when they feel like opening.

Fish cooked really good, nice and moist batter really nice, had fish& chips two days running, will visit again next time in town

If I could have given a minus star I would have. Oh my, the worst fish and chips we have had, it was very expensive, 2 adults and a child came to nearly £25, portions for the adults were the same size as the childs, husband ordered large chips certainly didn't get that. Tables were sticky, chairs were shot (I ripped a hole in my trousers getting up!) Fish was bland and tasteless. Staff were miserable. The whole place needs attention. We won't be going back, I would suggest avoid and find somewhere else in town!

Ordered 4 breakfast for under £6 each very tasty and well cooked complete with toast jam.

Ate there this afternoon the food was very average my grandchildren had cheesey chips I don’t know where they got the cheese from but it was vile ,my wife had sausage and chips the sausage was under cooked and I had pie and chips which was passable but the service was shocking we were halfway through it before they managed to bring cutlery which the woman had clenched in her fist with no napkin round it, I asked several times for cutlery to which she replied she was getting it even though I watched her on her phone my granddaughter later told me she left hers because she found hairs in her chips,the place looked like it needed a clean,never again.

Great chippy, always happy to please. Asked for scraps but they'd just opened so offered to make me some! Chips and beans with scraps and lashings of salt and vinegar.. brilliant.

Three stars seem about right. Jumbo sausages v ordinary, but tea in a cardboard cup oddly excellent. Service and prices so so, but it was functional food by the harbour. Outside seating useful.

A small cafe right on the promenade with lovely views across the bay. Very busy but plenty of staff to serve. We a only had coffee, a little on the pricey side but I guess that's to be expected given the location.

Tiny / Stingey ice cream servings.

Wouldn’t eat these again even if I were paid. Seems dirty inside. Staff are bordering on rude. Expensive for what you get. Avoid at all costs!

Do not even step inside this place!!! Its disgusting!! Filthy dirty the fish and chips were not fit for human consumption!! This place should be closed ASAP before someone gets realy ill or even worse.... Dies

The food was cold and manky waited 20 mins so expensive and the employees really rude got my order all wrong it was gross

Delicious fresh fish and tasty chips best fish chip shop in Paignton

Great fish and chips, best we have had in Paignton. Fish was fresh, flakey and full of flavor, the chips were nice a crispy too. As to the negative reviews on here, if they're true then the place has really improved. Can't fault them at all, will definitely be back 10/10.

Cooked from fresh, friendly staff and good portion

Restaurant closed to Covid-19 regulations so my girl friend and l had a fish and chip take away supper with a hot and cold drink each- superb it was, sat eating it over the beach- highly recommend.

Best chips I’ve ever had. Going back for more tomorrow! Great service. Freshly cooked food. Reasonable price.

The first night we arrived we wanted fish and chips and apart from schoffes this is the only other chip shop open.Being a big family of 9, the girl who served us did struggle but it didn't bother us, the food was beautiful i would recommend the gravy, proper thick chip shop gravy and the price for the food was nothing. This is a takeaway cafe only due to Covid, but we just sat down around the harbour.

Takeaway chips after a walk round the harbour. Waited 20 minutes - got to be a bit of a laugh with the family really how long they were taking. Chips barely cooked but hot when they finally arrived.

After a few hours on the beach today, our first pre lockdown experience we wandered through the arch and into the harbour. Starved and with 2 small children we set straight on the Pelican Cafe. With all the social distancing in place we were unable to enter the small cafe but after a brief chat with a slightly rude.. I’mGuessing the proprietor of the establishment we were passed over to a friendly young lady. She happily took our order, told us how long and when it came toBoxing up the meals to eat she took it upon herself to note we had twoVery young children and offered to split a meal down for them both in 2 boxes. That was much appreciated and if this review was based alone on this young lady it would be a glowing 5 stars. Onto the food. This was plentiful and very hot, steaming and cooked to order. 2 portions of cod and chips and 2 sausages and chips. £16 or roundabouts. Not bad Value at all. The chips were hot, salty and really rather enjoyable, my 2 year old boy who is a fussy littleEaster was ploughing them back. The sausages were good said my 4 year old who ate the lot. The cod was probably a bit of a let down, thought tasting fresh and white and flaky, the batter was a bit wet and without crunch but the flavour was there. Ive just read though pages of awful reviews and wander if I’ve been to the same place. Maybe our server today was difference

Disgusting and filthy dirty anyone who goes in here must be mad - nothing is clean at all Never again

I'm surprised they are still trading. We've been going to Paignton for years and its always been same. We went once and never again. The food is not great, owners are scruffy so God knows what the hygiene actually is like. They own the flat upstairs and that looks dirty and horrible, just look up!

It's like a trip back in time but not for all the right reasons.

Dirty slow service poor food really gone down from what it used to be

Worst chips I've had since chinese takeaway in 1970s, tasted like rancid oil, barely cooked, fishcake barely edible, chips went in bin. Dead flowers on tables lacking water, clearly too busy with one whole customer. Hair hanging over food prep, although we see that nearly everywhere these days. Never going there again and will tell friends.

It's not very clean in there,dead flowers on the tables with old smelly water in them, surfaces not very clean, didn't notice till after we'd ordered our food😢

Nice little fish and chip shop. Fish was very freshly cooked, of a good size and reasonably priced. Chips were nice, good portion size and tasty. Only downside is the toilet, clean but very small in size cannot swing a cat in there!

Bon restaurant de quartier. Demandé les frites sans sel parce que la morue est très salée

Rather a disappointing portion of Cod bearing in mind it's location. Very basic cafe and no ketchup or brown sauce on the table or offered.

This place is awful. Whilst waiting for the chips, I noticed cobwebs, dead flies, dripping stuff of surfaces and sticky tables. The chips have been fried way more than once. The owners look scruffy and unkept. I was looking for the food hygiene rating and couldn’t see it. From checking they have a rating of one. Please ignore the good reviews left by people, the council can’t be that wrong and they see more than us visitors. The best part is the guy cooking and touching your food has string instead of a belt ( not joking) and is failing as half his a**e is showing!

Food was OK even if it was cooked fresh, The place was dark, disorganised and cleanliness isn't top priority!

Came in the evening having walked off our fish and chips from Paignton pier. Ordered a Belgian waffle and chocolate ice cream milkshake after a few attempts to find a product they had in stock. Amazing prices until you see the 1 star from food hygiene standards agency. Our table had sticky patches. My wife didn't enjoy the warm waffle, but the ice cream milkshake seemed OK. I recommend ordering takeaway, asking if the oil is fresh today and checking your order before paying. The lavatory was functional, but I had to squeeze past as the family were sat across the back tables. There was an odour coming from someone nearby, a customer I hope. It appears the owners do not take pride in a consistent experience for customers. If it were me, I would refurbish, reduce opening hours, increase prices and serve a smaller menu of things where freshness, quality and speed of service can be maintained.

We thought we'd nip in here for a quick bite to eat but that turned out to be a huge problem. After ordering and waiting 20 minutes, we had to ask for our drinks to be served and then one pot of tea was missing. The response from the young waitress was, "it wasn't on the order." We explained that we had asked for it but she wasn't shifting her response. As we were now in more of a hurry, we said we'd go without it. Ten minutes later, the food arrived. It was all right but nothing to get excited about. Over cooked and unceremoniously dumped on the table.Don't bother coming here. Go next door to the Harbour Tea Rooms. We should have.

It wasn't busy but still had to wait 40 mins for takeaway hotdogs and chips, terrible service and the food wasn't much better.

Absolutely disgusting dirty place water dripping over everything a child behind the counter picking his nose and eating it ...

Cute girls and fish n chips what more could you want

ordered 2 x cod and chips which were prepared to order and arrived, hot, well cooked and with a small garnish. very tasty and not bad for end of the afternoon service. Pleasant helpful staff.

Been here a few times to eat and food is always beautifully cooked to order. Highly recommend to anyone who wants decent good at fair prices.

The food was superb. The fish was cooked to order and was done to perfection. Combine that with very reasonable prices and a fantastic setting and you have a great dining experience. Highly recommended.

They took along time to make breakfast and when it came it was warm and not enjoyable at all.not really a friendly place no welcome.wont be visiting ever again.

Ice cream tasted fowl .staff dirty and dirty feet .ignorant , will never eat here.I got a refund .place looks like it needs a good clean would not recommend to anyone

Poor service. No ability to pay on card. Wouldn't allow takeaway children's menu. Ran out of fish fingers.

Scones with jam and cream were absolutely lovely. Arrived warm with plenty of fresh cream. Staff was polite and attentive to cleanliness.

Awful service and staff swearing behind the till, completely messed up the order on my last visit. Chips are ok, but wouldn’t risk the mess up again & poor quality of what we eventually received (which had deteriorated since the last time we ate there). Used to be a favorite but kids were so disappointed.

Stopped here for a quick lunch, wish we had gone to the tea room next door but thought they were only doing afternoon tea. Pelican cafe dirty and the lady doing the cooking had sandals on showing her very dirty feet. Toilets unclean and food was not at all what we were expecting. Try somewhere else as not cheap either.

The chips were nice, however this was spoiled by the hair found in them! Owners need to be telling their staff their hair must be tied back at all times when dealing with food! Oh and a smile during service wouldn't go a miss.

Absolutely disgusting! I am not normally one to complain or leave reviews. But on this occasion it was just too bad not to! The member of staff that served me looked as though she had never heard of food hygiene and the food...OMG! I ordered cheesy chips. The chips tasted like they had been cooked in oil that hadn't been changed for years and I had two mouthfuls before I realised that the cheese was covered in mould! Suffice to say, these went straight in the bin. I Will NEVER get food from there again. Appalling. Avoid at all costs people.

Absolutely vile! Could taste the old fat on the chips, half the chips were still solid and the bottle of Pepsi brought from there runs out of date today! ... not to mention how dirty the place was!

Wish I hadn’t bothered!!! Brought 4 portions of chips to take away then when I asked to use their loo got told no!! It was for eat in customers only???? 😫

Very nice place should go there fresh food happy staff all way willing to help cant wait to go back this year

The grottiest cafe I've ever been in and the coffee was awful. Wouldn't eat there or go again if you paid me.

Went in there today, Ordered a portion of chips and curry sauce, Chips were undercooked, Black and bruised, Oil smelled old, Curry sauce was like water and had barely no taste.. Staff member standing there eating a donut, Upon finishing the donut fingers were well and truly licked clean of sugar, then without washing hands proceeded to handle cakes and cups..... Eeeeeew

Good food and and a great place to eat and good staff

Had two portions of the most gorgeous chips ever. Freshly cooked and from reel potatoes. Not frozen per bought ones. Excellent. 😁😁😁

Don't bother eating here, terrible! Just terrible!

Great food and it was cook to order

Rushed food, resulting in some very over cooked and some not cooked enough, mixed results with this one.

Went here for a takeaway with my family upon arrival it took over 20 mins to order as staff didn’t know how to use the till. Chips were cooked that well they were black, swimming in grease as by the time we got home the boxes were collapsing. General appearance of the premises was grubby and staff cleanliness didn’t appear to be better. Hygiene a definite issue. Don’t go here my son was ill, food over cooked.

We came in her serviced by a scruffy older woman chips clearly not changed the oil what a complete bump and it’s bean here for years

Had fish and chips here a couple of weeks ago,terrible wouldn't go there again

The wretched creature who served me followed me outside to sit and chain smoke foreign cigarettes, can’t comment on the food as all I could taste was cigarette smoke, she looked like one of the inbred mutants from the hills have eyes though

First thing to note this chippy cooks everything to order, even the chips seem to be cooked one portion at a time. It took 25 minutes to get mine. When I got them they were excellent though. During my long wait I wondered whether I had gone back in time as everything about the place seemed to be stuck in a bygone era from the menu board to the Formica tables but most particularly the customer service. Plus the staff seemed to be from a 70's sitcom, there were loads of them, more kept appearing from the back each one more disheveled and grumpier than their predecessor and all confusing each other. I found the whole experience highly entertaining and the chips were really good and very cheap. If you have a relative with dementia they would probably love it - just like being back in the good old days .