The Sands Cafe Carbis Bay in Cornwall, Isles of Scilly

Was nice to be able to stop and have a light bite after visiting Carbis Bay beach for the afternoon. A bacon sandwich each, beer and an ice cream, with a seating and a stunning view, can't complain.

Sadly cannot recommend - chips were fine, but have had better and tiny portion for the money. Same with coffee (Nesspresso in a high price establishment?!). The main issue was my small cup arrived covered in dust as if it hadn’t been used in two years! Music is cheap supermarket cover CD, which leads to a good metaphor for the venue - Lidl quality at M&S prices. Worth carrying on around the coastal walk to Porthminster.

We stopped by here whilst walking the south west coast walk. The beach is great and this new build cafe/iceceam building is in a great location right on the beach with some great views. The icecream was great and large, but also a bit on the expensive side.

Ordered a panini from the lower deck below owned by Carbis. If I’d known if was going to be 45 minutes I wouldn’t have bothered. (This is a beach shack type place). The night before we had pizza - BAD too for the same reasons as the other reviews.

Carbis Bay is a gorgeous beach although extremely busy as you would expect. However, the really disappointing thing was the beach cafe. It was horrendously expensive. I bought a hot dog from the BBQ section and it cost £6.50. When I gave it to my daughter I realised it was completely raw and freezing cold in the middle. When I took it back the server didn't apologise but acted like this had happened before. The chef didn't look like he knew what he was doing and I could definitely do better- it's a BBQ for goodness sake not Michelin star- not sure how you can serve a raw sausage! I would recommend visiting this beach during the late afternoon/ early evening and also take a picnic. Alternatively, go to St Ives Bay next door where prices are a bit more reasonable and the beach is just as nice.

Visited 15 April 2017 1pm Spoke to waitress who said vey busy and food would be 30mins from order. Ok. Put in order and 1 hr later still not arrived. Just about to leave and food turned up. The difference between adult portions and childrens portion was pretty much the same but twice the price. Waitress was disinterested when questioned portion sizes. Waitress was pretty disinterested for the whole meal. We don't mind waiting if we know its going to be 30 mins or 60 mins then tell us but its frustrating with 3 children being told 30 mins and then chasing them at 45 mins and then still waiting at 60mins is beyond fun and enjoyable. Children were getting really fed up as were their parents. The food was cooked ok - but small portions for the cost and marginal in what it had on the plate ie no peas/carrots just a few salad leaves. Eating out is meant to be enjoyable - This was not and I would not re-vist.

abnoxious lady told us restaurant is full and we were given alernative dining venue at the beach club. we somehow got lost due to the heavy rain and dark evening only to land ourselves at the side entrance of sands restaurant. the resturant is not fully booked as suggested. misrepresentations like that is not pleasant for guest from overseas. i hope this never happens to anyone with an intent to dine here. don't expect impeccable service from the restaurant crew, needless to say smiles from waitresses. seriously - i will recommend training for these frontliners. to be in the hospitalitabity and service industry means being professional with guests and ensuring that service standards are met. i wouldn't bother writing this if the chefs and not dishing out decent food.

There is limited choice on the beach and therefore this place is busy due to its great location. Service is some of the worst I have seen for a long time. Our Italian waiter advised there was no beer available we said what is that on the bar then and he said oh well I don't drink so don't know. Service is slow the food is small and expensive and I would not recommend this place for anything other than a drink.

Visited yesterday, what a fantastic location The Sands has, and it promised so much, sadly this feeling didn't last long, having chosen our seats outside to maximise the view. The waiter a young Italian guy came across my partner ordered a Large Chardonnay and I enquired about the bitter they had on sale, he ran through the lagers on offer, I tried to be a little clearer and asked if they had any Cornish Ales, he advised that they didn't sell anything other than the aforementioned lagers, at this point my partner mentioned that she could see a bar pull through the window that said IPA, he then mentioned that he wasn't aware of this, I therefore went inside myself and indeed they did serve IPA, this really did show a lack of interest on the part of the waiter and a lack of training from the Cafe owners, the same waiter was later heard to say that "this is not what I came here for, I don't like this it's full of kids and dogs". I came away feeling that this is a huge missed opportunity by the management of using the incredible location to maximise profits as opposed to building a reputation for good food and friendly staff and building a strong returning client base.

The lunch waitress on 5 Oct was very poor. We felt ignored and eventually left without having been asked for our order.

We've stayed at Carbis bay on holiday now for the last 5 or 6 years. Each time this place just doesn't improve. I'm general the location is first class, I would go so far as unbeatable. I think there lies the problem. They have a captive audience. They really don't have to try to be attentive. My family and I decided to walk along the glorious beach this evening on our last day of our holiday. On the way back I asked if we should have a quick drink at the cafe... Yes.. everyone was happy to do that. I walked into the cafe area and asked one of the two waitresses I met if I needed to make a booking to enjoy a drink only with my family.. one of the girls just laughed at me and said "yes of course... we get very busy you know". "Go and speak to one of the girls in the reception and they will see when they can fit you in". I went on to say that it was our last night and we just fancied a drink.. with that I walked away. Sorry Sands cafe, but you really need to be more polite to customers. From the reviews I've seen on trip advisor, it's very clear some of the staff have no idea of what customer service is about. My input on this. Go and visit Becks fish and chip shop.. fantastic quality, excellent service and reasonable prices, oh yeah.. also licenced... beats the Sands cafe hands down.

Wonderful view over the beach and the bay with very attentive and helpful staff. No problems from seagulls as they must have an ultrasonic scarer. Pizza's were only average and expensive but I guess you are paying for the surroundings.

Stunning beach - amazing view - they cannot be faulted. However the restaurant/cafe doesn't live up to expectations. The restaurant food I have been told is excellent and whilst I am willing to pay high prices for good food I was not willing to pay them for the cafe environment! The cafe during the day charges exhorbitant prices for very poor coffee etc. And the waitresses! Sullen and patronizing - the way they spoke to some customers I felt was unacceptable. It's such a shame because the whole beach club vibe would be fabulous in that area. Advice - bring your own coffee & sandwiches - but beware of the seagulls! Q

This was our second visit following our honeymoon the previous year. We enjoyed it so much we couldn't wait to come back The food is beautiful, view is amazing and so is the service! Would definitely visit again

After having an amazing long walk along the stunning beach, with fantastic weather! My girlfriend and I decided to pop in to the café for a spot of lunch. We decided to share a pizza which was very tasty, And the Cornish beer was to die for! service was prompt and the staff friendly. Slightly overpriced but overall very good. we will return.

We visited the beautiful Carbis Bay Beach on Saturday LUCKILY we took our own foodwe bought 4 coffees from this cafe, they was so expensive nearly £12 for basic watery coffee.The girl that served us was so miserable, we must have been mad we went back for 4 Teas in the afternoon cost nearly £8, service diabolical.I would advise to take a flask if possible I don't mind paying over the top prices for lovely views BUT this cafe is a shambles

Stopped off for lunch. Asked for menus and was only given 1 for 4 people!!! Limited selection and over expensive for what was served. Nice local Cornish lager for sale. Kids had pizza's but no idea what the base was but they wouldn't order it again as it was like failed bread dough. Very nice venue and view of beach. From overhearing a conversation from other customers we got the impression there was a different menu and pricing if you sat on lower desk so if weather improves we might try that area.

Went to the beach yesterday with my family and decided to visits here for some lunch.It took about 15 minutes to even place and order of 3 portions of chips and a chicken wrap. Total cost almost £17.00I have never seen more disinterested staff in my life, if I owned the place I would sack them all.We stood at the takeaway window for almost 45 minutes for mega overpriced very poor food while listening to the staff shouting and arguing with each other over who's fault it was that customers where complaining almost all the time.I will never return to thus shambles of a cafe / takeaway.

We visited last week and had a drink each after a evening play on the beach. I ordered a small white wine. My husband paid. He has just told me that he was initially asked for £17 for my wine. On questioning they reduced this to £11. Joke!!! £11 for a small wine. Will not go back!

Staffed by overworked youngsters, this cafe has stunning views. What a shame the food was greasy burger with nothing but the very cheap quarter pounder and dry bun and similarly uninspired chips. The sauce tub was sparse (the ketchup must be popular), the tables uncleaned and a pot/one cup of tea cost £2.50. Wow! They'd need Gordon Ramsay if it wasn't for the view!

We took the wrong turn and ended up at this absolutely beautiful beach and scenery to die for, then we went downhill from there.The service was abysmal and the behavior from the young girl serving today was rude, and if judged on sulkiness alone we'd easily have given her 5 stars.In the end we were so hungry we threw caution to the wind and ordered a pizza.As my wife said the eating area was dirty and badly needed a clean and a sweep at least with a broom. Outside there was another eating area in an even worse state of cleanliness.What is wrong with this place, they are in a prime location and potentially sitting on a gold mine.Do yourself a favor and bring your own lunch or coffee.

Carbis Bay is beautiful. Unfortunately The Sands Cafe Carbis Bay deceives any walker or visitor charging excesive prices as they said "for the view" We took last Friday a long walk along the coast and decided to stop there for a drink before lunch. I asked for a cup of tea and an americano and it was almost £6.00. I had only £5.00 note and I was a bit surprise as it was not a 5 star hotel. So, I mentioned this to him and he answered to me "no, this is not expensive, you pay here for the view, what do you want for all this?"I did not say anything else just paid and waited. My partner said that his comment spoils the view. On the top of that he was rude with his manners when he brougt the drinks. The coffee was spilled on the plate and he was not bother at all. No servillete, nothing. We decided to leave a messsage for him and go to the pub...

Carbis Bay is beautiful. The people you meet walking along the coastal path tend to be friendly and helpful, and then you come to the Sands Cafe. Outrageously overpriced but maybe that is forgivable given the superb location but is there any excuse for poor bordering on rude service. Take a picnic and sit on the beach - you will feel a lot happier.

One of the worlds best location is being spoilt by the Sands Cafe. The hotel has its own bar but when on the beach its good to go to the sands. Now the staff are good but the actual cafe is let down by the building which lets the rain in the leaking roof and at one end part of the roof is missing. If this is still owned by the Hotel then they need to pull their socks up as guests will not return with this shabby cafe.A new place has been opened next door with a decking but this we saw was on used for functions. We will stay in St Ives in future.

Outdoor decking was a very attractive setting for welcome cup of tea after walk from St Ives. But The Sands cafe is charging upmarket prices for a downmarket service. A pot of Tea for two delivered only two and a bit cups, served in mismatched cups and saucers (and not in a shabby chic style!!) - cost over 4 pounds. The cafe itself was old-school beach cafe/ shop; order at the counter and then drinks brought to your table. Had to use the nearby Public toilets - they were as you would expect!. Fantastic views of the beach though.My advice - up your game to match the fantastic beach cafes at Porthmeor, Porthgwidden and Porthminster, and there will be customers willing to pay for quality food/drink and the great location.

Whilst the hotel continues to sell itself to an upmarket audience, they have ruined the ambience of the Blue Flag beach this year. The long closed takeaway has been taken over (with I understand the Hotel's blessing) by some kind of beach side open air 'Bistro' complete with decking where once you could park. The operators of this restaurant have decided to broadcast loud Heavy Rock music through an amplified sound system, which deafens anyone eating there and can be heard throughout the day and into the night across the whole beach (and the Hotel gardens as well). I asked the Bistro staff to turn it off, but they refused and only agreed to turn it down a little 'as our customers like it'. If you think a stay at this hotel and its beach is just what you need for peace and quiet, think again. Carbis Bay beach used to be a pleasant family beach - the hotel and its tenants have now decided to go down market and appear to be aiming for the Newquay Clubbers Market instead.

Dropped in for a tea and bacon roll which was a mistake. Tea for 2 which rendered up 2 & a bit cups £5. Two bacon rolls £9 ! Needless to say wont be going there again ! Shame really because its a beautiful bit of beach but the cafe has all the atmosphere of a dingy garden shed !