Whitesands Beach Cafe and Shop in Pembrokeshire

We returned to Whitesands for our summer holiday after a 7 year break and were so disappointed with the cafe. It used to have a vast array of affordable beach equipment, pretty much anything you needed for the children could be found at reasonable prices if a last minute breakage had occurred. We bought a replacement bodyboard at the shop only to find one in the City £15 cheaper! Now the range is very poor and overpriced. The menu has been drastically reduced and massively over priced and the staff (with the exception of one lady) are glum and unwelcoming. Everyone in our party passed comment on how they felt they were an inconvenience just being there! Prior to the holiday we’d told them how fabulous this place was only to be left quite embarrassed at how they were received and how dismal and overpriced the products were. This cafe used to be the heart of Whitesands beach but an obvious attempt to minimise the food and product range for maximum profit has knocked the heart out of it. As a positive the fish burgers are delicious, the coffee is good and it looks and feels clean, although we soon found alternatives for our days on the beach out of sheer disappointment, we were there for two weeks. What a wasted opportunity Whitesands Cafe. This place could be so much better without exploiting your customers in this beautiful, isolated spot. We’ll be back next year as Whitesands beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Wales, full of wonderful wildlife, walks and history, it’s just a shame that what should be means of encouraging visitors to this isolated spot is falling so desperately short.

Spotlessly clean, helpful staff, varied choices of refreshments and excellent banana bread. Very convenient for the beach and well supplied with beach supplies.

What a delightful cafe with attentive staff. Lovely snacks and treats on offer. Perfect cup of tea in a delightful location.

Never visited this beach before but in for a fabulous surprise. The owners and young staff of the car park cafe were friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend the coffee and their, "dirty chips with Lamb and Mint Sauce" it was brilliant. The car park charged £5 per vehicle, including motorbikes which dissuaded some visitors, who turned around and drove off-shame. Toilets were 40p a visit,I know it is an isolated spot but shame.

Wonderful evening food down at Whitesands Beach. Always enjoy really good service and food here. Not just standard food and they clearly add their own take on things. Pizzas were fab, flatbread went down really well and love the fish and chips, especially the homemade tartar sauce. Add bonus it was a sunny evening!

We’ve been visiting this cafe for many years however we’re disappointed this year with the surly staff, one girl in particular. The staff are usually friendly and helpful but not this year, barking at customers, miserable faces and generally disinterested. The ice cream portions are good. We visited just before the school holidays and the stock in the shop was poor. They were also closing at 4pm even on hot days when the beach was full. We were disappointed as in previous years we’ve enjoyed a takeout evening meal in the beach as the sun goes down.

Despite Giles Coren's glowing review of the place, I would give the place a miss. I can only assume he didn't have the coffee. They have a proper coffee machine but clearly don't know how to use it. I was served a cup of watery milk with a faint hint of coffee, eventually. It was so disgusting, I threw half of it away. Unless you're surfing and have nowhere else to go, skip this place. the Coffee Kiosk in Porth Clais around the headland, they do terrific coffee and snacks.

They have you with no other options at Whitesands beach, but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the freshly made sandwiches and the pricing, which was fair and not asking advantage of the captive audience.

For such a small cafe at the tip of Wales, it had a lot of choice of well-priced coffee and food, and a variety of beach stuff like nets etc. Great views too!

After our walk we all needed a coffee. The Whitesands Beach Cafe provided that plus brilliant home made cake. Cannot fault it and they have brilliant staff too.

Lovely coffee great service and clean . Pity they didn’t do home made cakes that would have been greatly received

Much needed beer and crisps after our long walk on the Pembrokeshire Coastal path in the glorious sunshine. The perfect way to spend half an hour waiting for the minibus back to St Davids.

It’s very busy on a sunny day but the staff especially the young man taking orders on our visit are delightful. We were served quickly and very surprised to find 3 sausages each in our sausage and chips! I had vegan and my husband meat both were very good. The teas were also very tasty. Simple traditional British seaside fare but lovely to eat outside in the sunshine.

We called in here for the obligatory coffee whilst wander around (not on the beach as dogs not allowed). The service was friendly & efficient and the coffee was great.

In the evening Whitesands cafe offers a different menu to the daytime menu. We wandered down to the cafe early evening, there was a very short queue but speedy service meant a very short wait for food. We all agreed that hake and chips was the tastiest fish and chips we’d ever had! Light batter and a perfect fish to batter ratio. The chips are not the horrible greasy type you usually get but lovely a crisp. Eaten on Whitesands beach - it can’t be beaten!!

I have been to this café several times, most recently in June 2021. Every time we visit the area my husband and I go to whitesands and order food. From the snacks, to the ice cream, lunches and dinners, everything is fantastic quality and value for money as well as delicious. The carpark and toilets are not run by the cafe so to anyone reading please do not be put off by this or let this affect your review of this fabulous place. All the staff are extremely friendly and nothing is ever too much work for them. I would recommend any day of the week and I look forward to visiting again at the end of the month!

Love this cafe, great food, great service and reasonable prices, and even vegan options! Look forward to coming back soon

A vital part of Whitesands. Drinks, food and oh the Ice Cream. Shame not Sub Zero anymore, as the best. But Carte Dor ok substitution.

This is a lovely friendly Beach Cafe with a great seaside menu for all. At present it is Takeaway only. Their Cheesy Chips are great!

Given the current situation with the virus, staff was doing their best to accommodate to the current restrictions.A very nice spot with affordable choices and incredible views

Given the current climate the cafe is doing really well in trying to stay open and accommodate safe social distancing. Staff were really friendly and helpful and kept the que going smoothly. Food was great. Well cooked and perfect for the beach.

The service was very helpful and cheerful. We would 100% recommend the food it was cooked to order and good quality and at a price that was expected. The hygiene was very good and we had no complaints at all not one of us - would definitely return

We arrived here late in the day and could not have asked for better service and quality of food. The 2 guys at the till were extremely helpful and the man who took our order went way out of his way to help my young son find something to eat even making him a small salad to go with it, he ended up saying it was the best meal he had eaten in a long while. We all (4) of us said it was the most amazing food. It was take away only but that waS perfect on such an amazing beach. The food waS hot fresh and we could not fault one bit of it.

I love this place, and the food and drinks we ordered today were great. It was freshly cooked, piping hot when it arrived and the staff were very friendly. However, I am shocked that a cafe so close to the sea still offers condiments in single-use plastic sachets. Please think green to get the full 5 stars!

Been going here for several years, never again. Ordered toasted and coffee, toast ids arrived with chips which we thought were included, on re reading the menu our error it was tortilla chips, after waiting 10-15 minutes had to ask for our coffee which we had an apology for as they’d forgotten. At the same time we were told that the chips weren’t ours but they’re error and no problem. Within a couple of minutes another member of staff came and told us we had to pay for the chips as they weren’t ours , we were spoken to in a very off hand manner in front of other diners and made to feel very small. Shocking service. We paid for the chips £2.75 which I think would not have broken the bank for them, but has lost them our custom and we will not be recommending them to friends and family as we have done previously. Other members of staff were extremely nice.

There's nothing like a bracing walk on a wide open beach in winter, and nothing like a Sour Cherry and Fruits of the forest hot chocolate to warm up afterwards,this luxury drink served at the cafe is delicious.

What a find, the cafe was lovely, the team were the best encouraging us to take our Newfoundland dogs in, and the beverages were gorgeous and well priced

Called in here for a coffee and sandwich. Was a little apprehensive as I had been in here last October and it was dreadful. I have to say there is a marked improvement. Friendly helpful staff. Coffee was nice. Toasted sandwich with garnish was also nice.Worth as visit

I popped in for a quick bite, it was busy, the staff where very accommodating and attentive and made light issue of the fact I ordered 'off menu' as I must avoid cheese. So I ordered a tuna and pickle toasted sandwich, it was soooo tasty I had a Mark Weins Mmmmmmmmmmmm!!! My toasted sandwich was perfectly toasted and heated through properly.

Massively. Need to realise this is not a Bondi beachfront brasserie, prices are biblically expensive for extremely basic tuck. Not helped by ‘Gatwick Meet and Greet’ parking prices however. Never has their been a greater reason than to get up slightly earlier, and make a picnic.

After a bracing walk along the beach, the Beach Cafe was a welcome sight. Coffee and nice light bites available.

The cafe is immaculate, light and bright with fab views of the bay from the mezzanine floor. Dirty fries are amazing. As was the other food we tried during our holiday. Decent cuppa too. Reasonably priced. Staff efficient and friendly.

Seating inside ground floor and upstairs plus some outside seating.A bit haphazard when ordering as black coffee came out as milky coffee and some people where getting drinks they never ordered.Beware toilets are chargeable at 40p!

Einzige Bewirtung an diesem phantastischen Strand. Gut zum Aufwärmen und Tee trinken. Heiße Schokolade mit Marshmallows und Sahne! Lunch ok, sehr nette Bedienung

Visited this cafe - under new ownership this season- every day on my walk with my border collie and the staff greeted us with a friendly welcome

We enjoyed several coffees, ices and also a satisfying jacket potato lunch here, in between body surfing and a cliff walk with spectacular views. Separate breakfast and lunch menus changing at noon. (There is also a free customer toilet as an alternative to the pay per visit public one!)

Has a captive market dealing with basic food and drink. I am sure it takes a fortune but could be so much more really. Would probably take a picnic next time!

Relying on the summer trade. Should these people have to rely on High Street custom I would give them less than a month in business before they closed down due to lack of trade.

We arrived, It was busy but we managed to get a seat. the table wasn’t clean but I understood as I could see you where busy at the time.

I called in having walked the coastal path with my wife. As you would expect the café was very busy late on a summer afternoon. As a result the lines for drinks and ices were very confused. The drinks themselves once ordered were fine and sitting on the outdoor veranda was nice.

We grabbed a take out to eat on the beach at the end of a sun kissed day on the beach. The nachos with veggie chilli were lovely, not too spicy. The only downside is that they close the cafe to clean between day and evening service, so we had a bit of hanging around until it reopened st 6.30pm. I do think the take out service should be cheaper than dine in. £8.95 is a bit steep for take out nachos, however tasty. Also the new owners have ditched the gorgeous sub zero ice cream in exchange for carte dor. Bring back the peach and raspberry sub zero!

We visited for breakfast. The new owner has reduced the shop area so there is much more seating for the cafe. Breakfast was yummy and filling. Ice creams are allergy labeled but not sure about the food.

We were there in May and were very glad of this cafe. Whether it was a coffee after a stroll along the beach or a quick lunch, the food and drink were always great.

We visited after walking a section of the coastal path on a pretty hot day so we were more than ready for a drink and some lunch! There were queues for food and ice cream but they moved quickly as there were plenty of staff taking orders and making drinks. The toasted sandwiches we ordered came with salad and crisps and were all delicious. The tables were clean and tidy and the service was efficient and friendly.

Richard Davies has really turned this cafe around. The fish and chips was the best I’ve tasted in ages, the batter was light and crispy and shattered like golden glass. The views from the balcony are stunning. It’s not Richard’s fault that he’s located in a car park but I’d pay an extra fiver to eat these fish and chips.

We discovered Whitesands Bay while we were exploring St.Davids, thankfully we also discovered this cafe! It was clean - considering the amount of sandy people in wetsuits coming in and out!

We had driven here from Broadhaven on a cold wet day and just wanted a cup of tea. The bloke in the car park hut told us to go to St David's as we would have to pay 5 quid just to park... ! We wanted to stretch our legs ..walk the dog ..and get a drink but we just turned round and went back the way we came. This cafe must be losing business hand over first if tourists are expected to pay 5 pounds before setting foot in the place..

Things have really gone downhill sadly. We used to love the cafes sunsets..But the food on the past 2 visits can best be described as bland freezer food. Not sure if they have changed suppliers or just looking to save pennies. I don’t blame them for that, but the menu prices are huge and that’s on top of a £5 charge to park..and they are closed and rushing you out by 8pm. Try St David’s instead just down the road..so many better options..sorry!

Before going on the beach or after a day of surfing or making castles this is a good stopping off place for a refuel with sandwiches or a range of meals. Good coffee served.

A great place to while away an hour or so watching the surfers whilst enjoying a coffee and cake on the decking of a cafe with friendly staff. Arrive early before the car park gets to busy.

Nice place to stop when on the coastal path or simply visiting Whitesands Beach. We only had a coffee but the staff were welcoming an made a lovely cup of piping hot coffee.

This is such a no frilz place I liked it so much. The service all young boys and girls who find it a joy to serve people and put food on their table. The food is worth what you pay for it. Really. Not expensive. And the location is great if course at the beautiful beach of Whitesands. But the best thing was the service. Fantastic job they do. And especially welcoming walkers with a sign at the door makes it an even greater place to be!

Excellent food and drink + no charge loos - very helpful staff - excellent tables and views of the coast

During our stay we visited twice and found on both occasions staff are unfriendly and not very welcoming - Cold atmosphere. Its unfortunate as the new menu looks amazing and we would of loved to try a few of the dishes.

Thought this place would have opened early but, 1030 hrs. Quite a few in the car park cooking their own breakfast!! Spotlessly clean, with upstairs seating too. Had some local artwork on sale along with cards, beach toys etc. Toilets are free to those making a purchase ot 40p outside in the public toilet! No WiFi which was a shame as the bay is devoid of any signal!!!!

We dropped in as we had just done a section of the coastal path and knew that we could get a bus outside the café into St. Davids.

Excellent coffee in a great location. toasted teacake was perfectly toasted. Copious quantity of clotted cream served with a fresh scone. Lovely ambience indoors, sitting area outside.

Horrible weather today so a fair few people in the cafe getting out of the weather. However, although being a group of 10, the young gentlemen behind the counter were fab, very polite and friendly! Served us very well, considering the amount of people in the cafe, and with only the two gentleman on the front both taking orders, making drinks, and serving the brilliant food all at the same time! Real good job Seating area up stairs also fantastic!!

went in today for lunch welcomed politely buy the gents behind the counter food was great the "Dirty fries" were just awesome

Really fed up with this place. Staff were rude, and the menu overpriced. Food was poor quality, and just a really bad experience. Would never go here again. Just so expensive for rubbish food.

After paying £4 to park in the car park at 4.40pm (£1 cheaper than if i parked there from 9am) we got the kids out of the car used the toilet and had to pay 40p each outside. We walked into here for a icecream at 5.05pm and was ordered out as they were closed. The sign on the door said they closed between 5-6pm at night but sometimes a polite “were really sorry we are closed” is all it takes. Wouldnt return as the way the staff were so rude.

It’s very early days for this cafe which is transforming into a restaurant and the result is mixed. Inexperienced staff and a varied menu meant there is a lot to do to getting the right format. Paying before eating does not create the right ambience and itemised bills are needed.

Massive money making opportunity here and they serve 1/2 a cup of cold coffee for £2.50 (after paying £5 to park)

Came for a wetsuit, chips and beans. Left cold, hungry and sad. Bring back the old management ASAP. This is a beach cafe, not a Michelin star restaurant!

As others have mentioned the parking is too much when just popping down for half an hour or so. But this cafe is lovely. Beautiful views and great prices. We only got drinks so can’t comment on the food.

This is a nice enough cafe with a small,but good selection of cold and hot food. Problem is the huge cost of parking,which is ok if you want to spend the day on the beach in summer with family,but for a couple visiting for a short time out of season is way too much at £5.

Good value for money food, snacks and drinks in a great location. Added bonus ...we could bring our dogs.

Das Cafe liegt direkt an der Haltestelle des Busse von St. Davids und fast direkt am Strand. Hier gibt es kleinere Erfrischungen, leider kein offenes Bier.

Went at the end of the season, current owners are moving on, pleasant enough, but limited choice. Good for a coffee

Called in for Coffee after a coastal walk. Staff were unhelpful. Couldn’t be bothered attitude. Paid £8 for two cardboard takeout cups of machine coffee. Avoid this place

What a chaotic, confusing, unpleasant place to visit.

My comment to the wife (and she agreed with me which is rare!) was “I am not sure they could make any less effort” paper plates, pie severed in a bag, baked potato in a plastic box, no real cup for tea and no glass for coke “drink out of the can or pay 0.10p each for 3 paper cups” which suited the kids but not me.

Very busy but quick service. Good coffees, ice creams and pasties. Recycling / eco friendly. Good range of beach accessories including wet suits.

We had a great breakfast here and the bacon was superb. Sausages too. The cheesy chips my son had the night before were decadently delish. Also they make PROPER sandwiches which are generously filled with tender and real chicken. Such a treat! Overall it was a really good place and if we ever found ourselves in Whitesands again we'd go back in a jiffy!

We camped nearby so passed by 3 times as there's not a lot of competition. Lunchtime was exceptionally busy and we walked on by. Dinner was quieter but food only OK with disappointing coffee machine coffee. Eggs on toast for breakfast was dreadful and we should have sent it back - overcooked and rubbery. But this was probably just one "chef" so I would go again but I would be a little more demanding.

It may be offputting to see all the queues but the staff are quick and helpful. The ice cream is lovely and the coffees too are delicious. Outside seating for those with dogs.

White sands Beach is very popular and the main car park can get full by noon. The cafe offers a great selection of body boards + surf gear, and the cafe does a breakfast/brunch menu and the switches to lunch menu offering paninis and bake potatoes plus usual chips. Decent coffee and teas + plenty of cold drinks.

You can't park here without a visit to it, and you'll need to anyway if you spend the day swimming, walking, sun-bathing, or surfing. It really is well stocked.

If you are really hungry after the coastal walk well the Café is perfect to replenish your stomach. Light meals snacks and drinks.

Very strange experience here, it felt like an old style hospital canteen. Nothing much for a vegan or gluten free person, ordered a coffee, was bitter, the staff weren’t overly friendly.

We love this cafe and always visit there every time we go to Whitesands..it wouldnt be a visit without going to eat there.Amazing location,excellent food,friendly staff and we simple love it

This is exactly what you would expect in a location like this. Food is reasonably priced and fills the gap before setting off again on the coastal path (or having fun on the sand). Staff very friendly. We had a couple of paninis which were a little dry and were not exactly paninis more toasted seeded baps, but fine. There is a drinking water tap outside to top up your own bottles which was a good idea and great for the dog walkers (i.e. you weren't expected to buy bottled water in the shop/cafe).

Cant compalin about the food, was really nice, and a clean cafe but 20p to use the toilet is ridiculous, you pay enough to park!

Went to Whitesands Bay. Beautiful bay.Car Parking expensive, £5 , or £4 for disabled.

Being right next to a beach popular with dog walkers it's a shame this cafe isn't dog friendly. We were also disappointed that we had to pay 20p to use a very cold and not very clean public loo adjacent to the cafe. The coffee was poor, but our paninis were nice, if a bit pricey. Be prepared to pay quite a bit for parking as well. Not a cheap visit!

12 of us stopped by the cafe for Belgian waffles and ice cream, tea and bacon and egg rolls. All were very nice indeed. A nice place to sit, eat and warm up after a brisk walk along the beach.

We really enjoyed our lunch here after hiking up Carn Llidi. Great food and good service. All for a very reasonable price! Recommended.

This place is extremely overpriced, both food and shop items. I would not bother paying your money here, I would bring your own packed lunch. Coffee was ok, best thing going for it. Staff were friendly.

If you've just got back after an epic walk along the coastal path this is a welcome find at the end. Food is basic, but good quality and cheap. Never lets us down!

After a long mornings walk, a decent cup of tea and the homemade Tiffin cake certainly recharged the batteries.

Had a lovely meal of buger and chips gave us a very large helping cooked very well. The staff could not of been more pleasant and helpful. The giftshop had lots of surf clothing and gifts for a small place beter prices and selection than a lot of places. Can't wait to come again.

Welcome stop after walking along the beach. Nice views and comfortable surroundings with outside seating in good weather

love the place and the couple who run the cafe.Selling beachwear and heavier tops for the Winter.People surf all year round...fantastic walks.Our favourite place.

Good range of icecream, lovely to sit outside with a view of the beach. Clean & tidy inside. Dog friendly outside.

Café which serves a good range of teas, coffees and snacks. Everything we bought from here was of a good quality. Friendly, helpful staff as well. there's also a range of gifts and beach accessories

This is a more of a shop than a cafe but the majority of visitors were interested in getting food and drink rather than buying beach goods. The food was reasonably good value for money but the biggest difficulty was finding soemwhere to eat it.

The café serves good coffee and nice ice cream. Also does hot food. Shop has good range of beach accessories.

Minimal seating inside not much outside either. Staff had lethargic attitude and not very interested.

Had lunch after walking round St.David's Head. Excellent coffee, friendly and helpful service, nice pannini.

After a walk on the beach on a rather blustery day, a coffee in the café was a great idea. The staff were friendly and the coffee delicious.