You know those places where the view alone is worth the visit? Cafe Croyde Bay is one of them, and the fact that the food and coffee are genuinely excellent makes it one of the great little gems of the North Devon coast.
Overlooking Croyde’s legendary surf beach, this welcoming cafe commands a position that many restaurants would give a great deal for. The Atlantic stretches out before you, the waves roll in and the whole scene is one of those reminders of why this part of the world is so special. On a clear day, the views are simply unforgettable.
The menu is broad and well considered, covering breakfast, brunch, lunch and everything in between. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared with care and served without pretension: this is exactly the kind of food that suits the Croyde spirit. Coffee is taken seriously, and the cakes and pastries are the sort that make saying no very difficult indeed.
The team are friendly and relaxed, and the whole atmosphere reflects the surf village vibe that makes Croyde such a distinctive and wonderful place to spend time. Whether you are watching the surfers below, resting after a walk, or simply enjoying the extraordinary view over a long breakfast, Cafe Croyde Bay is a very fine place to be.
The cafe is popular with the surfing community for good reason: it is unpretentious, delivers consistent quality and understands that the people walking through the door have usually just spent several hours being thrown around by the Atlantic. Everything on the menu is generous, warming and exactly what a hungry, salt-dried person needs. A Croyde day without a stop at the cafe feels somehow incomplete.
From Woolacombe, Croyde is a short drive along the coast and well worth the trip. Make Cafe Croyde Bay your first stop and the rest of the day will fall beautifully into place.
