The Crab Shed

Genevra, Steephill Rd, Ventnor PO38 1UG, United Kingdom
+44 7891 304796
$$$ Cafe
(193 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Welcome to The Crab Shed, a charming cafe nestled in the picturesque Steephill Cove of Ventnor, United Kingdom. With breathtaking views and a welcoming atmosphere, this beloved spot offers visitors the perfect combination of delicious food and serene surroundings.

The Crab Shed specializes in homemade delights, with a menu that showcases the best of local cuisine. Indulge your senses with their famous Crab Pasties, a luxurious blend of succulent crab meat and fresh vegetables enveloped in flaky, buttery pastry. Each bite transports you to a place of comfort and warmth, enhanced by the stunning backdrop of the cove. Patrons rave about other enticing offerings, such as the Salmon Pasty, noted for its flaky texture and creamy dill sauce—a true testament to the expert craftsmanship of the kitchen.

The cafe's beverage selection adds another layer to the experience, boasting a carefully curated list of wines, cider, and real ales, including options like Thatchers Cider and Holy Joe Real Ale. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing lager or a decadent hot chocolate, there's something to quench every thirst.

Feedback from visitors highlights not just the exquisite food but the enchanting location that The Crab Shed calls home. Helen Roberts describes the "beautiful little cove" well worth the climb, while andrew wasley enjoys returning here year after year, impressed by the "friendly efficient staff" and "tasty very fresh food." The overall sentiment echoes a love for both the cafe’s offerings and its idyllic locale, making it an ideal lunchtime retreat after a swim or a day of exploring.

Though some might find the £9 pasty a bit of a splurge, the freshness and quality are often deemed worth every penny. Adam White's experience with the salmon pasty makes it clear that The Crab Shed is not just another cafe; it’s a destination where food and nature harmoniously coalesce.

For anyone visiting Ventnor, a stop at The Crab Shed is a must. With its inviting atmosphere, stunning views, and unforgettable food, it promises a memorable culinary experience that will leave you yearning for more. So, come hungry and ready to enjoy everything this hidden gem has to offer!

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Accessibility
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Small plates
Wine
Dining options
Lunch
Seating
Amenities
Bar on site
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Pets
Dogs allowed
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

12:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Thursday

12:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Friday

12:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Saturday

12:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 03:00 PM

193 Reviews
Helen Roberts

25 Aug 2025

Delicious food in a beautiful little cove, well worth the climb down. We parked in the Botanical Gardens, cost £5 all day (the only option unless you are spending £20+ at the Botanical Gardens, then it's free). We walked up the road, past the lovely cricket club and took Love Lane, which leads to the path down to the cove.

Archie Roberts

15 Aug 2025

£9 for a small pasty is expensive. It was quite tasty and fresh but I would probably bring my own lunch next time. Good spot for a swim too

andrew wasley

09 Aug 2025

beautiful location and once again great food. We go every holiday (7 times in 10 years in I.O.W.) and each time this place is just great, friendly efficient staff, tasty very fresh food, stunning location, lovely little swimming beach. Excellent lunchtime spot.

Adam White

05 Aug 2025

Genuinely some of the best food I've ever had - the salmon pasty was made of the flakiest, butteriest pastry I've ever eaten, filled with a generous amount of salmon and a lovely creamy sauce (dill I think?). Crab pasties looked lovely - I didn't have one, but those I was with did and said they were incredible, looked lovely even to me as someone who doesn't like seafood very much! Seating is limited but has a nice view of Steephill Cove, although you could also probably just leave and find a pretty spot to sit/.

Simon Bradshaw

03 Jun 2025

What a fantastic spot, with superb home made food with local ingredients. Will defo be back.

Callum Wright

28 May 2025

The lovely ladies and exceptional scenery of Steephill Cove make eating at The Crab Shed a wonderful experience and I haven't even mentioned the famous Crab Pasties yet! They were absolutely delicious, hot, straight out of the oven and tasted incredible! Crab mixed with vegetables inside a flaky pasty - what's not to love? The pictures say it all. You cannot miss this place, drop in and you won't be disappointed! Fabulous, thank you!

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