Crab & Winkle

This was the worst experience I had’ve at a restaurant in a long time. The service was terrible. We came in and asked for a table outside to which they responded that all the tables outside were reserved (this was at 2pm) and the outside area had 2 tables open the entire time we were there. We decided to order a couple of starters as we had a BBQ to go to afterwards and wanted a quick snack. More than an hour later we asked another waitress if she wouldn’t mind checking on the status of our starters. She clearly didn’t check (and I could see her). After 10 minutes I stopped her to see if she’s had a chance to check. She very rudely dismissed me and said she checked and the food would be here momentarily. After about 15 minutes, we stopped our initial waitress to see why it’s taken an hour and half for 3 starters. She came back apologetically to let us know that the order didn’t go through but she would comp our drinks if we didn’t want to wait for it. She was genuinely apologetic and owned up to her mistake. However, the other waitress clearly lied about checking on our order and she was so rude it made the entire meal (or lack of meal) an awful experience. We never going back there again and will not recommend it to anyone.

What a cool place. We stumbled across the Crab and Winkle while walking around Whitstable. It is a cozy restaurant located upstairs on the docks so it has nice views of the harbor (or harbour). The food was very fresh and tasty. The portions were large. I enjoyed the traditional English dish of Fish and Chips. The cod was fried perfectly in a delicious beer batter. The service was fine, but we did have to play the can you get the waitress’ attention game a few times.
Attire: Casual

Fantastic place with lovely harbour views. They only serve fish and seafood though so don’t visit if you fancy a steak. We were a party of 3 and all enjoyed our choices: starters = fish cakes, scallops and sardines… main = baked mackeral (amazing), mussels, oysters, and dover sole. All the food was fresh, well presented with wonderful flavours. Good wine choice and nice coffee too. Service was friendly, professional and attentive. We’ll be back soon

I went with my wife and another couple for lunch on 19^th August 2011. I had the dressed crab and then the baked sea bass. My wife had the grilled sardines and then a ‘special’ (grilled turbot). We accompanied the meal with two bottles of Muscadet (sur lie) and finished by sharing two puddings between the four of us: crême brulée and chocolate fudge brownie.
The waiter informed my wife that he was disappointed with the portion of turbot and that he would as a result reduce the bill (in the event to £13.95 from £16.95).
The bill came to £160 after tip. The food was very good and the price was not unreasonable. I have, though, docked a star for the nearly twenty minute wait between the starter and main course and the paper napkins.

Perfect setting and you can’t get much fresher fish

i have visted the crab and winkle 2 times since it has changed hands back to it’s original owner and it has greatly improved over how it was over the last 4 years when a different person ran it
good luck to the new owners and i hope you do very well indeed
i felt the need to comment on this site as i think all should give it a try and here is a link to their website

My full review and summary (with pictures of each entry) begins here:

Bank holiday weekend and a trip down to the coast. First time and Whitstable and very excited about a good fish supper. I have checked the web and searched quipe and have decided upon the Crab & Winkle. Great menu, excellant fresh fish. Well presented with good service. All in all very tasty, I just dont understand why a peice of fish should cost £20 or why a meal for at 3pm by the south cost should cost £90 with only two glasses of wine. May be I am missing the point, but when I go ato a Michelin stared restaurant I expect this sort of cost, when I go for fish and chips I dont. So great food at a very high price — shame really.

Nice one. I love the harbour setting. Service is impeccable. The menu delish. I like the upscale/​casual vibe. I’d go back.

If you can’t be bothered to traipse all the way down to Padstein Whitstable is just 50 odd miles from London and this place sits right alongside the water where the fishing boots are moored. All locally caught produce, in fact my sons nip in the fish market downstairs for bait during the day. The people are very friendly so if seafood is your thing enjoy!