Cary Arms Restaurant — Restaurant in England

I visit Babbacombe Downs every year. Over the years we have often popped into this pub for a drink or a meal whilst out walking. However, over the last 3 years they see themselves as so exclusive they turn people away at the door even though the pub and beer garden are completely empty. The excuse is we're always given is, taking bookings only. Happened again this weekend. As a family group we had taken our in-laws away for a joint 80th birthday celebration to Babbacombe. We done our usual walk on Saturday from Oddicombe Beach over to the Cary Arms. We could see, once again, the pub was totally empty and only one couple were sitting in the large beer garden. As our 80 year old inlaws were tired and in need of a drink. My husband went to the doors and, again, told by a member of staff they were fully booked and could only take pre-bookings. We would only have been there for 30 minutes and would have sat in the empty beer garden....and yes we were in casual clothes because we were out walking. Therefore about an hour later a couple in our group, who had not been seen, got changed and went back. They asked if they could have a drink in the beer garden and were allowed in. Shame on you Cary Arms with your outdated snobbery, discriminatory approach. Must be wonderful to be in a position to turn away all that custom because you judge how people look at the door. Luckily we were able to call a friend to drive down the hill and take our 80 year old in-laws back up the hill to the establishments who accept people...

Our first night in the area, and the restaurant was recommended, but it fell short in almost all aspects.

On arrival, thankfully we had taken a cab rather than drive, down the extremely steep road, we were offered a table in the bar, extremely dark, or we could go into the conservatory, which had views of the sea. We opted for the later. It was a surprise that so few tables were set, and it becomes a theme of the evening as more tables were set as people were waiting.

The menu was limited,(we should have checked a day or so before the booking, but did not). I has scallops, with chorizo, the scallops were extremely small, and disappointing. My partner had Mackerel fillets which were ok, mains scampi and chips a generous portion! I went for the fillet steak, which was extremely small and was almost covered by a field mushroom.

Deserts panna cotta with fruit, no wobble of the panna cotta and the fruits were mainly cherry’s, with some red fruits, again disappointing.

Would we return, sadly no, there are better places to eat, maybe not with the view but better atmosphere and better, more reasonably...

Lovely setting with amazing views over the sea, it has always been a favourite place. For a really fun experience park at the top and get the cliff railway down, the kids love that.

On our most recent visit we found the food is still good, we had some really nice fish and seafood and the kids fish and chips was great. But unfortunately the service was terrible. Untrained staff who simply don't know what is expected in terms of service anywhere, but which is particularly disappointing at somewhere charging these prices. Our order was completely messed up at every stage and when I went in to complain the waiter said "not my fault mate" (he later apologised and said he'd intended to say "it wasn't at my end mate " and blamed the kitchen, which then angered the chef). The manager witnessed this and did nothing, only speaking to me when I asked for him when we left and simply blaming his staff for making mistakes.

I hope someone in senior management intervenes and radically improves the training otherwise people simply...