It's known throughout North Yorkshire and beyond as one of the finest fish restaurants in the area. One of the things every visitor to Whitby notices is the queue outside Magpie in all weathers and seasons to sample the finest fish dishes in Yorkshire. Our fish and chips, seafood chowder and other excellent fish dishes set us apart and our reputation is based on the good quality of the food and service we provide to our customers.
Excellent food, recommend the mussels and lemon sole portions very generous. Highly recommended, nice atmosphere, waitresses very friendly and cater for people with a smaller appetite offering the smaller fish portions I'd requested.
Excellent food, recommend the mussels and lemon sole portions very generous. Highly recommended, nice atmosphere, waitresses very friendly and cater for people with a smaller appetite offering the smaller fish portions I'd requested.
Services
Housed in our distinctive black and white building overlooking the harbour, the Magpie Cafe is in a prime position for you to enjoy the fabulous views of Whitby at the same time as sampling our wide selection of meals. Our specialities include dishes that use prime fresh local fish, seafood and specially selected ingredients.
Home-made Soup of the Day, Whitby Crab Bisque with Bread Roll, Whitby Kipper With Brown Bread and Strawberry Jam. Our high-quality Pacific oysters grown on the sea shore within the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve at the site of the oyster beds established by the monks of Lindisfarne Priory. All our fish is responsibly sourced, ensuring there is plenty left for future generations to enjoy.
For the rest of the day we take a limited number of reservations with the remainder of the tables available on a first come first served basis. So even if we don't have your preferred time slot available to book you can still come along and you will be seated and served as soon as possible. For bookings or 7 or more (Government guidelines permitting) please email us at reservations@magpiecafe.co.uk or call on 01947 602058.
Reviews (22)
Nicola Smith
Feb 04, 2022
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Fizzleton
Jan 24, 2022
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Anne Wheeler
Jan 21, 2022
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Anna Gill
Jan 21, 2022
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Super clean, friendly staff, knowledgeable staff!
Fish dishes looked amazing.
But we enjoyed the ham, egg, pineapple and chips. The vegetarian option of goats cheese salad.
Ham was super tasty, chips amazing and the goats cheese salad, so tasty!
Enjoyed a vintage Sherry trifle, sadly no photos of the apple crumble as hubby dived in before I could take a picture.
Highly recommend this restaurant.
Fish dishes looked amazing.
But we enjoyed the ham, egg, pineapple and chips. The vegetarian option of goats cheese salad.
Ham was super tasty, chips amazing and the goats cheese salad, so tasty!
Enjoyed a vintage Sherry trifle, sadly no photos of the apple crumble as hubby dived in before I could take a picture.
Highly recommend this restaurant.
Andy Hodson
Jan 04, 2022
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People over time have told me how good this fish and chip restaurant is. As far as I’m concerned we paid over £36 for a decent cup of tea! The chips were undercooked and the fish dreadful. It’s just an opinion but if you enjoy fish and chips here you have never tried them anywhere else. I have never not been able to finish my fried fish, I left half of it. 2/10 and I’m being generous because the cup of tea was nice.
Ian Alderson
Jan 02, 2022
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Visited for a late lunch of Fish and Chips. Excellent food and service provided in the Restaurant. Went downstairs to pay at the cash desk. The lady was temporarily committed taking a booking on the telephone.… Waited - not a problem. Call was finished, did we get an apology, no instead the cash lady turned sideways to remonstrate with a young lady staff member who was stood beside her. The Cash Lady then turned towards me. Did I get an apology. No she did not say anything but picked up card machine, keyed in bill details from the bill I had left on the desk and thrust card machine towards
Hannah M.
Dec 31, 2021
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I was properly miffed on a recent trip back to Whitby when they were closed to have the decorators in (I was very out of season, it's my own fault) after going on about how great this place is, and realised I had never reviewed the Magpie before!
Considering it's such an institution, it's still epic value, and not just fish and chips- although I would argue that they are probably the best fish and chips I have ever had- with mushy peas, obviously.
Considering it's such an institution, it's still epic value, and not just fish and chips- although I would argue that they are probably the best fish and chips I have ever had- with mushy peas, obviously.
Bianca
Dec 30, 2021
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Amanda Soraghan
Dec 29, 2021
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Christina
Nov 25, 2021
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Thoroughly enjoyed our meal; Could not fault a single thing! The staff were very friendly and everything was delicious. They accommodated my shellfish allergy very well (clearly marked my food to avoid cross contamination). In addition, the winter menu was great value (3 courses for £22.50pp). Would return without a doubt!
Ruxandra Maria
Oct 30, 2021
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We didn't book in advance so we had to give our phone number to be called when they had an available table. Estimate waiting time 30 min. and 30 min it was. Waiting was so worth it. I had starter fish pot which was so delicious (quite big size for starter size see pic. So if i was behaved that would have been enough for me.) And main fresh mussels. Oh its been a while since i had such an amazing food. Service excellent. Really busy place but whi had time to notice 😊🍲❤️👌
Velaphor
Oct 29, 2021
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Craig Trussell
Sep 23, 2021
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Neda
Aug 25, 2021
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Adorn & Acorn Jewellers
Aug 18, 2021
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A very well deserved reputation for the absolute best fish and chips (scampi and chips in my case but it still counts 😉) . The team worked so hard to serve everyone quickly, we went later in the evening for a takeaway and there was a small queue which moved quickly. Our food was fresh and delicious, the tartar sauce is really tasty. Portions are good and the price is good too. Eating this delicious food overlooking the harbour was perfect. Thanks to the friendly and efficient team.
Jim B.
Jul 24, 2019
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Set right on the water in Whitby, the Magpie Cafe is one of the best places around to get seafood. This multi-floor restaurant is almost always packed with people, so wait times can be substantial if you arrive at a prime dining times. We got there at 3:30pm and walked right in.
This is a big tourist restaurant and almost all of the tourists were from the UK according to the accents. I think we were the only Americans. The food took a long time to come, over 30 minutes. But when it finally arrived it was really good. We both had two types of grilled fish with chips and vegetables. We were very
This is a big tourist restaurant and almost all of the tourists were from the UK according to the accents. I think we were the only Americans. The food took a long time to come, over 30 minutes. But when it finally arrived it was really good. We both had two types of grilled fish with chips and vegetables. We were very
Marie G.
Feb 07, 2019
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What a horrible day outside, but what a great experience inside. It was rainy and really nasty. Long cue outside but we were hungry and had heard of this place as the top for fish and chips. Well, the cue didn't take long to get us in and the experience was to die for. I'm not that big on fish and chips so in my party (total of 4) I am the only one that had the mussels and chips. WOW. Delicious. They come in a rally huge pot with a garlic and cream sauce. We didn't have dessert because we just couldn't fit it but we were so happy with the plates, filling and big portions. If
Greta Z.
Jul 07, 2018
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I cried at the Magpie Cafe because I was overcome with all the beauty of Whitby: sights, tastes, sounds, and smells. The line starts forming before they open. They have gorgeous views of the harbor and the absolute best fish, chips, mashy peas, and sticky toffee pudding with custard! It's my favorite meal in England! And if you love their Whitby placemats like I do, they sell them down the street at the Magpie Kitchen shop!
James G.
Dec 23, 2017
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Helen C.
Jun 06, 2016
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This place is a must visit if you find yourself in had Whitby!
There is always a big queue, this time round I waited for about 30 minutes for a table for 4. The wait is usually less if there are just 2 people but it is worth the wait. There are lots of tables inside but service is still very fast and friendly. The food is so fresh and the choice is amazing. Also, genuinely one of the best cups of tea I have ever had!
A word of warning, there are loads of stairs inside so this could make it difficult if you have a pushchair/wheelchair.
Don't be put off by the queue! There is a takeaway
There is always a big queue, this time round I waited for about 30 minutes for a table for 4. The wait is usually less if there are just 2 people but it is worth the wait. There are lots of tables inside but service is still very fast and friendly. The food is so fresh and the choice is amazing. Also, genuinely one of the best cups of tea I have ever had!
A word of warning, there are loads of stairs inside so this could make it difficult if you have a pushchair/wheelchair.
Don't be put off by the queue! There is a takeaway
Nunhead N.
Jun 12, 2013
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Whitby has fish and chips shops everywhere you turn so it can be difficult choosing where you should spend your hard earned cash. Our local foodie contacts on Twitter all said that the Magpie was the best in town so we took their advice and ignored the rest.
On a Monday night in June the restaurant was fairly busy but there were still "walk in" tables available. However, we decided to keep it old school and have a "carry out" fish supper. We joined the short, friendly queue at the shop next to the main restaurant and we were served within a couple of minutes: haddock for me
On a Monday night in June the restaurant was fairly busy but there were still "walk in" tables available. However, we decided to keep it old school and have a "carry out" fish supper. We joined the short, friendly queue at the shop next to the main restaurant and we were served within a couple of minutes: haddock for me
Qype User Templa
Aug 09, 2008
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If I was not vegetarian thn 5 stars but there are veggie options.
There are a few great fish and chips shops here..some have won awardsobviously fresh fish comes in with the fleet.
The Magpie Cafe in Whitby is one of the most famous restaurants in England. Unlike other famous restaurants however the Magpie does noes deliver haute cuisine, instead it is famous for its fish and chips.
Do not be put off at the length of the queues outside. Even if it is pouring down with rain, and it does quite frequently in Whitby, you can still guarantee that that there will be anything up to a hundred people that
There are a few great fish and chips shops here..some have won awardsobviously fresh fish comes in with the fleet.
The Magpie Cafe in Whitby is one of the most famous restaurants in England. Unlike other famous restaurants however the Magpie does noes deliver haute cuisine, instead it is famous for its fish and chips.
Do not be put off at the length of the queues outside. Even if it is pouring down with rain, and it does quite frequently in Whitby, you can still guarantee that that there will be anything up to a hundred people that
