Magpie Cafe in Scarborough

After our first visit to Magpie Café 2 years ago, we were keen to return and were not disappointed. The North Sea octopus starter was to die for, and of course the main event was the sharing platter of fish and chips! Brilliant.

Went on Saturday 8th March at 4pm, excellent service. The fish and chips were delicious. Definitely worth a trip if in the area.

Well worth the queue! Best scampi and fish and chips we’ve had! The oysters were very fresh and delicious (this is coming from someone who typically isn’t the biggest fan of oysters, but these were great). If you’re in in Whitby for the day, this is a must try.

Great fish and chips,mushy peas excellent

Had lunch today. I had the langustein, I had hoped they arrive ready to eat, so was a little disappointed when they didn't. I asked for them to be prepared, only to be informed by the kitchen staff that they were too busy! Rude to say the least! I also ordered the garlic mushrooms and again not great. My husband ordered the fish and chips, and was even disappointed with that. We've been before and had a great meal, hence us returning. Sadly, this visit was a totally different experience

Atmosphere.... it's a fish and chip takeaway though there is a restaurant too

Didn't have to queue too long & staff were super helpful and attentive. Food lovely

We ordered medium size. Still very decent size. So far, one of the best fish and chips I have ever tasted!

I didn’t get a chance to try their fish & chips, as I got distracted by the crab but cannot complain as it was so delicious! I swapped the chips for a salad and it was so hearty and flavourful. The Yorkshire IPA beer was okay. Definitely coming back this Summer to try the fish and chips, the mussels and the fish pie! The service was fantastic! Please make a booking before you go.

Just love eating here, when in Whitby. Haddock was gorgeous.

Brilliant fish and chip restaurant 😋

Great place been once and loved it I’ve been to Whitby multiple times and I have to say this is one of my favourite restaurants I’ve been to and the staff are pleasant

Brilliant service and great food !! All looked, smelled and tasted delicious, ten out of ten !!!♥️

This place is amazing great for a special meal out or just a nice treat we went to whity for the weekend and ate here last night as a birthday treat for me and 2 friends just under £60 for fillet steak chips half lobster salad onion rings and peppercorn sauce 😋 well worth it ... the fillet steak melted in my mouth and the chips well .....they we're the best I've had in my life great place lovely staff ❤️ thankyou it was amazing

Not been for a few years and always massively enjoyed the Magpie. So looking forward to the haddock and chips and the wife spotted the crab bisque, one of our favourites so we decided to have it. First thought was it was a smallish portion but in the end glad it was! So thick, really sweet and not good at all, especially with a large amount of watercress on the top - why? Fortunately after waiting a bit longer than we liked the main event arrived and our faith was restored! A delightful piece of thick well battered haddock and superb chips. Mind you at over £20 for f and c and mushy peas it needed to be, even though the fish was regular as opposed to small! Unlike so many other chippies bread and butter another extra. Staff were friendly and polite but service was pretty slow. In fairness it was busy as usual. Enjoyed it overall but not sure it will be on our agenda on the next visit to Whitby. Was going to give 3 stars but just about 4 on the fish and previous visits.

We booked for 7.30. A member of staff noticed us looking quizzically at the steps, came out, addressed us by name, explained we were on the top floor and would be better taking the lift. Another member of staff escorted us to the lift which is located in the takeaway next door. We felt like royalty. It’s over twenty years since our last visit stairs weren’t an issue then. My husband was ninety last year. We wanted to bring our two teenage grandsons to Whitby. We have taken them to some very classy restaurants but they said that the food and service at the Magpie was up with the best. We had one small cod, two regular cod and a regular haddock with bread and butter, tea for me (fabulous loose leaf, tea pot with hot water, lager for my husband soft drinks for the boys. £71. Really good value.

Great food, and price. If you have an allergy you get a little red flag. And some of the staff are blunt but most are kind.

Had a lovely meal here. I thought the fish and chips was 10/10. Also ordered the fish pie which was delicious with a healthy amount of fish. Portions are hearty. Staff were friendly and attentive. Atmosphere unassuming. Recommend booking in advance. Some veggie options.

Have eaten here before, both takeaway and in the restaurant. This time sat upstairs with a view of the Abbey. The staff were friendly and hardworking. The starters of mussels and crab pate were wonderful. The regular fish and chips were just about manageable. In future would only attempt a large portion if not having a starter. The chips crisp and fluffy, the haddock snowy white with light crisp batter. Superb. Nice touch the sweets with magpie cafe on them.

Fabulous in every way the good is amazing and the staff are lovely especially Anna. She's always happy and smiley and absmd super friendly. Well done magpie x

Fantastic food - always, and generous helpings! Lovely friendly helpful staff.A place with a homey feel and lovely views. Excellent toilets. Great ambience. We hadn’t been since The Fire (2017 I think) and everything was just as wonderful as before: finding this sort of consistency is really good.

Delicious and great value for money.

Compared to one of its rivals, which will remain nameless but was still good, Magpie was cheaper, had bigger portions and was more delicious. Their haddock was fantastic

The Magpie Café serves the best Fish and Chips in Whitby in my opinion. I recommend booking in advance if you don't want to wait and queue outside. The food is always served quickly. Our table had an amazing sea view! Accessibility will likely be an issue due to the stairs to enter the establishment. The food is great and I particularly enjoyed the grilled goats cheese. The Creme Brulee was more like Creme Cremated as someone was a little heavy on the torch but that didn't ruin the evening.

Fabulous. Specials menu was tempting and delicious. Mains of mussels was very tasty with good size mussels and perfect chips on the side. F+C had a lovely chunk of cod, and the mushy peas were joucy and tasty. All staff were great, and Kadie ensured everything was provided for a perfect meal.

Absolutely brilliant would recommend a visit.Do prebook.

Absolutely gorgeous fish, chips and mushy peas. Washed down with a proper brew too. Super friendly staff

Incredible food. Super fast service. Friendly staff. Highly recommend 👌

Was a lovely meal although did wait for the food for quite a while but one of the staff, youngish chap with a beard was very rude. Not to us but to people coming in. Very aggressively telling them to wait outside and not come in. That's fine but maybe put the sign so you can see it on the outside rather than it being on the inside so you online see it if you walk in and look behind you! Also Husband had the vegan shepherd's pie which he's had before, said it tasted a bit spicy this time which he didn't really like

Had some food from the takeaway classic fish and chips and they were absolutely superb. They were perfectly cooked. Absolutely beautiful. The staff that were serving were really funny and friendly. It is possibly the greatest fish and chip restaurant in the world.

A beautiful sea front café with an amazing view. The portion sizes are large, so it is definitely worth the money. Everything tasted fresh, and the staff are very friendly. I would definitely recommend dining here.

The staff were great and the food is always beaut! Had 2 people next to us on about the filtered water, and being difficult. The waitress dealt with it like a pro. It was so ridiculous what they were asking and she just masterfully dealt with the ridiculousness of their enquiries. Also, they noticed I am not great on my legs and took me to the disabled toilet and let me use it despite me being quite young. First time me and my partner have been and won't be the last. See you in August when we are back ladies and gents.

Amazing place. Cosy atmosphere and quick service. 10/10

Been many times, always a great experience, only, this last time we were disappointed with the meal, not up to it's usual standard and the Salad, oh dear! Will have to think before we go back.

Visited kn February so no wait for a table! Lots of selection available on the menu. The meal was ok, great chips. It wasn't the best fish and chips ever had but nothing specifically wrong. Meal for 2 £50.

The Best Fish & Chips I've ever had!

Simply Lovely, everytime we return we are amazed at the quality of the food which is consistent and superb. Can't wait to return.

Val was very welcoming and made the visit feel great 👍

Very busy and very warm inside service good food good but had to wait a long time for food

The fish & chips were average and too oily . Mussels were exceptional. Service was really slow and they miss one of my order. The attitude wasn’t good as well.

Fantastic cod and chips. Great service. Very friendly and helpful.

Lovely seafood resto with excellent service by experienced and obliging wait staff (senior ladies). Rightfully famous for their fish and chips - lightly battered, fresh and succulent haddock. Fries are delish. Other seafood hotpot we ordered was delicious too,with fresh catch. Would return without hesitation. Kudos.

Friendly staff Good location Excellent food Good service Highly recommend

Went on a busy Saturday night in January without a reservation but only had to wait about 10mins for a table. The menu is extensive with a good mix of dishes. Food was good. We can see why this is a local institution and are glad we got to try it. If you’re after a slice of the traditional, head here.

Food over rated and expensive for what you get. Appalling attitude from staff when they had to put some chips in and cook them. They were more interested on their phones!!!! Will not be returning out of principal.

Great food, great view, awesome hospitality

Just went for takeaway fish and chips. The fish was fabulous. Best I’ve ever had. But I was totally put off by the server who kept reaching into a packet of biscuits or cake and feeding herself whilst serving the fish and chips. Just not acceptable surely?

Always a great dining experience at the Magpie

Perhaps the best fish and chips in Whitby, absolutely worth it! Staff is extremely friendly, there was no option of skinned haddock on the menu yet the staff catered to pur request although it was a busy hour. Would definitely recommend!

We have many happy memories of eating here when our sons were small. Coming here as a family did not disappoint. Everything was as wonderful as we remembered Thank you Magpie!

Just love everything about the magpie from the atmosphere, service and food .Portions are always generous and the fish always perfectly cooked ,can't wait for another return visit

The staff were excellent. I was struggling to get upstairs to the table that was booked for us. They were so helpful and quickly reset a table downstairs for me and the family. Thank you 😊 the food was excellent too. Everyone of us thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended 👌

The best taste of your Yorkshire trip!

Amazing seaside fish and chips! We are ours on the pier near the pergola. Good quality, fresh, hot and so so tasty!

Regular customer, always good food and good service.

The Fish and chips was good as usual on all visits . But the starter seared scallops was so bad . First time it arrived the scallops were cold and not seared at all . Second time I think they had put them in a microwave. Still not seared . Very poor starter , good fish and chips .

The mulled wine was excellent. The best fish and chips ever. We loved the selection of delicious seafood and the service was great. In our weekend to Whitby we dined in 3 times because it was that good.

Yet another chippy tea at the Magpie. The most delicious battered fish cakes I have ever tasted. Well worth a visit at any time but I’d advise booking in the more popular times.

Excellent English fish restaurant. The mussels were excellent, firm and very tasty, despite the garlic and onion seasoning, their flavor clearly dominated: rarely, even in Italy, have I eaten such good mussels. The fish & chips are also excellent: fresh fish, well marinated, soft and tasty inside, nice crunchy outside. Worth mentioning is the small selection of local craft beers. I regretted not trying the oysters!

Service was painfully slow 1hr plus between starter and mains When the main did arrive it wasn't even fish I'd ordered 🤬 Complained and did get it taken off the bill The place is a totaly run on its name which is sorry to say going downhill fast over the last few years Will never go back and to be honest would sooner go to a smaller more deserving of custom restaurant than this over priced cowboy outfit🤮🤢

An absolute must to visit. They don't disappoint!!

Excellent food. Fresh seafood, friendly service. Prices reasonable for the quality. Must try if your in Whitby

Worst fish and chips I've ever had from whitby Went in tea time, was asked if we had reservations and we said no , was showen to the most furthest table and past loads of empty tables on the way , ordered 3 meals 1 being that magpie special reg cod and chips, services was very good and delightful, but food was terrible, the fish tasted very nice but was very wet and sloppy and on all 3 meals the chips had been left overs in the hatch and had been thrown back in and warmed up again in the fryer, Would not recommend and definitely not be going back Would rather have a burger from down the rad

Food is OK, not top-notch by any means. According to others, it has gone down in quality. Fish & Chips are very expensive compared to other restaurants and to be honest have had far better from a takeaway. Personally 1st and last visit.

Very disappointed and the Magpie seems to go on its past reputation of being a good fish and chip restaurant. Ordered a regular haddock and chips which had to be sent back , the haddock was very watery and the most probable reason was that the fish was frozen and the batter very thin and soggy. They did change the meal and we were served another haddock and chips and although better was definitely not up to a standard of award winning restaurant. My suggestion would be to try somewhere else when in Whitby.

It's difficult to know where to start. It is clearly a popular venue, we went on a Monday night and it wasn't t all busy. The difficult knowing where to start is due to so so much of what we experienced was beyond expectations. I don't make notes of what I had or what was on offer, but it was an incredibly imaginative menu. I consider myself a foodie, but have never had Monkfish. Nothing scored less that whatever out of whatever, pick the highest score and that's it. The wine (I'm no expert) was fabulous and I think we had two bottles. It is so easy to say 'I have never had food which tasted as good as theirs did' but I will. I wish this place was near where I live, I'd buy a section of the place just for me to enjoy their food. Don't believe the hype, go see for yourself. They don't have a 'disappointment' gene there. It is as good as I wrote.

I was excited to try this place for our first time after reading all the reviews. Waited for service to start at magpie takeaway whitby this morning at 11.30. I ordered two cod wrapped separately. was told it would take 10 mins. Was very disappointed at size of each fish the length normal, but the width very narrow two adult fingers wide was all, l am sure they had cut one fillet length ways. But paid £ 8.50 for each and left the establishment. Batter very thin turned out an uninteresting light meal. never to return.

Every time I go to Whitby, I come here for the best fish and chips! On this occasion I visited with my partner and our four children ageing from five years to 17 years. We managed to get a suitable table on the first floor for all of us And there was a large availability across the menu to suit us all. I went for the standard haddock, chips and mushy peas with a dandelion and burdock for which I don’t think you can go far wrong! Excellent, hot and tasty food all round and everybody enjoyed their meals. It isn’t the cheapest place to eat in Whitby, however I believe it offers the best fish and chip experience. We will return!

Lovely Fish & Chips and a proper Cup of Tea As always.

Very nice food best fish and chips i ever had

Simply delightful haddock and chips with homemade tartare sauce. The Magpie Cafe exceeded expectations. Even better - they make proper tea. Perfect to finish a splendid lunch

Service slow 10 minu for drink. Waitress rude and stern, More a robot . she really diddn't want to be there. Won"t be going again Zero atmosphere too.

Always make a point of getting fish and chips from Magpie's (takeaway) when we are visiting Whitby. Not been for a couple of years but the quality as gone down hill, the oil used to cook the food either was old (unchanged) or a new/cheaper type but it was rank, plenty of other restaurants/takeways to try now that smell more appetizing when passing by - should have guessed really because we always had to queue but the shop was practically empty......

Fantastic meal here. We can definitely recommend the mussels & the Haddock which were both plentiful & cooked perfectly. Will most certainly visit again

Beautiful fish and chips, also they do gluten free

Best fish & chips eveeeer! Faultless. And the staff are fantastic. This is not to be missed if you’re near Whitby.

Absolutely perfect fish and chip restaurant in Whitby. Obviously there are lots but I am so pleased we settled with this one! Spotless throughout….staff are extremely polite and helpful. Fish and chips were the best I have ever had!!!! Can’t recommend this place enough! A****** and 11 out of 10!!

Perfect seaside atmosphere with perfect fish & chips! Visited from the USA. Dined here March 2023 with my bff because its a favourite of her family's and I can see why. Delicious!

My favourite Fish & Chip café. Always the highest quality. The Magpie Cafe was a firm favourite of former Deputy Prime Minister, Lord John Prescott. R.I.P

Had an anniversary treat, oysters and a few bubbles.

We haven't been here for several years, and not since it was rebuilt following the dreadful fire. But today we remedied that and had a fabulous lunch: fish, chips and mushy peas. These were superbly done, crispy chips with fluffy insides, and the freshest haddock in light, crispy batter. Perfect. Accompanied by a tasty pint of Whitby Heritage beer from Baytown brewery. Freindly, efficient service. The perfect lunch!

Lovely fish and chips and a great battered fishcake. Visited on a weekday in November and although the place was quiet we did have a bit of a wait for our food but worth it.

Pre booked a party of 8. Regular visitors to our favourite 'chippy'. Food excellent, apart from my batter, which was a bit soggy. I'm sure it is a 'one off' (hopefully)? We'll be back. Keep it Crispy folks.

The best fish restaurant in the UK 🇬🇧 the best bit is whitby crab 🦀 pate outstanding I can see why James Martin and Rick stein like it I got all the magpie cookbooks

Let me tell you that I am not a fish and chips kinda gal. When I say this was the best fish and chips I have tasted. I didn’t feel bloated after the meal. Beautiful atmosphere in the restaurant. Friendly staff. Deffo will go again.

Excellent restaurant with quality meals 👌

Had takeaway chips from here - beautiful

Huge menu! We enjoyed the 2 courses for £22, the baked Camembert and Calamari to start, followed by the Mussels and Hake. The portions are huge and everything was tasty!

My wife and I had a great meal. Trying 2 different starters and then the fish platter of cod , haddock, plaice, and skate . All dishes were well presented and tasted good. Staff were very friendly and helpful. I would be happy to return when I am in that part of the UK.

A restaurant with great character and the freshest fish

Absolutely incredible, the bathrooms are massive, the staff are incredibly nice especially Jeanette (photo),the food was lovely.

Lovely place to eat. I would recommend booking, the queue was out the door. Yummy fish dishes.

Been coming here for 30 years, and was our daughter’s first try of fish and chips at just one year old, holds very special memories for me x

Really rude waitress, I had a sticker inside the fish pie and I didn’t even heard any sorry. The food tastes no flavour too.

Classic chip shop and restaurant, gets busy

The attitude of this waitress was very bad, at first the cutlery was just uncleaned spoons and plates, I asked this waitress to change it, she was very angry and told me to please change it, it was obvious that this was a hygiene issue of the restaurant cutlery, and later when we found a plastic foreign object in our food, she had a very bad attitude too, and she kept on trying to find ways to excuses and avoid saying that it wasn't the restaurant's problem. All in all it was a very bad experience coming to this restaurant and I even suspect that this waitress was racist!

cod very overcooked. apparently local fishermen now only bring in shell fish so cod is not local to whitby. I get the impression that the fish and chip outlets are just for tourists.

Always amazing fish and chips and good service. Always full, so glad we have a habit to book it ahead of time.

Lovely fish & chips today very tasty

I can't understand why they didn't give me an extra teacup when I asked for it. I'm speechless🙄 The waiter kept stealing glances at us. We were being watched while drinking tea. Very bad.