Magpie Cafe in Scarborough

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The Best Fish & Chips I've ever had!

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

Val was very welcoming and made the visit feel great 👍

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

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.

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!

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 .

Regular customer, always good food and good service.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!

A restaurant with great character and the freshest fish

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.

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.

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!

Classic chip shop and restaurant, gets busy

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

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.

Lovely fish & chips today very tasty

Just came back from whitby stayed 5 days tried other fish chip shops ,takeaways ,magpie cafe in out opinion was miles better than anywhere elsewhere. Chips were fantastic and cod was best ever tasted

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.

Eat in or take away. 5 star fish n chips.

Really good and worthwhile as we have been to Whitby three times without getting a seat.

I had the salmon which was delicious. I tried my partners chips but all I can say is that they tasted of cooking oil. I would not have them. Staff and service good. Tables are very close together.

Lovely fish and chips nice to be able to have a smaller portion

We had a family meal here recently - one of the party is gluten free. The gluten free fish and chips was absolutely amazing - light crispy and the fish was simply Devine! Our waitress Audrey was so helpful and friendly . Well done the Magpie- outstanding yet again - will most certainly be back

One of the best in Whitby, despite lots of competition. We went for fish and chips and scampi and chips and mushy peas. Averaged around £10 a person. The fish was fresh and tasty. Scampi was buttery with large prawns. Mushy peas were a decent portion and thick.

We booked a table to avoid having to queue, our server was very friendly and helpful and the food was of a high standard. Would definitely recommend and we would eat here again.

Good fish and chips, looking at the big queue we opted for the take away and thought of slumming it with the Seagulls. No queue, and some beautiful crisp cod and chips….Hhmm delicious.

Visited this place on the 25th October 2024, ordered two times cod and chips, the cod was like chewing string it was very dry, we would say they were over cooked. Very disappointed.

Heard it was the best fish and chips in Whitby and it didn’t disappoint. Delicious Fish & Chips especially the large ones and if you have tea with your meal then their Yorkshire Tea is so good. Recommend this to anyone going to Whitby.

After reading mixed reviews of Magpie cafe I wanted to at least eat at your cafe.I booked a table for 2 people on 21st October 14.00. I could actually smell the strong odour of fish as I entered the cafe. This is a big sign of bad fish. We ordered 2 plates of haddock and chips. I have to give you an honest review The consistancy of the haddock was mushy with a slime coating on the outer surface. It wasn't the worst tasting batter I have ever tasted, but certainly wasn't the best. Very very greasy. Chips were very undercooked. Oh there's more- Coming from a fishing town I know when the fish is fresh or bad, and your haddock should not have been served to customers. Within half an hr of only eating half of the haddock myself and husband started suffering from stomach cramps etc. The meal for 2 people cost £40.60 Sorry but you cannot justify the shocking price of a bad meal. Sea towns fish should taste fresh no excuse.

Such a great selection of seafood dishes and a great experience every time we visit. Service is great too. Recommend booking a table so you don't have to queue.

Great food and service fish is gorgeous, worth a visit, even if on the slightly expensive side

We had a Fish and Chips takeaway today at Magpie Cafe takeaway, and it was crap, all the reviews all say you have to go to Magpie for fish and chips !

Amazing fish and chips. The fish is so fresh and just flakes. This is the only place that uses fresh fish, well worth the price when in Whitby.

We had booked for our lunch meal and stated two of us had mobility issues. We got up steps and was quite rudely told to move to the side whilst other customers exited The young man who escorted us to the lift was awesome as we're our waitresses But when it came to pay the receptionist again was very rude and abrupt However it didn't spoil our lovely meal that we had and the great service from the other staff! Thank you to the rest of the staff! From a travelling Kiwi

Plenty of choice. Cooked beautifully.

Fabulous food. Monkfish & Mussels and Haddock & Chips. Had Lindisfarne oysters too which were really good. We had 2 children with us & they're meals could not be faultrd either. Service and Staff were very good too

One of the places to visit in Whitby. There are plenty of other fish restaurants, but this is the best. Booking in advance is a good idea, as it gets very busy.

I have been visiting Whitby for over 20 years, and Magpies is always an essential visit. Unfortunately, on our recent visit it was anything but a good experience. The fish looked like it was cooked from frozen, not fresh, and tasteless. The chips were really poor and thin and also looked like they had been reheated. The waitress did get the meal swapped for me, but the next plate was the same. I have always had great food and service from Magpies, but even the customer service was overall poor. We left and the next day went to Trenchers, which was a 100% better experience. We will be back, but we expect better.

Food 5star, warm glasses with melted ice not good

The BEST fish and chips in Yorkshire! ❤️

3rd visit to Whitby but 1st visit to Magpie cafe. only waited 5mins for a table. Served quickly, food arrived nice and hot. Thought the fish wasn't the best I've ever had but still tasty nice. Best mushy peas I've tested. Great meal.

There are so many places offering fish and chips in Whitby, but this has to be the best. The haddock and cod were perfectly cooked, as were the chips cooked in beef fat. Topped off with tea, bread and butter. Excellent service and reasonably priced. Recommended

Best fish & chips around. Nice clean helpful & friendly staff.

Just the best fish and chips in Whitby and I’ve only been the once … fantastic food and menu was varied which was great for the vegetarian diner in our party