Wits End Cafe Espresso Bar in Scarborough

This is sort of our local for Sunday Breakfast and takeaway coffee and cakes on dog walks. Never disappoints food always good and friendly staff

It’s such a pleasure to have this fantastic cafe on our door step. We had a great walk from Whitby along the beach and our oasis was wits end, tomato mushroom cheese frittata with the best potato wedges I’ve had in a long while, the whole experience was lovely and will defiantly return soon .

Went here today for the first time, intimidating notices all over the place, one said you cant sit in unless you spend a min. of £10.00, staff all look miserable and the prices are just so expensive £10.00 for a breakfast in a tiny cafe, baked potatoe £8.00. The cafe is in a lovely place, but they need to get a reality check, bin the notices, have friendly staff and sort the pricing out for food!!

This cafe must be owned by a jaded patron who passed on their lack of enthusiasm for customer service to their poorly trained young staff.You only have to look at the unwelcoming series of notices and chalkboards that basically see you are not welcome but come in and pay too much money for what you get.I would say a typical underwhelming café that caters for transient tourists and with no real consideration for customer service or value. It’s a shame because it’s in a nice spot !

We ventured in to check out the place and to see if you could bring dogs in went through to the outside i sat down to look at the menu while my mam used the toilet, we decided that it was a nice place and that we were going to bring the dogs back for a cup of tea and a scone, upon leaving we approached by the 4 members of staff and asked if we were coming back to which we replied “we are” then 1 member of staff started raising her voice at us saying that their toilets are for customers only, we explained that my mam was severally sight impaired and that she couldn’t see in the toilets just down the road regardless we were coming back as soon as we met back up with my dad with the dogs who was 2 minutes up the street, then who I could presume as the owner came out and started swearing at us in front of customers If I could give this place 0 I happily would

Visited on a Sunday afternoon with the family, ordered coffee, juice and a brownie. Was dismayed to see how many flies and insects where covering the inside window just centimetres from our table; I appreciate that's its summer, but at least they could be periodically cleaned away. We were even more put out when the glass for my son's juice was placed on the table, it was covered with hand prints in what I can only assume to be sunscreen. I nearly asked for a clean glass but I thought if the waitress had picked it up to put it on the tray then taken it off again, she either noticed and didn't care, or didn't notice at all, both options are worrying, so what was the point? I thought it more hygienic to let my son drink from the juice bottle itself. The brownie was very dry and just like a sawdust sponge cake. The whole experience put a dampener on our afternoon. Even if it was a busy service, if you're in the business of serving food and drink, these are pretty basic principles.

2 takeaway drinks. Tasted ok but nothing special. For the price they charge I would have expected far more. We wish we had walked further along the front to try the other cafes not this one near the (expensive, £2.20 for 1 hour) car park. We will not visit again.

Have seen a few negative reviews on here but can only speak as I find. Thought it was lovely. Have visited twice this week and sat in the shady and pretty walled garden with our dog to have a pot of tea and a panini. Staff were friendly and efficient and food was lovely. If we were here for longer I'd go again!

I came down for an early morning stroll and paddle in the water.Beautiful sunshine and decided to have a cuppa and bacon sandwich.Lovely, so good I phoned my partner and told her I'd be up in five minutes to collect her.Return visit and she had breakfast and I had a scone in the lovely walled garden.A lovely spot.

Called in and two young ladies were busy chatting to each other and not welcoming. When we ordered food they didn’t understand what was on their own menu and I needed to clarify what was actually on their menu. Soup was bland and and no distinctive flavour or seasoning. Cheese roll was basic and dry also lacked substantial amount of filling. For what you receive this place is way overpriced. Both had soup (small bowl) cheese roll, cup of tea and portion of chips to share £28Setting/building was nice but really bad value for money and poor service.

Popped in Sandsend Wits End as looked cute . Ordered flat white . It was a tasteless milky coffee . Couldn’t drink it , if no staff know how to make one , it shouldn’t be on menu . Would have given 1 star but cakes on display looked yummy although didn’t have one . Also huge spelling mistake on menu . Raisen not raisin . Was at my wits end being there . Shame ad lovely spot .

A lovely, classy cafe next to the beach in Sandsend. An excellent selection of dishes catering for a variety of tastes. very friendly service, but not intrusive. Excellent value for money.

Popped in for coffee and a bacon sandwich with my disabled 90 yr old mother in law, disabled daughter and 4 other family members. There were a few seats available but as my sister in law walked through to look for more one of the staff said “don’t go through there we are full”.

Just needed a quick bite for lunch so called in to this café. Watch your car as you drive in and out of the car park - it's a tight squeeze! The café was quiet because it was raining. The service was good. We were bit disappointed with the soup which was fairly tasteless and needed a great deal of additional seasoning as a result.

Great coffee shop with a good selection of cakes. We went with friends and had tea/coffee and a jam and cream scone. Very nice

Our second visit and went back as we forgot our last visit, Good if you are gluten free ad food arrived quickly. Gets a 2 as food is pricey and portions towards small side as is amount of tea you get. Also lacks atmosphere:. Burton Agnes cafe much better including cheaper prices.

Often drop in here and it is always pleasant service and spotlessly clean. The location is amazing being right on the shore, with an adjacent car park.

A favourite lunchtime destination for us when in the area! Always lovely warm and friendly service and generally the food is excellent! Recommended.....😊

Needed breakfast/lunch and as before food good coffee even better(hot,strong and black for me) with nice friendly people behind the counter makes a good place to go.

The kind of operation that gives Britain a bad name.

Had sandwiches and chips here, the bread rolls were nice but the fillings were average. The sandwiches came with a small side salad (leaves, coleslaw and beetroot) and crisps The chips were ok, overall I felt it was a little pricy for what we got, but probably typical for a beach cafe. Plastic glasses for the water and an old tin for presenting the cutlery may be thought quirky, but seemed a bit cheap to me. Nothing bad, nothing brilliant, just average.

The wife popped in here to get 3 small ice creams for the kiddies. £9 for 3 small ice creams. At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask. Places like this really put you off going back to the area.

As mentioned by other reviewers, the numerous signs are really off putting, Also the food was very very expensive for what you got, I had a crab sandwich and my partner, a pannini with coffees, these came to just under £20.00, just a very small salad with each meal.

My wife and I always enjoy visiting as the staff are most helpful. They have a good choice for lunch and afternoon tea

Just popped in for a bottle of beer and was charged more than i would have paid in a 4 star hotel.

Usually visit here once or twice a year but have not been for a while. I presume it is under new management as menu is much reduced and changed. No more delicious Toasted flat breads but a cheese and tuna toasted sandwich with a smattering of cheese and fairly bland tuna on plain white bread. Very little salad garnish and no crisps. We won't be returning. Staff friendly enough drinks ok but not a patch on the last time we went. Rather expensive at £6 for a toastie.

Pleasant place, but incredibly expensive! Scones and cakes stacked high but at £3/£4 a pop I don't think they will be selling many.

seaside cafe standard food, relatively expensive compared with Whitby down the road. Jacket potato was caramelised - OK but not best quality.

There’s a preponderance of signs outside The Wits End which might be off putting, but get inside and you find a warm and dog-friendly welcome. Good food and drinks (especially the millionaire shortbread), nice decor (though “Espresso Bar” might be a bit much), and a bit small inside, but it does have a garden.

We stopped here on Sunday after walking from Whitby and had a very unpleasant experience. The lady on the till was rude and very difficult to deal with. The cost of a jacket with cheese and beans was £9 and one of our jackets was musty and tasted as though it had been reheated several times. We have been here a number of times but will not be returning.

We have visited here for a few years but found this year's visit has gone downhill. The food is way overpriced, £8 for a cheese and pickle sandwich!

We have been visiting this little establishment for many years now and have slowly watched its decline. In our most recent visit we found the staff on the tills to be very rude and blunt. The food that followed seemed like it had been cooked a few hours earlier it tasted luke warm and very bland. For the high prices of the menu , the food seems like daylight robbery ! The only positive food item was the toasties. I will however mention that they can be accommodating for dogs which is useful.

What a lovely spot excellent service and magnificent coffee with awesome cakes a must visit it’s quiet clean and warm with helpful staff and a wide variety of food from vino and lunch to coffee and cakes

A good place to stop for a coffee break or a light lunch . Good coffee and pleasant seating areas inside and outside in the well tended courtyard garden

Nestling next to the a beautiful beach with fantastic walks it's great place to stop after. Nice selection of drinks and food on offer with polite and friendly staff. Seating out front to watch the world go by, inside and a walled courtyard at the rear. Pay car park next to it.

Stumbled across this cafe as we were driving through. Now it's a must every time we go to sandend. The lattes are amazing so are the scones. The meals are a little pricey but very nice. Will go again next year

A group of us had been on the North Yorkshire moors and called at wits end on our way to staithes they have a god selection of teas and coffee sandwiches and cooked meals the owner Keith was a very friendly chap and interested to look at our photos he is an accomplished photographer and you can see various shots on the walls of the cafe some taken by locals all the staff warm and friendly thanks again

We popped in for a couple of hot drinks to take back to the beach. The staff were friendly enough, and the service was quick. The drinks were just what we needed on a chilly day by the sea.

Ordered jacket potato mid afternoon. It arrived with limp small amount of salad. Actual potato was brown inside and out.....my guess is it had been cooked hours earlier and warmed up. The potato flesh was very brown and mushy. Not cheap either. I complained on payment but the manager/owner did not even come out of the kitchen to speak to me. I did get a 'free bottle' of seven up but I will Never eat here again. High prices, lousy food, plus parking charges.

There's been a change of chef, the food has improved no end. Had kippers, lovely Ambience lovely, place clean, will go back

We thought this was a charming place with friendly staff. Coffee good and crab sandwich delicious. Dog friendly . Bus stop right outside with regular service back into Whitby to save our weary legs

Called in for coffee at the weekend after taking a lovely tour on North Yorkshire moors.

For many years now we have visited this fantastic cafe located at the northern end of Sandsend. It is a brilliant location to get a first class drink, pastry or meal, all of which is freshly prepared on the premises. A warm welcome is waiting for you by Deborah and her staff, and no matter what the weather is outside you leave having had a wonderful experience and look forward to your next visit. We were there last month and have already stated that we will back again on our next holiday in the area in September. We can thoroughly recommend this Cafe.

Three of us called in for coffees and snacks during our holiday in the area. Two flat whites served in large cups which were too hot to drink. Tea cakes very large but not much flavour and a cheese scone that was very plain. Staff were pleasant and friendly and the cafe was warm and comfortable on what was a cold wet day. The bill overall was very expensive compared to alternative establishments we found later in the week.

This place could be so much better, staff were okay but there were a lot of orders all over the show, don't do this, don't do that. This place has an okay menu, but needs developing, I had a sandwich and the bread was a bit hard. This place serves alcohol, has a great walled garden, in a good location, next to a carpark.

A good cafe ruined. We have visited over the years many times and have never had such poor quality food and indifferent service.

Popped in for a cup of coffee and some ice cream after exploring the beach. Nice enough and enjoyed the wall garden but admit we were put off from getting more by the prices

great selection of drinks, cakes, places to sit and relax. Dogs made very welcome. (soup is fab) Very close to the beach, well worth visiting.

As a family of 4 who ordered 3 breakfasts and a bacon sandwich the bill came to over £30, drinks aren't included in the price which makes it very pricey and not what I would expect from an cafe which was nothing out of the ordinary. The breakfast was greasy too with oil visible on the plate. The day before we ate in a hotel in Robin Hood's Bay which was far superior and half the price.

Ordered a bacon sandwich to take out. Frozen bap, still icy. Bacon dry and hard, and cold. Staff too busy talking to each other, to acknowledge customer waiting, despite four staff around. Paid £4 for this. They are taking people for granted. The Sandside Cafe, a little further down is a hundred times better for quality, value and pleasant service.Needless to say, I will not be visiting wits end cafe again, because I would have to be at my wits end to visit themail.

Walked from Whitby along the beach to Sandsend and made a pit stop at this cafe that I have seen many times but never been in. It's much larger than I expected with a central courtyard. We sat in the room at the back with a lovely wood burner, very welcome on a cold day. Had warm scones and coffee and the children had sandwiches and crispy chips. Reasonable price and a good location next to the car park. It served us well before we headed back to Whitby.

We have been here around five times over the years, and it has been fairly good, if a little expensive. On our most recent visit, the service was quite good, and the staff were friendly, however, there were a lot of stupid noises coming from the kitchen, no doubt inexperienced staff in high spirits. This shouldn't happen.

A cute little cafe and a welcome sight after a beach walk from Whitby. A good selection of cakes, teas and coffees. Lemon drizzle cake was a bit dry but easily fixed. Otherwise very good

Visited here with friends for afternoon tea. Cakes,coffee and tea were first class with very good and quick service.

Walking in to the restaurant, I ordered our drinks at the counter and told the girl we were sitting outside. To my astonishment, she told me that I had to wait at my table to order from a waitress if I was eating/drinking in. Appalling service from staff who feel you're beneath them. Avoid.

Great location right next to the beach. Walled garden area for when the sun is shining. Reasonable choice of nice sounding items on the menu. However never got to eat there as the member of staff I was attempting to talk to was rude and unpleasant, so I left.

Great enclosed garden area, good coffee, polite staff, just a really nice little place to relax for a while

Visited here to get an icecream... £2.50 for a scoop ... asked for 2 scoops in a tub without realising the price... £5!!! Needless to say we declined.. the girl who was serving was very curt. Won't be going again!

This cafe is in a precarious state. It trades on its prior reputation and has stopped trying - it's gotten fat and happy and has stopped trying to delight its customers.

The food was beautifully prepared and served by very polite staff, the cafe was a nice place to be. I only wish I'd had room for the cakes which looked delicious. My only complaint is that the weather was absolutely awful.

Visited for lunch, disappointed with quality and quantity of the food which isn't inexpensive for a cafe lunch on the beach. The waitress had an unfortunate style and manner which made us feel we were being interrogated rather than placing an order, but what was most galling was to be charged £2.50 for a herbal tea which was served as a dry tea bag in a mug with a jug of hot water, they didn't even bother to disguise it in a tea pot! This is Sandsend, not High Street Ken !

The cafe is next to the car park at the north end of Sandsend, which is not the best setting, but we were pleasantly surprised when we went through into the walled garden. Lovely surroundings, and unlike some of the other reviewers we found the staff to be friendly and tea and very nice scones for two were a very reasonable £8+.

We visited here numerous times whilst our stay at Sandsend. They have a great menu,with a variety of choices. We all had cakes,coffees & cold drinks,all good & the service was very good. Lovely garden area at the back-a real sun trap!

We had a good experience, the staff were nice and chatty, the food was nice, but it was very expensive for what it was. I think they're on to a winner really because there aren't many places to choose from if you want to eat in Sandsend. The menu is limited, sandwiches, soup, baked potatoes and cake really. It was £9.50 for soup and a sandwich, which I personally thought was overpriced. The table behind us had tap water all round...I soon realised why! That said, the staff were lovely and it has a good view.

Not cheap average food, poor atmospher and not very friendly staff. We got the feeling that we shouldn't be there as there are notices instructing customers what they can and can't do all over the cafe. Such a shame!

Cafe LOOKS nice. Sadly, the young lady who attended us was rude to the extent other customers looked at us as if being reprimanded like children. Therefore we left and went elsewhere. Won't be going back.

After a very pleasant walk in the area 12 of us decided we would go in this cafe for refreshments, tea/coffee and maybe a scone, but not meals.There weren't many customers in the walled garden so we proceeded to move some chairs so that we could all sit together. We were told,very curtly, that we should have booked if there were more than 8 of us, and then we were told off for leaving a table without any chairs at it. As there were 12 of us sitting on 12 chairs we couldn't see the problem, after all we were paying customers. After being spoken to so rudely 6 of us left and went to the cafe at the farm shop in Easington were we were made most welcome.

Lovely looking place, good location, very comfortable and clean, a friendly welcome and service, dog friendly, all good so far....

I'd been walking my dog , and could leave her outside, so the owner brought me a menu outside , took my order & even brought a bowl of water for my dog. - Nothing too much trouble and the scone I had was divine

Some places are expensive and some are cheap but this one is in a league of its own. I have had old out of date crisps on at least two occasions and the cost of the refreshments is beyond most normal pockets. Its not surprising they are desperate fro reviews, only I cant give a positive one.

We called for an ice cream to take out and whilst it was nice a single scoop tub and 2 scoop cornet cost£6.00. You can buy a litre of the same ice cream in Waitrose for £2.99 and I wish I had

Went here for something to eat and drink I had coke that tasted like rola cola that cost 2.50 a can cake was ok but 3.50 !! Would not recommend

Always make a special trip walk from Whitby to visit Wits End cafe for breakfast.

We were intrigued by the fact that it advertises a 'walled garden', and so ventured in. There is a small courtyard, which is laughable to call it a walled garden! This wouldn't have mattered but the waitress made her disdain very plain once she realised we only wanted drinks and sent out a surly teenager who delivered our drinks in complete silence, dumping them on the table and leaving. The place itself is covered with 'information', telling you not to complain if you have to wait, not to move any chairs - not exactly relaxing. Completely lacking in any atmosphere, we won't be returning.

Stopped in today for a coffee before going on the beach at Sands End.

Lovely little cafe, good range of cafe foods and teas and coffees. Only draw back it is expensive for the range of foods it serves.

Called for a morning coffee and toasted teacake. Menu didn't show a teacake but when asked they said they did them. Teacakes came, they were large but only toasted on one side so generally were tepid. Butter being solid didn't help either. Coffee ok. Bill came, £11.40. What? Coffee about average for these days at £2.50 each but £3.20 for a teacake really was TOO much. We have since been told the owner has based her venue on the famous Bettys, sorry a café in Sandsend just does not match.

A great place to stop for a coffee and light bite. Next to the beach. Good service and surroundings. Food and drinks - lovely.

The food here is basic but is very good with an excellent choice of coffees and tea. Afternoon teas are very good and are even better to eat in the walled garden during the summer months.

after a walk from whitby stopped off here for coffee, excellent service, friendly staff lovely coffee and toasted scones, the scones were fresh and light, coffee very nice. Will be back again when i an next in the area.

Went into the pay and display car park and then, walking around, found this gem. What a delight! Service fantastic, coffee : the best I've tasted in a long time. Sat outside and watched the world go by and the ducks dicing with death on the road. What a little sun trap! Beautiful hanging baskets and tubs. We didn't want to leave. I would highly recommend this gem.

I've loved Sandsend for many years, but was shocked to see how much it had changed!!!

My wife and I have had a mid day meal here on a previous occasion. Yesterday we called in for a tea and a cake - excellent chocolate Fudge cake

This is great place in a super location and we've been there many times. However, similar to another reviewer, we got in big trouble moving some chairs. Our party of 9 was told in no uncertain terms that we couldn't be catered for, despite plenty of room. But we took it on the chin and agreed to come back 30 mins later and had a great lunch with very good service. However I could overhear at least two other tables have problems with their orders. Staff were quite argumentative and seemed stressed. But worth it, stay calm and keep smiling and hopefully they'll sort out their attitude to customers soon.

Visited twice over the weekend first late Saturday for coffee and crab sandwich

We walked from Runswick Bay to Whitby on a Sunday and stopped at Sandsend for lunch. It looked quite small - but going through the cafe leads to a sheltered outdoor seating area. It was a lovely warm day to enjoy the fresh air and excellent food.

We hiked from Staithes to Whitby today and it was so good to find this tea room as we got to Sandsend. We ordered soup for our late lunch and a pot of tea for two. The food was really good and just what we needed as fuel for our final 2 miles into Whitby. The cakes looked fantastic but I couldn't eat anything else after the fabulous soup.

Having read some of the other reviews, I needed to check if I was reviewing the right place! Of course one has to 'speak as you find', and I have to do just that. Five adults visited for lunch on a very wet Tuesday, there were plenty of people eating and drinking, we were shown across a small courtyard to another room where we were given menus and ordered shortly after. Soup of the day - five stars, Flatbread with brie & cranberry - five stars, Ham sandwich with a bowl of chips (twice) - five stars, Welsh rarebit - yes, five stars! A large pot of good yorkshire tea and coffee for two. All prepared freshly, very polite and friendly service, nice comfortable atmosphere.

My family called into this cafe on Sat 1st August. I did see the sign re: not moving chairs, but as there were no chairs visible other than those unused at occupied tables, I did move 2, just from the next table. I was amused to observe a sour-faced young waitress looking at me as though I was a naughty child. I asked-smiling- if there was a problem and received a curt reply ending in "I can live with it." Well, I can't ! If there is no real problem, why raise one only to dismiss it? Think first, hey. Remember, I am a paying customer with a choice of where I spend my time and money, and it's not here. We decided to leave, but politely, still smiling. "I can't say ANYTHING to you", she said, then proceeded to badmouth ME to other staff members whilst I was still there, in front of my family! Genuinely amused at her amateurish behaviour, we laughed about it en route to Tides cafe nearby (lovely young lady served us there). Pity the owner who can't know this is happening. Perhaps a note on the warning board on the availability of "spare chairs" would help customer relations. Staff training would help more! Good luck in your next job, Queen "tut", but I believe the Stasi has been disbanded.

This is a great place to sit in the courtyard with a cup of coffee and a piece of cake even if the sun isn't shining. a good place to refuel after a well known local walk. there is a car park on the door step

What a lovely little cafe just off the carpark at Sandsend. A very friendly atmosphere and warming feeling in rustic surrounds. A limited menu but the food is excellent and a place we use every time we are in this part of the country. Worth a visit, you will not be disappointed.

We have been here on several occasions with our dog after a walk on the beach. In the winter we enjoy a nice homemade soup of the day with a superb tea or coffee.

Maybe it's the sunshine as we sit outside watching a family of ducks cross the road while our dog has a choice of water bowls to drink from but we like this place. Staff were helpful and food was lovely. Bacon and brie flathead was awesome but £3 is a bit ott for a fizzy drink.

We visited at 11.10am and asked one waitress if we could order cold sandwiches as we didn't wish to eat from the breakfast menu, which she proceeded to give us a menu for sandwiches etc and said that it wasn't a problem to order from the normal menu,when another waitress with attitude came to our table she proceeded to show us that the breakfast menu was served until eleven thirty and she would have to ask if the kitchen had time to make us sandwiches, at that point we should have left however we were informed that we could have sandwiches and when they arrived they were of poor quality generic sliced bread and a flatbread that looked like a baguette. Avoid at all costs .Pricey, poor quality, rude staff

If you want to be ignored for 15mins and eventually be served by a rude waitress this is the place to visit the food was ok.

Went here with my mum for lunch. We sat at a table at the front by the counter, where three servers congregated and wiped surfaces, slowly prepared drinks and generally loitered. Of the three, only one waitress seemed to act with any urgency. We waited for twenty minutes with not so much as a nod of acknowledgment, in which time two other tables had to come and ask for service due to their sitting and waiting and who were rudely told to sit down and wait; we had refrained from doing so as there are several signs telling you that the cafe is a fully table service eatery and that someone would come to take your order. Eventually, when we had to ask to order, we were told to 'wait a minute'. An extremely rude waitress came over and took our order with not so much as an ounce of regret at her already shoddy performance. The food was good, but when coming to pay, again, this had to be initiated by ourselves going and queuing up at the counter behind other customers clearly frustrated at the lack of service. For the price of the food, I would expect a much better service, especially as we were sat right at the front of the cafe, by the counter. During our visit, two tables left without ordering. A real shame, as it really has great potential, perhaps with a better set of staff!

food very good though a little overpriced. not sure why crab should be at a supplement when bought locally, although they were very good. glass of coke for our young granddaughter was £2.95!!! Outrageous!!

lovely and cosy it was well run and the staff were very pleasant and a pleasure to meet. food was outstanding and fresh, and the service was attentive.

We stopped here for some warm drinks and cake. Both were delicious but were at the top end of reasonably priced. It offers free wifi, a garden and a nice atmosphere.

Not exactly a warm welcome, short and shrift service with little manners the only saving grace was the coffee was lovely and hot and very nice not a snip at & 10.20 for 3 coffees