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Magpie Cafe

Seafood and Fish • Whitby
Sugarvine
4.7/5
(01947) 602058 14 Pier Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PU (01947)6…Show
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Three decades in the Good Food Guide and queues in all weathers tell you all you need to know about this phenomenally popular Whitby fish restaurant.
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About Magpie Cafe

Whitby's Magpie Cafe -- described in the Good Food Guide, in which its been listed for more than 30 years, as 'the doyen of seaside cafes,' -- is nothing short of a Yorkshire institution. The queues at all hours and in all weathers attest to its stellar reputation for fish and seafood, which is sourced fresh each day from the Whitby boats. Its housed in a harbourside merchant's house that dates back to 1750 and has been a restaurant since 1939. Chef/proprietor Ian Robson has worked here for 40 years, man and boy, and today he oversees a team of 10 chefs serving customers seven days a week from 11.30am right through to 9pm. There's a huge choice on the menu with a dozen or so different varieties of fish, Whitby crab and kippers, mussels, squid, fish pie, lobster, bouillabaisse. . .They also offer meat and vegetarian choices plus homemade desserts. The food is complemented by a 40-bin wine list which covers all the bases including champagnes and dessert wines. Bookings can be taken but only for certain times, generally around 11.30am and after 3pm.

Sugarvine
4.7
Food 4.8/5
Service 4.8/5
Atmosphere 4.4/5
Value for Money 4.7/5
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3 /5
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5.0
Nick Deyes
We had an evening meal at the Magpie recently. The staff are always very welcoming and friendly and showed us to our table. A drinks order was taken then we were left to choose from the extensive menu and specials. All the food we ordered was delicious. The service is always prompt. Will definitely return
4.5
Joy Fernando
Booked a table at The Magpie as I was going on holiday to Whitby and I know there are often queues. My table was ready when I got there. The main course of Cod and chips was beautifully prepared and cooked. The server was efficient and attentive. I followed up with a vegan berry sundae. Yum! A great complement to the fish.
4.5
Jackie Costello
As a party of 4, we enjoyed New Years Day lunchtime with the Magpie Café. On the whole, the food was very good; the seafood platter was super choice as one of the party had not sampled seafood so it was a great introduction to what else can be enjoyed other than haddock, cod, plaice, etc. The Magpie fishcake was a substantial portion for a starter especially with the mushy peas and although tasty was too big for me to then enjoy fresh cod and chips as a main course. No sweets were sampled as a result. To summarise, good food, good atmosphere, attentive staff and a very pleasurable experience.
Julie Howard
Superb food just how we wanted it. No cream for me but I didn’t miss out as they adapted the dish. Nothing is too much trouble. Absolutely first class food & the staff to match.
5.0
Toby & Montse
Great food, wine and service. Not the place to go if you're on a diet! Octopus was delicious, Woof was a brilliant change from the "usual". "Build your own" meal is a great idea, dessert was also good.
R.Riley
Very good food and service.Xmas menu was a noce change
4.8
Nadine and Patrick Lees
We love the food at the Magpie. There is such a wonderful selection of fresh fish. We had fresh prawns in garlic and crab pate… Our main course… well Devine. Halibut cooked to perfection and fresh haddock sweet and succulent. Just wish we lived closer!
4.5
Pete Steadman
My wife and I visited The Magpie during a recent stay in Whitby. Excellent fish pie & medium cod and chips. This was not the first time we had visited, we have eaten here several times and never been disappointed.
5.0
Neil Thornicroft
Yet again a lovely meal of fish and chips with mushy peas staff are always helpful and friendly. This is our favourite restaurant when we holiday in Whitby will be back again next year
Amy
I’d been really looking forward to taking my boyfriend here for their birthday, and booked ahead to make sure we were guaranteed a spot, even informing the restaurant that it was for a birthday celebration. I got a confirmation and a reminder the day before of the booking, but turned up to the restaurant to find that our booking was nowhere to be found. Clearly an error and nobody’s fault, but our initial server was fairly abrupt about the whole thing which creates a bit of an atmosphere in the restaurant - “well there’s no space” and walked off. She then went over to speak to a colleague a few minutes later, and came back with some menus, pointed to a table and said “right, you can go there”. It’s such a shame because our actual server for the evening was so brilliantly attentive - I want to say her name was Audrey? - and she was really helpful with the menu and asking after us and how we liked the items, really up for a chat and clearly had a great rapport with the other diners too. Such a shame that there was such a hoo-har at the beginning!
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Magpie Cafe File

Fact File

Main dining room capacity 120
Booking policy Reservations accepted
Best seat Lots of tables overlooking the harbour
Max group booking size 50
Average 3 course lunch price (excluding drinks) £25
Average 3 course evening meal price (excluding drinks) £25
Alcohol license Fully licensed

Disabled Facilities

Dedicated disabled toilets Yes

Additional Information

Wifi Free
Payment by credit card Yes
Payment by debit card Yes
Air conditioning Yes
Takeaway services Yes
Venue overlooking water Yes