I’ve visited Cosa Nostra Whitby three times and I’d go back again. Here’s my honest review — the menu, prices, what we ate, and whether it’s worth booking ahead.
Update 2026: Cosa Nostra Whitby continues to be a popular choice for Italian dining in Whitby with a 4.6 rating on Google. The restaurant is housed in a stunning Grade II listed building over two floors with a vibrant atmosphere. They offer gluten-free options (including gluten-free pizza and pasta), and the restaurant is family-friendly with Lego available for children. Booking is essential, especially during peak summer months!
Based on Cosanostra Whitby reviews and our own visits, here’s everything you need to know before booking.
- About Cosa Nostra Whitby
- Our Cosa Nostra Whitby Review: What We Ordered
- Cosanostra Whitby Menu: What’s Available
- Cosanostra Whitby Reviews: What Customers Say
- Is Cosa Nostra Whitby Dog Friendly?
- Is Cosa Nostra Whitby Family Friendly?
- Gluten-Free Options at Cosa Nostra Whitby
- Tips for Visiting Cosa Nostra Whitby
- My Final Thoughts
- Cosa Nostra Whitby FAQ
- Where is Cosa Nostra Whitby located?
- What are the opening times for Cosa Nostra Whitby?
- Do I need to book at Cosa Nostra Whitby?
- What’s the best thing on the Cosanostra Whitby menu?
- Is Cosa Nostra Whitby expensive?
- Does Cosa Nostra Whitby have gluten-free options?
- Can I take my dog to Cosa Nostra Whitby?
About Cosa Nostra Whitby
Cosa Nostra is an Italian restaurant located at 161 Church Street, Whitby YO22 4AS – just before the cobbled road that leads to the famous Whitby Abbey steps.
Contact Details:
- Phone: 01947 602030
- Website: cosanostrawhitby.co.uk
- Opening Times: Daily 4:00pm – 10:00pm (dinner service only)
Important: Booking is highly recommended, especially during summer and weekends. You can book via Google reservations, Resy, or by calling directly.
The menu has changed a lot. It appears they have streamlined it since my last visit. This was a bit of a shame as they did the most amazing fish stew pot – a mixture of mussels, salmon, prawns, smoked haddock and cod served in a black pot like mussels are in a delicious creamy sauce and fresh bread. I was looking forward to that but it’s no longer on the menu.
Our Cosa Nostra Whitby Review: What We Ordered
For starters, we shared the garlic prawns. King prawns served in garlic butter and they were delicious. I believe there were about 6 large prawns altogether. They were big, meaty and cooked really well.
My husband had the Linguine Gamberoni which was king prawns, olives, capers, red onion and sun-dried tomatoes cooked with white wine and topped with a balsamic glaze. He loved it!
I had the Bistecca – 10oz sirloin steak with rosemary potatoes. I decided to have it with the mediterranean vegetables and peppercorn sauce. The vegetables were so nice and the steak was cooked very well. It’s not the best steak I’ve ever had, but it was really good.
My two-year-old is a picky eater but he loves garlic bread, so we ordered the cheesy garlic bread and side of chips for him (also brought some fruit with us which he ate whilst the food cooled down). He actually ate some chips – he doesn’t usually eat them at all! He ate a good amount of the garlic bread but we had to help him.
The décor is really nice in Cosa Nostra and the service was excellent. We went at 5pm on a Friday night and it was getting busy. We booked in advance because in the past, we have struggled to get in. You can book by Google reservations so it’s really easy to get booked in.
There are lots of pubs and fish and chips places in Whitby, so Cosa Nostra is a nice change if you want something a bit more restaurant-like.
Cosanostra Whitby Menu: What’s Available
If you’re checking the Cosanostra Whitby menu before visiting, here’s what you can expect to find. The Cosa Nostra menu features authentic Italian dishes including:
Starters:
- Garlic prawns (highly recommended!)
- Mussels
- Calamari
- Bruschetta
Pasta Dishes:
- Linguine Gamberoni (king prawns, olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes)
- Spaghetti Carbonara (reviewers rave about this!)
- Salsiccia e Chorizo Tagliatelle
- Gorgonzola pasta
- Various other pasta options
Pizza:
- Freshly made pizzas (regularly praised as “the best pizza in Whitby”)
- Gluten-free pizza available (frozen base, not fresh)
Mains:
- Bistecca (10oz sirloin steak)
- Calzone
- Risottos
- Fish dishes
Desserts:
- Sticky toffee pudding
- Tiramisu
- Ice cream
Drinks:
- House wine
- White wine selection
- Limoncello
- Espresso and tea
Price range: Expect to pay £20-30 per person including drinks.
You can view the Cosa Nostra Menu here.
Cosanostra Whitby Reviews: What Customers Say
Looking at Cosanostra Whitby reviews across multiple platforms gives a good picture of what to expect at Cosa Nostra Whitby.:
Google: 4.6/5 stars
TripAdvisor: Mixed reviews with both strong praise and some criticism
Restaurant Guru: 4.6 rating
Facebook: 98% recommend (69 reviews)
What Diners Love:
- “Absolute gem of a place” – families particularly praise the experience
- Pizzas highly rated – “incredible pizzas” and “best pizza in Whitby by far”
- Pasta dishes excellent – carbonara and gorgonzola pasta get special mentions
- Family-friendly – Lego provided for children, accommodating staff
- Friendly service – staff described as “super friendly,” “attentive,” and “welcoming”
- Good value – “really good value” with satisfying portions
- Vibrant atmosphere – “nice buzz in the restaurant” with pleasant décor
- Fresh ingredients – high-quality, fresh dishes
Some Concerns from Reviews:
- Inconsistent quality – some report variations in food quality and seasoning
- Service delays – can be slow during peak times
- Front of house issues – occasional reports of unfriendly reception
- Gluten-free pizza frozen – not freshly made like regular pizzas
- Pricing – some find it expensive for what’s offered
- Long waits – booking essential, especially in summer
Overall, most Cosanostra Whitby reviews are positive. Cosa Nostra Whitby gets particular praise for the pizzas, pasta, friendly young staff, and family-friendly atmosphere.
Is Cosa Nostra Whitby Dog Friendly?
Whitby is quite dog-friendly and you can take dogs to many places. Unfortunately, you can’t take dogs into Cosa Nostra dining areas.
However, some reviews mention the staff being “lovely to our dog,” so there may be outdoor seating or takeaway options where dogs are accommodated. It’s worth calling ahead to clarify current dog policy: 01947 602030.
Is Cosa Nostra Whitby Family Friendly?
Cosa Nostra is excellent for families! Recent reviews specifically praise:
- Lego available for children to play with
- Accommodating staff – nothing is too much trouble
- Warm welcome for families
- Good portion sizes suitable for sharing
The restaurant is spread over two floors in a Grade II listed building, providing a comfortable family dining environment with a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere.
Gluten-Free Options at Cosa Nostra Whitby
Cosa Nostra offers gluten-free options including:
- Gluten-free pizza (note: frozen base, not fresh)
- Gluten-free pasta
Reviews are mixed: Some call it “one of the best gluten-free pizzas I’ve ever had,” whilst others note it’s more expensive for a frozen pizza compared to freshly made standard pizzas. The gluten-free pasta is described as “cubed pasta” rather than the traditional stringy spaghetti.
The restaurant doesn’t have gluten-free information clearly marked on the menu, so ask staff for guidance.
Tips for Visiting Cosa Nostra Whitby
1. Book Ahead
Booking is essential, especially during summer months and weekends. The restaurant gets very busy and walk-ins often face long waits.
2. Arrive on Time
Service can be slower during peak times, so arriving punctually for your reservation helps ensure smooth service.
3. Try the Classics
The pizzas and carbonara get the most consistent praise. If you want to play it safe, these are excellent choices.
4. Consider Timing
Going at 5pm (as we did) means you avoid the peak dinner rush whilst still getting the full menu.
5. Bring Cash as Backup
Whilst they likely take cards, it’s always worth having cash as a backup option.
My Final Thoughts
There are a few other Italian restaurants in Whitby we’d like to try next time, as we tend to stick to the same places but we WILL come back here. It’s our third time and we’ve enjoyed ourselves each time.
It’s just a shame about the old fish pot dish I was looking forward to!
Cosa Nostra offers a pleasant alternative to the many fish and chip shops and pubs in Whitby. The Grade II listed building provides character, the staff are generally friendly and efficient, and the Italian food is reliably good – particularly the pizzas and pasta dishes.
Whilst the menu has changed since our earlier visits (goodbye, amazing fish stew pot!), there’s still plenty to enjoy. The garlic prawns were delicious, my husband’s Linguine Gamberoni was a hit, and my steak was cooked well with lovely vegetables.
For families visiting Whitby who want a proper sit-down restaurant meal rather than casual fish and chips, Cosa Nostra Whitby is definitely worth booking. Check the Cosanostra Whitby menu online before you go, make a reservation, and you’re in for a good meal.
Cosa Nostra Whitby
161 Church Street
Whitby YO22 4AS
Phone: 01947 602030
Website: cosanostrawhitby.co.uk
Opening: Daily 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Booking: Essential (via Google, Resy, or phone)
Cosa Nostra Whitby FAQ
Where is Cosa Nostra Whitby located?
Cosa Nostra Whitby is at 161 Church Street, Whitby YO22 4AS – just before the cobbled road leading up to Whitby Abbey steps. It’s in a Grade II listed building over two floors.
What are the opening times for Cosa Nostra Whitby?
Cosa Nostra Whitby is open daily from 4:00pm – 10:00pm for dinner service only.
Do I need to book at Cosa Nostra Whitby?
Yes! Booking is essential, especially during summer months and weekends. You can book via Google reservations, Resy, or by calling 01947 602030.
What’s the best thing on the Cosanostra Whitby menu?
According to Cosanostra Whitby reviews, the pizzas and carbonara are consistently excellent. Our garlic prawns starter was also delicious!
Is Cosa Nostra Whitby expensive?
Expect to pay around £20-30 per person including drinks. Some reviews mention it’s pricey, but most say it’s good value for the quality.
Does Cosa Nostra Whitby have gluten-free options?
Yes! They offer gluten-free pizza (frozen base) and gluten-free pasta. Ask staff for guidance as it’s not always clearly marked on the menu.
Can I take my dog to Cosa Nostra Whitby?
Dogs are not allowed in the dining areas, but it’s worth calling ahead (01947 602030) to ask about outdoor seating or takeaway options.
Looking for other places in Whitby to eat? Checkout:
The Fisherman’s Wife Review
Sander’s Yard Review
Abbey Wharf Review
White Horse and Griffin Review
Whitby Brewery Review
Magpie Cafe In Whitby Review
I love the decor! That green on the wall is a bit of me. Whatever your husband had, I’d be having that! That looks and sounds absolutely amazing. I always tend to go for fish dishes in restaurants. I do love my steak but I’m very picky about where I eat it!
Wow this place looks like my cup of tea – date night and a girls night out! Those prawns look incredible.. I’m starving just reading this! I also LOVE the decor
Rosie
Great pictures — you really captured the atmosphere! I love the honesty in this review. It can be so hard to find restaurants post-COVID because a lot has changed in the last few years, so I really love that you’ve got both the before and after perspective here to compare.
This place looks and sounds amazing. I would definitely have the steak dish. The prawns are incredible, would love to try them but cant. i know someone who will enjoy them. Thank you for sharing this review.
You had me at “Italian”. The food looks amazing and so does the atmosphere. I’d love to eat there!