Whitby is home to the world-famous Magpie Cafe. This famous seafood restaurant has been one of our favourites for years with its excellent food and legendary fish and chips. The Magpie Whitby is one of the finest fish restaurants in the UK, with celebrity chefs like Rick Stein calling it “a bloody good fish and chip shop”. I’ve been to the Magpie Cafe Whitby many times but this is the first time I’ve decided to take photos and write a proper review.
Quick Verdict: Is the Magpie Whitby worth the famous queue? Yes – if you book ahead or visit off-peak. The fish is exceptional, the location stunning, but expect to pay restaurant prices (£15-25 for mains). The traditional fish and chips are brilliant, though some specials can be hit-or-miss.
A Brief History of the Magpie Cafe
The Magpie Cafe has a history dating back to the 18th century. The distinctive black and white building has been a Whitby harbourside landmark for generations. Originally a Merchants’ House, it later became a shipping office. Legend has it that the building is haunted by the ghost of Albert.
In 1937, the Magpie Cafe was established by Clifford and Gladys Barker (not 1939 as sometimes stated), and has remained family-owned ever since. Today, Ian Robinson (who started as a fish fryer in 1971) and his wife Alison McKenzie Slater run the Magpie Whitby with their family.
Famous Recognition:
- Rick Stein praised the Magpie Cafe Whitby as having some of the best fish and chips in Britain
- James Martin featured it on his TV shows
- Danny Malin (Rate My Takeaway) gave it 10/10 in 2023
- Won the Coast Award for best fish and chip shop in 2007
- Featured by Lilliput Lane as a limited edition ornament (2009)
The Famous Queue: The Magpie Whitby is world-renowned for its queues – whatever the weather, people line up on the steps and street waiting to get in. This is testimony to the quality of their fish dishes and reputation built over 85+ years.
2017 Fire: The Magpie Cafe Whitby closed temporarily in May 2017 after two fires in 24 hours, reopening in December 2017 after complete refurbishment.
The Menu
The Magpie Café menu is extensive, offering traditional fish and chips alongside sophisticated seafood dishes.
Fish & Chips (The Famous Ones):
- Regular haddock or cod with chips
- Cooked in traditional beef dripping
- Crispy batter, tender flaky fish
- Served with curry sauce or mushy peas
- £15-18 approximately
Starters:
- Prawn cocktail
- Whitebait
- Seafood chowder (highly rated in Magpie Café reviews)
- Fresh oysters
Main Courses:
- Pan-seared king scallops
- Firecracker king prawns
- Fish pie
- Calamari with Cajun dip
- Dover sole
- Whole sea bass
- Cold seafood platter (I’ve had this – it’s delicious!)
Daily Specials Board: Fresh catches and seasonal dishes (£18-28)
Non-Seafood: Meat dishes and vegetarian options available
Desserts:
- Bread and butter pudding
- Crème caramel
- Sticky toffee pudding
Drinks: Excellent wine list, locally brewed Whitby Heritage beer
What Magpie Cafe Whitby Reviews Say About The Menu:
- Fish and chips consistently rated as “best ever”
- Crab salad particularly praised
- Mixed reviews on complicated specials (curries often disappointing)
- Some diners note specials portions smaller than expected for the price
Our Magpie Experience
We booked a week in advance for the Magpie Cafe as there are often people queuing outside waiting for a seat. We were greeted by friendly staff and had great service from our waitress. She was called Mel and she was excellent with our son and with other customers. The service did go above and beyond!
The interior decoration of the cafe is charming and cosy, with multiple dining sections spread across several floors, so it felt like a quiet experience. We were lucky and snagged a table by the window on the second floor, which had stunning views of the harbour and St Mary’s Church in the distance.
For my main dish, I initially wanted the seafood hotpot which was a mixture of different types of fish and shellfish in a sauce with bread, but last minute, I decided to go for one of the specials – the monkfish and mussels in a tomato and red wine sauce with black pudding. Sadly, I wasn’t a massive fan of this as it didn’t seem seasoned well. It was just a basic tomato sauce so I wish I had stuck to my original choice. Previously, I’ve had the cold seafood platter which is delicious.
What Recent Magpie Café Reviews Say (2025-2026): Looking at recent reviews from TripAdvisor and Google, the consensus on the Magpie Whitby is:
- ✅ Fish and chips are exceptional – “best I’ve ever tasted”
- ✅ Fresh, high-quality fish from local suppliers (Lockers Fish)
- ✅ Stunning harbourside location
- ✅ Friendly Yorkshire hospitality
- ❌ Can be expensive for fish and chips (£15-18)
- ❌ Specials are hit-or-miss (particularly curries)
- ❌ Long queues if you don’t book
My husband got the Dover sole in garlic and lemon juice sauce with capers and samphire. This was also on the special and was so good. It was perfectly seasoned. For my son, we just got him a small portion of chips and beans as he’s not been into fish lately.
Though I was disappointed in my dish, I would still go back as I’ve been enough times to know that it’s a great place to eat and has lovely food. I just need to stay away from fish in tomato sauce as I never enjoy it.
Tips and Recommendations
To make the most of your visit to the Magpie Cafe, here are some tips and recommendations:
- Book in advance: Essential for weekends and summer. Call 01947 602058
- Request a window seat: Views of Whitby harbour and St Mary’s Church
- Stick to the classics: Fish and chips, crab salad, mussels get rave Magpie Cafe Whitby reviews
- Avoid complicated specials: Recent Magpie Café reviews suggest curries and complex dishes disappoint
- Save room for dessert: Sticky toffee pudding highly rated
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-friendly with lift access from takeaway to restaurant
- Visit off-peak: Weekday lunchtimes less busy than weekends
- Budget £20-30 per person: For main and drink
The Magpie Cafe in Whitby lives up to its reputation as one of the best fish and chip shops in Yorkshire. It has delicious food, a friendly atmosphere, and great reviews, it’s no wonder that people queue to get in. I think it is the best place to eat in Whitby and I’ll be coming back next time we’re in Whitby for the fish hot pot!
Magpie Whitby vs Other Whitby Fish Restaurants
How does the Magpie Cafe Whitby compare according to reviews?
| Restaurant | Price | Location | Best For | Queue Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magpie Café | £££ | Harbourside | Classic fish & chips, atmosphere | 30-60 mins |
| The Fisherman’s Wife | ££ | Church Street | Quality fish, less crowded | 15-30 mins |
| Quayside | ££ | Harbourside | Good value, harbour views | 10-20 mins |
| Mr Chips | £ | Sandside | Traditional chippy, cheap | 5-15 mins |
| Hadley’s | ££ | Bridge Street | Local favourite | 10-20 mins |
The Magpie Whitby: Opening Times & Booking (2026)
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 11:30am – 9:00pm
- Sunday-Thursday (Winter): 11:30am – 8:00pm
- Open 7 days a week
Booking:
- Phone: 01947 602058
- Website: www.magpiecafe.co.uk
- Essential: Book ahead, especially weekends and summer
- Walk-ins: Expect to queue (sometimes 30-60+ minutes)
Tips from Magpie Café Reviews:
- Book a week in advance for weekend visits
- Weekday lunchtimes slightly quieter
- Request window seat for harbour views
- Winter months have shorter queues
Address: 14 Pier Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PU
The Magpie Cafe Whitby lives up to its reputation as one of Britain’s best fish and chip restaurants. With delicious food, a stunning harbourside location, and genuine Yorkshire hospitality, it’s clear why the Magpie Whitby has queues year-round. Reading through recent Magpie Café reviews, the consensus is clear: stick to the traditional fish dishes rather than complicated specials, book ahead to avoid the famous queue, and enjoy the best fish and chips in Yorkshire.
After visiting multiple times over the years, I can confidently say the Magpie Whitby is the best place for fish in the town. I’ll definitely be back for that seafood hotpot next time!
The Magpie Cafe Whitby: Final Verdict
- Best for: Traditional fish and chips, seafood platters, harbour views
- Book ahead: Essential (01947 602058)
- Budget: £20-30 per person
- Worth the hype: Yes, for fish and chips. Specials are variable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Magpie Cafe Whitby
Is the Magpie Cafe Whitby worth the queue? Yes, according to most Magpie Café reviews – but book ahead to avoid queuing. The fish quality, historic atmosphere, and harbour views justify the 30-60 minute wait if you can’t book. Visit off-peak or in winter for shorter queues.
How much does the Magpie Whitby cost? Expect £15-18 for fish and chips, £20-30 per person with a drink. Full meals with starters and dessert run £25-35 per person. More expensive than a takeaway chippy but reasonable for a sit-down restaurant.
Can you book the Magpie Cafe Whitby? Yes! Call 01947 602058 to book, especially for weekends and summer. Booking is essential for busy periods. Walk-ins accepted but expect to queue 30-60+ minutes during peak times.
What should I order at the Magpie Whitby? Based on Magpie Café reviews: traditional fish and chips (haddock or cod), crab salad, mussels, seafood chowder, and sticky toffee pudding. Avoid complicated specials like curries – stick to classic fish preparations.
Is the Magpie Cafe better than other Whitby chippies? It’s different – the Magpie Whitby is a restaurant with table service and harbour views, not a traditional chippy. Fish quality is exceptional, but you pay restaurant prices. For cheaper fish and chips, try Hadley’s or Mr Chips. For the full experience, Magpie wins.
How long is the queue at the Magpie Cafe Whitby? Without booking: 30-60 minutes typically, sometimes longer in summer. Shortest queues are weekday lunchtimes in winter. Book ahead to skip the queue entirely.
Is the Magpie Whitby takeaway good? The restaurant is more highly rated in Magpie Café reviews than the takeaway. Several reviews mention takeaway quality has declined. For the full Magpie experience, dine in the restaurant.
What fish does the Magpie use? The Magpie Cafe Whitby sources fish directly from local Whitby fishermen via Lockers Fish trawler company. Expect haddock, cod, plaice, plus daily specials like wolffish, ling, rock, and coley depending on the catch.