Magpie Cafe Whitby

Introduction to Magpie Cafe Whitby

When you visit the historic seaside town of Whitby in North Yorkshire, there’s one experience that locals and visitors alike will tell you is absolutely essential: dining at The Magpie Cafe. Located at 14 Pier Road overlooking the picturesque harbour, this iconic restaurant has been serving exceptional fish and seafood since 1937, earning its reputation as one of the finest fish restaurants in the region.

What Makes The Magpie Cafe Whitby Special

The moment you approach The Magpie Cafe, you’ll notice something remarkable: the queue. Rain or shine, summer or winter, people line up along the steps and street, often with umbrellas and bottles of wine in hand, chatting happily as they wait for their table. Rather than being a deterrent, this famous queue has become part of the Magpie experience, a testament to the exceptional quality that awaits inside. As noted by Visit Whitby, the restaurant is “renowned world-wide for its long queues” of people “eagerly waiting to enjoy the finest of fish & chips Whitby has to offer.”

The restaurant occupies a distinctive black and white 18th-century building that was originally a merchant’s house. With seating for up to 140 guests, the interior is comfortable and smart, offering fabulous views of Whitby Harbour and the Abbey beyond. As you dine, you can literally see where your meal came from, the fishing boats that supply the restaurant dock right in front of you.

The People Behind the Magic

Since 1971, Ian Robson has been at the heart of The Magpie Cafe, starting as a fish fryer in 1979 and eventually becoming the owner. His dedication to quality and customer service has been instrumental in building the restaurant’s stellar reputation. The staff at The Magpie consistently receive praise for being exceptionally friendly, welcoming, and genuinely happy in their work. Regular visitors note that the waitresses “shine” and always have a laugh with customers while providing attentive service. This warm, personable approach makes every guest feel valued and ensures that dining at The Magpie is about more than just the food – it’s about the entire experience.

The Food: Fresh, Local, and Exceptional

The Magpie Cafe’s commitment to quality starts with sourcing. The fish comes directly from local supplier Fishery Lockers Fish, ensuring boat-to-table freshness that you simply cannot replicate elsewhere. The restaurant uses traditional cooking methods that make all the difference: fish and chips are cooked in beef dripping, which reaches higher temperatures than vegetable oil. This creates an incredibly crispy coating on the chips while keeping them fluffy inside, and it seals the fish batter immediately, essentially steaming the fish inside for a tender, flaky texture.

While The Magpie is famous for its fish and chips, available in four sizes (Small, Regular, Large, and Extra-large), the comprehensive menu offers so much more. You’ll find an impressive selection of seafood dishes, including fish pie, salmon and haddock gratin, lobster thermidor, and seafood chowder. Chef Paul Gilroy creates marvellous dishes with scallops (served with chorizo, white pudding, or black pudding), works wonders with Whitby crab, and prepares daily specials that showcase the freshest catch available.

For starters, popular choices include Firecracker King Prawns in chilli and sriracha sauce, Garlic King Prawns, tender Calamari with Cajun dip, and Pan Seared King Scallops on bruschetta with goat’s curd and red pepper pesto. The restaurant’s mushy peas have achieved legendary status; many believe they’re the best in Yorkshire, possibly due to a secret ingredient that makes them sweeter than elsewhere.

The main event for most visitors is the fish and chips. You can choose between cod and haddock (served with skin on for extra flavour), both cooked to perfection in that traditional beef dripping. As one satisfied customer on TripAdvisor described their Large Cod: “the length of the plate! But it’s not just boasting size-wise, it’s quite possibly the freshest fish I’ve ever eaten.”

Practical Information for Your Visit

Location & Contact:

• Address: 14 Pier Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PU
• Phone: 01947 602058
• Email: info@magpiecafe.co.uk

Opening Hours: The Magpie Cafe is open daily from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM (last orders at 9:00 PM). Hours may vary slightly during winter months, so it’s worth checking their website or calling ahead if you’re visiting during the off-season.

Booking: Given the restaurant’s popularity, booking a table well in advance is highly recommended, especially for larger groups or weekend visits. You can book through their website. Walk-ins are welcome, but be prepared to join the famous queue; waiting times can be 40 minutes or more during peak times (typically lunchtimes and early evenings).

Dietary Requirements: The Magpie Cafe accommodates various dietary needs, including gluten-free options. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to discuss menu adaptations for celiac guests and other dietary restrictions. All accompaniments are home-made, allowing for greater flexibility in meeting customer needs.

Children: A dedicated children’s menu is available, making The Magpie a family-friendly destination.

Accessibility: Please note that assistance animals are welcome, but the restaurant cannot accommodate other pets.

Takeaway: If you prefer to enjoy your fish and chips elsewhere, there’s a takeaway service next to the restaurant. Just watch out for Whitby’s notoriously bold seagulls, they’re shameless chip thieves!

What to Expect Price-Wise

While The Magpie Cafe is not the cheapest option in Whitby (there are over 50 fish and chip shops in town), the quality justifies the price. A typical meal for six people with starters, mains, desserts, and wine comes to approximately £250, or about £40-45 per person. Individual fish and chips portions are reasonably priced considering the exceptional quality and generous portions. Prices are subject to change, so check the current menus on their website.

Awards and Recognition

The Magpie Cafe’s excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. The restaurant won the Coast Award for Best Fish and Chip Shop in 2007 and has received acclaim from influential food critics and celebrity chefs. Rick Stein famously called it a “bloody good fish and chip shop” and even filmed one of his Food Heroes programmes at the restaurant. A.A. Gill and other prominent food writers have also praised The Magpie, helping to cement its reputation nationally and internationally.

In 2023, British YouTuber Danny Malin of Rate My Takeaway gave The Magpie a perfect 10/10 rating, further testament to its consistent quality.

A Note on History

The Magpie Cafe has weathered challenges over its long history. In May 2017, two fires within 24 hours forced the restaurant to close for seven months. The first fire, likely caused by grease buildup in an electrical extraction flue, damaged the top floor. The second fire, the following day, gutted the restaurant’s roof and lower floors. A major £450,000 refurbishment followed, and the restaurant reopened in December 2017. Thankfully, the refurbishment was done sympathetically, preserving the character and charm that makes The Magpie special while ensuring modern safety standards.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

1. Book ahead: Especially for weekend visits or if you’re in a larger group. This can save you significant waiting time.
2. Consider timing: Arriving slightly before or after peak meal times (12:30-2:00 PM and 6:00-7:30 PM) may reduce your wait.
3. Don’t over-order: The portions are generous. The regular-sized fish and chips is substantial, and the Extra-large has defeated many hungry diners!
4. Try the specials: The daily specials board features the freshest catches and creative preparations that showcase the chef’s skills.
5. Save room for dessert: The jam roly-poly with custard and lemon sundae are popular choices for a proper seaside treat.
6. Embrace the queue: If you do have to wait, use it as an opportunity to soak in the harbour atmosphere and chat with fellow diners. Many bring a bottle of wine to share while waiting.
7. Check out the shop: Gift vouchers, cookbooks (with a foreword from TV Chef Brian Turner), and Magpie teddy bears are available online.

Why The Magpie Cafe Puts People First

What truly sets The Magpie Cafe apart is its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. From the friendly staff who create a welcoming atmosphere to the careful attention paid to dietary requirements, every aspect of the operation is designed with guests in mind. The restaurant’s longevity, nearly 90 years in business, speaks to its ability to consistently deliver not only excellent food but a memorable experience.

The Magpie understands that dining out is about more than sustenance; it’s about creating moments and memories. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Whitby or a regular who returns year after year, you’ll be treated with the same warmth and care. This people-first philosophy extends to sourcing practices, too. Supporting local fishermen and suppliers ensures the community thrives alongside the business.

As The North York Moors National Park notes, the Magpie Cafe offers food that is “not just fish and chips, this is exceptional food” in an environment where “service is famously friendly.”

The Verdict

A trip to Whitby truly isn’t complete without experiencing The Magpie Cafe. Yes, you might queue. Yes, it’s busier than other options. But there’s a reason people return again and again, and why the queue never seems to disappear. The combination of supremely fresh, expertly prepared seafood, warm and attentive service, stunning harbour views, and nearly 90 years of tradition creates something special, an experience that embodies the very best of Yorkshire hospitality and culinary excellence.

Whether you’re after the perfect fish and chips, want to try adventurous seafood dishes, or simply wish to be part of a Whitby institution, The Magpie Cafe delivers. It’s a place where quality ingredients, skilled preparation, and genuine care for customers come together to create meals and memories that last long after you’ve left the Yorkshire coast.