The Magpie Cafe Avis 

Found the Magpie over priced and quite cramped - the food was good but prices were over the top - a childs portion of fish and chips at £13.50 not good.
Been to Whitby for years and really don't know why people queue for the Magpie as plenty of other good food places there which are as good and not as expensive.

We visited at the height of the summer season and booked a pre-noon table to avoid the queues. Greeting and seating were efficient but, in addition to the steps up to the entrance, you need to climb two spiral staircases to some tables and another to the toilets. The food menu is very extensive, including every kind of sea food, but on that day oysters were not available. Crevettes were well presented for the little meat they provide. The soup of the day was vegetarian and rather glutinous but tasty. Lobster thermidor offered plenty of meat but was drowned in cheese sauce some of which had congealed on the plate. The restaurant needs to revisit the classic recipe for this dish and ease back on the amount of cheese. The garden salad was crisp and varied but I was surprised by the pickled onions underneath the green leaves which would have killed the flavours of other food.. The breaded whitebait was unlike any we had seen before: the fish were over-sized and baked tough. We drank lagers which were refreshing but not the usual brands found in English bars and restaurants. Overall there seemed to be an appeal to American tastes for quantity of calories rather than quality. Service was brisk & efficient. Our meal cost £80 for two. As we left there was a queue from the pavement up the steps to the entrance

Hi, we had a really good lunch at the Magpie today. There was a queue to get in, which was expertly handled by the staff. My wife and I had Crab Salad and my son had Chips and Sausages in Batter. The meals were tasty and very good. The premises were clean and attractive and the staff were very polite and helpful. We'd definitely go again.

This was disappointing meal as this used to be so good in years gone by. The chips were the worse, pale and barely cooked. The fish was ok, bread was 60p a slice. It wasn’t a nice meal at all

Called in today 31st May for Fish and Chips no fish in batter what a waste of money. Never again

Very disappointed I paid £21 .50 for cod and chips, the chips were awful ,white and tasteless ,they obviously use frozen chips ..why ??? .. the actually piece of
fish size was very small but all the batter did make it appear larger and .after the huge price I paid it was a total rip off

We were looking forward to our meal at the Magpie as we’ve eaten there on a number of occasions and had a good experience. Today however, we were made to feel like unwelcome guests. Our booking was for 7:30 pm, a party of four and as it was a birthday celebration and we were promised a celebration cupcake. Some of the party had three courses so the meal was going to take a little longer to eat. At 9pm, the atmosphere became decidedly frosty. We had barely cleaned the plates and they were whisked away, the bill tossed onto the table and the staff vanished. No celebratory cupcake! The cashier paraded up and down with her handbag over her shoulder, huffing & puffing loudly. We finished our drinks and were out by 9:10pm. I commented that I was sorry not have been given the cupcake as promised, but did not get an apology. The door slammed on my heels, as I walked out the door. Staff attitude putting a dampener on what should have been a pleasant evening out!

Staff very pleasant but food disappointing. It was mentioned to the server when our plates were being cleared but they didn't seem very bothered. I left most of my mussels (de-shelled in the bowl which they would have seen had it been checked) as they were overly rubbery...like chewing on an elastic band. This was our second visit, the last one being two years ago and we weren't overly impressed then either but didn't say anything, however still totally underwhelmed and unimpressed with the food. Didn't really like paying full whack for a dish I didn't eat but hey ho you live and learn.

Fish was wizened, dry and actual fish inside very sparse. More tail end batter than fish, chips were mainly scraps. I did call in and give feedback on our return from the pier, clearly not interested, didn’t even apologise.

Visited Magpie takeaway. Last year we loved the fish and chips, can now only assume that they have become complacent, as the food was dire. Barely any fish in an overcooked batter.
For the remainder of this years visit we will definitely be eating elsewhere.

Visited Magpie Cafe last night. There were 5 of us one wheelchair user and 2 assistance dogs. They were easily accessible to us and Disabled toilet accessible with medium sized wheelchair. I have a larger wheelchair T home and I might have struggled with it . Lift to restaurant floor was reached through the Takeaway area and I was supported by a member of staff to use it.
The choice of food was really good and because I have eating problems they really tried hard to support me in everything I chose. The poached Haddock was done to perfection, unfortunately I had a little too much seasoning on my mashed potatoes, but treat couldn’t be helped as it is bulk made. Love the lemon sorbet. Just too much for me to eat. Staff were so supportive, thanks Barb xx All my friends ate and drank what they wanted, and were delighted with their choices from the menu: well worth the money. Thanks you

The BEST Fish & Chips in Whitby, we had Cod, Haddock, Scampi & Lobster. We all said how amazing the food was. I had the lobster and it was the best I’ve EVER eaten !!
The staff were amazing, we had a wheelchair and assistance dogs in our party along with 5 of us. They had a lift to get us up stairs and even had a large accessible bathroom. Will Definately be back x

An absolute disgrace Magpie you should be ashamed.
Whitby known for it's excellent fish and chips and also this is the famous Magpie restaurant where we have enjoyed many a fabulous meal.
The fish was grey and no flavour we had four purchases at a cost of £65 for basic haddock and Cod chips that were soggy peas that were disgusting
We read the bad reviews after,this is one place I wouldn't even think to question.
Whist we were being served a man came in and was complaining about the food they had.
Do not waste your money it's living on its old reputation, terrible food at hugely inflated prices

We live in Whitby and know all the local fish and chip shops. We went to the Magpie take away this tea time for fish and chips and they were the worst we have ever tasted. The fat they were cooked in tasted old and obviously needed changing. The portion size had shrunk and the price had gone up from expensive to very expensive. I don’t mind paying for GOOD fish and chips but most of these went in the bin. I assume it is because of the school holidays, who knows, but shame on you Magpie. People need to know.

Delicious fish and chips. Excellent service and all staff were friendly and polite. Would recommend. This was my first visit and will definitely visit again.

Tuesday 8th July 2025 we visited the Magpie take away and although the fish was fried while we waited the batter was not cooked through being yellow on the inside.Disappointing as the previous visit it was excellent.

First and last visit. Called here Sunday 8th June 2025 4pm no queue so thought we would try it after all the hype about it being so good. Ordered 2 x large cod and chips at £20.50p each did not come with bread and butter or a pot of tea that is all extra unlike our chippy back home. Fish was nice not that large more like a medium. I didn't like the chips the taste of the cooking oil was not great. Bill came to almost £50 not worth that. Back home we can get fish and chips with bread and butter and pot of tea then a choice of pudding all for £15 each. Service here was ok but not the experience we expected.

my first visit here was good had mixed fish hot pot. on my second visit my wife had a steak which was good and well cooked but i had dressed crab and chips which was awful. i wouldnt even give it one out if ten it was that bad.

I visited Magpies with my husband last night 13/05/25
We both had fish chips and mushy peas. Bread butter and tea.
We have both been up ill since 2am
Very expensive meal to be up all night ill we will never visit there again
Have tried to ring them unable to get through

First time visited and the last. Expected excellence. Overpriced for air fryer chips!!!!!! Expected golden brown fried. Got burnt edged dry