The best places to eat in Whitby

This charming seaside town on the edge of the North York Moors is heaven for foodies, whether you’re on the hunt for special-occasion fine dining or looking for cheap and cheerful eateries.

Whether you opt for take away from one of the many eateries while dangling your legs over the harbour or soaking up the atmosphere from the local restaurants, Whitby is sure to impress.

Jump to:

• Whitby restaurants
• Whitby cafes
• Dog-friendly places to eat
• Whitby fish and chips
• Other places to eat in Whitby

Whitby restaurants

Holidays are a great opportunity excuse to treat yourself to a special meal out. Here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Whitby.

White Horse and Griffin

This former 17th-century coaching house was once the meeting place of Captain James Cook, and while a sense of history is preserved in the beautiful signage and restored interior, the inventive menu at The White Horse and Griffin is up to the minute. An irresistible blend of modern takes on traditional favourites such as Yorkshire beef cheek ragu with tagliatelle and seabass with chorizo and fennel shows a real passion for food.

Velveteen

From the aperitif to the digestif you can expect a truly ‘fantastique’ experience at this French bistro. Velveteen strives to source all ingredients locally or use authentic French produce and this attention to detail is reflected in the delicious dishes on offer. The opulent interior and classic French playlist brings a retro Parisian charm to the evening. Check out the live jazz nights if you are in town.

Ditto

Quality ingredients carefully presented are central to Ditto, a family-run restaurant tucked away on Skinner Street. The tempting menu caters for all palates and brings international flavours together in a divine fusion – check out the tarka dhal with crostini starter and the bream fillets with herb spätzle. The simple yet stylish painted interior allows you to focus on the main event – the food.

Pizza West

At light and airy restaurant Pizza West you’re spoilt for choice. It offers 13 different appetising starters and 15 choices of wood-fired pizza, from the traditional mozzarella and tomato to exotic chicken shawarma and pomegranate, all with a crispy sourdough base. There’s also a range of mouth-watering pasta dishes to shake things up at this Italian restaurant in Whitby. If you still have room for pudding, the cannolis, panna cotta and tiramisu are irresistible. 

Whitby cafes

From a light bite to a substantial meal, there’s plenty of cafes to choose from in Whitby.

Humble Pie ‘N’ Mash

The name may be modest but the food is shout-it-out glorious! A simple idea, executed perfectly, Humble Pie ‘N’ Mash offers a range of homemade meat and veggie pies served with fluffy mash and peas. The Romany Homity Pie is a carb-tastic delight of potato, garlic and cheese. And for dessert – if you’ve still got room - jam roly poly pudding and custard. Drinks are served by the mug, as you’d expect in this superbly straightforward café.

Marie Antoinette's

‘Let them eat cake’ as the famous French queen supposedly said, and it would be hard to resist with the choice on offer at this Marie Antoinette's, a marvellous patisserie and coffee shop. The blueberry and lemon sponge is amazing or try the Yorkshire brack, a local fruity tea loaf. The delights go beyond sugar too – there’s gorgeous lunchtime offerings of freshly made sandwiches and pork pies. What’s more, it’s licenced, so you can enjoy an espresso martini with your treat.

Rusty Shears

Image credit: Rusty Shears

Hearty, beautifully cooked meals are the order of the day at this hidden gem of a café, decorated with quirky Victoriana. From a simple bacon roll to the houmous, halloumi and beetroot open sandwich, there’s plenty to choose from. Wonderful fresh bread from the local bakery, including an excellent gluten-free loaf, lifts this café up a level. The fireplace brings a cosy touch and if the weather is being kind, the courtyard garden is a lovely place to enjoy brunch.

Dog-friendly places to eat

Your pooch deserves to come too – he’s on holiday as well after all!

The Black Horse Inn

Image credit: The Black Horse Inn

This tiny pub in the heart of the old town is a wonderful place to relax after a dog walk. Treat yourself to the ‘Yapas’, or Yorkshire tapas: a tempting selection of local cheeses, porkpies and seafood. The quality of the cask ales has earnt The Black Horse a place in CAMRA’s The Good Beer Guide for the last ten years. Your dog will get a water bowl and a treat unless Dave, the resident miniature schnauzer, has snaffled it first.

Abbey Wharf

Not only is this restaurant dog-friendly, the menu at Abbey Wharf includes a ‘Dog Lunch’ for the extra-pampered pooch. On sunnier days, a table on the balcony ensures spectacular views over East and West Piers while the menu includes succulent chargrilled steaks and locally caught fish from Whitby’s fishing boats. Swing by at the weekend for live entertainment at this buzzing restaurant.

Falling Foss Tea Garden

Although Falling Foss Tea Garden is 6 miles outside Whitby in the heart of Sneaton Forest, it’s too charming not to be included. Listen to the sound of the Falling Foss Waterfall as you enjoy a lunch of homemade soup, salad and sandwiches sat on rustic picnic benches in this verdant outdoor spot. Your dog will love rambling around and sniffing all the woodland delights – it’s actually part of the coast-to-coast trail if you’re feeling energetic. It’s seasonal opening so check before you go.

Whitby fish and chips

Salt and vinegar? You can’t go to Whitby without having fish and chips, and there are 22 chippies (count them) to choose from. Here’s our rundown of the best.

The Magpie Cafe

Image credit: The Magpie Cafe

If you’re after fish and chips with a twist then this is your ‘plaice’ with salmon, sole, skate, halibut and the intriguingly named woof (locally caught Atlantic wolffish) as an alternative to their responsibly sourced cod. If fish and chips aren’t your thing then there are many other enticing options including fresh Lindisfarne oysters, Whitby crab and lobster as well as a selection of vegetarian dishes. 

The Fisherman's Wife

On sunny days you can dine al fresco right on the seafront and if the weather is a little more inclement then retreat inside where the traditional diner-style booths have a view of the West Pier. The menu at The Fisherman's Wife is all responsibly sourced and uses local ingredients offering cod, haddock or Whitby scampi and chips, and for a fancy flourish why not replace the mushy peas with a portion of buttered samphire, the delicious asparagus-like vegetable harvested from the coast?

Trenchers

Situated on Whitby’s iconic Harbourside, this award-winning fish and chip restaurant is a must-visit when travelling to Whitby. Trenchers has been a nominee in the fiercely competitive ‘Best Fish & Chip Restaurant’ awards on a number of occasions, and won in 2019, which goes to show how high the standard is. If you’re eating in be sure to nip out the back as Trenchers is also the proud winner of the ‘Loo of the Year’ awards!

Hadley's

Crossing over Whitby’s swing bridge to the east side of the river, you’ll find Hadley’s Fish Restaurant, one of the oldest fish and chip shops in Whitby. If you’re after traditional chippy favourites there are plenty to choose from with cod, plaice, haddock or sole to pair with your chips, but the well-thought-out menu offers other options such as halloumi fries and falafel burgers ensuring there is something for all the family.

Other places to eat in Whitby

The Board Inn

The location must make The Board Inn the handiest spot in town – just a 20-second walk from the beach and near the bottom of the historic 199 Steps, so it’s ideal whether you’ve had a day making sandcastles or exploring St Mary’s Church and the Abbey. The extensive menu offers superb fish and chips and large filled Yorkshire puddings as well as mouth-watering homemade burgers.

The Marine

The stunning blue, flower-bedecked exterior of this restaurant signals the treat that lies in store inside. As the name suggests, the menu is primarily focused on seafood, including a tempting selection of shellfish, but there are also excellent dishes for meat-lovers and vegetarians to enjoy. The Marine is a wonderful spot for an extra-special meal out – the relaxed ambience makes you want to linger.

Plan your getaway to Whitby

If these delightful coastal places to eat have whetted your appetite for visiting Whitby, you'll find plenty of places to stay in and around the seaside town. Plan a wonderful coastal getaway with this handy guide to the best things to do in Whitby and find your perfect base for a romantic getaway or a fun-filled family holiday with lots of dog-friendly Whitby cottages to choose from.