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Best restaurants in Whitby

With its charming cobbled streets, busy harbour and quirky shops, Whitby is a town with plenty of personality. When it comes to restaurants though, Whitby is famed for one thing and one thing only – its fish and chips. Seafood lovers come from all over the country to visit some of the coastal town’s famous chippies. As a result of this, Whitby has become somewhat of a foodie destination, and many other styles of restaurant, ranging from gastro pubs to French bistros, have now opened up here. This means that there’s now more food options than ever for foodies to get their teeth into.

Updated on 20 April 2021

North Yorkshire may not be where your mind first leaps when you think of a British seaside holiday, but over the years the town of Whitby has become popular among UK holiday-goers as a more affordable alternative to places like Cornwall and Devon. And it’s no surprise that people have fallen in love with this charming port. Made famous initially by Bram Stoker’s gothic novel Dracula, which features numerous references to the town as Stoker often visited while writing the book, Whitby is still has a large association with gothic culture. This is reflected in the many unusual shops found on its winding backstreets.

However, aside from its gothic roots, the town has plenty more to offer and that includes a highly regarded culinary scene. Whitby’s location near the coast means that the local fishing industry is an important part of the area, and this has led to there being a huge number of very highly regarded fish and chip shops. Ranging from classic chippies to more upmarket seafood restaurants, many would argue that Whitby is home to some of the finest battered fish in the country. There’s no need to worry if you aren’t fish and chips person though, as Whitby also has a range of other top restaurants serving a variety of different cuisines.

We’ve rounded up the very best restaurants in town below, so that if you’re visiting Whitby, you know the places you should be booking tables at.

Harry

Harry's Lounge

10-11 Pier Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PU

Boasting wonderful views of Whitby’s harbour, Harry’s Lounge is as much about the bar as it is about the seafood-heavy menu. Get here early to sample some of fantastic cocktails and mocktails on offer before you eat.

£30 - £49
British
Wine Bars
Bistro
Mademoiselle

Mademoiselle's

1 Skinner Street , Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3AH

Hearty Gallic classics are the order of the day at this cosy French bistro, nestled away in the heart of the town. Head here for a romantic dinner out and pick out a special bottle from the extensive wine list.

£30 - £49
French
Bistro
The Stables at Whitby

The Stables at Whitby

Guisborough Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1TL

Based a short drive out of town, The Stables at Whitby is the place to go for a traditional country pub experience complete with generous plates of pub grub. Expect dishes like steak and ale pie, and hearty roasts at weekends.

Under £30
Pubs
British
The Magpie Cafe

The Magpie Cafe

14 Pier Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PU

Undeniably the most famous chippie in town, if not the whole of Yorkshire, people flock from all over the country to try the fish and chips at The Magpie Café. Choose from haddock cod, and more unusual options like woof.

Under £30
British
Fish
The Wheatsheaf Inn - Whitby

The Wheatsheaf Inn - Whitby

High Street,, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1TZ

Run by husband-and-wife team Nigel and Elaine Pulling, this handsome 19th-century coaching inn has everything you’d want from a country pub: a roaring fire, a range of local ales, and a crowd-pleasing yet creative Modern-European menu to boot.

£30 - £49
Gastropub
The Fox & Hounds - Ainthorpe

The Fox & Hounds - Ainthorpe

45 Brook Lane, Ainthorpe, North Yorkshire, YO21 2LD

Booking is essential at this traditional country inn a short drive out of Whitby, which offers an a la carte menu throughout the day. The menu at The Fox & Hound changes regularly depending what is available from local suppliers.

Under £30
Modern European
 Cod & Lobster

Cod & Lobster

61 High Street, Saltburn-By-The-Sea, North Yorkshire, TS13 5DD

Believe it or not, this charming pub in Saltburn-by-the-Sea is located so close to the harbour that it’s been washed away three times in the past! Head here for classic pub grub with a pint of Yorkshire’s finest Black Sheep ale.

£30 - £49
Pubs
Ditto

Ditto

26 Skinner Street, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3AJ

There are only six tables inside this incredibly intimate restaurant, which means getting a reservation can be tricky, but if you manage to, you’ll be treated to contemporary British dishes that inventively showcase local produce.

£30 - £49
British
Valley View Restaurant at The Mallyan Spout Hotel - Goathland

Valley View Restaurant at The Mallyan Spout Hotel - Goathland

The Mallyan Spout Hotel Goathland House, Whitby, YO22 5AN

Part of beautiful The Mallyan Spout Hotel, Valley View is an elegant restaurant serving a menu of contemporary European dishes alongside an extensive by-the-glass wine list. Be sure to leave space for one of the kitchen’s tempting puds here.

£30 - £49
Modern European
The Brasserie at Raithwaite

The Brasserie at Raithwaite

Raithwaite Estate, Sandsend Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3ST

This laidback restaurant at the gorgeous Raithwaite Estate overlooks the gardens and serves a menu of classic French dishes with the odd modern twist. Expect delights such as a hake Kiev with lemon beurre blanc followed by a cinnamon doughnut.

£30 - £49
Brasserie
French
Sanders Yard Bistro

Sanders Yard Bistro

Sanders Yard, Whitby, YO22 4BH

This charming restaurant and coffee shop serves food right through the day both inside and in its quiet outdoor area. Head here at weekends for bottomless brunch or treat yourself and a friend to one of Sanders Yard’s tempting Prosecco platters.

£30 - £49
British
Bistro
Quayside

Quayside

7 Pier Road, Whitby, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PU

Housed in a historic building which used to be a bath house for local fishermen, Quayside is run by the Fusco family, who have been on the fish and chips business since the 1950s. This means you can be certain of crisp batter and fluffy chips.

Under £30
Fish
Trenchers

Trenchers

New Quay Road, Whitby, Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, YO21 1DH

Popular among Whitby locals and tourists alike, Trenchers has earnt itself reputation for its fantastic fish and chips, which is served throughout the day both inside the restaurant and from a small takeaway hatch for those in a rush.

Under £30
British
Fish
Estbek House

Estbek House

East Row, Sandsend, North Yorkshire, YO21 3SU

Drive five minutes out of Whitby to the idyllic village of Sandsend and you’ll find Estbek House, a fine dining restaurant with rooms, which serves a daily changing menu inspired by the seasons alongside an extensive wine list.

£50 - £79
British
International
Fish

Looking for a great chippy in London? Check out our guide to the best fish and chips in the Capital

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