Whitby Pubs and Food Landmarks: A Day of Pints and Bakes
Whitby's food and drink splits neatly between the old town's two banks of the harbour. On Church Street and Skinner Street you have Botham's, the Duke of York and the Black Horse Inn; over on Henrietta Street, Fortune's Kippers smokes its stock for takeaway only. Magpie Café sits between them on Pier Road, and Whitby Distillery is further out at Botany Way.
The busiest stops need a little forward planning. The Duke of York takes bookings and sits right where the 199 Steps begin, so it works well for an early breakfast or fish and chips before the climb, though Church Street is noisy and there is no car park. Magpie's queue is constant in all weathers, so aim for the 11:30 opening or order takeaway. The Black Horse and the White Horse & Griffin also take bookings.
Some stops are quick and easy. Botham's, the family bakery founded in 1865, is a 20-30 minute stop for a Whitby Lemon Bun or Chocolate Japs, longer if you sit down. Fortune's is a 15-20 minute visit: cash only, kippers to cook at home, and an early arrival before stock sells out and the shop shuts. The Black Horse suits a 30-minute pint of cask ale with Yapas snacks, while the Duke of York can fill half a day.
Before setting out for Whitby Distillery, check the visitor details: the address on record is a registered office, not a confirmed shopfront.
| Place | Time to allow | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Botham's of Whitby | 20-30 minutes | Skinner Street, old town |
| Duke of York Whitby | half a day | Church Street, old town |
| Magpie Café, Whitby | – | Pier Road, harbourside |
| Black Horse Inn Whitby | 30 minutes to an hour and a half | 91 Church Street, old town |
| White Horse & Griffin Whitby | 45 minutes to an hour and a half or more | Church Street, Whitby |
| Fortune's Kippers Whitby | 15-20 minutes | 22 Henrietta Street, east side of Whitby |
| Whitby Distillery | 20-30 minutes | 8 Botany Way, Whitby, YO22 4QX |
Whitby pub and food landmark guides
Botham's of Whitby: Shops, Tea Rooms and What to Try
A fifth-generation family bakery founded in 1865, with its original shop and tea rooms on Skinner Street in the old town. Come for the Whitby Lemon Bun and Chocolate Japs; allow extra time if you sit down.
20-30 minutes · Best for bakery treats and light lunches
Duke of York Whitby: The Pub at the Foot of the 199 Steps
A traditional inn and pub on Church Street with the 199 steps to the abbey starting at its doorstep. Handy for a pint, fish and chips or an early breakfast before the climb, though Church Street stays noisy and there is no car park.
half a day · Book ahead · Best for abbey visitors and families eating early
Magpie Café, Whitby: Fish and Chips on Pier Road
A harbourside seafood restaurant on Pier Road since 1937, known for fish and chips and a wider seafood menu. The queue outside is constant in all weathers, so plan around the 11:30 opening or take your food away.
Book ahead · Best for fish and chips by the harbour
Black Horse Inn Whitby: Traditional Two-Bar Pub Guide
A tiny two-bar pub on Church Street, handy for the 199 Steps. It is built for a well-kept pint of cask ale, with cold-served Yapas snacks rather than a hot meal, and the compact bars fill fast at weekends.
30 minutes to an hour and a half · Book ahead · Best for cask ale and old-town character
White Horse & Griffin Whitby: Historic Inn Guide
A 1681 coaching inn on Church Street, now a hotel and seafood restaurant below the 199 steps. It suits couples and history-minded visitors wanting a central base with character; it is not a straightforward pub for a quick pint.
45 minutes to an hour and a half or more · Book ahead · Best for couples and history-minded visitors
Fortune's Kippers Whitby: The Henrietta Street Smokehouse
Fortune's is a working smokehouse with a tiny shop, selling takeaway kippers only — no tables, no tea. Bring cash, arrive early since stock sells out and the shop then shuts, and allow an uphill cobbled walk.
15-20 minutes · Best for buying smoked kippers to cook at home
Whitby Distillery: Visiting Whitby Gin's Home
A small-batch distillery behind Whitby Gin, whose London Dry won Best British London Dry Gin at the 2019 World Gin Awards. The address on record is a registered office, not a confirmed shopfront, so check the visitor details before setting out.
20-30 minutes · Best for gin fans wanting a bottle to take home
One day in Whitby: bakery, harbour and the steps
Start at Botham's on Skinner Street for a lemon bun, then head to Pier Road for Magpie Café's fish and chips — arrive at the 11:30 opening or take your food away to dodge the queue. Finish at the Duke of York on Church Street, where the 199 Steps begin; book ahead, and expect a noisy street and no car park.
Where to reserve a table in Whitby
Booking is recommended at the Duke of York, Magpie Café, the Black Horse Inn and the White Horse & Griffin. Fortune's Kippers needs no booking, but bring cash and arrive early before stock sells out. For Whitby Distillery, check the visitor details first — no walk-in shop or entrance is confirmed.