When you visit Whitby, be sure to drop in to Monks Haven Café, one of many fine places to eat in Whitby. You can sit, relax and watch the world pass by along historic Church Street through our bay windows while enjoying fine, freshly ground coffee or Yorkshire tea. We are open 7 days a week for morning coffee and tea, lunch and afternoon tea. We are also open for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to escape the crowds, ask to sit in our second restaurant upstairs where we offer a more relaxed dining experience.

We serve fresh Whitby crab sandwiches, fresh Whitby cod and haddock in a delicious, home-made beer batter. We offer afternoon tea including cream teas and tea cakes and have a wide selection of desserts from Dutch apple pie to hot chocolate fudge cake. Look out for our evening specials too. We're currently serving fresh Whitby haddock baked "en papilotte" with a selection of vegetables.

Monks Haven Café is one of the oldest buildings in Whitby, dating in parts back to the 12th Century when it was built as a chapel of ease. Over the centuries this site has played an important role in the community. Its location on Church Street Whitby, next to the market square has made it a valuable commercial property at the heart of the Whitby community. We're situated on the East-Side of Whitby, just around the corner from Greens Restaurant, and on the opposite side of the River Esk from the world famous Magpie Restaurant.

Monks Haven Café is featured in Peter Robinson's book Caedmon's Song.

There are many rumours around Church Street and in particular Monks Haven. Some are true and some are false.

• It's true that there are smugglers caves under the street and throughout the East Side of Whitby, however no-one alive knows the full extent of the cave network.
• It's also true that there have been many sightings of a ghost we call "George" - he appears outside in the market and walks into the café. He's been spotted in the back of the kitchen late at night by the fryers... Our cooks think he cannot cross over until he's had his chips!
• It's false that Mary Queen of Scots stayed here (well at least there are no records proving it).
• It's also untrue that Dracula enjoyed a bloodiccino on table 5.

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