If you’re visiting the seaside town of Scarborough in North Yorkshire, you’ll find a fantastic selection of excellent restaurants to choose from. The top ten restaurants on this list are the ones that locals and visitors rave about the most. Naturally, seafood is a highlight at many of these coastal eateries. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, authentic Italian, or flavourful Asian cuisine, there’s something here to tantalise every palate. If you are vegan, vegetarian or require a gluten-free diet, there are plenty of options for you too.
- Gianni’s Italian Restaurant
- Nava Sushi (Japanese & Thai)
- Lezzet Mediterranean Bistro
- Lookout On The Pier Seafood Restaurant
- Askims Mediterranean Bistro
- Dante’s Italian Restaurant
- Florios Italian Restaurant
- Indian Taj Restaurant
- Tops Chinese Restaurant
- George Michael’s Restaurant (Greek, French, British Food)
1. Gianni’s Italian Restaurant
Located on the edge of town along Victoria Road, Gianni’s Italian Restaurant is a popular place to eat out in Scarborough. This family-run eatery, close to hotels, the Stephen Joseph Theatre, and the train station, is known for its cosy atmosphere and welcoming vibe.
Gianni’s offers a wide range of authentic Italian dishes, including pizzas, pastas, seafood, steaks, and other meat options. They cater to all dietary preferences with a dedicated vegan menu, vegan wines, and gluten-free adaptations.
Desserts at Gianni’s are a treat, featuring classics like tiramisu and limoncello mascarpone cheesecake. The restaurant also offers a variety of wines, beers, cocktails, and liqueurs.
Address: 13 Victoria Rd, Scarborough YO11 1SB
Phone: 01723 507388
Website: https://www.giannisrestaurant.co.uk
2. Nava Sushi – Japanese and Thai Restaurant
Located on Eastborough in the heart of town and a short walk from South Bay, Nava Sushi offers authentic Japanese and Thai cuisine, complemented by excellent service and a beautiful interior, featuring an artificial cherry blossom tree in the centre of the dining area.
The restaurant has an extensive menu with dishes like sashimi, gyoza, satay, maki sushi rolls, teriyaki, and a variety of curries, including katsu, massaman, and green and red Thai curries. A highly recommended dish is the Scarborough Roll, a favourite among regulars and a must-try for visitors.
Nava Sushi offers a comprehensive drinks menu, featuring a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including refreshing Thai summer drinks.
Open six days a week and closed on Tuesdays, Nava can get busy at peak season so it is worth reserving a table in advance to make sure you aren’t disappointed.
Address: 10 Eastborough, Scarborough YO11 1NW
Phone: 01723 671409
Website: https://www.navasushi.co.uk
3. Lezzet Meditteranean Bistro
Since opening in 2019, Lezzet Mediterranean Bistro has quickly become one of the most popular dining spots in Scarborough. Located on Aberdeen Walk in the heart of town, this restaurant offers authentic Turkish cuisine in a cosy setting with the option of outdoor seating if you fancy al fresco dining.
Lezzet is family-friendly, featuring a children’s menu as well as vegetarian and gluten free options.
The starter menu includes a tempting meze platter, perfect for sharing. The main menu is extensive, with many meat dishes, including kebabs, burgers, and a mixed grill. They also offer pasta and seafood options. And no visit is complete without trying their delicious homemade baklava.
Address: 3 Aberdeen Walk, Scarborough YO11 1BA
Phone: 01723 354154
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lezzetscarborough
4. Lookout On The Pier – Seafood Restaurant
Opened in 2019, Lookout on the Pier is situated on West Pier, offering stunning views of South Bay. This seafood haven was visited and recommended by Susan Calman in her “Grand Week By The Sea” TV series.
The menu has an impressive array of seafood, including lobsters, crab, langoustine, scampi, mussels, tuna steak, and tiger prawns.
Standout dishes include the Garlic Lobster, locally caught and grilled in lemon butter with garlic and dill, served with chips and rocket. Another highlight is the Hot Seafood Platter, featuring langoustines, crevettes, mussels, tiger prawns, squid, whitebait, and scampi, accompanied by chips, harissa mayo, and tartare sauce. Another highly recommended dish is their “Fruits of the Sea Platter.”
For those preferring other options, Lookout on the Pier also serves burgers and has a small selection of vegan meals. This restaurant is licensed so you can enjoy a glass or two of wine with your meal.
Note that the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
Address: 18 West Pier, Scarborough YO11 1PD
Phone: 01723 351000
Website: https://www.lookoutonthepier.co.uk
5. Askims Mediterranean Restaurant
Located on Huntriss Row in Scarborough town centre, Askim’s Mediterranean Restaurant offers a warm, welcoming dining experience and is open seven days a week.
Start your meal with delicious appetisers like Baba Ganoush, Crispy Calamari, or a Mixed Hot Meze.
For the main course, try Askim’s special charcoal dishes featuring Lamb Shish, Chicken Shish, Adana Kebab, and Lamb Chops. Their signature dishes, such as Moussaka, Yogurt Chicken Kofte, and Octopus Guvec, are also highly recommended.
Askim’s is great for families, offering a children’s menu and a variety of vegetarian options. Gluten-free items are clearly marked, making it easy for everyone to find something they love. The drinks menu is extensive, with mocktails and shots and other drinks to complement your meal. Don’t forget to save room for dessert, with tempting options like Chocolate Lava Cake and Tiramisu.
Address: 37 Huntriss Row, Scarborough YO11 2ED
Phone: 01723 370772
Website: https://askims.co.uk/
6. Dante’s Italian Restaurant
Situated on Aberdeen Walk in town, Dante’s Italian Restaurant is a favourite in Scarborough, known for its welcoming atmosphere and delicious Italian cuisine. Open every day except Monday, Dante’s also caters to those who require vegan and gluten-free options.
Start your meal with their variety of garlic bread, including the popular cheesy garlic bread and the tasty Stilton, Tomato, and Chilli option. For the main course, you can choose from a selection of seafood pastas or explore their pizza menu. A standout choice is Dante’s Special Pizza, topped with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, slow-cooked tomato, rocket, and parmesan shavings.
Though Dante’s is not licensed, you’re welcome to bring your own bottle, with a small charge for corkage.
Address: 31 Aberdeen Walk, Scarborough YO11 1BD
Phone: 01723 671496
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Dante-s-italian-cuisine-100092501392796/
7. Florios Italian Restaurant
Located on Aberdeen Walk in the town centre, Florios Italian Restaurant has been a part of Scarborough’s dining scene since December 1986. Founded by Sardinian-born Antonio Floris, this restaurant brings authentic Italian cuisine to the Yorkshire coast.
Florios has a family-friendly atmosphere and diverse menu. Popular starters include garlic mushrooms and prawn cocktails, with their garlic breads being a favourite among regulars.
Main courses feature a variety of pizzas, pastas, risottos, and hearty meat dishes. Don’t miss their “Specials Board” for additional options.
The dessert menu is impressive, with options like Tartufo al Limoncello, Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake, and Hot Chocolate Profiteroles.
Florios also has a “Happy Hour” daily until 7:00 PM, offering great value. Fully licensed, they offer a wide selection of wines, drinks, and alcohol-free options. Why not end your meal with a delicious liqueur coffee topped with whipped cream!
Address: 35-37 Aberdeen Walk, Scarborough YO11 1BD
Phone: 01723 351124
Website: https://www.floriosscarborough.co.uk/
8. Indian Taj Restaurant
The Indian Taj Restaurant opened in 2021 and is located on Falsgrave Road, on the outskirts of Scarborough town centre. It is just a five-minute walk from the train station and the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
Despite its recent opening, it has quickly become one of the most popular Indian restaurants in Scarborough.
The Taj is renowned for its diverse menu, featuring popular dishes such as Tandoori Butter Chicken, Lamb Special Bhuna, and Tikka Masala. They also offer a variety of fish dishes and simpler options for children, like fish fingers or chicken nuggets and chips.
While the restaurant is not licensed to serve alcohol, customers are welcome to bring their own drinks, with a small corkage fee applied.
Address: 4 Falsgrave Rd, Scarborough YO12 5AT
Phone: 01723 378336
Website: https://indiantaj.co.uk/
9. Tops Chinese Restaurant
Tops, located on Falsgrave Road, is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Scarborough and is very popular with the locals. It features beautiful contemporary interiors with a stunning water wall in the reception area.
The menu at Tops offers a variety of Chinese, Szechwan, and Cantonese dishes, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available and a set-menu option.
Tops also serves alcohol and is known for its friendly, attentive service and immaculate cleanliness. Due to its popularity, it’s advisable to book in advance, as the restaurant can get quite busy, especially during peak times.
Address: 121 Falsgrave Rd, Scarborough YO12 5EG
Phone: 01723 369099
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/TOPS-Chinese-restaurant-Scarborough-100063554800872/
10. George Michael’s – Greek, British and French Cuisine
George Michael’s Restaurant, a long-established dining spot in Scarborough since 1992, is located on York Place on the edge of town, close to South Bay and the Grand Hotel.
The restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring Greek, British, and French cuisine, catering to various tastes with both à la carte options and 2- and 3-course set menus. A children’s menu is also available, making it a family-friendly choice.
Main courses at George Michael’s include dishes such as Chicken à la Crème, Beef Stefado, T-bone Steak with a choice of sauces, fresh Swordfish, and Prawns Grilled with Garlic Butter. The dessert menu includes classic sweets like Black Forest Gateau and Cheesecake.
To complement your meal, you can choose from a selection of wines, including the delicious traditional Greek wine, Retsina, which is not often featured on British restaurant menus.
George Michael’s is ideal for a romantic evening meal for two or for larger parties.
Address: 5 York Place, Scarborough YO11 2NP
Phone: 01723 372646
Website: https://www.gmrestaurant.co.uk