Enjoy Sauvignon by the sea and joie de vivre at this Whitby wine bar.
What to expect at Cafe Montmartre
A hotbed of artistic ingenuity, the Parisian district of Montmartre was once home to such talents as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas and Vincent van Gogh. It’s trendy and nonchalant – the quintessential Paris – and home to such cultural colossuses as the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Moulin Rouge. Across the Channel, in another iconic destination, Cafe Montmartre is bringing a piece of French charm to the North Yorkshire coast.
Cafe Montmartre opened in May 2022 opposite Whitby’s Old Town Hall, a sister venue to the nearby Velveteen Cafe Bar & Brasserie on Grape Lane, and brings with it the arty style of the French capital. The tall white building is appropriately embellished with tricolore fairy lights and early 1900s advertisements for Absinthe Extra-supérieure.
Inside, the walls of this petite cafe-bar are decorated with a menagerie of all things French: Parisian scenes; dogs bearing berets and baguettes; and ads products such as Citroen 2cv, Ricard and fromage moderne. There’s a choice of high and low seating, plus tables by the windows or outside – perfect for watching tout le monde go by! We love Whitby’s brilliant, traditional pubs, but we think that this little piece of Paris in the heart of the town provides a nice contrast. Vive la diffrénce!
What’s to drink at Cafe Montmartre?
Cafe Montmartre has a concise list of red, white and rosé wines, all (bien sur!) hailing from France. We chose a dry, zesty Sauvignon blanc and a rich, velvety Malbec. There’s a strong offering of French sparkling wines, champagnes, spirits and European beers; and, loyal to the local area, there’s a menu dedicated to Whitby Distillery’s excellent range, complete with cocktails, to complement their enormous selection. We visited in early January and a wonderful array of festive cocktails were available – perfect warmers for a wintry Whitby evening. The staff are friendly, adept and knowledgeable about their trade. For something alcohol-free, you can opt for a soft drink or a coffee.
Where can I find Cafe Montmartre?
Cafe Montmartre is on Whitby’s Market Place, opposite the Old Town Hall. It’s just over an hour’s drive from York and around 50 minutes from Middlesbrough. There are lots of parking sites available; we use the car park on Langborne Road, which is a 10-minute walk away. Alternatively, Whitby is accessible by bus or train.
Cafe Montmartre, Whitby: Summary
- French-style wine bar and cafe
- French wines
- Good range of spirits
- Huge cocktail menu
- Outdoor seating available
- Whitby town centre
- Good transport links
- Parking close by
Where can I find out more information?
Follow Cafe Montmartre's Facebook and Instagram pages to find out the current opening times, announcements and to see their latest cocktail creations!
Have you visited Cafe Montmartre in Whitby? What did you think? Find more reviews from Whitby and North Yorkshire on our blog!
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