When visiting the coast, you’d typically expect a menu filled with beige classics—fish & chips, sugary doughnuts, and maybe, at best, a family-run Italian restaurant. But Scarborough, Britain’s oldest seaside town, offers far more than the usual seaside fare. One standout spot is The Cactus, a hidden gem serving up mouth-watering loaded garlic breads and juicy burgers.
Tucked away in a small unit, The Cactus welcomes guests into a warm, cosy space adorned with twinkling lights and an open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs and bar staff at work. The menu may be compact, but it packs a punch with bold flavours, offering burgers, ribs, and other indulgent treats. And while the burgers are undeniably delicious, the loaded garlic breads steal the show.
Their homemade dough rivals some of the best pizza joints we’ve visited, and the flavour combinations are next-level. Our favourite? The hoisin duck-loaded garlic bread—was so packed with flavour that every bite felt like food heaven, especially with those dreamy, puffy crusts.
We couldn’t recommend this place enough. The staff are super helpful with recommendations, and if we could have ordered the entire menu, we would have! Starters like garlic mushrooms and chicken wings are popular, but the main event is the burgers—big, bold, and packed with flavour.
We tried the Old Jack, featuring JD BBQ sauce, bacon, and blue cheese, as well as the ribeye steak burger, smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce. Paired with seasoned wedges, curly fries, or ranch-cut fries, these burgers were the perfect indulgence after our garlic bread feast.
And let’s not forget the drinks. The Cactus Bar & Restaurant serves up an array of Instagram-worthy cocktails, ideal for date nights or a night out with friends. Their mixologists know their craft, and we highly recommend the pornstar martini or the whiskey-based cocktail, which paired perfectly with the JD-sauced burger.
Check out our visit to The Cactus in Scarborough below:
For something a little different in Scarborough, The Cactus is an absolute must-visit. If you’d like to find out more or get booked in, head over to the website here.
📍 4 Victoria Rd, Scarborough YO11 1SD
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