{"id":2871,"date":"2019-11-30T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-11-30T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secretescapes.com\/magazine-uk\/?p=2871"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:06:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T12:06:02","slug":"11-great-places-to-eat-in-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.secretescapes.com\/escapist\/11-great-places-to-eat-in-scotland\/","title":{"rendered":"11 of the Best Places to Eat in Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shellfish plucked off the Isle of Skye\u2019s dramatic coasts, melt-in-your-mouth Aberdeen Angus beef, wild game born in the depths of the Highlands\u2026when it comes to food, Scotland<\/a> certainly makes the most of its rich lands, seas, and skies \u2013 and its restaurants serve up years of tradition with pride, flair, and bursts of flavour. Don\u2019t yet know your Cullen Skink from your Rumbledethumps? Whether you\u2019re after a simple fish supper or a full-blown Michelin-starred journey, get your chops around some of the best Scottish cuisine at these buzzed-about dining destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Isle of Mull Cheese. Image: Isle of Mull Cheese<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is Edinburgh Good for Foodies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is a culinary hotspot that caters to all tastes, proving it’s indeed a fantastic city for foodies. The city boasts a thriving and diverse food scene, ranging from multi-Michelin-starred institutions offering exquisite fine dining to hidden gems serving up the best of local, seasonal Scottish produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Kitchin, Edinburgh. Image courtesy of The Kitchin<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fine Dining in Scotland: The Kitchin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

French culinary expertise meets homely Scottish produce at The Kitchin, a Michelin-starred restaurant that brings a refined Nature-to-Plate philosophy to Edinburgh\u2019s food scene. Every seafood option is worth writing home about, from hand-dived Orkney scallops to fresh Newhaven lobster tail. Those who feel adventurous could opt for a seasonally themed surprise tasting menu, on which dishes are perfectly matched with wines and champagne. The vegetarian options here are refreshingly imaginative, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: 78 Commercial St, Edinburgh EH6 6LX<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Romantic Restaurant in Edinburgh: The Witchery by the Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For a quirky, romantic and out-of-the-ordinary dining experience, make a beeline for The Witchery \u2013 a unique spot on the capital\u2019s Royal Mile, right by the imposing Edinburgh Castle. At this exceptionally dark and atmospheric restaurant, Gothic-style interiors (think red leather seats, old oak panelling, heavy curtains, and candelit tables) go hand-in-hand with a succulent menu of Isle of Skye scallops, lobster bisque, Scotch beef, and much more. With its painted ceiling, dried floral decorations, and French windows leading out to a secluded terrace, the Witchery\u2019s entrancing Secret Garden is also well worth exploring, particularly with your loved one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Foodie Destination: The Scottish Highlands or Islands?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and the remote beauty of its islands offer a unique culinary adventure, where the food is as dramatic and authentic as the scenery. From loch-side dining to remote island smokehouses, these destinations celebrate the freshest local seafood, game, and farm produce, promising an unforgettable taste of Scotland’s wild larder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Inver. Image courtesy of Inver<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inver, Strachur<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With its minimalist interiors and equally minimalist menu, this small yet character-packed restaurant adds a contemporary Scandinavian twist to the shores of Loch Fyne in west Scotland. An ideal option for foodies seeking an elegant yet unfussy meal, it presents beautifully plated dishes stripped down to reveal the wholesome flavours of its local, farmed ingredients. You\u2019ll also find a small shop on site, where you can pick up sourdough bread, cultured butter, and preserves for the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: Stracthlachlan, Strachur PA27 8BU<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kinloch Lodge. Image courtesy of Kinloch Lodge<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kinloch Lodge Restaurant, Isle of Skye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for restaurants with rooms to kick your feet up in after a hearty meal, nestled in the Isle of Skye\u2019s hilly and surreal landscape is Kinloch Lodge \u2013 a restaurant with sublime vistas by day and a hotel with seriously sophisticated credentials by night. Led by head chef Marcello Tully, Kinloch Lodge Restaurant brings an award-winning dining experience to the Isle\u2019s southeastern shores. Enjoy canap\u00e9s in the drawing room, watch the chefs work their magic from behind a glass wall, and tuck into a delicious five-course fusion of local ingredients. The restaurant hosts a tasting experience, too, and matches its menus with a carefully tailored wine list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: Sleat, Isle of Skye IV43 8QY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Three Chimneys. Image by Angus Bremner, courtesy of The Three Chimneys<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For fresh seafood with a view, The Three Chimneys is a gem of a restaurant on the Isle of Skye, offering a romantic setting by the sea \u2013 an ideal escape for foodies as much as for nature-lovers. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant puts a refreshing spin on local fare, with hand\u2011dived shellfish and foraged shoreline herbs, all featuring high on the menu. The Three Chimneys\u2019 tasting menu is a particularly authentic way to explore the area\u2019s best flavours. You\u2019ll also find homely five-star accommodation here, each with sea views and direct access to the shore, should all that indulging make you need a lie down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8ZT<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isle of Mull Cheese, Mull<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Set on idyllic Mull, the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides, the warm and welcoming Isle of Mull Cheese dairy farm is a thing of dreams. In its fairytale-like Garden Barn caf\u00e9 \u2013 a show-stopping, glass-walled space filled with greenery and a mix-and-match of rustic d\u00e9cor \u2013 you can enjoy homemade pizzas, soups, ploughman\u2019s lunches and, most of all, a selection of mouthwatering fine cheeses straight from the farm. Grab some picked cucumbers as well as Hebridean blue and traditional Isle of Mull cheeses from the produce shop before venturing to the farm to meet the resident cows and learn about artisan cheese-making processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: Sgriob-ruadh Farm, Tobermory, Isle of Mull PA75 6QD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Michelin Star Restaurant in Scotland: Andrew Fairlie<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scotland\u2019s longest-standing two-Michelin-starred restaurant, the acclaimed Andrew Fairlie restaurant, offers refined cuisine within the walls of five-star golf-lovers\u2019 heaven, Gleneagles Hotel. It crafts a culinary journey through menus inspired by its surroundings and seasonal produce. Opt for \u00e0 la carte fare, including roast veal sweetbreads, hand-dived scallops, and Highland lamb loin, each perfectly roasted, slow-cooked and dressed with all manner of sauces and wine jus. Those after a surprise should treat themselves to the tantalising d\u00e9gustation menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder PH3 1NF<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veggie and Vegan-Friendly: Folk Caf\u00e9<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Set right by the train station, this corner caf\u00e9 serves up a feast to both the eyes and stomach with its colourful, veggie and vegan-friendly selection of salads, pastries and sandwiches. You\u2019ll find all sorts of extravagantly-seasoned, sizeably-portioned, feel-good options, whether you\u2019re in the mood for a smoky bacon bap, the tart or tortilla of the day, or an explosion of feta, roast tomato, spicy olives, and tzatziki in a baked focaccia. Breakfast and lunch are both available here at a very modest price, alongside staple coffees, teas, and sweet treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: 118 Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4EH<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unique Eateries: Ubiquitous Chip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An arty brasserie in Glasgow\u2019s bohemian West End, the Ubiquitous Chip has more than its character-packed interiors to boast about. Here, leafy surrounds and fairy lights provide quite the magical setting for a rich and elegant dinner proudly based on Scottish produce. You\u2019ve also a wide selection of desserts and cheese platters to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: 12 Ashton Ln, Glasgow G12 8SJ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locally-Sourced Restaurant: Foodstory Caf\u00e9<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simple and hearty food is served up in an inviting setting at Aberdeen\u2019s Foodstory Caf\u00e9, which prides itself on bringing homemade, environmentally friendly delights to the table. Open for breakfast through to dinner, you\u2019ll find a vibrant mish-mash of vegan, organic, and gluten-free options ranging from superfood porridge to salad bowls \u2013 decorated with lashings of chutney, dashes of pesto, and dollops of locally sourced jam. Coffee obsessives and tea-lovers will find plenty of thirst-quenching options, too, with an extensive menu including chai latte, cranberry and apple tea, and chilli rooibos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: 13-15 Thistle St, Aberdeen AB10 1XZ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scotland\u2019s Best Fish & Chips: Cromars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You couldn\u2019t go wrong with a stop at Cromars, voted the Best Fish & Chip Shop in Scotland in 2016. At this sustainable St Andrews hotspot, unassumingly set in a thick stone corner building, you\u2019ll find locally sourced haddock and cod all wrapped in a perfectly crisp batter and sprinkled with lemon juice. Make room for the sides, though, as they certainly know how to make mouths water. You\u2019ll find more than one accolade to this chippy\u2019s name, too: Cromars has earned itself a 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and an NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/strong>: 1 Union St, St Andrews KY16 9PQ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore Scotland\u2019s Gastronomy with Secret Escapes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taste your way through Scotland and enjoy an unforgettable stay with Secret Escapes\u2019 incredible deals on Scotland holidays<\/a>. Whether you\u2019re after a city break<\/a> in Edinburgh or Glasgow or want a spa getaway<\/a> by one of Scotland\u2019s breathtaking lochs, save money with our exclusive offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more travel advice and inspiration, deep dive further into the Escapist<\/a> magazine or get in touch<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t