{"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":"2021-06-24T11:12:44","modified_gmt":"2021-06-24T10:12:44","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 great 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\u2026 When it comes to food, Scotland 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

Best for: a charming lunch spot<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Isle of Mull Cheese, Mull<\/a><\/p>\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 cheese 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

Best for: intriguing interior design<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ubiquitous Chip, Glasgow<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An arty brasserie in Glasgow\u2019s bohemian West End, the Ubiquitious 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 \u2013 opt for the Shetland cod fillet with Jerusalem artichoke or the classic Aberdeen Angus beef served with pepper sauce, braised mushrooms and potatoes. You\u2019ve also a wide selection of desserts and cheese platters to choose from (don\u2019t miss the  Medjool date slice with caramelised pear, followed by a plate of melt-in-your-mouth French, Irish and Scottish cheeses).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Best for: great Scottish food in a Scandi setting<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Inver, Strachur<\/a><\/p>\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. The fixed four-course dinner menu includes must-tries such as crab and bergamot tart, roast duck with artichoke and pear, and sea robin with cauliflower and frozen juniper. You\u2019ll also find a small shop on site, where you can pick up sourdough bread and preserves for the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Best for: simple superfood<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Foodstory Caf\u00e9, Aberdeen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple and hearty food is served up in an inviting setting at Aberdeen\u2019s Foodstory Caf\u00e9, which prizes itself on bringing home-made, 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 all decorated with lashes 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

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

Best for: dinner, bed and breakfast<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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

Nestled in the Isle of Skye\u2019s hilly and surreal landscape, Kinloch Lodge doubles up as 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 \u2013 picture Aberdeen Angus beef with Strathdon blue cheese mousse, or Shetland cod with caper and pistachio pesto, followed by vanilla cr\u00e8me fra\u00eeche panna cotta and home-made petits fours with coffee. 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

Best for: classic fish and chips<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cromars, St Andrews<\/a><\/p>\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 that locally-sourced haddock and cod \u2013 all wrapped in a perfectly crisp batter and sprinkled with lemon juice \u2013 steal the show. Make room for the sides, though, as the Shetland mussels, home-made fishcakes, Amity scampi and pan-fried scallops 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 NFFF Fish & Chip Quality Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Best for: veggies and vegans<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Folk Caf\u00e9, Dundee<\/strong><\/p>\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. A modest affair with understated d\u00e9cor \u2013 the only obvious features you\u2019ll find here are fancy lights and small paintings on cream-toned walls \u2013 it is undoubtedly the food counter that\u2019s left to make a grand impression. You\u2019ll find all sorts of extravagantly-seasoned, sizeably-portioned, feel-good options, whether you\u2019re in the mood for a smokey 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

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

Best for: fine dining in the capital<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Kitchin, Edinburgh<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

French class meets homely Scottish produce at The Kitchin, a Michelin-starred restaurant that brings a refined Nature-to-Plate philosophy to Edinburgh\u2019s food scene. Its dove blue and grey interiors provide a cool and chic setting for colourful menus, from which the seafood options are worth writing home about \u2013 think hand-dived Orkney scallops, roasted tail of langoustine from Tobermory, and marinated tartare of line-caught Newhaven mackerel. 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 (did we even mention the warm apple tart with vanilla ice cream and Calvados sauce for dessert?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Best for: Michelin-starred indulgence<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, Auchterarder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A constant purveyor of excellence, the acclaimed Andrew Fairlie restaurant offers refined cuisine between the walls of five-star golf-lover\u2019s heaven, Gleneagles Hotel. With two Michelin stars under its belt, it crafts a culinary journey through menus inspired by its surrounds 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, which covers home-smoked Scottish lobster through to hazelnut praline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Best for: an unforgettable setting<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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

A gem of a restaurant on the Isle of Skye, The Three Chimneys offers 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 Loch Harport oysters, Skye venison and Dunvegan crab all featuring high on the menu. The Skye, Land and Sea tasting menu makes a particularly authentic way to explore the area\u2019s best flavours, and covers everything from roasted Sconser scallop and confit Wester Ross salmon to lemon cream with pistachio sponge, yoghurt and goats\u2019 cheese curd. 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

Best for: destination dining<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh<\/a><\/p>\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 with boutique guest rooms on the capital\u2019s Royal Mile, right by the imposing Edinburgh Castle. At this exceptionally dark and atmospheric restaurant, Gothic-style interiors (red leather seats, old oak panelling, heavy curtains and candelit tables) go hand-in-hand with a succulent menu of Isle of Mull scallops, shellfish bisque, dry-aged 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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