Location

Heading southwards on the A73 – so pleasant to avoid motorways – you will find Carmichael Estate Farm Shop and can pause for a delicious meal at their Hideaway Restaurant, launched last year. The restaurant has a popular light lunch menu and an a la carte dinner menu, featuring seafood as well as the top notch estate produce. To book a Read more...

Welcome to new member The Aberdour Hotel, a landmark in this bonnie conservation seaside village and the perfect place for golfers, tourers, yachtsmen, families, empty nesters, cyclists, walkers and business folk to pause. Aberdour is on the Fife Coastal Path so there are many who take on the challenge, booking hotels and lovely dinners en route. It is also home Read more...

Hot Press: Congratulations on winning The Courier Food & Drink Awards Tayside, Fife & Angus region, Best Restaurant of the Year Award. Welcome to the fabulous Wee Restaurant in North Queensferry. This husband and wife team opened the Wee Restaurant in 2006 and have been carving out a fine reputation in Fife and beyond ever since, now with all the Read more...

South of Scotland Scottish Thistle Award Winner 2023 Best Hotel Experience. This fairytale castellated country house sits in 28acres of stunning woodland, gardens and landscapes – the perfect gourmet base to explore the South of Scotland, yet within a stone’s throw of Edinburgh – sufficiently close to take a city excursion if you wish before returning for a romantic meal. Read more...

Crowned Scotland’s top ‘Food Tourism’ destination at VisitScotland’s respected Scottish Thistle Awards, 2023, RBST Sustainable Produce Retail Outlet of the Year 2023 & RBST Sustainable Chef of The Year 2024 (pictured left). Thistle Winners for Central, Fife & Tayside 2022 Food Tourism Award & 2018/19 Thyme at Errichel Restaurant Best Eating Experience Errichel is a very special inspiring place. Close by Read more...

This is a fabulous wee spot to pause on the Royal Deeside route. Indeed when we visited there were cyclists taking a well-earned break too. It has a winning simplicity, focussing on their cheeses and home baking, toasties and croquettes monsieur. They also have a regular delivery of artisan breads – but you have to be quick for that! A Read more...

This luxury hotel with Spa and Golf Club is but minutes from Glasgow yet set amidst tranquil countryside. The Vista Restaurant has panoramic views over coast and country to the Glasgow skyline with an impressive menu to match. Supporting local produce, skilfully prepared, the menu is attractive, delicious and beautifully presented. Their splendid afternoon teas are also a popular luxurious Read more...

The third generation of the Niven family at Gloagburn have a lovely farm shop with free range eggs from their hens, local vegetables and groceries, an excellent butcher counter stocking their own and other quality assured meats, artisan cheese counter plus an extensive gift shop (for both adults & children), some clothing items and a super cafe. Ideally located on Read more...

This delightful traditional Victorian award-winning tearoom is the beating heart of the beautiful nursery in East Lothian. With ample free parking, leave your car and enter through the old stone archway, through the nursery gardens to the lovely tearoom “a cozy retreat nestled amongst the gardens.” Serving light bites, homemade soups, cakes and indulgent treats in the beautiful conservatory where Read more...

Ballintaggart is an inspiring rural destination with stunning views over the Tay valley. This family have created a refined venue for a memorable food experience. Within the beautifully restored old farm buildings there is accommodation, Feast Nights and the light and spacious Cook School where Chris Rowley delivers a range of excellent courses, all with panoramic views. The Farmhouse is Read more...

A perfect place to break the journey on the A9 – or just a great place for a day trip. House of Bruar has developed from a prime foodie stop with an incredible award-winning delicatessen with a global selection of cheese, charcuterie and treats such as pies and scotch eggs. Joined with a carefully selected range of ladies and gents’ Read more...

Scottish Bread Championship Supreme Champion 2023, Scottish Bread Championship Joint Supreme Champion 2022 & multiple Gold winner. Their bakery also has a fabulous cafe and is at Eskmills Business Park. Ben’s dedication to provenance extends not only to carefully sourcing specific flours and grains for his delicious nutritious loaves but also milling much of it in-house to ensure exactly the Read more...

Peel Farm is a super family farm with imaginative diversifications that will keep you entertained all day – and even to stay longer. The Flemings are onto the third generation of this Angus farming family. They started off serving afternoon teas and selling local crafts from the farmhouse’s small sun parlour. Claire is the next generation, running all the elements Read more...

The Cornerstone Seafood Restaurant with Rooms is an absolute jewel by the harbour in Mallaig. Book dinner and be sure to allow time to enjoy the magnificent scenery along the way whether by train, car or ferry. Once the busiest herring port in Europe it is still very active and also a popular holiday spot. This bonnie bustling fishing port Read more...

The Sinclair family have created a wonderful destination here on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Originally – and still is – a berry farm, their fabulous produce takes you through the seasons from their PYO berries, apple orchards to pumpkins later in the year. Their apples are available as delicious single variety juice and their berries are also made into delicious Read more...

Among its many superlatives it is known as “The ultimate romantic bolthole.” The Witchery is lavishly unique and steeped in history. Right next door to Edinburgh Castle and elegantly theatrically styled, it is always a gastronomic delight to dine here. Over the last four decades and more, The Witchery has received some of the most prestigious awards in hospitality in Read more...

Mara is the fine dining destination restaurant at Links House – why not stay over and indulge yourself? Links House is stunning: from the panoramic views over the countryside to the elegant rooms and carefully selected furnishings and beautiful designs. Mara too is stunning in every way – a calm serene dining experience where every morsel is of the finest Read more...

Built in 1836 as a hunting lodge by the 5th Duke of Buccleuch, this historic residence was central to the Borders life and still is. Famous for its game, it offers a range of other options for all occasions, both inside their lovely lodge and al fresco in the beautiful grounds. Come and take a look for yourself. The varied Read more...

A fine Country House set amidst the rolling Dumfries and Galloway hills with a working farm, game estate and delightful hosts. Rod and Gun experiences are also on offer here so check out the weblink for full details. Breakfast Winner 2023. Superb local food including their own game off the hill. Celia’s award-winning game dinners are part of her superb Read more...

Errington Barn is the fantastic new addition to the Errington family business with a farm shop & cafe right by the A702 main road, just south of Dolphinton. The farm shop & cafe offers their full range of cheese alongside some specially selected cheesemakers, their own Tamworth whey-fed pork (when in stock), local honey, a place to pause for a Read more...

This vibrant inn in the heart of Grandtully is part of the Ballintaggart Portfolio, with a reputation for provenance and hospitality in their own individual way, with Feast Nights and excellent courses at their Cook School. The Grandtully Hotel offers light and more substantial dishes from ‘morning coffee to a late dram’ in their contemporary and buzzing bar, The Tully. Read more...

Lodge on Loch Lomond is in a magical location on the “Bonnie Banks” with great food and a warm friendly welcome. You can dine in style, savour afternoon tea or a light lunch, or book acres of beautiful space for your dream wedding. The stunning rooms for celebrations, the accommodation (many with balconies overlooking the loch), the jetties and terraces Read more...

Cullen is a fascinating village with stunning geography, a famous soup and an awesome viaduct. It is a village of two halves with the original fishing village sits snugly huddled together on the shore, where The Royal Oak is situated, and the ‘new town’ (1820’s) built away from the fishing harbour is half a mile up the escarpment. The Royal Read more...

Situated 10 miles west of Glasgow on the shores of the Clyde, this beautiful Nursery & Farm shop is on the A814 between Cardross & Helensburgh. The family run estate is owned by the Montgomery family, where friendly welcoming staff assist in running the estate. There are always wonderful seasonal treats for all the family on their weblink to check Read more...

Tom Lewis’ informal inn is a wonderful addition to ‘Mhor’ and a welcome stop for any foodie traveller. He bought a tired old inn and created a fabulous quirky venue with lively vibes. The perfect roadside inn to rest awhile in among their delightful up-cycled props and furnishings. That bowlful of mussels I tucked into was sensational. Very welcoming, a Read more...

Cannonball House is one of the city’s oldest and most important buildings with stunning views to Edinburgh Castle. Their cosy bar lists over 120 Scotch whiskies and is open for lunch, cocktails and pre dinner drinks. From the bar they will escort you up the atmospheric old school staircase to their award-winning Scottish Restaurant, serving delicious, seasonal quality dishes in Read more...

A charming place to tarry awhile, featuring beautiful landscaped gardens, an excellent range of crafts and a lovely coffee shop, brimming with Banff produce. It is a beautifully converted old schoolhouse and a really friendly cheery place. Their extensive garden centre is also very popular. The Boyndie Trust Old School Visitor Centre & Coffee Shop now also has a Training Read more...

Such a beautiful elegant historical coaching inn on the town square of the pretty Border town of Melrose. Melrose is world-famous for its Abbey & Gardens and also has a lovely range of traditional shops – real eye candy and perfect for a day away or as a touring base. This lovely hostelry has award-winning fare and the staff here Read more...

HENDERSONS, Eat Better Live Better VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT  In 1962, Barrie’s paternal grandparents Janet and Mac Henderson first opened the Hendersons Shop on Hanover Street in 1962, with the basement restaurant opening in 1963. Almost six decades later, in the summer of 2020, Hendersons ceased trading as a result of lockdown, so in order to preserve Janet’s legacy, her grandson Barrie Read more...

Thistle Regional Award Winner for Best Informal Eating Experience(2019)…then Winner of the National Awards 2020… and Best Places to Work 2023 – Brilliant! This ingenious concept is a firm favourite with hikers and tourers, locals and tourists. You may be forgiven for thinking this is a fish & chip shop but whilst it’s on the menu, in its most sustainable form, Read more...

A warm welcome to No88, Best Eatery Winner 2023 at the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards and a fine addition to Lerwick’s food scene. The night we dined it was positively buzzing with life yet still light, airy and comfortable. The staff are friendly and whilst a smart cool venue, it is fun and not too formal. The Read more...

This charming place was the first Sarti to open and has now been a Glasgow institution over 25 years and still going strong with a dedicated following for their authentic north Italian food. Who’s joining us for breakfast? Sarti Wellington St is open from 8am every day (apart from Sunday) for great coffee, hot rolls, croissant, omelettes, Italian toast, orange Read more...

Rothiemurchus is a wonderful family run Highland Estate set at the heart of the stunning Cairngorms National Park. Passionate about delicious food, Rothiemurchus not only produces its very own succulent Highland Beef, Velvety Forest Venison and fresh Rainbow Trout all home reared on the estate, it has a plethora of other delicacies and tempting treats in their fine Farm Shop. Read more...

Edinburgh’s original Italian Food and Wine Emporium, established in 1934 – World class Italian – no food guide worth its sea salt should be without it! Now celebrating 90 years. Slow Food Scotland Deli of the Year 2021 & 2022. This amazing store of predominantly Italian gourmet food is a wonderful journey for all the senses. Look upwards and you Read more...

This is a fabulous bakehouse in every way – from its stunning waterside location, with innovative buildings, through to the mastery and skills in the bakery, producing real sourdough bread and croissants for lucky Mallaig. There are also harbour-front tables on the deck to tarry awhile with a latte and a perfectly laminated pastry or two. Very popular with locals, Read more...

Welcome to new member Burntisland Sands Hotel, a friendly neighbourhood hotel in this historic coastal village. Burntisland has a long history as a working port, with sturdy vessels still cutting through the waves to and fro as they service and guide larger ships on the Forth. Burntisland has a thriving boat club, golf course and a popular beach, not to Read more...

The Dory’s menus are mouth-watering, with fish and shellfish brought direct from the fishing boats outside the windows and vegetables and fruit from their garden to the rear – you can’t get much more fresh, local and prime quality than that. Add Ruth’s skills in the kitchen and you have a winning combo. The Dory is not only highly regarded Read more...

The Storehouse is located by the shore at Foulis Ferry with beautiful vistas and generous customer parking. The heritage building, restored and given new life, is a warm welcoming butter cream shade, reflecting its past life. It was built around 1740 as an estate storehouse for the Munro Clan of Foulis. Oat and barley were stored, more often than not Read more...

Named as one of the top places to stay in the world. Nestled on the shores of Loch-Na-Dal on Skye’s Sleat peninsula the fabulous Kinloch Lodge has been named on Condé Nast Gold List as one of the world’s best hotels 2022. Kinloch is a historic destination country house hotel on Skye and home to the Clan Chief Macdonald. Claire Read more...

The small hotel with the big personality and buckets of style in this neat historic town. Formerly the Country Home of the Earl of Seafield’s family, this charming Victorian residence has many original features and has been lovingly restored to its former glory by your resident host. It is a gorgeous country house on the edge of a small Highland Read more...

Rightly voted Orkney’s Best Cafe at Orkney Food & Drink Awards 2024. Tourism Retailer of the Year at Orkney Tourism Awards 2023. Orkney Sheila Fleet is one of Scotland’s leading jewellery designers of silver and gold with intricate enamel work and gems. She has several retail outlets dotted around Scotland (check out the weblink to find one near you). Many Read more...

South of Scotland Scottish Thistle Award Winner 2023 Best Eating Place. CAMRA Borders Pub of the Year 2023. A charming seven bedroom country inn by Duns in the Scottish Borders, with a sense of place – a family business whose farming roots are in the region and you will always find local seasonal produce on the table and a warm Read more...

Neil Forbes is the multi-award winning talented chef patron of Cafe St Honore, awarded Scottish SF Cook of the Year 2025, UK SF Cook of the Year 2024, RBST Sustainable Chef of the Year 2023, Slow Food Scotland Restaurant of the Year 2022. Thistle Award Winners for Lothian & Borders 2022 & 2018/19 Café St Honore Best Eating Experience. Tucked away Read more...

Sadly, due to illness, Othin House is temporarily closed so please check their Facebook page for updates.We wish Donna a  full recovery. A fabulous addition to Helmsdale where Donna and her team are creating a wonderful food destination in this pretty highland village on the North Coast 500. She has brought the historic white-washed building back to life, a welcoming Read more...

A vibrant, buzzy, award winning Italian family run restaurant in one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful rooms. Now just celebrated 20 years & has a top Italian Award for an Italian restaurant outwith Italy. This former banking hall is modelled on a Florentine Palazzo and delivers everything you want from a fabulous, authentic contemporary Italian restaurant.  They source produce direct from Read more...

Ulbster Arms is situated in the village of Halkirk on the banks of the River Thurso, and very famous for its fishing. Its far north location lends itself as the perfect place to stop on the North Coast 500; en route to the Orkney ferry that departs from nearby Scrabster, and also for immersing yourself in the tremendous nature and Read more...

Holder of the coveted World’s French Restaurant Award. The World’s French Restaurant 2024 took place in Nancy, highlighting French gastronomy and its values worldwide. The Class of 2024 of WFR labeled includes 3 leaders: one in USA, one on Ivory Coast and Frédéric Berkmiller, in Edinburgh (Scotland). Many congratulations Fred. This bistro has the delightful tagline ‘French Twist Using The Read more...

Monachyle Mhor has a memorable elevated lochside location with exceptional food and a roaring log fire, the ‘mothership’ of Mhor and well worth seeking out. Mhor is renowned across Europe and beyond for its award-winning restaurant and gifted chef proprietor Tom Lewis. Originally a hill sheep farm, Tom’s trail-blazing mother was first in the kitchen running their beautiful guesthouse whilst Read more...

This West End wine bar celebrated 40 years in 2023 and is as vibrant and popular as ever. Indeed it is quite an institution – loved by its regulars and a glimpse of real Edinburgh for passing tourists. Serving traditional, freshly made, classic pub food with Scottish cuisine and an emphasis on seafood. They source seafood from small local boats, Read more...

Multi award-winning luxury guesthouse on the idyllic Isle of Islay. And if that wasn’t sufficient, Islay is also home to more whisky distilleries than you could dream of! Husband & wife team Graeme & Emma, alongside their family when home for university hols, are the Highlands & Islands Tourism Award Regional Winner for Most Hospitable B&B Guesthouse 2019; National Thistle Read more...

Dunlop Dairy produces fabulous Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop near Stewarton Ayrshire, along with a range of their other excellent farmhouse cheeses from their Cheese Shop and Tearoom. The Dunlop cheese has PGI  (Protected Geographical Indication) status. Slow Food Scotland Producer of the Year 2025. Ann has a lovely shop, tasting room and café (check weblink for seasonal opening hours) with not only Read more...

Cukie is a fabulous find: a Scandinavian micro-bakery & coffee shop, all hand-crafted with many locally sourced ingredients. A taste of Sweden on the southern edge of Dunfermline. Inspired by Scandi baking this delightful and accomplished couple have created a colourful hygge, a charming space to enjoy their glorious patisserie and light lunches. Their artisan sourdough loaves won multiple awards at Read more...

Multi award-winning with 4 AA Rosettes. The first Skye restaurant ever to be awarded this. Restaurant of the Year 2023 Scottish Excellence Awards. Sensitively restored in 2018, Edinbane Lodge is Calum & Eilidh Montgomery’s creation, gaining a fine reputation with folk travelling from far and wide to dine here. Edinbane is casual fine dining in a historic hunting lodge setting. Read more...

Praveen Kumar has restaurant Tabla and his Indian Cook School (click on Goodfoodology Section of Scottish Food Guide for Cook School . World Cuisine Chef of the Year, Praveen Kumar and his wife Swarna, have created something very unique: Authentic Indian Cuisine at Tabla Indian Restaurant, their Indian Cook School and Ready to Eat At Home Meals, all using the Read more...

Sarti Bath Street, described as “Not an Italian restaurant, but a restaurant in Italy” by the London Times. Sarti has been a Glasgow institution over 25 years and still going strong with a dedicated following for their authentic north Italian food. It feels like stepping into a café in Torino during Slow Food Salone del Gusto! It has the unmistakable Read more...

Wilson’s Farm & Kitchen is a magical place offering fabulous dining in nature in the beautiful Borders countryside. Meander down a secret pathway to your own private dining experience where you will be served Lucy’s wonderful feast, or dine at the large table in the charmingly refurbished Cart Room. Their beautiful kitchen gardens provide many of the vegetables and cut Read more...

“Values born in Italy, made in Glasgow” Eusebi’s is a wonderfully fabulous place to dine, an institution, a heart-warming family business  and has the most amazing deli too. In addition to the ground floor entry level, lower level dining, and street cafe seating, all buzzing and vibrant, Giovanna’s spectacular deli counter stretches the length of the building, displaying pizza and Read more...

Just across the square from Burts and equally delightful in its own individual way, The Townhouse is also owned by the Henderson family, who have deservedly won many accolades for their fine food and hospitality. Members of the prestigious Scotch Beef Club, you have the choice of relaxed eating in the Brasserie or dining in the elegant Restaurant, both menus famed Read more...

A great addition to border country is this super coffee shop perched up in the hills conveniently by the main road to Lauder – the ideal stop on the road connecting north and south – many’s the time we have paused for a light bite. Spacious and airy, bustling and cheery, the café is a popular haunt with home bakes, Read more...

An outstanding hotel, without a doubt the best on Orkney, on the outskirts of Kirkwall adjacent to Highland Park Distillery. This family owned hotel offers graceful bedrooms furnished with beautiful antiques and handmade carpentry, complete with books on local history and a wonderful country house feeling throughout whilst offering excellent value for money. The en suite bathrooms are top notch Read more...

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is situated at the gardens entrance of the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound with iconic views to Princes Street Gardens.  Open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, this is the perfect venue to have a taste of Scotland through our 70 artisan Scottish suppliers. They take great care to showcase these stunning flavours simply, Read more...

Rhubarb is the name of the restaurant at Prestonfield, the magnificent historic mansion that has been creatively and sensitively restored to its former glory by its owner James Thomson. A stunning mix of opulence and grandeur, it is undoubtedly the most glamorous hotel in town!  Set in its own grounds, with peacocks and Highland cattle, the whole experience is unforgettable Read more...

This gorgeous dining experience has it all in abundance, so a warm welcome to our new Scottish Food Guide member. Located a tiny hop from bustling St Andrews, five minutes drive at the most, you are in another world – an elevated rural location with stunning views over countryside to the Tay estuary and beyond. The 17th Century buildings are Read more...

The Loch Arthur Creamery and Farmshop is a great asset to Dumfries and Galloway. Creating a home, community, family and valued work, The Camphill Community offers ‘co-operation not competition’ to co-workers and has resulted in an organic food hub creating award-winning dairy produce, breads from their bakery; organic meats from their own and locally reared animals butchered in their butchery; a remarkable selection Read more...

Opening for the season usually around mid March, this small historic independent hotel on the world-famous Isle of Iona has its own beautiful generously-proportioned walled organic garden that supplies them with as many herbs, salads and veg as possible. They are only a short walk from where the ferry lands so you can watch it come in from the dining Read more...

This bright and cheery addition to Fife’s food scene is in a handy location between Hillend and Crossgates in West Fife. With ample parking, a play area for children, and outdoor seating for those with canine friends, there is lots happening to see, do and taste. Hens are clucking about, alpacas grazing contentedly, meet Pamela the bunny, along with peacocks, Read more...

Screenshot This family of farmhouse artisan cheesemakers use their own dairy herds and traditional methods to produce stunning award-winning unpasteurised Traditional Isle of Mull, and Hebridean Blue cheeses, along with Cloth Bound Tobermory Truckles and naturally flavoured wax coated Isle of Mull Flavells. Their classic Isle of Mull truckles can out-do any mature continental cheese and in addition to the Read more...

This wonderful artisan sourdough emporium is the brainchild of Ameena who is herself a Real Bread Ambassador and highly gifted baker. Opening in October 2023 Ameena is now settled into the first year of her artisan bakery and cafe in the heart of Glasgow. Her cakes and pastries are eye candy to those who appreciate the skills and flavours that Read more...

The Crinan Hotel is a really special place. Located at the northward end of the Crinan Canal and famous for being ‘magnificently eccentric’ with exceptional food. Home to the Ryan family, all 20 bedrooms have breath-taking views. Proprietors Frances & Nick Ryan have been welcoming guests to this picturesque backwater for over 45 years. Sadly Nick died in April 2018 Read more...

On Linlithgow’s historic main street, a stone’s throw from the Palace you will find Mason Belles Kitchen clearly signposted down a characterful arched vennel. Opened in autumn 2018 Chef Proprietor Linsey Scott has used her extensive experience in high end hospitality and her knowledge of what customers are looking for to create this elegant and delightful restaurant. Popular with locals Read more...

Welcome to the oldest inn on Skye in a most spectacular setting with great local food right on the water’s edge. Charlie took over this fabulous inn in 2019 and has created her own very special place here, falling in love with Skye: its beauty and its produce. Her background in hospitality and events makes her the perfect host. She Read more...

This elegant red sandstone building with its grand oak staircase, ornate plasterwork and art nouveau fireplaces opened for business in 1902 as a Temperance Hotel. Now it has undergone a wonderful major refurbishment, successfully modernising the historic building sensitively whilst not losing its charm. The Dunmuir Hotel is an award-winning family hotel and the home to the 1902 Bar & Read more...

As they rightly say ‘If the landscape doesn’t take your breath away, the food will.’ Renowned for their 3AA Rosettes, 5 Gold Star with rooms, members of the prestigious Scotch Beef Club and with David’s fine wine cellar, this luxury boutique hotel is quite unique. Open daily (always best to check though) for Morning Coffee & Scones/Shortbread and Seasonal Produce Read more...