Scottish Food Guide

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

They call themselves the small hotel with the big personality and I agree. 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

Only a hop from Edinburgh, chef proprietors David Haetzman and Amanda Jordan opened this lovely brasserie in 2015 and were Catering in Scotland Excellence Finalist Newcomer of the Year 2016 and CiS Winners in 2017. In 2018, Thistle Regional Winner for

Welcome to David Barnett’s fabulous restaurant in the bonnie village of Stanley just a hop from Perth where he creates modern Scottish dishes in his own inspiring style. Blasta (meaning ‘Tasty’ in Scottish Gaelic) is David and his family’s first solo

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

Congratulations on winning Thistle Regional Award for Best Informal Eating Experience (November 2019)…then becoming Winner of the National Awards 2020 – Brilliant! This ingenious concept is a firm favourite with hikers and tourers, locals and tourists. You may be forgiven for thinking

This rustic restaurant was originally a weaving mill and now a modern pub and restaurant, filled with life and colour. The couthy 18th Century steading, complete with open fire is perfect for hygge and their frequently changing dishes use fresh

Rhubarb the restaurant is at Prestonfield. This magnificient historic mansion has been creatively and sensitively restored to its former glory as a stunning mix of opulence and grandeur – the most glamorous hotel in town!  Set in grounds with peacocks and

Parklands is a gracious period residence overlooking the pretty links on the edge of Perth and perfectly located for road and rail links. An easy stroll to city centre it has its own 63@Parklands restaurant for fine dining at its

Tucked away snugly down a back lane in the New Town off Hanover Street, this stylish French inspired bistro is oozing atmosphere, locally sourced produce and a certain je ne sais quoi. Thistle Award Winners for Lothian & Borders 2018/19

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

Congratulations on winning Highlands & Islands Tourism Award for Most Hospitable B&B Guesthouse (November 2019)…and then they did it – they are Winners of the National Thistle Awards for most Hospitable Guest House 2020 and very worthy winners they are

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 down on the shore, where The Royal Oak is situated, then the ‘new

A delightful addition to the Carfaemill family enterprise is this super coffee shop 4 miles along the road from the hotel. Light and airy restaurant with home bakes, meals and edible gifts too – tablet, jams…. Food to go too

Malcolm Duck took over this well known Aberlady landmark in 2004 and since then has not only been bestowing upon it much tender loving care but also attracted accolades for its food and wines. There are menu options all day

Welcome to Buccleuch Arms, home to the Blue Coo Bistrot. Such a vibrant addition to Scottish Food Guide. Passionate about local produce, knowledgable and skilled. After a superb breakfast – they are open to non residents from early morn – we

A charming Victorian mansion by Loch Ness, proud holder of the Catering in Scotland Environment Award for its passion for all things eco. The menus are sustainable and delicious, local and inspired. Owned by the same family as The Torridon,

The Torridon, a former hunting lodge enjoys one of the most impressive coastal positions in the Scottish Highlands and boasts awards including the Cateys Independent Hotel of The Year 2018 award. When visiting The Torridon, the luxury atmosphere allows guests

I first dined here in the 80’s – I remember sitting at the next table to Denis Waterman who had a number one at the time so that dates the year and the week!! I still think it is a

This charming place was the first Sarti to open and has now been a Glasgow institution these past 25 years and still going strong with a dedicated following for their authentic north Italian food. Sarti has also become a popular place

A charming place to visit, featuring beautiful landscaped gardens, an excellent range of crafts and a lovely coffee shop, recently extended, brimming with Banff produce. It is a beautifully converted old schoolhouse. This light airy venue has home baking, their

Located in a beautiful old coaching inn, with plenty exposed stone and timber as befits such a historic building. Barley Bree has won awards and is well known for its use of wonderful Perthshire produce. This enthusiastic couple have their

This bistro has the delightful tagline ‘French Twist Using The Best of Scotland’ and it truly does. This delightful bistro is French in style yet proud of their use of Scottish produce. Meats, usually named by breed, are often slow

Congratulations on winning Thistle Regional Award for Best Hotel Experience (November 2019)…and going on to be The Winner Best Hotel Experience 2020. A pair of romantic luxury boutique hotels ideally located on the approach to Edinburgh city centre 5 minutes

Congratulations on winning Thistle Regional Award for Best Restaurant Experience (November 2019) Memorable elevated lochside location with exceptional food and a roaring log fire. The ‘mother ship’ of Mhor! Well worth seeking out. Mhor is renowned across Europe and beyond

A vibrant, buzzy, award winning Italian family run restaurant in one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful rooms. This former banking hall is modelled on a Florentine Palazzo and delivers everything you want from a fabulous, authentic contemporary Italian restaurant.  They source

Imaginative creation of the Colquhoun family right on the shore with terrific food and a warm friendly welcome. The menus are absolutely delicious and brimming with local produce. Great for romantic dinners, family get togethers and wedding belles or just a

Winner of Best Informal Restaurant in West Region Thistle Awards 2017. Another real favourite – this venue has character, attitude, and great food. There is a vibrant bar upstairs and warm buzzing bistro downstairs. Menus are quite international in style using

Catering in Scotland (CiS) Excellence Award for Food Tourism 2018         Winner of Best Restaurant, Aberdeen City & Shire Tourism Awards 2017. Thistle Award Winner Best Eating Place in Scotland 2019. Contemporary restaurant oozing with charm by this

Catering in Scotland Excellence Chef of the Year Award 2013, a well deserved accolade and still going from strength to strength. Stylish venue, immaculate city dining with imaginative dishes from one of Scotland’s finest. The restaurant sits right on the

This vibrant inn in the heart of Grandtully is the latest venture for the family at Ballintaggart. Ballintaggart has built it reputation around provenance and hospitality in their own individual way, with Feast Nights and excellent courses at their Cook

When taking a group of Swedes from Slow Food Scania on a food travel experience to Orkney, we based ourselves at The Lynnfield where the food, service and hospitality was absolutely wonderful. Thanks to everyone for giving them all such

Travelling northwards or southwards – or just having a pleasant drive out from Edinburgh, this family run hotel is perfect for a lovely lunch or dinner. Family friendly with a lovely range of options for all. Great informal atmosphere and

A charming traditional hunting lodge at the head of the Loch with The Lomond Bar, a traditional inn with local musicians, a fine range of whiskies and resident whisky connoisseur. Indeed the Ardlui is now known as an official Whisky

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. It has undergone a number of changes since then, not least the complete refurbishment carried out

This attractive family run country lodge on outskirts of town has been extensively and lovingly refurbished and is absolutely beautiful. Chef patron Neil McGowan and his family are justly proud of its status as Fishing Hotel of the Year, a

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. Head Chef

A warm welcome to new member Praveen Kumar with his 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,

Sarti Bath Street, described as “Not an Italian restaurant, but a restaurant in Italy” by the London Times. Sarti has been a Glasgow institution these past 25 years and still going strong with a dedicated following for their authentic north Italian

At the Torridon Inn you’ll find great traditional pub food, prepared with passion from quality local ingredients. Try the local fish, sourced from the west coast and cooked in a crispy beer batter. Or the Torridon burger, acclaimed by one Scottish

Winner of Catering in Scotland Excellence Award 2019 Restaurant Newcomer of the Year  Re-opened and sensitively restored, Edinbane Lodge is Calum & Eilidh Montgomery’s creation and gaining a fine reputation with folk travelling from far and wide to dine here. Callum

Ballintaggart is an inspiring rural destination with stunning views over the Tay valley, a stone throw from Grandtully. Chris and Rachel’s combined skills have created a refined venue for a memorable food experience. It is now even more of a

The Woodside Hotel is a classic Victorian hotel. It was purchased Nov 2017 by the owners of the award-winning cafe in the village, McTaggarts, and now Lis and John are restoring the Woodside to its former glory, adding new innovations

Lavishly unique and steeped in history. Right next to Edinburgh castle and elegantly styled it is always a gastronomic delight to dine here. Now over 30 years young, this was James Thomson’s first restaurant venture in Edinburgh and still winning

This charming Inn has been radically restored into a superb contemporary dining venue. Sister establishment to Lodge on Loch Lomond where the standards are always exceptionally high, here is an additional option for you to enjoy. Sitting on the bank

This West End wine bar has been on the go for over 30 years and is a vibrant and popular meeting place. Indeed it is quite an institution – loved by its regulars and a glimpse of real Edinburgh for

Chef Proprietor Ian McAndrew and his wife Jane are renowned for their hospitality so this is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic break, a well-earned escape to the country or a fine meal to treat yourselves.  Ian is consistently

Tom Lewis’ latest venture and what a great concept. He bought a tired inn and created the ideal stopping, eating place! The perfect roadside inn to rest awhile in among their delightful upcycled props and furnishinngs. Very welcoming, a touch rustic

Catering in Scotland Excellence Award for Sustainable Business 2016, this fabulous seafood restaurant in the renovated old Scabster Ice House and salmon bothy right by the pier has certainly put Scrabster on the map. Scrabster Harbour is the most common launch

Small independent hotel on the historic Isle of Iona where they have their 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

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

Look out for an update here post Christmas Winner of Coffee Shop of the Year at The Menu Awards. Nestled in the arty array of buildings at Cairn O Mohr fruit wines (see separate entry) is this lovely café bistro, home

Open daily for Morning Coffee & Scones / Shortbread and Seasonal Produce Bar Lunches, but need reservations for Restaurant Lunches (2,3,or 4 courses), Full Afternoon Teas and their 5-course set dinner menu. Our lunch comprised of smooth velvety wild mushroom

Lovely hostelry with award winning fare in pretty border town with its famous abbey and beautiful gardens. The staff here – and at their sister venue the Townhouse across the square – are friendly and helpful and the food is

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 for over 40 years, all 20 bedrooms have breath-taking

Charming family run country house hotel serving delicious local produce in their gracious dining rooms – their home smoked Loch Creran salmon is cured and marinated in juniper, rowan, Barbados sugar, herbs and whisky before they smoke it over oak

Overlooking the famous Dunblane Cathedral this lovely first floor restaurant, within the Old Churches Hotel, opened in November 2019 following the successful launch last year of Mason Belles Kitchen off the High Street in Linlithgow. Chef Proprietor Linsey Scott has

Sarti has been a Glasgow institution these past 25 years and still going strong with a dedicated following for their authentic north Italian food. This particular one is, the newest of the three,  in a converted bank from the 1890’s complete with

This fairytale castellated country house is within a stone’s throw of Edinburgh – near enough to enjoy a pleasant trip for a romantic gourmet meal…yet just far enough to justify a night away if you feel like it! With new