# Recommend some restaurants/pubs in Scotland **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 15, 2016, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110 "2016-03-15T21:12:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/1 "2016-03-15T21:12:29Z")
A whirlwind tour is in the works, and we need to eat! We’ll be in or around the following cities: Glasgow Edinburgh St. Andrews Aberdeen Inverness Along the north coast Ft. William Portree/Isle of Skye Stirling So, gastropubs, restaurants, pubs with good food and good drink. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/2 "2016-03-15T22:19:03Z")
For Aberdeen, you must visit Moonfish. The head chef won Masterchef a year or two ago. Pre-booking is required well in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/3 "2016-03-16T11:44:02Z")
Sounds good. We love seafood. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/4 "2016-03-16T12:26:05Z")
If your budget will stretch, you should definitely go to the Scotch Whisky Association’s Dining Room in Edinburgh. The tasting menu is £75/head so it is a bit of an indulgence, but you get five courses of fine food each with a paired whisky or wine. It’s really, really good. [http://www.thediningroomedinburgh.co.uk/menus](http://www.thediningroomedinburgh.co.uk/menus) ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/5 "2016-03-16T13:49:58Z")
That food sounds great, but I’m not sure we’re big enough whiskey fans to do it justice (and justify the expense). We do plan on going to Cadenhead’s Whiskey Shop in Edinburgh and the Glen Moray distillery in Elgin. I think that’ll be the extent of our whiskey adventures. ETA: Also, it doesn’t look like they’re open on the days we’ll be in Edinburgh. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/6 "2016-03-16T14:15:27Z")
It’s been a couple of years since I was in Edinburgh, but these are my recommendations: 1. The Beehive - pub on Grassmarket. Pints + a really good Scotch egg. If it’s warm enough, sit outside. If it’s not warm enough, have a couple of pints inside and then move outside! 2. [Oink](http://www.oinkhogroast.co.uk/) - For lunch. They have a couple locations and they have a stall at at least one market. 3. [Howie’s](http://www.howies.uk.com/victoria-street-edinburgh/) on Victoria St (they have 3 locations, not sure if it qualifies as a chain) We had a really tasty dinner here with venison & salmon & a haggis starter. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/7 "2016-03-16T14:42:47Z")
My mom and I had lunch at [Deacon Brodie’s](http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/scotlandandnorthernireland/deaconbrodiestavernroyalmileedinburgh)in Edinburgh a couple of years ago and we both really enjoyed it. Plus we got a table next to the window looking down on the street, which was a nice bonus, since there were just a couple of window tables. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/8 "2016-03-16T17:52:14Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > 1. The Beehive - pub on Grassmarket. Pints + a really good Scotch egg. If it’s warm enough, sit outside. If it’s not warm enough, have a couple of pints inside and then move outside! Mmmm… pints. ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/9 "2016-03-16T20:20:37Z")
Skye has a Michelin starred restaurant- Kinloch Lodge. The second, The Three Chimneys, has since changed chef. But was very good at last family report. Also, if you go to Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, get the Cullen skink at the Ship Inn. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/10 "2016-03-16T20:28:24Z")
> [@MickNickMaggies](#): > > Skye has a Michelin starred restaurant- Kinloch Lodge. The second, The Three Chimneys, has since changed chef. But was very good at last family report. > > Also, if you go to Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, get the Cullen skink at the Ship Inn. Skink scares me since it sounds like a lizard, but on the menu I see it’s a soup. Sounds yummy. We should be in Stonehaven at least for a little bit. I want to pick up some rocks. 🙂 And we’re on Skye for 3 days, so that might be a great place to hit. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/11 "2016-03-16T22:17:28Z")
> [@MickNickMaggies](#): > > Also, if you go to Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, get the Cullen skink at the Ship Inn. Yes. Cullen Skink is delicious. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/12 "2016-03-16T23:55:10Z")
My favourite restaurant was the Trading Post, in Glasgow, but it no longer exists. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/13 "2016-03-17T11:38:24Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > My favourite restaurant was the Trading Post, in Glasgow, but it no longer exists. ☹ Bummer. Any other spots you like? ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/14 "2016-03-17T11:48:39Z")
Cafe Cossachok was good, if you like Russian food. Live music, too. The Willow tea rooms if you want to do something touristy with a vague connection to Rennie Mackintosh. I’m afraid we usually slink into Wagamamas when in Glasgow. Now French restaurants in Perth, that I know a lot about! ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/15 "2016-03-17T12:51:50Z")
We liked the [Chaophraya](http://chaophraya.co.uk/venues/chaophraya-glasgow/) Thai restaurant on Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow recently… I forget what we had, but it was very good! If there’s not too many young children running about, [Joseph Pearce’s](http://www.bodabar.com/joseph-pearces/) bar on Elm Row in Edinburgh does nice food. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/16 "2016-03-17T13:13:01Z")
> [@Meurglys](#): > > We liked the [Chaophraya](http://chaophraya.co.uk/venues/chaophraya-glasgow/) Thai restaurant on Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow recently… I forget what we had, but it was very good! We’re mainly just flying in and out of Glasgow; I don’t think we’ll spend much time there, but I’m sure we’ll be hungry when we get off the plane. And we do love us some Thai food. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/17 "2016-03-17T13:15:43Z")
> [@MickNickMaggies](#): > > Now French restaurants in Perth, that I know a lot about! Hit me! I’m sure we’ll at least pass through Perth at some point. ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/18 "2016-03-17T13:33:52Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > Hit me! I’m sure we’ll at least pass through Perth at some point. Okay! There’s: Cafe Tabou - general French. Not quite as good as they used to be, but still better than most. Brezh- as the name might suggest, they do Breton-ish food. Of particular note are their buckwheat flour crêpes, which are plate-sized, their wood-fired pizzas and their Breton cider. Sante- French/Portuguese tapas style restaurant. Three small plates, bread and olives makes for a tasty, not too expensive meal. Pighalle- lots of pork! Was slightly more expensive, has come down a bit. Duo- cafe and deli, sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas. Of these, Sante and Brezh are our most frequent haunts. All of these were actually started by the same couple, though some have changed hands. Of other note is the cafe in the homewares section of McEwans for a big slice of cake, and The Mexican, but you probably aren’t going to Scotland for Mexican food! ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/19 "2016-03-17T15:17:50Z")
Also in Stonehaven is the Marine Hotel which has outstanding food- I had a blue cheese risotto with balsamic reduction and fresh, fresh mussels that were outstanding. Stonehaven is a gem of a town and Dunnottar Castle is a must-see. In Edinburgh, an unlikely candidate is the [White Horse pub](http://www.thewhitehorseedinburgh.com/) at the bottom of the Royal Mile. Very simple food- I had two lunches there. They say they have the best meat pie and they are not lying. I also had a green curry dish there that was lovely. I also had my first Cullen Skink at [Hootananny’s](http://www.hootanannyinverness.co.uk/) in Inverness and it was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110/20 "2016-03-17T17:29:46Z")
> [@LVBoPeep](#): > > Stonehaven is a gem of a town and Dunnottar Castle is a must-see. I’m a photographer and love castles, and Donnattar is definitely on my list. I have a map set up at [ZeeMaps](http://www.zeemaps.com/) that has about 90 pins on it of castles, points of interest, etc. Thanks everyone for the replies so far. Keep 'em coming! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-restaurants-pubs-in-scotland/749110.md?page=2)