Other restaurants in Scotland
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Taymouth Restaurant
Kenmore Hotel, touched with a quiet sense of dignity, claims to be Scotland’s oldest inn and dates from 1572. Its quaint, spacious rooms are generously furnished and full of character. On the chimneypiece in the bar look out for the romantic description of the countryside written by Robert Burns in 1787. After a few drinks in the bar, watch out for the low doorways on your way upstairs. The Taymouth Restaurant overlooks Loch Tay and the mouthwatering menu uses Scottish produce in simple but tasty combinations; the service is first class.
reviewed
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Gallan Head Hotel
If you fancy dining or staying somewhere really unusual, head to the Gallan Head Hotel, possibly the most remote fine-dining restaurant in Europe. It’s housed in a converted, pine-clad military prefab that’s perched above a wild, cliff-bound Atlantic cove 3 miles north of Timsgarry. The food is superb – local seafood, lamb and venison expertly prepared – and the setting unique. Booking is recommended. If you want to stay the night, there are five beautifully refurbished double rooms (from £35 per person).
reviewed
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Bonaventure
Bonaventureis the most remote French restaurant in Europe. It’s housed in a converted, pine-clad military prefab that’s perched above a wild, cliff-bound Atlantic cove 3 miles north of Timsgarry. The food is superb – local seafood, lamb and venison prepared by the resident French chef/owner – and the setting unique. Booking is essential. If you want to stay the night, there are three comfy double rooms (from £25 per person).
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Bar 16
This is Thurso trying to get tarted up. It attracts a mix of tourists and locals looking for something a bit classier than trawling the scruffy local pubs in town. A modern space with couches and comfy chairs possessing a hint of minimalism, it’s a bit sterile but there’s a little sun-filled courtyard perfect for an evening drink. Steer clear of the seafood salad but try the chicken fajitas or sirloin steak baguette for a winner.
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Valvona & Crolla Caffé Bar
Try breakfast (served till 11.30am) with an Italian flavour – full paesano (meat) or verdure (veggie) fry-ups, or deliciously light and crisp panettone in carrozza (sweet brioche dipped in egg and fried) – or choose from almond croissants, muesli, yogurt and fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice and perfect Italian coffee. There’s also a tasty lunch menu (noon to 3.30pm) of classic Italian dishes.
reviewed
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Cheese Bar & Deli
If you’ve a hankering to gorge on dairy get here quick-sticks – mouth-watering cheeseboards have fine accompaniments too such as walnut bread and red wine poached pear. Heavenly. Fondue features but there are plenty of rustic noncheese dishes too, notably Lebanese pizza and hand-rolled venison sausages. Dining is unfussy in simple surrounds and service is prompt.
reviewed
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Gordon House Hotel
The small, laid-back hotel rooms are in good shape, but they vary a bit, so have a look at a few. No 2 is probably the best of the doubles. You can dine in the restaurant (mains £11 to £13), which serves posh nosh like pan-seared breast of guinea fowl with tarragon and grain mustard, or the lounge bar, and there’s a beer garden for sunny afternoons.
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Edenmore Guest House
If you need a B&B, Edenmore Guest House is the saving grace of this ramshackle town. It’s very friendly, and offers small, spotless rooms and a hearty welcome – nothing seems too much trouble for the owner. Room No 4 is the best double. The guesthouse is just off the main A78 and offers evening meals (thank goodness!).
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The Mountain Coffee Company & Hillbillies Bookshop
The Mountain Coffee Company & Hillbillies Bookshop is a shrine to all things mountaineering and has a lazy, chilled-out vibe. It sells excellent hearty food for walkers, best consumed in the attached conservatory. Besides, how can you go past a place that sells a mars bar cappuccino, New York bagels and mountain scones?
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Elephant House
Here you’ll find counters at the front, tables and views of the castle at the back, and little effigies and images of elephants everywhere. Excellent coffee and tasty, homemade food – pizzas, quiches, pies, sandwiches and cakes – at reasonable prices make Elephant House deservedly popular with local students, shoppers and office workers.
reviewed
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The Tea Cosy
The Tea Cosy is the most northerly tearoom on mainland Scotland, is worth popping into for some freshly prepared gourmet sandwiches, quiches or a ploughman’s lunch. The owners aim to please and will make you something up on request (if they can!). There are also magnificent views out to the North Sea.
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Brae Indian Takeaway
The town’s only restaurant, Brae Indian Takeaway, is an offshoot of the Raba Indian Restaurant in Lerwick. The chefs’ considerable culinary skills give diners a choice of excellent curries. You will need somewhere to chow down as there’s no dining on site.
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Café Cardosi
Stylishly decked out in warm colours and a trendy, minimalist décor, Cardosi pumps out decent coffee, salads, light hot meals and sandwiches. The decadent home-baked cakes are a standout, but the best thing about this joint is people-watching, both inside and on the busy street outside.
reviewed
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Dancing Midgie
The Dancing Midgie is a cheerful café on the seafront providing some healthy, tasty alternatives to the chippies in town, as well as an ideal spot for a read of the newspaper. Food is freshly prepared (sandwiches, salads, soups) and the coffee freshly brewed.
reviewed
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Ptarmigan Restaurant
The Ptarmigan Restaurant in the top station is Britain’s highest restaurant, and offers – weather permitting – a spectacular sunset dining experience. The menu combines traditional Scottish produce with contemporary style. Bookings essential.
reviewed
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Heron Bistro
Drop into Heron Bistro for a snack or meal. Dressed crab and homemade smoked mackerel pâté feature on the menu, and you dine among local works of art that inject some real colour into this pretty harbour town – good for a browse, and everything is for sale.
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Skipness Seafood Cabin
Skipness Seafood Cabin, in the grounds of Skipness House, serves tea, coffee and home baking, as well as local fish and shellfish dishes. In fine weather you can scoff the house special – crab sandwiches – at outdoor picnic tables with grand views of Arran.
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André’s
A quaint little corner that appears to have been fashioned out of someone’s attic bedroom, André’s nevertheless offers an authentic taste of France with a small, ever-changing menu of French classics ranging from onion soup to boeuf bourguignon.
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Glass & Thompson
Grab a table in this spick-and-span New Town deli and sip a double espresso as you ogle the cheeses in the cold counter or watch the world go by through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Munchies include tasty platters such as dolmati and falafel, or parma ham and parmesan.
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Dancing Midge
The Dancing Midge is a cheerful cafe on the seafront providing healthy, tasty alternatives to the chippies in town, as well as an ideal spot to read the newspaper. Food is freshly prepared (sandwiches, salads and soups) and the coffee freshly brewed.
reviewed
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Red Pepper Restaurant
A step up again in the local dining scene. A simple dining room with lots of wood, good lighting and, most importantly, well-prepared food with generous portions and lots of local produce. Try the smoked chicken and spinach linguine followed by homemade cheesecake.
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Dores Inn
A beautifully restored country pub furnished with old church seating, local landscape paintings and fresh flowers. The menu specialises in quality Scottish produce, from haggis, neeps and tatties, and haddock and chips, to steaks, scallops and seafood platters.
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Fresh
Dunfermline is a culinary desert, but the good folk at Fresh, just up from the abbey, do decent sandwiches and coffee, as well as tasty daily specials based on deli produce. There’s also wine, internet access, a gallery and book exchange.
reviewed
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Andrew Keracher
St Andrews has a great range of eating options. Places compete heavily on price for the student custom, so there are good deals to be had everywhere. A great option for self-catering or picnic fare is the fine fishmonger Andrew Keracher.
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Bistro at the Bosville
This hotel bistro sports a relaxed atmosphere, an award-winning chef and a menu that makes the most of Skye-sourced produce – including lamb, game, seafood, cheese, organic vegetables and berries – and adds an original twist to traditional dishes.
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