Leith
A combined deli, bakery and licensed cafe run by the same people behind Gardener's Cottage, this is a designer conversion of a former bonded warehouse…
Must-see restaurants in Scotland
Aberdeen
Aberdeen Angus beef and craft beers are the speciality of this little gem in an alley off Union St, a small but sophisticated space decorated with…
Perth
A Perth favourite for splashing out on a special meal, this busy corner restaurant has a can-do attitude and an excellent line in fresh Scottish produce…
Edinburgh
This elegant cafe, at the National Gallery's annexe, is dominated by a gleaming Victoria Arduino espresso machine and a plaster model of Sir Eduardo…
Caithness
This serene, relaxed French restaurant is Wick's best place to eat. It overlooks the river and serves a changing menu of mostly meat and game French…
Southern Scotland
Buzzy and attractive, XXII serves a wide-ranging fusion menu as well as cocktails, breakfasts and more. Mediterranean and, particularly, Italian…
New Town
Candlelight reflected in the warm glow of polished wood makes for an intimate atmosphere in this New Town favourite. The food is superb value for this…
Lochinver Larder & Riverside Bistro
North & West Coast
An outstanding menu of inventive food made with local produce is on offer here. The bistro turns out delicious seafood dishes in the evening, while the…
Glasgow
This West End player, boasting a combo of modern design and comfy retro furnishings, blows apart the myth that Scottish food is stodgy and uninteresting…
Lerwick
If you’ve been craving proper espresso since leaving the mainland, head to this gem, with art exhibitions, wire-mounted halogens and industrial-gantry…
Shetland
This historic hotel near Brae is an atmospheric place to eat and offers a bar menu of warming fare that has takes on classics like lasagne and fish and…
Greater Glasgow
The area's best cafe occupies a sweet corner with views over the water or mud flats as you enter Gourock from Greenock on the right. The all-day breakfast…
Mull
Occupying a spacious and modern wooden building between Dervaig and Calgary, this is an interesting dining option. Locally caught crustaceans and molluscs…
Arran
Attractive and with upbeat service, the Douglas offers cleanly presented meals to complement its magic view from near the ferry dock. The bar zone serves…
Orkney
This cafe-bistro occupies a spectacular setting at the southern end of South Ronaldsay. It's a smart, modern glass-walled building with a deck and great…
St Andrews
The cafe where Prince William famously met his future wife, Kate Middleton, while they were both students at St Andrews serves good coffee and a broad…
Ullapool
The restaurant in this hub of culture and good cheer serves inventive dishes that focus on fresh local seafood backed up by stews, plus lighter meals like…
Old Town
This petite, buzzing cafe located in the heart of Edinburgh's studentland celebrates the humble bowl of soup. Focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients,…
Glasgow
Chefs are creative types and get easily bored whisking up the same menu day after day. Nico has fixed that by presenting a themed degustation that lasts…
Edinburgh
From the waiter’s prayerlike gesture of greeting to the gold buddha gazing down on diners, everything about this restaurant feels authentically Thai. The…
Orkney
Handy for the Moaness ferry, this cafe has a spectacular location by the water with great views of the brooding Hoy hills. It offers home baking and light…
Inverness
The menu at this bright and bustling bistro changes weekly, but focuses on Scottish and French cuisine with a modern twist. Grab a table on the upstairs…
The Cairngorms
The Mountain Cafe offers freshly prepared local produce with a Kiwi twist (the owner is from New Zealand): healthy breakfasts of muesli, porridge and…
Dundee
Bridgeview enjoys a lovely setting in a redbrick Victorian railway station building on the western fringes of Dundee, with a view across the Firth of Tay…
West Highlands
On a sunny day the Tea Garden's terrace cafe, with its flowers, greenery and cosmopolitan backpacker staff, can feel more like the Med than Mallaig. The…
Edinburgh
Chop Chop serves dishes popular in China rather than Britain – as its slogan says, 'Can a billion people be wrong?' No sweet-and-sour pork here, but a…
Shetland
This famous Shetland chippie uses only locally sourced and sustainable seafood. As well as chip-shop standards, the menu runs to tasty Shetland mussels in…
Oban
Specialises in hand-crafted chocolates (you can watch them being made) and also has a cafe serving excellent coffee and hot chocolate (try the chilli…
East Coast
Real love has gone into this excellent restoration of Tain's train station building, which has become a handsome wood-clad bar and restaurant, open all…
Southern Highlands & Islands
There are great scenes at this welcoming modern bistro with an attractive interior and views over Rothesay Castle. Its moderate prices and pleasing range…
Stirling
This pub is a bit of a local secret; it's in a converted barn, hidden away on a back road on the city's northern fringes. There's faux-rustic decor and a…
Loch Lomond
With its chunky pine furniture and deep, deep sofa in front of a rustic fireplace, the Coach House is one of the cosiest places to eat on Loch Lomond. The…
New Town
Mismatched cafe tables and chairs in a bright back room behind the deli counter provide an attractive setting for brunch just off the main drag of the New…
Glasgow
Beautifully set in an old 'Tardis' police box near the cathedral, this tiny outlet has a most enthusiastic owner, Rocco, who will give you a soul…
Ullapool to Kyle of Lochalsh
Offering a wide range of anything from haggis to toothsome local langoustines (Plockton prawns) and daily seafood specials, Plockton Inn covers lots of…
Scotland
Bringing a dash of East London cool to East Lothian, this coffee shop in a handsome old warehouse brews up impeccably sourced coffee from its own house…
Fife
This quaint little shack overlooking Crail harbour serves dressed crab and freshly boiled lobster that has been caught locally. You can have a whole…
Loch Lomond
Curiously the eating establishments in Luss are tucked safely away from the lake; this place is no exception, set behind a shop on the main street. But it…
Dundee
Lots of locals will tell you that this cool cafe serves the best coffee in Dundee, but it also does a roaring trade in tasty and inventive breakfasts …
Perth
Something of an institution, Paco’s keeps Perthers coming back over and over, perhaps because it would take dozens of visits to try even half the menu…
