From fresh seafood to succulent steak, Scotland’s array of restaurants will keep even the fussiest foodie happy. With fresh sessional ingredients readily available, it’s no surprise that Scotland has 16 Michelin Star restaurants and 5 Bib Gourmand eateries. With more Michelin Stars than any other part of the UK outside London, Edinburgh is a must see for food fans.
If you are want to experience fine dining at its best, look no further than these top Scottish restaurants:
Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh
Since chef Martin Wishart opened his restaurant in the historic Port of Leith, it has been awarded a Michelin Star, voted the Best Restaurant in Scotland 2011 and ranked 8th Best Restaurant in the UK. His dedication to combining French cuisine with fresh local produce has resulted in the AA Guide voting Martin the UK Chef of the Year 2011. If you’re feeling adventurous, look out for the more inventive dishes on the menu such as sea bass wrapped in potato and served with bone marrow.
The Three Chimney’s, Isle of Skye
Situated the coast, this cosy restaurant’s fantastic food is complimented with stunning sea views. Seafood fans are challenged to find fresher produce elsewhere on the Isle of Skye as the crab, lobster and prawns on the menu are collected daily from the local pier. The restaurant primarily specialises in seafood but if that isn’t to your taste, The Three Chimney’s also specialise in Highland game. Chef and director, Michael Smith received global accolade when the restaurant was ranked 28th in Restaurant Magazine’s World’s Top 50 Restaurants list.
Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh
Tom Kitchin, owner of the critically acclaimed Kitchin restaurant, has added another Michelin star restaurant to his collection. Since the Castle Terrace restaurant opened in 2010, the Michelin Star restaurant has followed a “from nature to plate” ethos by creating seasonal dishes that use locally sourced ingredients. Expect dishes that contain traditional ingredients with a twist such as halibut garnished with puffed rice, wasabi ice-cream, cubed soy jelly and confit ginger!
The Three Chimney’s, Isle of Mull
This is a must see for seafood enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Situated in a croft that’s abundant in wildlife, the Ninth Wave only opens when their ingredients are in season to ensure their dishes are of the highest quality. If you are in Mull between May and November, travel to this converted cottage to sample the freshly caught seafood and specially created cocktails made from gin, whiskey and local berries. This scenic restaurant was a finalist in the Taste of Scotland 2010 awards and has appeared in the Scottish Good Food Guide.
Castle Terrace, Fife
One of the 6 Scottish establishments to be named in the Good Food Guide’s UK’s Top 60 Restaurants List, this award-winning restaurant specialises in serving fresh Scottish seafood and beef. Although it is tucked away behind Anstruther’s Scottish Fisheries Museum, the menu has prevented the restaurant from being a local secret. So far, chef and owner Peter Jukes has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes, Scottish Restaurant Chef 2001 of the Year and UK Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2008 by Good Food Guide.
Fiona writes for Ninth Wave, leading provider of luxury self-catering accommodation across Scotland.
