10 of the best Scottish restaurants

Scotland is increasingly becoming known for its stunning natural larder, excellent chefs and top quality eateries, here are 10 of the best Scottish restaurants.

Published 18th Dec 2017
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

Hailing from across the length and breadth of the country and with plaudits aplenty, here are just some of the incredible restaurants which have put Scotland firmly on the culinary map.

Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Auchterarder

(Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder PH3 1NF)

Best Scottish restaurants

Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder. Picture: TSPL

Scotland's only two Michelin Star restaurant, you'd have to have been living under a wok (we really did go there) to not to know of Gleneagles' famous dining destination or its eponymous chef.

Famed for its signature dish, the smoked lobster - the intense smokiness of which comes from a five-hour infusion over whisky barrel chips - the Auchterarder restaurant made it onto the list for the world's top 100 restaurants in 2015.

Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh

(54 Shore, Edinburgh EH6 6RA)

Recently reaching 9th place in Harden's Guide to 100 of the UK's best restaurants, Martin Wishart's Edinburgh venue is truly one not to miss if you are visiting the capital and desire to be wined and dined.

One of the country's top chefs, Wishart's capital-based flagship restaurant is another that serves up Michelin-starred dishes made using only the best ingredients.

The Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye

(Colbost, Dunvegan, Colbost, Isle of Skye IV55 8ZT)

Best Scottish restaurants

Picture: TSPL

Named restaurant of the year in the 2018 Good Food Guide, it seems the Three Chimneys team are keeping up the reputation that began with Shirley and Eddie Spear, and has been carried through by experienced head chef Scott Davies, who is fanatical about using as many ingredients sourced from the island as he can in all of his dishes.

Island cafe with stunning views to team up with Michelin-recommended Edinburgh restaurant for one-off supper club

The Gannet, Glasgow

(1155 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8TB)

Best Scottish Restaurants

Picture: TSPL

Standing out from the crowd in the hotbed of talent that is Glasgow's Finnieston strip would make any restaurant get noticed, but the guys at the Gannet take all of it in their stride, with plaudits and praise poured on them from critics and foodies alike.

Set up in 2013 by Peter McKenna and Ivan Stein, who had scoured the country for its best produce, the Gannet continues to go from strength to strength and has quickly become the place to go in Glasgow for top Scottish cuisine.

The Kitchin, Edinburgh

( 78 Commercial St, Edinburgh EH6 6LX)

Best Scottish restaurants

Picture: TSPL

A classic example of the French influence on Scottish cuisine, The Kitchin was opened by top Scots chef Tom Kitchin and his wife Michaela in 2006 and has gone on to become a true favourite in the capital.

New Scottish restaurants added to the Good Food Guide

Housed in a former whisky bond on the waterfront in Leith, it quickly gained a Michelin Star for its excellent Gallic-inspired dishes and has won rave reviews from critics such as the late great AA Gill - who famously gave the dining venue five stars out of five.

The Peat Inn, Cupar

(Collier Row, Peat Inn, Cupar KY15 5LH)

Best Scottish restaurants

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveller

Having won Scotland’s first ever Michelin star back in the 80s, the Peat Inn is still at the top of its game and head chef Geoffrey Smeddle takes full advantage of the wonderful region of Fife to source only the best in delightful ingredients.

Skilled in seafood, expect to find the finest examples of lobster, langoustines and fish gracing your plate when you visit.

Ubiquitous Chip, Glasgow

(12 Ashton Ln, Glasgow G12 8SJ)

El Perro Negro and Ka Pao team up for kitchen takeover in Glasgow 
Best Scottish restaurants

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveller

Easily, one of the most well known restaurants in Glasgow, the Chip will usually be the first name on any Glaswegian's lips when asked where the best place is to go to get a good meal.

Though its reputation as one of Glasgow's best may be under constant threat from the array of hip competitors popping up in nearby Finnieston, Ronnie Clydesdale's labour of love still maintains its place as one of the best foodie venues in the city.

The Cellar, Anstruther

(24 E Green, Anstruther KY10 3AA)

Best Scottish restaurants

The Cellar - Anstruther. Picture: TSPL

Originally run by industry veteran Peter Jukes, Anstruther's the Cellar was taken over and re-opened by local boy and top chef Billy Boyter in 2014. Housed in a building that was formerly used as a cooperage for herring barrels, it's no surprise that the eatery maintains its close ties with the produce that the area has always been famous for.

Seafood and game are the order of the day and there are few places in the country where you'll find fresher fish dishes or richer flavours.

Braidwoods Restaurant, Dalry

(Dalry, Ayrshire KA24 4LN)

Best Scottish restaurants

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveller

The only Ayrshire restaurant to have a Michelin Star, the Braidwood is run by husband and wife team, Keith and Nicola Braidwood, who are both top chefs.

With a vast combined experience in the restaurant industry and plenty of awards, the pair have turned the Briadwood into one of the country's top dining venues and regularly provide menus featuring stunning dishes made using more unusual ingredients like rabbit and quail.

The Albannach, Sutherland

(The Albannach Hotel, Baddidarroch, Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4LP)

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveller

With slightly more travel involved to get to, those who pass through The Albannach's doors will find that the warm Highland welcome and delicious dishes more than make the long trip worth while.

Britain's most northerly Michelin-Starred restaurant, the Albannach's dining room is run under the keen eyes of chef-proprietors Colin Craig and Lesley Crosfield and features dishes with a focus on locally foraged ingredients and of course the freshest wild sea fish caught locally.

Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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