While the Michelin Stars for 2023 were revealed earlier in the year, some new restaurants made it into the latest guide.
Deciding where to go for dinner can be very tricky these days as there are just so many great spots to choose from all over Scotland.
There are plenty of guides and lists online to help you choose, but if you don’t want to scroll through hundreds of reviews and prefer an expert opinion, the Michelin Guide is an ideal place to look for recommendations.
The full list of new stars and the complete guide for 2023 was revealed in March, but some new Scottish restaurants have made it into the guide for the first time.
The Michelin Guide for 2024 will be revealed on 5 February.
The UK and Ireland Michelin Guide has been revealing new additions on a monthly basis.
Here's the latest restaurants in Scotland that are in the 2023 Michelin Guide.
The latest restaurant from chef Stuart Ralston was a late addition to the 2023 Guide, as it was named as one of the inspector's favourites back in December.
Lyla is a new 28-cover seafood focused tasting menu restaurant located on Royal Terrace, Edinburgh - the site of the late Paul Kitching's 21212 restaurant.
Lyla is an ode to produce from the Scottish Isles, focusing on ingredients from the coastline and earth.
The Michelin Guide had this to say about one of the capital's newest restaurants: "Edinburgh’s finest row of Georgian townhouses is the setting for this elegant restaurant.
"Once inside, do indulge in an aperitif in the stunning first-floor bar, before enjoying seafood-centric cooking in the understated dining room.
"A tasting menu format allows for maximum seasonality in the selection of sustainably caught fish and shellfish, be it wild halibut or Scottish langoustines – and the chefs are equally at home chatting with diners as they are producing the attractive, modern dishes. If you’re staying the night, luxurious bedrooms are attached."
This fine dining restaurant in Elgin is one of the latest Scottish additions to the Michelin Guide.
Posting on their social media about the accolade, they wrote: "It is with great privilege and honour that we are now able to announce our inclusion in the November update of the @michelinguide for Great Britain & Ireland.
"We are delighted to be included in the guide and would like to thank the whole team for their ongoing commitment and hard work.
"We would also like to thank all our amazing guests both new and returning as without you we would not be able to do what we do!"
Orrin opened in 2021 and is headed up by chef Andy Fyfe.
This East Neuk restaurant and gallery is another November addition to the Michelin Guide for 2023.
This seafood restaurant has quickly become a favourite in the picturesque village of Pittenweem.
With a focus on local, seasonal seafood as reasonable prices, the restaurant is also a gallery.
The Michelin Guide says in its listing: "Seafood dominates both the menu and the décor, with the restaurant walls doubling up as gallery space for plenty of aqua-based art."
This relatively new restaurant, by the team behind The Fife Arms Hotel, made it into the Guide in October.
The Michelin team had this to say: "Eschewing complicated restaurant names, this delightful restaurant does what it says on the tin.
"Fish is fried, poached and barbecued; shellfish is presented either undressed or livened up with spice; and there’s even a lobster taglierini for those who love their seafood Italian-style.
"A fishmonger’s sits next door and, as with so many good seafood spots, the specials board is not to be missed. The charming service and Cairngorms location don’t hurt either."
This Edinburgh restaurant opened earlier this year, and was named as a Michelin inspector's favourite in October.
eòrna was opened by chef Brian Grigor and sommelier Glen Montgomery and is located in Hamilton Place in Stockbridge.
The focus of the restaurant is a 12-cover countertop “chefs table” overlooking the kitchen, with Brian and Glen cooking and hosting.
Diners are served an ever evolving tasting menu using the very best seasonal ingredients and classic old-world wines.
Skua is the brainchild of Tomás Gormley, one of the UK’s most innovative young chefs.
Skua opened in March 2023, and has relaunched as an intimate fine dining restaurant serving a four or eight course tasting menu and drinks flight.
This longstanding vegetarian restaurant shut down in 2020 after 58 years in the business.
But it was brought back in 2021, in the former premises of Bruntsfield restaurant, The Apartment.
Michelin said: "In 1962, Janet Henderson opened one of Scotland's most famous vegetarian restaurants; decades later her grandson Barrie is running the show in a smart new premises by Bruntsfield Links.
"The appealing, skilfully cooked selection of meat-free dishes are mostly vegan, with options like salt-baked celeriac and their take on classic haggis, neeps and tatties."
Michelin said of this Edinburgh restaurant: Restaurants don’t come much more intimate than this.
"A counter dining experience for just eight guests in the Marchmont area of the city, Argile offers guests the chance to observe chef-owner Jack Montgomery up-close as he crafts the evening’s tasting menu.
"Argile shows why chef’s table experiences like this are popular, with the personal touch gained from hearing Jack explain the influences on his cooking making for an engaging experience.
"Dishes are modern and balanced, often showcasing technical complexity in their construction."
Located in The Lovat Hotel, the Michelin team said this about Station Road: "Their tagline, ‘taste nature’s larder’, says it all at this restaurant housed inside The Lovat Hotel, a lovingly restored country house at the gateway to Loch Ness.
"From locally foraged ingredients to the best Highland produce, dishes showcase Scottish ingredients in detailed, modern dishes that taste as good as they look. Charming and efficient service adds to the appeal."
This popular restaurant is another new addition to the Guide.
The team wrote: "Honest, intimate and sweet, this is a proper neighbourhood restaurant which focuses on the country's delicious seafood.
"Straightforward options from Scottish waters kick things off, with fresh mussels and oysters sitting alongside the likes of a zingy crispy squid with gochujang mayo.
"Comforting and flavoursome main dishes pair well with the homely surroundings, where you can relax with some super views of Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows."
Dean Banks’ first ever pub The Forager in Dollar is the latest new addition to the latest Michelin Guide.
Dean said of this recognition: “I am incredibly grateful that Michelin has recognised my pub. I focus on sourcing the best produce and preparing everything in house - it’s cooking done my way, always.
"The Forager is a pub at heart but definitely has a real gastro side to it for all foodies and tourists in the area.
"Everything comes from the heart, from the steak pie inspired by my grandad to favourites from my other restaurants but with a premium pub twist.
"It really is a look inside what I love and how I like to spend my time – it’s very personal so this means a lot.”
The Forager is a beautiful old country pub in peaceful Dollar, and Dean takes inspiration from the countryside around them – for example, picking wild garlic by the river and using it on the menu.
This Italian in Edinburgh is another new addition to the guide, which had this to say about the venue: "Named after the fine Italian '00' flour that’s used for making pasta, this relaxed and comforting restaurant could quickly become your go-to in Edinburgh’s New Town.
"British, Mediterranean and Italian cuisines have all influenced the menu, which provides plenty of flavour and value for money. It’s the seriously good homemade pasta that will catch your eye, but don’t ignore the selection of small plates or you’ll miss out on wonderful dishes like sea bass crudo."
Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish, which opened in July 2022, has been featured in the 2023 Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.
Describing Amuse, Michelin Guide said: “Kevin Dalgleish is a well-known chef in Aberdeen and his restaurant occupies the spacious basement of a granite townhouse, in a quiet residential neighbourhood yet just minutes from the city centre.
"Kick off with a drink in the bar or by the wood burning stove. The kitchen use prime Scottish ingredients blended with French techniques to create good-looking dishes that deliver on flavour.”
North Port in Perth is another new addition and has been described by Michelin as: "located in an end of terrace cottage dating back to the 18C, this appealing restaurant blends its characterful, dark oak panelled walls and ceiling with a bright, contemporary look.
"Unfussy, modern cooking proudly name-checks Scottish ingredients and comes with plenty of flavour. Be sure to try their delicious homemade haggis."
Shucks, a new seafood restaurant in Glasgow's west end has also made it into the guide for the first time.
The Michelin team said: "This smart, contemporary, nautically themed restaurant champions the best of Scottish seafood.
"Start with some snacks and a glass of champagne from the trolley before tucking in to neatly presented dishes with complementary flavour combinations and the occasional Asian touch. Specials might include Scottish lobster or fish cooked on the bone."
This dining concept by Michel Roux Jr is available at Inverlochy Castle.
Seasgair, which is the Gaelic for warm, cosy and comfortable, launched in April last year and has caught the eye of the Michelin inspectors.
Of it, they said: "Begin with an aperitif in the Grand Hall, accompanied by a harpist. Once seated in one of the elegant dining rooms, the 5-course set menu is served to everyone at the same time.
"Dishes are refined and full of flavour, and Michel Roux Jr’s influence sees a few French touches added into the Scottish mix."
This is the Scottish outpost to London’s 'Sessions Arts Club' and Michelin said it "exudes a charming, bohemian vibe. It is set in a delightful walled garden within the 16-acre grounds of a beautiful Georgian mansion and much of the seating is on a covered terrace.
"The concise menu delivers a range of unfussy, European-influenced dishes designed for sharing, with some ingredients coming directly from the gardens."
The latest restaurant from Tom Kitchin is a new addition to Michelin's recommendations.
The team said: "Named after the Greek goddess of Spring, this bright and colourful neighbourhood restaurant is set in the buzzy Bruntsfield area on the south side of Edinburgh.
"The menu follows a nature-to-plate ethos, offering simply presented, reimagined brassiere classics, which are inspired by the seasons. The well-drilled, friendly team help create an enjoyable dining experience."
One of the newer restaurants from Dean Banks, which is also due to open in Glasgow, has made this year's guide.
The Michelin Guide said of Dulse: “Make it an occasion by starting with a cocktail in the ground floor wine floor before heading upstairs to enjoy terrific Scottish seafood.
“Traditional flavours, in dishes like Arbroath smokie tart and St Andrews lobster thermidor, sit alongside those boasting more of an Asian accent, such as Singapore-style mussels or crab with red Thai curry; whichever style you prefer, the quality of the fish and shellfish really comes through.”
The bar and restaurant in the Gleneagles Townhouse on St Andrew Square has caught the eye of Michelin.
The Guide said this of The Spence: "Until 2017 this was the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the restaurant now occupies what was formerly the banking hall.
"All the grandeur is here, from the granite columns and the exquisite plasterwork to the magnificent cupola which allows natural light to flood in. The Scottish larder is the focus of the accessible menu, with the kitchen showing a keen eye for presentation."
This city centre restaurant is another new addition to the Michelin Guide.
The inspectors had this to say: "Given the name and the look of the place, you might have expected to find all the time-honoured French bistro classics, but the cooking takes a more creative and contemporary approach.
"If you want the full experience, go for the tasting menu; they also offer a separate vegan menu."
In the 2022 Guide there were 10 Michelin Star restaurants in Scotland, including new stars, which include five star hotel dining rooms and an island restaurant - plus another star for Glasgow.
These are: Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Condita, The Peat Inn, The Kitchin, The Cellar, Cail Bruich, Restaurant Martin Wishart, Loch Bay, Glenturret Lalique, Unalome by Graeme Cheevers.
