182 Best Restaurants in Scotland

Dine looking out onto the River Tay in this elegant but relaxed restaurant with tall windows, gray-and-white walls, and wooden tables. Chef Graeme Pallister has earned a reputation for imaginative fare with an emphasis on seasonal and local produce in adventurous combinations. There are no à la carte options, but there's a choice of multicourse menus; opt for the 4 for 38 Set Menu, which is four courses for £38 or the Just Feed Us menu of five courses for £60. 

This excellent little bakery–café serves house-made cakes, tray bakes, and pastries, along with artisan coffee and an array of tempting foodie gifts and souvenirs—all to be enjoyed with a stunning vista of Eilean Donan Castle. In summer, the café also displays evocative works by local artist Lorraine Tolmie. It's 8 miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh.

Next door to the Scottish Fisheries Museum, this popular fish-and-chips shop has a functional space to eat, but most people order takeout. Try local specialties including Pittenweem prawns in batter or the catch of the day, which could be mackerel (line caught by the owners), hake, or local crab.

This warm and welcoming old merchant's house in the heart of the Merchant City offers excellent Scottish food, a barbecue menu, and a lively charming bar area. On Wednesday or Saturday traditional musicians gather for an impromptu session in the bar; the rest of the time there is just conversation. The vibe is friendly, particularly in winter when there is an open fire in the grate; there's also an outdoor terrace in summer.

This lively pub in a converted whitewashed farmhouse is a little hard to find but worth the effort for the very extensive menu---from burgers and steaks to jambalaya, curry, and chicken chimichangas. This is all good home cooking without pretension, and the servings are more than generous. Inside, the buzz of conversation bounces off dark-wood walls decorated with a fashionable collection of bric-a-brac. From the outside terrace you can look across fields to the hills beyond.

A charming concoction of sandstone walls, raftered roofs, and roaring fireplaces, as well as a lovely garden area, this upmarket inn is the ideal spot for a pub lunch. Owned by well-known Edinburgh chef Tom Kitchin, the menu at first appears to be fairly by-the-numbers British pub fare—think fish-and-chips, steak pie, and sausage and mash—but with superior local produce and a dash of culinary imagination, classic dishes are transformed into something special. If you're feeling energized after your meal, there's a free pool table in a side room, as well as Gullane golf course just down the road; if you're feeling lazy, there are beautifully appointed bedrooms upstairs.

This homey restaurant serves lunches and dinners that offer a taste of quality Scottish home cooking, including Arbroath smokie pancakes, mince and tatties, venison with rowan jelly, and rich moist gingerbread, all at reasonable prices. It's next to Auchmithie's lovely shingle beach; a stroll here is the perfect way to work up an appetite or work off overindulgence.

Consistently recommended by locals as one of the best restaurants in the area, Café 1 really practices what it preaches in terms of sustainable, local produce. Taking inspiration from such big names as Blue Hill in New York, the restaurant rears its own herds to provide the menu's Hebridean lamb and Highland beef, usually served with a simple order of chips (thick-cut fries) and rich garlic butter. The atmosphere is casual, and the prices, though high for Inverness, won't raise too many eyebrows among those used to city dining. The tiny bar at the front has a great view of the castle.

This restaurant's location has certainly contributed to its success—it's perched on the pier at the end of Tobermory. The owners pride themselves on the freshness of their fish; they have their own boat and bring in their own seafood each day. The fish is served simply, grilled with a slice of lemon, to let the natural flavors speak for themselves.

A Gaelic phrase that means "to eat well," the restaurant known as Cail Bruich certainly lives up to its name as evidenced by its many awards, including a coveted Michelin star (currently the only eatery in Glasgow with one). Run by two brothers, the ambitious and innovative menu makes use of local, high-quality Scottish ingredients, but it's really the delicate and clever cooking style that takes the menu to higher heights. Tasting menus of 5 or 7 courses are available (with vegetarian alternatives also available on request). 

The name refers to one of the most delightful quirks of Edinburgh's Old Town—the cannonball embedded in the wall outside, said to have been fired at the castle while Bonnie Prince Charlie was in residence (not true, but a good story). The atmosphere in this three-story restaurant and whisky bar is casual and relaxed, even with the gorgeous art deco dining room with views of the castle esplanade. The inventive menus change seasonally, but perennial favorites include the bread-crumbed haggis with whisky cream and white chocolate with strawberry sorbet.

You can experience dining at its most sumptuous and elegant for a good price in the grand surroundings of what was the Glasgow Conservatoire, where today golden Buddhas sit comfortably beside busts of great composers. The delicate flavors of Thai cooking are at their finest here in the chef's wonderful signature Massaman lamb (and beef) curry, flavorsome Fisherman's Soup, and fusion dishes like scallops with black pudding. The ballroom, with its chandeliers and balconies, offers dining as theater; or you can book the tiny two-person table on a balcony looking down for an intimate experience.

With its over-the-top Scottishness, this lively restaurant and café serving Scottish classics fits perfectly into its surroundings in the picturesque village of Luss. Long wooden tables, a large chimney with an open fire in the winter months, and a cabinet full of mouthwatering cakes baked by the owner create a cheerful atmosphere. Favorites include rich soups and stovies (large round rolls filled to overflowing), as well as the ubiquitous haggis, served in king-size quantities. It's worth asking for tea served in ceramic teapots representing everything from dining rooms to telephone boxes (bonus: the pots are for sale in the shop). Luss attracts visitors because of its association with a favorite Scottish TV soap opera, Take the High Road, which ran from 1994 to 2003. Some loch cruises depart from its pier.

The pleasant white-walled, modern dining room of this bright, airy eatery sits behind the tempting deli counter, and its windows overlook the Tweed. All-day options include salads, platters, and sandwiches as well as heartier choices such as hanger steak with chimichurri. Leave a little space for some worthwhile desserts or take time to linger in the bar. There's also a walled garden behind the restaurant, just beware of the steep steps.

Anything but a shack, this intimate dining room has heavy wooden tables and chairs, an elegantly ornate ceiling, and a bar so shiny and inviting that it seems to almost insist you have a drink. The food comes from the sea—oysters, lobster, and squid—and you can have your choice served iced, grilled, roasted, or battered. The fish varies daily according to the day's catch, and only local and sustainably sourced Scottish seafood is featured. The fish sandwich and crab cakes are favorites on the lunch menu. In the evening, mussels and scallops draw the eye. The buzz of conversation and the perfectly modulated music create the right atmosphere. Reservations are essential.

Decorated in muted colors, this lovely little café and bookshop named for a traditional folktale (you can find it on the tables) provides a tranquil refuge in the town center. It's a perfect spot for a light lunch; choose from a limited menu that includes soup, delicious meze, and burgers with or without meat. Fair-trade products are used. The bookshop holds regular readings and book launches, and you can buy the beautiful rugs laid around the café. Somehow the relaxed environment seems to add extra flavor to this retreat.

This clean-lined restaurant's name means "fish" in Gaelic, and it has earned quite a reputation for serving excellent dishes made with the freshest fish and shellfish delivered directly from Oban's harbor. The signature creations use appealingly simple sauces; try oven-baked wild halibut with creamed leeks or the full-scale seafood platter. On clear days, there are nice views of the islands through the large glass windows. Children under 12 are not admitted for dinner.

For over 20 years, restaurant namesake Effie baked her glorious cakes and scones here and her family continues the tradition, using her same recipes. The charming, traditional tearoom is hugely popular, with paintings and photographs emphasizing its long history, but what keeps the customers coming back is the superb baking, rich homemade soups, and creative breakfast menu.

Refuel on the excellent house-roasted coffee beans and tasty bagels at this buzzy New York--themed joint with fabulous light bites and matching decor including a subway-themed basement. Order at the counter, then take a cozy window spot for some entertaining people-watching while enjoying a warming bagel, panino, focaccia, ciabatta, or croissant dipped into one of their hearty and spicy soups. 

A 19th-century inn turned into an elegant restaurant, the Finnieston retains the dark wood and narrow cubicles of earlier times, but today it is one of the new high-quality seafood restaurants that have transformed the faded Finnieston area into a fashionable district. The menu allows you to choose the fish and how it is prepared, the sauce, and salad or vegetable sides. You can also eat in the bar, but wherever you sit, choose from the enormous menu of fine cocktails and an especially lengthy gin selection with over 50 options.

Sitting on rocks on the ebb (or fjara in Faroese) of Brewick Bay, the views from this large wood-and-glass house allow you to look at otters and seals between courses. The menu is very simple: big breakfasts, coffees, and cake—including an array of gluten-free items—soup and huge salads, as well as Shetland mussels or fish-and-chips for lunch. In the evening there's grilled fish, Shetland lamb, or an always-interesting vegetarian option.

Proudly claiming to be the northernmost fish-and-chips shop in Britain, this "chipper" is also the best of its kind on the islands. The combination of superfresh seafood—skate wings, squid, and crab legs—and light and crispy batter (including a gluten-free option) means Frankie's is everything a chip shop should be. Try the local mussels: you won't find any that are fatter or juicier in the United Kingdom. Sit on the deck or in the lovely dining room with views toward Busta Voe. If you're coming for dinner, come early; the restaurant closes at 7 pm.

Fife foodies flock to this beautifully converted 17th-century farmhouse surrounded by verdant fields just 10 minutes outside town. The prix-fixe menus offer exquisitely crafted dishes using the best seasonal Scots produce such as beef, pork, mackerel, and wild sea trout. The atmospheric, dark-beamed, stone-walled interior has the warmth of an open fire and stunning views over the green landscape and St. Andrews. There's an attractive garden out front: the perfect spot for having dessert and a drink or two while watching the birdlife and resident rabbits. For superb value, consider the excellent three-course lunch for £35.

Whitewashed walls, oak-beamed ceilings, and an open fire welcome you into this converted 19th-century bobbin mill just across the river from Melrose. The cuisine is a blend of British and Mediterranean styles—you might have slow-cooked lamb with harissa-flavored couscous or duck confit with white bean cassoulet. Rabbit and guinea fowl also appear regularly on the menu. The inn lies in Gattonside, Melrose's across-the-river neighbor, but a two-mile drive is required to cross to the other side; you can reach the inn more easily via a footbridge.

The arrival of this tiny family-run restaurant has lifted Dumfries' status in the culinary world. The menu is small and changes regularly but is always creative and adventurous with clear Mediterranean, particularly Italian, influences. Try the slow beef with polenta or the wolf fish with broccoli and wild garlic. Reservations are essential.

Right on the quayside, this casual spot serves tasty calorie-packed cakes. Expect huge slices of lemon drizzle, coffee layer, raspberry cream, and other bakes, as well as fluffy scones. Salads, baked potatoes, and quiches round out the savory side of the menu, while good quality espressos and cappuccinos seal the deal.

Downstairs at Dundee Contemporary Arts, this lively eatery serves breakfast at the bar, cocktails and snacks on the terrace in fine weather, or dinner in the open-plan dining area with huge windows that offer views of artists at work in the printmakers studio. There are plenty of handsomely presented dishes featuring quality Scottish meat, fish, and vegetables.

Spread over three floors with views along the river to the castle, the Kitchen serves inventive, high-end brasserie food without the usual fuss or formality. Scottish produce rightly reigns supreme, not only with fresh seafood and meat specialties (like smoked haddock fish cakes, roasted venison loin, and slow-cooked shoulder of lamb), but also with the surprising use of Scottish spirits (try the Misty Isle Gin--cured salmon or, for dessert, the pineapple poached in Dark Matter rum). The dishes are elegantly and beautifully presented, the setting is cozy and sophisticated, and the service is friendly and attentive. Come for lunch during the weekend to enjoy a discounted two-course menu; at £19.95, it's less than most dinnertime mains.

Thick wooden tables, tapestries, and soft candlelight make you feel at home in the comfortable dining room of this atmospheric haven serving an intriguing mix of Indian and Persian fare. A family-owned restaurant, it's all about healthy, flavorful cooking; chicken tikka masala in a yogurt sauce or lamb korma with coconut cream and fruit or the Persian shashlik are good picks. Accompany your meal with bowls of basmati saffron rice and fluffy naan bread. You could start with a shared plate of Indian starters for three or four people. This popular place continues to win award after award; reserve ahead on Friday and Saturday.