10 Best Restaurants in Fife and Angus, Scotland

Anstruther Fish Bar

$ Fodor's choice

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.

Pillars of Hercules

$ Fodor's choice

Head down a country lane to this organic farm and café-bistro for a tasty vegetarian meal made of produce grown in the wonderful gardens. On a sunny day take your crepe or heaped salad to a bench outside by the nursery, or grab some take-out deli foods from the shop. Bothy (small cottage) accommodations are also available.

The Pavilion Cafe

$ Fodor's choice
Bringing new purpose to an old bowling pavilion, this café's owner freshly painted its clapboard, spruced up the delightful color-glazed fanlights, and gently restored many of the unusual features of this late-Victorian beauty. Expect light meals, breakfasts, salads, buttermilk pancakes, and superfresh home bakes: the seasonal fruit-festooned cream sponges are a treat. Book in advance.
Café Lunch Quick Bite $ Fodor's Choice
Melville Gardens, Montrose, Angus, DD10 8HD, Scotland
01674-958188
Known For
  • bowling-green-scene jollity
  • scrumptious cakes
  • quirky setting
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon

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88 Degrees

$

If you're not in a rush, take time to savor excellent coffee, inventive sandwiches, pizzettes, cakes, and handmade chocolates at this appealing café and shop selling quality fare. If you're in a hurry, buy delicious cheese or chocolates to go or pick up a cheese and apple scone.

Café $ Lunch Brunch Dessert Family
17 High St., Kirriemuir, Angus, DD8 4BA, Scotland
07449-345089
Known For
  • creative house-baking including sourdough bread
  • handmade chocolates and truffles
  • cash-only policy
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner

Bellrock

$
You can't go to Arbroath and not sample some fish-and-chips. Just across the road from the Signal Museum and painted in nautical white and blue, this local favorite has outside benches for warmer days. You'll find all the classics—breaded or battered—but if you are in the mood for something a little different, the spicy fish (in a spiced batter) has certainly won over discerning locals.

Brechin Castle Garden Centre

$

Just off the A90, this small country park has lots of children's activities, including a giant sand pit, go-karts, a barrel train, and a wooden maze. Most essentially, there's an excellent café, serving door-stop-size sandwiches, full breakfasts, tasty soups, meringues, and warm scones.

East Pier Smokehouse

$
Painted powder-blue, this long harborside building-turned-eatery and foodie shop is the place to pick up freshly netted and smoked local seafood. After ordering at the shop counter, head up the stairs round the back to feast on lobster, langoustine, and crab accompanied by salads and chips. Come rain or shine the rooftop terrace, with a stunning seaside panorama, is a fine if bracing spot to dine.
Seafood Casual Lunch $
East Shore, Pittenweem, Fife, KY10 2AR, Scotland
01333-405030
www.eastpier.co.uk
Known For
  • fresh seafood
  • imaginative salads
  • great views from the rooftop terrace
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–Mar., weekdays in Apr. and Oct., and Mon. and Tues. in May–Sept. No dinner

Manchurian Chinese Restaurant

$
This family-run restaurant above a Chinese supermarket will not win any style awards (it feels a little like a hotel conference suite), but thanks to its food it has won a loyal following. Dishes are fresh and light, from plump and fragrant dim sum to more unusual offerings.
Chinese Lunch Dinner $
15a Gellatly St., Dundee, Dundee City, DD1 3DY, Scotland
01382-228822
www.manchuriandundee.com
Known For
  • authentic Chinese with modern twist
  • Chinese supermarket downstairs
  • handy takeout service
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed., Reservations essential

Tailend Restaurant

$

The line of customers outside might be a bit off-putting, but just focus on the sweet smell of fish-and-chips from St. Andrews's best chipper. There's a busy light-filled dining room and modish seating area, or you can carry out and eat on the university grounds (though be wary of the dive-bombing gulls). The menu also offers tiger prawns, seared scallops, burgers, and a fish of the day, but you can't go wrong with the battered haddock supper with chips. Reserve in advance if you want to dine in. Their basement sister restaurant in Dundee shares the same excellent menu.

Seafood Lunch Dinner Quick Bite $ Family
130 Market St., St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9PD, Scotland
01334-474070
www.thetailend.co.uk
Known For
  • the best fish-and-chips in St. Andrews
  • Arbroath smokies
  • fabulous starters and desserts
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential

The Saint

$

Once local favorite the Westport, this reliable lunch and brunch stop has been revamped with swanky contemporary interiors complimented by a relaxed vibe, tasty cocktails, and excellent pub food. The reasonably priced menu offers everything from chunky gourmet sandwiches to seared scallops to heaped salads—all are best enjoyed in the flowery garden on sunny afternoons. Upstairs are four bright B&B rooms from £160.