Discover the best of Edinburgh's restaurant scene with our top foodie picks in the Scottish capital, from Michelin-starred meals to the best pizzas and burgers
All recommendations have been reviewed and approved as of the publish date and will be checked periodically. If you think there is any incorrect or out of date information in this guide please e-mail us at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. It’s famous for its summer arts festivals, but Edinburgh has plenty to offer visitors all year round, especially when it comes to the city’s food scene. Whether you’re looking for somewhere formal for a romantic evening for two, a casual meal with the kids, or a quick bite on the go, you’ll find a dining experience to fit the bill. We've gathered the top restaurants in this helpful guide, so you can find the best places to eat in Edinburgh without any hassle. Check out our other city guides for expert recommendations to eat like a local in Sheffield, Bath, Oxford and Leeds. 30 best places to eat and drink in Edinburgh The Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse Special occasions The Spence combines a stunning domed venue with beautifully presented food, but it’s not just about appearances. While the building is historic, elegant and dramatic, the service is exceptional (informed, friendly and attentive). Its creative dishes deliver seasonality exceptionally well. While every quality restaurant boasts ‘seasonal produce’ The Spence truly taps into the shapes, colours, tastes and textures of the month. In spring and summer, savour the delicate flavour and fresh crunch of dressed crab with apple and celery on grilled brioche. The vibrant hues of the ricotta agnolotti with courgette, macadamia and basil, embody ‘spring on a plate’. End with the tart sweetness of a rhubarb and custard mille-feuille. Alongside an imaginative cocktail menu, it’s worth noting the non-alcoholic options make abstaining a pleasure – try the ‘Walnut’ cocktail featuring smoky lapsang souchong tea. Children’s menu also available. Mains from £18. gleneagles.com/townhouse/eat-drink/the-spence/ Where: The Spence, 39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD Ardfern Casual dining Chef Roberta Hall McCarron has a trio of restaurants in Edinburgh. Leith’s Ardfern café, bar and bottle shop is open seven days, from 9am till late, kickstarting the day with breakfast and batch brew coffee, and ending the night with vino and sharing plates. Mid-morning highlights include oysters, hash browns and crab dauphine with Singapore sauce, but traditional ‘Full Scottish’ breakfasts and filled rolls are also available. Small plates from £8. Also try McCarron’s ‘Little Chartroom' and ‘Eleanore’. ardfern.uk Where: Ardfern, 10-12 Bonnington Rd, EH6 5JD The Witchery Special occasions Destination dining doesn’t get more atmospheric than this. The Witchery is a darkly intimate experience in a romantic Baroque setting. It occupies a 16th century building in Boswell’s Court, and the name refers to the witches burned at the stake nearby. Enter a candlelit close to access The Witchery original restaurant, or book a table at the equally atmospheric Secret Garden, where an identical menu is served. Traditional meats, fruit and veg are reimagined in dishes such as venison, partridge, pheasant and duck liver terrine to start, confit of celeriac with hazelnut beurre noisette crumb as a main, and a Pink Lady apple tart tatin for dessert. Imagine the swish of petticoats and hark back to the days of John Knox, Mary Queen of Scots and her witch-hunting son James VI. Nine luxury suites make an escapist overnight stay a fantastical possibility. Mains from £30. The Witchery's sister restaurant is ‘Rhubarb' at Prestonfield House. thewitchery.com Where: The Witchery, 352 Castlehill, EH1 2NF Noto Casual dining Stuart Ralston is a king among Edinburgh chefs, with four contrasting ventures to his name. Choose between his first restaurant Aizle, Tipo for Italian or Michelin-starred Lyla. A relaxed introduction to Ralston’s world is Noto. Expect small plates with Asian flavours — the menu is peppered with references to temaki, ponzu, wasabi, katsobushi, wagyu and sake. The fried shiitake mushroom doughnuts and soy pork belly are ideal dishes to share. Don't share the North Sea crab with warm butter, as that’s definitely one to keep to yourself... Small plates from £11. Open every day from noon. notoedinburgh.co.uk Where: Noto, 47a Thistle Street, EH2 1DY Haggis Box Casual dining, cheap eats, child-friendly Grab some of Scotland’s iconic haggis on Edinburgh’s bustling Royal Mile. In this informal setting, try haggis (traditional, gluten free, vegetarian/vegan) from Findlay’s of Portobello Butcher. Then add your sauce, such as Auchentoshan whisky and mustard sauce or red wine gravy, for an additional £1.50. The Haggis Box is a daytime pitstop, housed in the Scottish Storytelling Centre, so visitors can brush up on their local tales and folklore after dining. Haggis, £11. thehaggisbox.com Where: The Haggis Box, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High St, EH1 1SR La Garrigue Special occasions, child-friendly Since 2001, this French bistro has been a dependable stalwart. Chef and owner Morgan Miceli plates up comforting cuisine of the Languedoc region. Rustic ingredients are given a sophisticated flourish in dishes such as Languedocian cassoulet of confit duck, Toulouse sausage, pork belly and lingot beans. Mains from £19.50. lagarrigue.co.uk Where: La Garrigue, 31 Jeffrey Street, EH1 1DH Wedgwood Casual dining, special occasions Open every day, owners Paul and Lisa Wedgwood have a passion for Scottish food. Chef Paul is also a keen forager (even running Wild Foraging Experience Days) so dip your bread into his wild garlic oil, and expect all dishes accompanied with vegetables that are colourful and considered. Flexibility is key, choose a main dish or browse Wedgwood’s set menus. A relaxed three-course lunch starts with pigeon pastrami with corn and carrots (Paul smokes the pigeon himself), enjoy a main of salt-baked celeriac, finishing off with a light lemon and passion fruit posset (one course £17.50, two courses £27.50, three courses £32.50). By night, look out for the Wee Taste of Scotland tasting menu featuring Loch Eriboll scallops, roe deer loin and gorse flower and sage brownie. Mains from £17.50. wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk Where: Wedgwood, 267 Canongate, EH8 8BQ Ragù Pasta Cheap eats, casual dining, child-friendly A chef creating handmade pasta in the window of Ragù draws in the curious. Inside find a contemporary industrial setting that works for all ages. A refreshing spritz menu – all £10.50 – offers the classic Aperol and bitter Campari to the fresh cucumber or aromatic Mirto spritz. The most popular dish, generous chunks of beef ragù and pappardelle, is warming and hearty and with mains from £9.95, you can’t argue. Open seven days from noon. ragupasta.co.uk Where: Ragù Pasta, 92 George St, EH2 3DF Chez Jules Cheap eats Chez Jules is a much-loved French bistro in Edinburgh, partly thanks to its famed three-course lunch that costs £15.90. Start with a French onion soup with gruyère croutons; enjoy a main of classic coq au vin; and finish with vanilla panna cotta with raspberry coulis. The price includes salad, bread and butter, pickles, pâté or rosette de Lyon. Three-course lunch, £15.90; two-course lunch, £12.90; one-course lunch, £9.90. chezjulesbistro.com Where: Chez Jules, 109 Hanover Street, EH1 4DJ Palm Court at the Balmoral Special occasions Afternoon tea at Edinburgh’s Balmoral hotel is an escapist experience. The serene Palm Court welcomes guests to dine beneath green palm trees, basking in light from the handsome glass dome overhead. Having chosen from over 80 teas, the attentive waiting staff proffer the first cup in an impressive tea-pouring ceremony. The food begins with an amuse bouche of beetroot, ginger and coconut soup. The savouries swiftly follow: Toulouse sausage roll, a pea and mint cheesecake, and a selection of sandwiches. Scones and delicate sweets include a gâteau marjolaine. Afternoon tea from £82.50. Don’t forget, Number One at The Balmoral is under the same roof. roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel/dining/palm-court Where: Palm Court at the Balmoral, 1 Princes St, EH2 2EQ Fingal Special occasions Dine aboard a luxury ship, reminiscent of the heyday of ocean-liner elegance. Docked in Leith, Fingal is a stunning and quirky setting for dinner. The ship’s two-star AA Rosette ‘Lighthouse’ restaurant has elegant Art Deco style interiors, with subtle nautical touches and a shimmering ceiling reminiscent of rippling waves. Start with Eyemouth crab, enjoy a main of Black Isle beef picanha, pearl onions, Wye Valley asparagus and a rioja wine sauce, and complete the dining experience with a Valrhona Guanaja chocolate and hazelnut cake. Diners can book to stay in one of 22 luxury cabins onboard. Mains from £34. fingal.co.uk Where: Fingal, Alexandra Dock, EH6 7DX Fava Greek Kitchen Casual dining, cheap eats, child-friendly Expect homely Greek favourites in this relaxed spacious restaurant near Haymarket. Vast wooden tables and numerous wicker lampshades and chairs bring an earthy communal vibe that works for meat-eaters and veggies alike. Start with an array of mezedes — from classics such as fava bean dip and tzatziki, to more colourful fried courgette chips or kefalotiri cheese with honey. Don’t miss traditional mains such as slow-cooked kleftiko lamb or grab a chicken gyros. Wash it all down with Greek beer, Rhoscento sparkling wine, ouzo or Metaxa. Open seven days a week. Mains from £15.50, ‘Street Food’ gyros from £9.50. favarestaurant.co.uk Where: Fava, 248 Morrison Street, EH3 8DT The Scran & Scallie Casual dining, cheap eats, child-friendly With the likes of oysters and traditional fish or steak pies on the menu, the Scran & Scallie is a gastropub with attitude. Choose from ‘Yer Mains’ on ‘Oor Menu’ – a Wagyu beef burger is £22.50 and fish and chips is £20.50. A little pricey for pub grub, but this is Tom and Michaela Kitchin, Dominic Jack and Jamie Knox pub grub, meaning excellence is fitted as standard. And unlike many Edinburgh pubs, this one is child-, dog- and foodie-friendly. Be sure to check out Scran & Scallie’s sister restaurant while in town, the wonderful Kitchin in Leith. scranandscallie.com Where: Scran & Scallie, 1 Comely Bank Road, EH4 1DR Cannonball Special occasions Set in a converted school, this three-floor venue has a prime location next to Edinburgh Castle – but there’s more to Cannonball than the fabulous views. Owned by Italian Scots and culinary heavyweights the Contini family, the menu focuses around local produce with a modern twist. Haggis is reinvented with pickled turnip and whisky cream, while the Scottish lamb rump is served with artichoke hearts and potato rosti. Finish your meal with artisan Scottish cheeses and soak up the views. Mains from £25. Also look out for Cannonball’s Italian sister restaurant ‘Contini’. contini.com/cannonball Where: Cannonball, 356 Castlehill, EH1 2NF The Fishmarket Casual dining This upmarket fish and chip shop has a prime spot overlooking Newhaven Harbour and is worth the 15-minute drive from the city centre. The Fishmarket is light, bright and modern, with a fabulous view of the fishing boats and lighthouse. The menu dishes up fish supplied from Welch Fishmongers and focuses on sustainable, locally caught fish cooked to order. Go classic with haddock and chips or try the Atlantic prawn cocktail followed by lobster grilled with garlic butter. Eat in or take away; mains from £16. thefishmarketnewhaven.co.uk Where: The Fishmarket, 23A Pier Place, Newhaven, EH6 4LP Makar’s Mash Casual dining, child-friendly Calling all potato lovers, Makar’s Mash plates up a range of homely portions with a choice of nine types of mash, from classic Scottish dairy butter to Stornoway black pudding mash. Mains include lamb shank, beef shoulder, wild boar sausages and haggis. Vegetarian and kids portions available too. Mains from £18.50. makarsmash.com Where: Makar’s Mash, 9-12 Bank St, EH1 2LN Condita Special occasions For the surprise element, make it Condita. The owners, Rachel Hayward and Mark Slaney, aim to create the vibe of visiting a friend’s house — if your friend is a Michelin chef — whereby you don’t know exactly what you’ll be served when you arrive. Diners book one of six tables in this intimate space (no walk-ins) and are presented with a hand-drawn menu outlining key ingredients in the surprise tasting menu. Chef Tyler King sources ingredients from across Scotland, including Orcadian tea and locally foraged magnolias, and he was recently getting creative with sea urchins. £160 per person. condita.co.uk Where: Condita, 15 Salisbury Pl, EH9 1SL Kanpai Sushi Casual dining, cheap eats The minimalist decor and crisp, clean lines of Grindley Street's Kanpai offer the first hint of the immaculately presented and exquisitely fresh Japanese food served here. As well as superior sashimi and sushi dishes, the king prawn tempura roll should not be overlooked. Five-piece sashimi dishes from £6.90. kanpaisushiedinburgh.co.uk Where: Kanpai Sushi, 8-10 Grindlay St, EH3 9AS Timberyard Special occasions Modern yet traditional, cool yet unpretentious, Timberyard is set in a converted warehouse. On the Michelin-starred menu you’ll find responsibly sourced seasonal ingredients such as roe deer and turbot, combined with more unusual items like smoked eel and razor clams. While the larder is notably Scottish, there’s a Scandinavian feel to the decor. The three-course lunch is £80, and the tasting menu starts at £120 for four courses or £150 for seven courses. Timberyard’s sister venue is wine bar and restaurant, Montrose. timberyard.co Where: Timberyard, 10 Lady Lawson St, EH3 9DS David Bann Vegetarian Restaurant Vegetarian, cheap eats Vegetarian venues are often housed in low-key, informal cafés, so it’s refreshing to dine in a smart central restaurant that dishes up exclusively vegetarian and vegan food. Start with David’s signature smoked tofu, enjoy a main of wild mushroom cheese and heather ale strudel, then finish with a zingy ginger citrus cradle. Open seven days from noon. Mains from £15.25. davidbann.co.uk Where: David Bann Vegetarian Restaurant, 56-58 St Mary's St, EH1 1SX Thamel Casual dining, cheap eats Escape to colourful Thamel for a taste of Kathmandu and Nepal. South Asian flavours include Gau Ko Kukhuro village style chicken curry on the bone, washed down with a minty Durbar Marg Hopper, Grasshopper Style or a fruity alcohol-free Lumbini Lychee Garden. After dining head downstairs to the Blind Tiger speakeasy bar. Mains with steamed rice from £15. Where: Thamel, 7-11 East London Street, EH7 4BN Ecco Vino Casual dining The smell of mussels and garlic announces the seafood side of this relaxed wine bar in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Ecco Vino prides itself on Italian fare, such as mushroom ravioli and Tuscan chicken pasta. Cheese, antipasti and seafood sharing platters feature on the menu, too. And, with floor to ceiling shelves of wine, there’s no problem finding something tempting to drink. Mains from £16. eccovinoedinburgh.com Where: Ecco Vino, 19 Cockburn St, EH1 1BP Restaurant Martin Wishart Special occasions The insight which saw Martin Wishart boldly unleash fine dining on Leith back in 1999 and garner Edinburgh’s first Michelin star continues to drives his restaurant. It’s a well-oiled machine, still capable of surprising and delighting. The hushed, unflavoured decor ensures the food takes centre stage – an assured and finessed fusion of French-style modernity with the best of Scotland’s larder. Enjoy a three-course lunch for £65; the six-course tasting menu is £145. restaurantmartinwishart.co.uk Where: Restaurant Martin Wishart, 54 Shore, EH6 6RA Colonnades at The Signet Library Special occasions Surrounded by elegant Corinthian columns in a library used by the Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet, take tea in the calming interiors of this elegant A-listed building. Don't expect one glorious silver cake stand – here, visitors await two (one sweet, one savoury). Start with Vichyssoise and miniature smoked haddock tacos. Sweet treats include winter berries cheesecake and Victoria sponge with strawberry Chantilly. Afternoon tea £69. thesignetlibrary.co.uk/colonnades Where: Colonnades at The Signet Library, Parliament Square, EH1 1R Toast Casual dining, cheap eats, child-friendly They take their wine very seriously at this bright and stylish café and bar overlooking Leith’s waterfront, with one of the finest lists in the city. But the vibe here is far from studious and a chalkboard of staff picks will help you find your way. Local beers on tap, great coffee, brunches, ice cream and cake, plus a good value menu of light bites make this a destination for wine refusers, too. Mains from £9.50. toastleith.co.uk Where: Toast, 65 The Shore, EH6 6RA Mamma Roma Casual dining, cheap eats, child-friendly Rock up at Mamma Roma and ask the waiter Mennato if it’s a family business to hear how his grandfather, Giovanni Mastrocinque, owned an Italian restaurant in North Berwick, and he followed in his footsteps establishing Mamma Roma in Edinburgh in 1996. Ideal for the Edinburgh Playhouse, look out for the pre-theatre menu (three courses and coffee for £27.95), or simply stick to the homemade lasagne. Mains from £11.95. mamma-roma.net Where: Mamma Roma, 4-7 Antigua St, EH1 3NH Avery Special occasions A visit to Edinburgh can be life-changing, as San Francisco chef Rodney Wages discovered. A visit to Scotland’s capital made such an impression he moved his family and restaurant to Stockbridge and Avery now boasts a Michelin star. Pre-paid reservations only. Multi-course experience £149. averyedi.co.uk Where: Avery, 54 St Stephen St, EH3 5AL Seeds for the Soul Vegan, casual dining, cheap eats, child-friendly Edinburgh is spoiled when it comes to vegan cafés. Seeds for the Soul is 100 per cent vegan, dishing up breakfast, soul bowls, gluten-free plates, pancakes, wraps and burgers. Mains from £7.90. Kids menu too. seedsforthesoul.co.uk Where: Seeds for the Soul, 167 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4DG The Palmerston Casual dining, child-friendly The Palmerston is a West End institution, handy for Haymarket but always bustling, so book ahead. It’s a hands-on venue, buying in whole animals to prepare in the in-house butchery, and the Palmerston bakery creates fresh bread and pastries daily. Meaty treats include baked Shetland lamb shoulder and slow roast beef rump. Mains from £18. thepalmerstonedinburgh.co.uk Where: The Palmerston, 1 Palmerston Pl, EH12 5AF Salt Horse Cheap eats, casual dining Tucked away on a side street off the Royal Mile, this casual bar looks unassuming enough but it’s a place of pilgrimage for lovers of craft beer. There’s an ever-changing line-up of 14 draught lines and around 210 different canned and bottled beers from around the globe. Food comes in the form of chunky burgers with twice-cooked chips, dirty fries and bar bites such as Cubano spring rolls and ‘Cauli Bombs’. Mains from £13.50. salthorse.beer Where: Salt Horse, 57-61 Blackfriars St, EH1 1NB Foodie places to try and where to shop Bonnie & Wild This vast Scottish food marketplace works well for parties with different tastes. It’s home to 10 kitchens, a café, boutique bottle shop and three bars, with seating for 400 guests (no reservations). Look out for the White Heather Ceilidh Club held on the last Thursday of every month. bonnieandwildmarket.com Where: Level 4, St James Quarter, 415-417 St James Crescent, EH1 3AE Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Every Saturday, Castle Terrace is filled with food stalls. Lunch on hot pies and local produce. edinburghfarmersmarket.co.uk Where: Castle Terrace, EH1 2EN Edinburgh Street Food A similar marketplace vibe, offering up lashings of Informal dining and a blast of colour. Traders include Haldi Indian street food, Bundits bao buns and Harajuku Japanese cuisine. Outdoor seating available for those sunny days. edinburgh-street-food.com Where: Leith St, EH1 3AU Mary’s Milk Bar This gelato parlour makes some of the most sinful creations you’re ever likely to encounter. Gelato is made fresh every morning with the flavours changing each day and each season. marysmilkbar.com Where: 19 Grassmarket, EH1 2HS Rosevear Tea Shop Around 200 teas personally sourced by the owners Adam and Isabelle Rosevear, located across three neighbourhood tea shops. roseveartea.co.uk Where: 100 Bruntsfield Place, 71 Broughton Street and 17 Clerk Street Söderberg This Scandinavian outfit offers seven coffee shops across Edinburgh, from Morningside to the Meadows. Look out for the signature Swedish cardamon bun paired with coffee roasted to their own recipe with sweet hints of chocolate and caramel. Sourdough bread, cakes, brunch and lunch options available, too. soderberg.uk Where: There are 7 Edinburgh Söderbergs to choose between. Valvona & Crolla The go-to place for continental cheeses, meats, pasta, wines and food gifts. valvonacrolla.co.uk Where: 19 Elm Row, EH7 4AA Like this? Read more foodie travel and restaurant guides... 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Stretch your budget in Edinburgh with pocket-friendly restaurants, great deals and other affordable places to eat in Scotland’s capital city
Eating out in Scotland’s capital can be pricey, especially during the peak summer season and August’s Fringe, but if you know the right places to look, you can enjoy some excellent budget eateries in Edinburgh. Think: casual dining, cheap afternoon teas and quality set lunch menus across a range of cafés, restaurants, pubs and hotels. To be included, our venues simply had to dish up great food on a budget (often under £10), serve unique Edinburgh experiences at a decent price or offer great deals that save money in the long run, from bring-your-own to all-you-can-eat. Cheap eats can be found in the heart of the city, but it’s also worth venturing further afield to venues in Leith and Newington to enjoy a mix of Scottish, Thai, Italian and Indian cuisines. Eating out during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe During the globally renowned Fringe, budget foodie destinations tend to get booked up fast by both acts and audiences, before and after performances. If you're visiting Edinburgh in August, we suggest booking in advance to ensure a seat at the table. If you can dine earlier or later than the masses, this helps, too. Alternatively, if you don’t wish to be tied down by too many bookings, opt for takeaway or seek out venues that don’t accept reservations – then, everyone has the same chance of a table when they turn up. If the Fringe isn't your thing but you're still fascinated by Edinburgh's food scene, check out our guide on where to eat in Edinburgh for more general holiday inspiration. For more inspiration on foodie spots for Scotland, check out our guides on the best places to eat in Glasgow and the best places to eat in Aberdeen. 20 cheap places to eat in Edinburgh 1. Oink Best for small appetites Go the whole hog at Oink with its famous hog roast rolls, available in ‘piglet’ (80g) for smaller appetites, ‘oink’ (160g) or ‘grunter’ (250g) sizes. Customers can choose their bread, stuffing and sauce (for example, a white roll with haggis stuffing and homemade chilli jam). Gluten-free and the ‘three little pig’ sausage option is available, too. Oink hog roast roll, £7.95 Where: 34 Victoria Street, EH1 2JW; 38 Hanover Street, EH2 2DR; 82 Canongate, EH8 8BZ 2. Chez Jules Best for classic bistro vibes Chez Jules is a much-loved French bistro in Edinburgh, partly thanks to its famed three-course lunch that costs just £12.90. Start with a French onion soup with gruyère croutons; enjoy a main of classic coq au vin in red wine with mushrooms, carrots, smoked bacon and mash; and finish with vanilla panna cotta with raspberry coulis. The price includes salad, bread and butter, pickles, pâté or rosette de Lyon. Bon appétit. Three-course lunch, £12.90; two-course lunch, £10.90; one-course lunch, £8.90 Where: 109 Hanover Street, EH1 4DJ 3. Hula Best for Instagrammable dishes Aloha! For healthy yet beautifully Instagrammable dishes, choose Hula. These welcoming cafés – with green and pink décor, dashes of verdant greenery and jungle imagery – serve up breakfast, brunch and lunch from 8am in Fountainbridge (and 8.30am on the Grassmarket) until late afternoon. Hula started as juice bar, but now dishes up generous breakfasts, pancakes and poke bowls. Don’t miss the smoothie bowls, either – the açai offering has a base of strawberry, banana, açai berry, coconut milk and blueberry, plus toppings of banana, cacao nibs, granola, blueberry, goji berries and coconut flakes. A great way to kick-start the day. Super juices start at £2.50; smoothie bowls start at £10.50 Where: 103-105 West Bow, Grassmarket, EH1 2JP; 94a Fountainbridge, EH3 9QA 4. Maki & Ramen Best for Japanese-inspired dishes Maki & Ramen’s founder Teddy Lee studied at Sushi School in Tokyo, and now has branches in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. Maki & Ramen plates up filling broth, noodles and sushi platters at decent prices in bright, modern interiors. You can’t go wrong with a bowl of classic tonkotsu – braised chashu, half ramen egg and homemade noodles – for £12.90. Upgrade to a black garlic tonkotsu for a few pennies more. Vegan and halal dishes are available, too. Black garlic tonkotsu, £13.50 Where: 37 Leith Street, EH1 3AT; 1 Leith Street, St James Quarter, EH1 3SS; 80 Nicolson Street, Newington, EH8 9EW; 97-101 Fountainbridge, EH3 9QG 5. Piemaker Best for comfort food For food on the go, either sit-in or takeaway, it's hard to beat a Scottish pie from Piemaker, which promises ‘traditional pies, wholesome and freshly baked.' Try Scottish classics, such as steak & ale pie for £4.50 or a haggis pie for £3.20. There are vegetarian and vegan options, too, from a spinach & feta bugatsa, to a Moroccan-spiced bean pie. For those who fancy the ultimate carbohydrate fix, it's got to be a macaroni cheese pie at only £2.60. From £1.90 Where: 38 South Bridge, EH1 1LL 6. Masti Best for BYOB BYOB (bring your own bottle) can save diners a lot of money, especially as Masti doesn't charge a corkage fee. ‘Masti’, the Hindi word for ‘fun’, perfectly describes its Indian dishes that come in under a tenner. Lamb dishes are around £8.95, then just add some steamed rice (£2.10) and a naan (£2.95), and head off to the next Fringe performance refuelled. Vegetarian and halal options are also available. Chicken main dishes about £7.95; most lamb main dishes, £8.95 Where: 86 Morningside Road, EH10 4BY; 9 Dundee Terrace, EH11 1DL 7. Snax Best for breakfast For a budget breakfast in an informal, low-key setting, head to one of Snax’s two Edinburgh cafés. Highlights include an all-day breakfast of link sausages, bacon, a fried egg, black pudding, beans and a buttered roll for only £5.90. Upgrade to a ‘bigger’ breakfast for £7.60, or the ‘biggest' for £9.40. Veggie and vegan brekkies are dished up too, for £6 and £5.80, respectively. Or, just grab a breakfast roll stuffed with fried egg, sliced sausage and black pudding – whatever the filling, they’re just £3. Toasties from £3; breakfast, £5.90 Where: 15 West Register Street, EH2 2AA; 118 Buccleuch Street, EH8 9NQ 8. Bonnie & Wild Best for variation This vast Scottish food marketplace works well for parties with different tastes. It’s home to 10 kitchens, a café, boutique bottle shop and three bars, with seating for 400 guests (no reservations). This means diners can choose between, for example, seafood at Creel Caught, buttermilk fried chicken at Chooks, Sri Lankan street food at Kochchi or burgers at El Perro Negro. The fact that each diner can choose what they want means there’s potentially less waste and greater satisfaction, with less compromise required. Also, look out for the monthly Bonnie & Wild ceilidh nights. Fish tacos at Creel Caught, £10.50; classic cheeseburger at El Perro Negro, £10.50 Where: Level 4 of St James Quarter, 415-417 St James Crescent, EH1 3AE 9. The Last Drop Best for hearty Scottish meals This pub works for those seeking a no-fuss bar that dishes up hearty Scottish meals and pies alongside cask ales and craft gins. The Last Drop taps into the Grassmarket’s less-salubrious past, when the area was said to house the local gallows. Legend has it that condemned men enjoyed a final supper at The Last Drop before facing their maker. Today, it’s a lot more relaxed, with a traditional menu of bar meals and regular live music. Haggis, neeps and tatties, £12.50; baked macaroni cheese, £12 Where: 74-78 Grassmarket, EH1 2JR 10. Willow Tea Rooms Best for affordable afternoon tea The Willow Tea Rooms are inspired by the work of great Scottish designers Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald, and therefore are a sumptuous setting for a very reasonably priced afternoon tea that includes a selection of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, homemade shortbread rounds and a choice of cakes, such as lemon meringue tart or Victoria sponge. Breakfast dishes and lunches are also available at reasonable prices, as well as gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Classic afternoon tea, £19.99; cullen skink, £9.50; roast coronation chicken sandwich, £9.50 Where: 120 Princes Street, EH2 4AD 11. Razzo Best for Neapolitan-style pizza Get your pizza neapolitan fix at Razzo in Leith. A simple Italian menu of antipasti, pizza, sweet treats and gelato hits the spot. Picture a wooden dining bar with high stools, simple tables and chairs, surrounded by oversized metro tiles and stripped back decor. In the background, an immensely hot pizza oven does all the hard work. A classic margherita pizza costs £9 Where: 59 Great Jct St, EH6 5HX 12. Bread Kitchen Best for children This venue makes economic sense if you’re dining out with little ones. At Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Kitchen, children dine free all day, every day, receiving one free children’s meal with every adult ordering from the à la carte menu. You could order the courgette & pesto lasagne for £15, for example, and your child can get a free portion of bangers and mash. Or, splurge on the potted crab for £28, knowing your child’s meatball pasta won’t cost you a penny. À la carte adult main dishes start at £15 Where: 4 St Andrew Square, EH2 2BD 13. Cosmo Best all-you-can-eat buffet If you have a good appetite or enjoy one large meal to keep you going through the day, the smartest way to spend money could be at a reputable all-you-can-eat buffet. Cosmo is great fun, ideal for a mixed group with different tastes and suitable for the kids, too. Expect an array of food, including carvery, continental, deli and teppanyaki sections, plus many more. Tuck in! Lunch from £19.99; dinner from £19.99 Where: Omni Centre, Greenside Place, EH1 3AA 14. The Pakora Bar Best for pakoras Started by three brothers keen to share their mother’s traditional recipes, this affordable establishment serves up pakoras with a Scottish twist. Alongside aubergine and cauliflower pakoras, order a portion of haggis or black pudding. Wraps, street food and Punjabi-style curries are dished up in slick surroundings decorated in warming orange and green hues. Handy for those visiting the Scottish Parliament, Dynamic Earth or the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Pakoras (five in a portion) with salad and spicy onion from £6.50; pakora wrap, £10 Where: 111 Holyrood Rd, EH8 8AU 15. Victor Hugo Best for sandwiches For a generous sandwich oozing with cheese, you can’t beat Victor Hugo. Across its three cafés – all channelling a traditional Parisian vibe – the signature sarnie is a huge pile of pastrami, gherkins, emmental and house dressing on rye, which you'll need two hands to hold. Victor Hugo also prides itself on great coffee and ‘real’ croque monsieurs. Pastrami on rye, £7.15 Where: 26-27 Melville Terrace, EH9 1LP; 104 George St, EH2 3DF; 38 Shore, Leith, EH6 6QU 16. Max Bakes Best for gourmet sausage rolls Grab the gourmet sausage rolls that locals rave about. Located in a silver food truck on the Meadows, this takeaway makes classic pork, venison & red wine and haggis & black pudding rolls, as well as popular vegetarian ones. £3.50 per sausage roll Where: North Meadow Walk, EH8 9LD 17. Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food Best for authentic Indian street food Tuk Tuk’s colourful and welcoming flagship restaurant opened in Toll Cross, renowned for serving the food and flavours that are reminiscent of street food vendors who ‘make up the colour, sounds and smells of India’. Expect the same roadside and railway station dishes that feed everyone in India, from the workers to children. Butter chicken curry, £8.25; lassis, £3.50; tiffin set lunch menu, £12 Where: 1 Leven Street, EH3 9LH; 16 Drummond Street, EH8 9TX 18. Bellfield Brewery Best for beer lovers Scotland’s home to many much-loved taprooms where beer lovers meet, greet and drink. Bellfield Brewery also offers up reasonably priced grub to help the beer go down, plus pop-up food offerings that alternate regularly. Pop-ups vary, from Mexican and Vietnamese cuisine, to lashings of fried chicken and Spanish tapas. Mains from £10; half-pints from £2.15 Where: 46 Stanley Place, EH7 5TB 19. Ting Thai Best for Thai street food Ting Thai started back in 2012 to feed Thai street food to a flurry of festival-goers. The team soon set down roots at a property in Teviot Place, and the street-food dishes have grown from there, with a second restaurant opening in Lothian Road. Expect stripped-back, exposed-brick walls and communal wooden tables where soups, rice dishes, noodles, curries and speciality boxes are served. Tom Kha Gai chicken soup bowl, £8.60; caramelised sticky pork moo yang box, £9.80 Where: 55-57 Lothian Road, EH1 2DJ; 19-20 Teviot Place, EH1 2QZ 20. The Witchery Best for fine dining This offering isn’t just about the price, but what visitors experience for their money. The Witchery is one of Edinburgh’s finest restaurants, where visitors dine in beautiful surroundings. Most people on a budget think it’s simply too expensive, but for those who want a slice of five-star luxury at relatively reasonable prices, consider the two-course lunch menu for £34.50. Enjoy a starter of molasses-cured smoked sea-reared trout and revel in the seafood pie while you drink in the surroundings. £34.50 for the two-course lunch menu Where: 352 Castlehill, EH1 2NF Check out our other Scottish city guides for expert recommendations on where to eat well in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and across Scotland. And, discover an array of UK city food guides, including London, Cardiff, Belfast and Manchester.
The best pick-your-own strawberry farms in the UK
Pick-your-own strawberry farms are a great day out and offer you an opportunity to make the most of this juicy summer fruit when it's in peak season. Find a strawberry farm near you with our round-up of the best in the UK
Pick-your-own fruit farms are more popular than ever, but there's one fruit that reigns supreme – the strawberry. The PYO strawberry season kicks off around May-June. Some farms are dedicated to strawberries alone, but others offer multiple seasonal options. There are many benefits to picking your own strawberries. People may choose to pick their own to reduce food miles, cut down on packaging, support local farms and, of course, experience a seasonal favourite in its prime. We've rounded up 10 of the best pick-your-own strawberry farms in the UK. For more like this, read our guide to the best pick-your-own farms across the country, including farms where you can pick raspberries, cherries, gooseberries, apples and much more. Plus, read our guide to the best pumpkin patches in the UK, and visit our travel section for plenty of UK and global foodie travel recommendations. Try our favourite strawberry dessert recipes, strawberry recipes and twists on strawberries and cream and find out the health benefits of strawberries. The best pick-your-own strawberry farms in the UK Wester Hardmuir Fruit Farm, Scotland Where: Nairn, IV12 5QG Families have been visiting this Highland farm since 1978 to purchase ready-picked and pick-your-own soft fruits. Early harvests to look out for are Wester Hardmuir’s gooseberries, raspberries and strawberries in June. One extra temptation is the farm's ice cream, created by blending fresh farm berries with Miele's of Forres ice cream. Visit the farm shop to pick up frozen fruit and an array of vegetables. Look out for apple juice from their own apples, too, before hitting the fields. As well as strawberries, you can expect to see apples, brambles, blackcurrants, blueberries, cherries, gooseberries, plums, raspberries and redcurrants across different times of year. hardmuir.com Why not use your bounty to make our no-cook strawberry cheesecake sundaes? Charleton Fruit Farm, Scotland Where: Hillside, Montrose, DD10 9EW Charleton’s season starts with strawberries and blackcurrants in late June. Don’t miss the tayberries in July and August, too. First created in 1979, this cross between a raspberry and a blackberry thrives in the Angus climate. Pick your own or buy them ready-picked in Charleton’s farm shop. Tayberry jam and Charleton strawberry tarts are available, too. Charleton is also a popular place to dine in its own right, with its three dining areas — the Stables, the relaxed Flower Barn, or the sheltered al fresco courtyard. An adventure park for kids, family events and a well-stocked farm shop add to the PYO experience. charleton-farm.co.uk Transform your pickings into our strawberry, almond & yogurt muffins. Cairnie Fruit Farm, Scotland Where: Cairnie, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4QD Cairnie Fruit Farm stands out thanks to its maize maze. From mid July to the end of October, the maze is open with a fresh design and challenge to solve each year. As well as sumptuous fruit, Cairnie’s Funyard for kids is another huge draw, open from March to November. A farm shop and café (dishing up excellent strawberry tarts) complete the scene. Dogs are welcome on the farm, too. Along with strawberries, you can pick raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, gooseberries, cherries, brambles, pumpkins and sunflowers. cairniefruitfarm.co.uk Whip up a strawberry marshmallow mousse with the fruits of your labour. Craigies Farm, Scotland Where: Queensferry EH30 9AR This farming ‘destination’ offers a vast shop, café, PYO, and the Little Farmers adventure farm park newly opened in summer 2021. Craigies' proximity to Scotland’s capital makes it hugely popular, welcoming 260,000 visitors a year. The PYO fruit season starts in June with strawberries, rounding off with blackberries and apples in early autumn. craigies.co.uk Try our lemon curd, strawberry & elderflower celebration cake for a showstopping treat. Finlay’s Place, Northern Ireland Where: 40 Comber Road, Killinchy, Co. Down, BT23 6PB Alongside fresh fruit, Finlay's Place sells new potatoes, local seasonal vegetables and eggs. Head to Finlay’s for the Elsanta variety of strawberry, which are temptingly bright red, large and glossy. The season starts in June, swiftly followed by blackcurrants, raspberries, gooseberries and redcurrants. The farm also sells eucalyptus and cut flowers, and runs wreath-making workshops. Dip into the farm shop for local honey, artisan muesli and fresh produce from neighbouring farmers. finlaysplace.co.uk Celebrate your pickings with our frozen strawberry margarita. Strawberry Fields, England Where: Lifton, Devon, PL16 0DH Strawberry Fields has just been awarded the UK’s best national large farm shop at the Farm Retail Association Awards. Strawberry picking season starts around June. For little ones, there’s also a golden strawberry hunt to the farm barn, complete with farm animals, games, a sand pit, and hay mountain. An array of food is available in the farm shop, or treat the family to the sumptuous afternoon picnic (booking essential). Flower picking is another popular pastime here. Strawberry Fields Farm Shop Try your freshly picked delights in our strawberry & elderflower rosé punch. The Balloon Tree, England Where: Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York, YO41 1NB Balloon Tree offers three main varieties of strawberries — Vibrant, Malling Centenary and Florence. We’re talking nearly 7km of strawberry tables, too! The café and farm shop are both open seven days a week, and there’s a children’s playground and ride-on jeeps. Look out for fresh strawberry treats made on-site in the relaxed Balloon Tree bakery. theballoontree.co.uk For a deliciously creamy dessert, try our caramelised strawberry custard pots. Crockford Bridge Farm, England Where: New Haw Road, Addlestone, Nr. Weybridge, Surrey KT15 2BU For pickers who want to start early, Crockford Bridge’s season starts in April with its PYO rhubarb and asparagus. The website has excellent ‘how to pick’ tips for each fruit, plus fascinating facts, history and recipes. After picking all the fruit you can carry, potential rewards can be found at the ice cream parlour and tea shack. crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk Make a dessert to impress with our strawberry tres leches cake. Copas Fruit Fields, England Where: Calves Lane Farm, Billet Lane, Iver, Buckinghamshire, SL0 0LU Copas has two farms, one in Iver and one in Cookham, so check out which one is the best location for you. Copas’ season starts in May with asparagus, swiftly followed with strawberries from June onwards. Summer holiday fruits are raspberries, cherries, blackcurrants and plums. Extras include a maize maze with clues and game cards to set the grey cells working. thefruitfields.co.uk For a plant-based treat, try our vegan strawberry pancakes. Clive’s Fruit Farm, England Where: Willingsworth, Upton Upon Severn, Worcester, WR8 0SA If Elsantas is your strawberry variety of choice, then Clive’s Fruit Farm uses a table-top system in polytunnels to grow them from June through to August. This farm was one of the pioneers of the pick your own movement in the 1960s, and for those who know their fruit varieties, Clive's Fruit Farm is the place to go. Raspberries range from Glen Ample and Glen Fyne to Tulameen. Clive’s has a unique extra, too — the Juice Shed. Buy freshly pressed pear and apple juice, or opt for contract pressing to transform apples from your garden into bottled juices. It's lovely to see a venue selling damsons as well, which is quite rare these days. clivesfruitfarm.co.uk Cool down with some strawberry ice lollies. Bellis Brothers, Wales Where: Wrexham Rd, Holt, Wrexham, LL13 9YU Bellis Brothers dates back to 1860 and the family has been farming strawberries since the late 19th century, so they've learnt a thing or two along the way. After picking your fill of strawberries, swing by the Bellis Brothers’ award-winning garden centre to dine at the Strawberry Fields restaurant. Its afternoon tea features a mix of fruity treats. bellisbrothers.co.uk For a stunning teatime treat, make our strawberry lemonade cake. Read more like this The best pick-your-own farms in the UK The best pumpkin patches in the UK The best eco-friendly family getaways Planning to visit a pick-your-own farm this summer? Let us know if you have any other recommendations in the comments below...
From five-star hotels to feasts on ships and buses, these are the 10 best afternoon teas to try in Edinburgh.
It’s time to take afternoon tea in Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital has the footfall and flair to offer a vast range of tea experiences, from the magical to the opulent, onboard ships, in decadent five-star hotels and even on a moving bus. There’s something for every taste and budget. Seeking a gift? Buy afternoon tea vouchers direct from the venues for a special treat. Or, if you’re seeking a bargain, browse afternoon tea vouchers in and around Edinburgh at sites such as Itison. Let the tea temptation begin. The best afternoon tea in Edinburgh Palm Court at the Balmoral £££ The opulent one – best for a luxurious escape, but children are welcome. Afternoon tea at Edinburgh’s Balmoral hotel is a transportive experience. The serene Palm Court welcomes guests to dine beneath the green palm trees, basking in the light from the handsome glass dome overhead. Hand-painted de Gourney wallpaper and gentle harp music are subtle highlights as guests dine from specially commissioned William Edwards fine bone china. Having chosen from over 80 teas, the attentive waiting staff pour the first cup in an impressive tea-pouring ceremony, lifting the teapots high above their heads while never spilling a drop. The food begins with an amuse bouche of white bean and fennel velouté. The savouries swiftly follow: goat's cheese mousse with green olive tapenade, parmesan sablé with asparagus and egg yolk, and a selection of sandwiches. The scones are accompanied by homemade Balmoral jam crafted by Heather Hills Farm. Delicate sweets include a light strawberry & chamomile choux. Plus, you can add a glass of Charles Heidsiec champagne to the experience. A children’s afternoon tea menu is also available. A wonderful finishing touch is a small tin of loose tea to take home – the perfect memento. Stay the night at The Balmoral, which was recently announced the 2022-23 AA Hotel of the Year Scotland. Palm Court at the Balmoral, 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ The Lighthouse Restaurant, Fingal ££ The nautical one – best for luxury in a unique setting. Docked in Leith, Fingal is a stunning setting for afternoon tea. The ship’s 2-star AA Rosette Lighthouse restaurant has elegant art deco interiors, with subtle nautical touches and a shimmering ceiling reminiscent of rippling waves. Try the ship’s own Fingal Blend tea, hand-crafted by Pekoe Tea Edinburgh. The food sets sail with an amuse bouche of sweet potato velouté, followed by delicate savouries such as hot smoked salmon potato pancake and Wye Valley asparagus & chorizo tart. Sandwiches range from duck egg mayonnaise & cress, to smoked salmon with avocado & radish, all served on angular art deco platters. The scones are accompanied by Perthshire Preserves strawberry jam before the grand finale of sweets are consumed. Look out for the rich amaretto & raspberry white chocolate bar, then freshen the palate with a lemon & poppy seed macaron. Enhance the afternoon tea experience with a drink from a menu of champagne upgrades. An added bonus? Indulgence is guilt-free, as Fingal’s part of the not-for-profit Britannia Trust. After a glamorous £5 million conversion, luxury cabins and suites can be booked aboard this floating hotel. Fingal, Alexandra Dock, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7DX, 0131 357 5000 Colonnades at The Signet Library £££ The literary one – best for double the treats. Surrounded by elegant Corinthian columns in a library used by the Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet, take tea in the calming interiors of this elegant A-listed building. Don't expect one glorious bespoke silver cake stand – here, visitors await two. The savoury stand arrives first, and the culinary creations look as beautiful as any sweet confection. From miniature smoked haddock tacos and sweetcorn brûlée with chorizo jam, to inventive goat’s cheese ice cream served in a vibrant red cone, each savoury aims to be a mini dish in each bite. The sweets are visually captivating, too. A vibrant watermelon macaron with an injection of margarita adds fun to the rich flavours, then nibble on a tiny toadstool-shaped roasted strawberry, pomegranate & sumac pavlova, before indulging in a honeycomb lollipop. Add bubbles by choosing between Sumarocca Cava brut or Monopole Silver Top champagne. Vegetarian and gluten-free menus have also been carefully curated. The Signet Library, Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF The Witchery ££ The Gothic one – best for renowned food and dramatic decor. The Witchery prides itself on atmospheric dining in baroque surroundings. Take tea either in the original candlelit oak-panelled dining room, or within the Secret Garden with its hand-painted ceiling and outdoor terrace for Edinburgh’s sunnier days. Savouries include Findlay's of Portobello haggis with pineapple chutney & asparagus, and spinach & tarragon quiche. Sweet highlights feature a 'Dragon' tea cake, and Valhrona Ariaga chocolate tart with a cocoa nib tuille. Add bubbles by ordering a glass of Billecart-Salmon champagne, and, to make a night of it, book into sumptuous accommodation. Nine individual suites offer varying degrees of the dark, dramatic, romantic and gothic. The Witchery, 352 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF Holy Cow £ The animal-friendly one – best for vegans and vegetarians. Holy Cow offers animal-friendly, guilt-free indulgence, and it’s gluten-free, too. Look out for colourful beetroot wraps with wasabi & green pea hummus, and a carrot wrap stuffed with carrot lox, cashew soft cheese, capers and fresh dill. Sandwiches include ‘no fish’ mackerel made with tofu and nori. Sweet desserts provide vegan alternatives to clotted cream with scones, Victoria sponge and chocolate & coffee cake. There are a few Holy Cow venues in Scotland’s capital, but afternoon tea is only served at its Dundee Street property, and must be pre-booked. The cafés have an airy, laidback and informal atmosphere, with a loyal vegan following. Holy Cow, Castle Mills, 1 Dundee Street, EH3 9FP The Ivy on the Square £ The trendy one – best for a dash of Great Gatsby theatrical style. The Ivy is the place to meet and greet, see and be seen in gregarious and bold surroundings, with lush greenery and rich furnishings. Its very reasonably priced ‘Dream afternoon tea’ has the wow-factor, as dry ice cascades from a pink flower topper down the yellow cake stand. Start with a grilled chicken & truffle mayonnaise brioche, or perhaps sample The Ivy 1917 cure smoked salmon & soft cheese finger sandwich. The sweet treats are super-cute, featuring edible flowers or served in dinky flower pots to channel a flamboyant ‘back to nature’ vibe. Dig into a honeycomb & dark chocolate plant pot, or slurp an Alice in Wonderland-esque ‘Drink Me’ mango & coconut smoothie. Upgrade by adding a glass of Nyetimber English sparkling wine. The Ivy, 6 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD Red Bus Bistro ££ The one on the move – best for sightseeing as you dine. If you’re big on fun and/or short on time, see the sights of Edinburgh on a vintage Routemaster or Leyland Titan bus while tucking into afternoon tea. Try the Gin Tour, which includes prosecco, full afternoon tea and the bistro’s gin ‘pot-tails’: a variety of flavoured Scottish gins mixed with aromatic herbs and topped with edible flowers. The food includes traditional scones with whipped cream and jam; a selection of finger sandwiches, mini rolls and wraps; mini quiches; a selection of petit fours and cakes. The route leaves St Andrew Square, taking in the Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriar’s Bobby, the Elephant House Cafe (where JK Rowling put pen to paper), the Grassmarket, Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament. Children aged eight and over are welcome to hop aboard, too. Red Bus Bistro. Pick up at St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 2AD. And there’s more… If you’re seeking an all-rounder, head to The Dome, renowned for its Christmas afternoon teas and array of afternoon tea menus, including children’s, gluten-free and vegan, plus a morning tea with bacon and sausage rolls. If cakes made by the Scottish Baker of the Year sound tempting, plump for Mimi’s Bakehouse, offering afternoon tea at its Leith and Corstorphine branches. Finally, if it’s a case of location, location, location, head to the country seat of Prestonfield House, dine in the former Scotsman newspaper HQ, or look up the afternoon teas dished up at the historic Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse. Related content Best afternoon teas in London Best afternoon teas in the UK Best UK gourmet glamping sites Best foodie experiences in the UK Best kids afternoon teas in London
Looking for a pick-your-own fruit farm near you? Our round-up of the top farms for picking your own fruit and veg includes options from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and produce ranging from apples to cherries.
Pick-your-own fruit brings to mind images and memories of long summer days, vines and bushes laden with juicy berries, the comfort of a plentiful harvest and the joy of connecting with Mother Nature. Over the past decade, in fields right across the UK, convenience has been replaced with activity as we see a resurgence in the popularity of pick-your-own farms. Environmental concerns such as low food miles, eliminating superfluous packaging, supporting local producers and the appreciation of the seasonality of food are key. Engaging children with the origins and provenance of food is also on many parents’ radar. Lastly, and importantly, picking your own fruit is fun. It's a family-friendly day out in beautiful rural locations, with plenty of exercise involved and fresh air, as well as fresh fruity treats to take home at the end of the day. The PYO strawberry season kicks off around May-June, running through to apples, pumpkins and late raspberries in the autumn. Check your favourite farm’s website or social media updates to see what’s available, look out for updated 2023 prices, and start planning your escape to the country. For more like this, read our guide to the best pick-your-own strawberry farms and the best pumpkin patches in the UK. Plus, visit our travel section for plenty of UK and global foodie travel recommendations. The best pick-your-own farms in the UK: Scotland Northern Ireland England Wales The best pick-your-own farms in Scotland Wester Hardmuir Fruit Farm Where: Nairn, IV12 5QG What to expect: Apples, brambles, blackcurrants, blueberries, cherries, gooseberries, plums, raspberries, redcurrants and strawberries. Sample prices: Strawberries £6/kg, raspberries £7/kg, plums and gooseberries £4.25/kg, and apples £2/kg. Families have been visiting this Highland farm since 1978 to purchase ready-picked and pick-your-own soft fruits. Early harvests to look out for are Wester Hardmuir’s gooseberries, raspberries and strawberries in June. One extra temptation is the farm's ice cream, created by blending fresh farm berries with Miele's of Forres ice cream. Visit the farm shop to pick up frozen fruit and an array of vegetables. Look out for apple juice from their own apples, too, before hitting the fields. As well as strawberries, you can expect to see apples, brambles, blackcurrants, blueberries, cherries, gooseberries, plums, raspberries and redcurrants across different times of year. hardmuir.com Border Berries Where: Rutherford Farm Roxburghshire, Kelso TD5 8NP What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and tayberries. This family farm started growing berries since the 60s to supply a local jam factory. The rest, as they say, is history. This particular farm doesn’t use polytunnels or growbags, so expect a real al fresco experience. A seasonal café dishes up cream teas, homemade cordials and smoothies. You can also find recipe ideas for using up your freshly-picked product on the Border Berries website. Charleton Fruit Farm Where: Hillside, Montrose, DD10 9EW What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, yellow raspberries, gooseberries, cherries, tayberries, brambles, redcurrants, blackcurrants, plums, apples and pears, plus pumpkins and peas. Sample prices: Strawberries £6.50/kg, tayberries £6.99/kg and yellow raspberries £6.99/kg. Charleton’s season starts with strawberries and blackcurrants in late June. Don’t miss the tayberries in July and August, too. First created in 1979, this cross between a raspberry and a blackberry thrives in the Angus climate. Pick your own or buy them ready-picked in Charleton’s farm shop. Tayberry jam and Charleton strawberry tarts are available, too. Charleton is also a popular place to dine in its own right, with its three dining areas — the Stables, the relaxed Flower Barn, or the sheltered al fresco courtyard. An adventure park for kids, family events and a well-stocked farm shop add to the PYO experience. charleton-farm.co.uk Cairnie Fruit Farm Where: Cairnie, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4QD What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, gooseberries, cherries, brambles, pumpkins and sunflowers. Sample prices: Strawberries £5/kg. Cairnie Fruit Farm stands out thanks to its maize maze. From mid July to the end of October, the maze is open with a fresh design and challenge to solve each year. As well as sumptuous fruit, Cairnie’s Funyard for kids is another huge draw, open from March to November. A farm shop and café (dishing up excellent strawberry tarts) complete the scene. Dogs are welcome on the farm, too. Along with strawberries, you can pick raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, gooseberries, cherries, brambles, pumpkins and sunflowers. cairniefruitfarm.co.uk Briarlands Farm Where: Blair Drummond, Stirling, FK9 4UP What to expect: Strawberries Sample prices: Strawberries £6.95/kg (£5.95/kg for 5kg or more). Briarlands’ strawberries are grown in polytunnels on wires – easy to pick and a great rainy day option. While the farm often has strawberries for sale from mid May, pick-your-own is usually available from June. Briarlands has a very popular outdoor children’s play area, featuring jumping pillows, animal handling sessions, tractor and trailer rides, and feed available for purchase to treat the deer, sheep and pigs. Grab an informal bite to eat at the Farmers' Den café. briarlandsfarm.co.uk Craigies Farm Where: Queensferry EH30 9AR What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, gooseberries, blackberries and apples, plus sunflowers, peas, broad beans, French beans, runner beans and pumpkins. Sample prices: Strawberries: £6.49/kg, cherries: £10.99/kg and raspberries £8.49/kg. PYO tickets £5 per adult and £2.50 per child (up to 15 years old) with entry fee to be deducted from the price of fruit picked. This farming ‘destination’ offers a vast shop, café, PYO, and the Little Farmers adventure farm park newly opened in summer 2021. Craigies' proximity to Scotland’s capital makes it hugely popular, welcoming 260,000 visitors a year. The PYO fruit season starts in June with strawberries, rounding off with blackberries and apples in early autumn. craigies.co.uk East Yonderton Farm Where: Walkinshaw Rd, Renfrew, Renfrewshire PA4 9LP What to expect: Strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, blackberries, peas, broccoli and potatoes. This family farm has been growing soft fruit since 1926, so they have almost 100 years of fruity knowledge. East Yonderton is one of the few places that offers pick-your-own broccoli, available from mid July into August. eastyondertonfarm.co.uk The best pick-your-own farms in Northern Ireland Finlay’s Place Where: 40 Comber Road, Killinchy, Co. Down, BT23 6PB What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. Alongside fresh fruit, Finlay's Place sells new potatoes, local seasonal vegetables and eggs. Head to Finlay’s for the Elsanta variety of strawberry, which are temptingly bright red, large and glossy. The season starts in June, swiftly followed by blackcurrants, raspberries, gooseberries and redcurrants. The farm also sells eucalyptus and cut flowers, and runs wreath-making workshops. Dip into the farm shop for local honey, artisan muesli and fresh produce from neighbouring farmers. finlaysplace.co.uk Claggan Fruit Farm Where: 116 Highlands Road, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, BT49 9LY What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. Select between four strawberry varieties: Alice, Florence, Fenella, and Korona. This family farm also offers two varieties of raspberry — Tulameen and Cascade Delight — plus jam-making products for sale such as pot covers, pectin and a selection of recipes. Visit the Claggan Fruit Farm website. Goodberry Farm Where: 118 Collegelands Road, Moy, Armagh, BT71 6SW What to expect: Strawberries Sample prices: £3 per punnet, but look out for discounted events. Follow the Facebook page for announcements of strawberry picking evenings, what’s available and when. This cash-only venue holds special events to pick your own jam strawberries – same flavour, only smaller! Visit the Goodberry Farm Facebook page. The best pick-your-own farms in England Strawberry Fields Where: Lifton, Devon, PL16 0DH What to expect: Strawberries, daffodils, tulips, sunflowers, wild flowers, lavender, sweetcorn and pumpkins. Sample prices: Entry is £2.50, strawberries are £8/kg and this includes strawberry picking, golden strawberry hunt and access to the farm barn. Strawberry Fields has just been awarded the UK’s best national large farm shop at the Farm Retail Association Awards. Strawberry picking season starts around June. For little ones, there’s also a golden strawberry hunt to the farm barn, complete with farm animals, games, a sand pit, and hay mountain. An array of food is available in the farm shop, or treat the family to the sumptuous afternoon picnic (booking is essential). Flower picking is another popular pastime here. Strawberry Fields Farm Shop website. Parkside Farm Where: Hadley Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 8LA What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, blackberries plus courgettes, French beans, beetroot and sunflowers. Sample prices: Strawberries £6.19/kg, raspberries £8.99/kg, and blackcurrants £6.99/kg. Parkside has roughly 50 acres and has been growing PYO strawberries since 1979. The strawberries are grown using the ‘table top’ system, meaning you can pick fruit without bending down. The farm shop sells ice cream, drinks, meringues and Parkside honey, too. Buy a fruit voucher in advance of your visit (£4 for every adult and child). The value of the voucher is refunded, provided you spend above that amount on PYO produce. parksidefarmpyo.co.uk Clive’s Fruit Farm Where: Willingsworth, Upton Upon Severn, Worcester, WR8 0SA What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, plums, apples, pears, damsons and pumpkins Sample prices: £2 admission fee. Strawberries £6.95/kg, cherries £9.75/kg and damsons £5.50/kg. If Elsantas is your strawberry variety of choice, then Clive’s Fruit Farm uses a table-top system in polytunnels to grow them from June through to August. This farm was one of the pioneers of the pick your own movement in the 1960s, and for those who know their fruit varieties, Clive's Fruit Farm is the place to go. Raspberries range from Glen Ample and Glen Fyne to Tulameen. Clive’s has a unique extra, too — the Juice Shed. Buy freshly pressed pear and apple juice, or opt for contract pressing to transform apples from your garden into bottled juices. It's lovely to see a venue selling damsons as well, which is quite rare these days. clivesfruitfarm.co.uk Trevaskis Farm Where: Connor Downs, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 5JQ What to expect: Loganberries, gooseberries, raspberries, whitecurrants, redcurrants, tummelberries, tayberries, eating apples, cooking apples, blackberries, red gooseberries, loganberries, blackcurrants and strawberries. Veg includes sugar snap peas, shelling peas, sweetcorn, broad beans, mange tout, runner beans and pumpkins. This Cornish farm has one of the most varied selections of fruit available. The Trevaskis market stocks everything from butchery and fish to groceries and baked goods. The vast Farm Park offers fun, animals and exploration for all ages. The Farm restaurant is open daily from 8.30am, and with fruits like loganberries and tummelberries, there’s something a little different to bring home with you. trevaskisfarm.co.uk The Balloon Tree Where: Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York, YO41 1NB What to expect: Strawberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and pumpkins. Sample prices: £1.50 booking fee, then strawberries £7.25/kg, gooseberries £6.25/kg and blueberries £10.45/kg. Balloon Tree offers three main varieties of strawberries — Vibrant, Malling Centenary and Florence. We’re talking nearly 7km of strawberry tables, too! The café and farm shop are both open seven days a week, and there’s a children’s playground and ride-on jeeps. Look out for fresh strawberry treats made on-site in the relaxed Balloon Tree bakery. theballoontree.co.uk Sopley Farm Where: Sopley, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 7AZ What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, tayberries, loganberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and plums. Plus French beans, runner beans, broad beans, pumpkins, sunflowers and gladioli. This farm, situated on the edge of the New Forest, grows nearly twenty different types of fruit and vegetables. Sopley’s PYO fruit selection runs right thorough the season from June into October. It also offers a farm shop selling ice cream, cheese, free-range eggs and local Dorset honey, along with seasonal vegetables grown locally. A new Sopley Farm bakery recently opened and, if you want to make a night of it, it’s possible to book accommodation or camp here. Visit the Sopley Farm website. Hill Farm Where: Oundle Road, Chesterton, Peterborough, Cambs, PE7 3UA What to expect: Gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, blackberries, plums and damsons. Also sunflowers, rosehips, spinach, patty pans, courgettes, marrows, sweetcorn and squash. Hill Farm is ideal for strawberry enthusiasts as it offers eight varieties of strawberry, spanning the season from early June into early August. Alongside the extensive list of PYO, Hill Farm has a playground, caravan site, and farm shop selling honey from its own beehives, plus jam made from its own fruit. hillfarmpyo.co.uk Crockford Bridge Farm Where: New Haw Road, Addlestone, Nr. Weybridge, Surrey KT15 2BU What to expect: Rhubarb, strawberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, redcurrants, blackberries, raspberries, plus broad beans, asparagus, beetroots, French beans, courgettes, carrots, runner beans, marrows, sweetcorn, squash, peas, spinach, pumpkins and even PYO Christmas trees. Sample prices: Farm passes £4 for adults and £2 for children (aged 1-14). The value of your farm pass is redeemed against the cost of fruit and veg picked. Strawberries £8.95/kg, raspberries £8.95/kg and red/blackcurrants £6.95/kg. For pickers who want to start early, Crockford Bridge’s season starts in April with its PYO rhubarb and asparagus. The website has excellent ‘how to pick’ tips for each fruit, plus fascinating facts, history and recipes. After picking all the fruit you can carry, potential rewards can be found at the ice cream parlour and tea shack. crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk Brocksbushes Where: Corbridge, Northumberland, NE43 7UB What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, plums and pumpkins. Sample prices: Strawberries £5.95/kg, raspberries £10.50/kg and plums £5.95/kg. Brocksbushes’ season runs from June’s strawberries and gooseberries, to July’s raspberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. Access to picking fields must be pre-booked. After guests have filled their punnets, take time to relax in the tearoom or dip into the farm shop that stocks a real taste of the country with suppliers such as Goodfellows of Matfen eggs, Doddington cheese and Cranstons meat. brocksbushes.co.uk Copas Fruit Fields Where: Calves Lane Farm, Billet Lane, Iver, Buckinghamshire, SL0 0LU What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blackcurrants, plums and apples, plus asparagus, peas, beans and sweetcorn. Sample prices: Fruit vouchers are £4 per person, which are deductible from fruit and veg picked from the fields, plus a 25p non-refundable admin fee. Strawberries £5.95/kg, raspberries £8.95/kg and redcurrants £4.95/kg. Copas has two farms, one in Iver and one in Cookham, so check out which one is the best location for you. Copas’ season starts in May with asparagus, swiftly followed with strawberries from June onwards. Summer holiday fruits are raspberries, cherries, blackcurrants and plums. Extras include a maize maze with clues and game cards to set the grey cells working. thefruitfields.co.uk The best pick-your-own farms in Wales Bellis Brothers Where: Wrexham Rd, Holt, Wrexham, LL13 9YU What to expect: Strawberries, gooseberries, rhubarb, redcurrants, blackcurrants, raspberries and pumpkins. Sample prices: Strawberries £7.49/kg and raspberries £7.99/kg Bellis Brothers dates back to 1860 and the family has been farming strawberries since the late 19th century, so they've learnt a thing or two along the way. After picking your fill of strawberries, swing by the Bellis Brothers’ award-winning garden centre to dine at the Strawberry Fields restaurant. Its afternoon tea features a mix of fruity treats. bellisbrothers.co.uk Aberbran Fawr Farm Where: Aberbran, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9NG What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, gooseberries, apples, pumpkins, broad beans, peas and sunflowers. Last year, Aberbran Fawr farmers were even picking strawberries in October. Alongside PYO fruit, the farm offers their own sausages, beef and potatoes for sale, cream teas, and there’s even a camping and caravan site. aberbranfawr.co.uk Gower PYO Where: Scurlage Farm, Reynoldston, Scurlage, Swansea SA3 1BJ What to expect: Strawberries, raspberries and broad beans. Sample prices: Strawberries £7.50/kg and raspberries £11.50/kg. Baskets 30p, 50p and £1, or bring your own. Gower is an all-weather PYO, so grab those berries come rain or shine. Enjoy undercover and tabletop picking at this Swansea farm. The season runs from May to September, plus ice cream, homemade cakes and coffee are available at the farm café. gowerpickyourown.wales Tips for picking your own fruit and veg When are pick-your-own farms open? Peak season for pick-your-own farms is May-September, although some open as early as March. Pumpkin patches are an outlier – they open in October. What else is there to do? Lots of fruit and veg farms have added extras, including – but not limited to – children's play areas, cafés, farm shops, garden centres, mazes, petting animals and tractor rides. Why visit a pick-your-own farm rather than a supermarket? PYO farms are more popular than ever, which is down to several things. Firstly, as people become more aware of sustainability, they are making shopping choices based on this. Low food miles, reusable packaging, supporting local farms and eating with the seasons are some of the reasons pick your own farms tick the environmentally-friendly box. It's also a fun day out for families, which provides play and education, exercise and the country air. The bonus is that you'll take home plenty of locally-grown fruit and veg that's bursting with flavour. What should I wear to a pick your own farm? Consider your footwear and opt for something sensible – you may need wellies if it's been raining for a prolonged period before your visit. Check the forecast and if it's going to be hot, take a hat and sunscreen. What else should I bring? PYO farms will usually sell punnets and carriers. Once you've loaded up your basket or box with freshly-picked produce and paid at the desk, you may need a reusable shopping bag to carry it to the car. Read more like this The best pumpkin patches in the UK The best eco-friendly family getaways The best pick-your-own strawberry farms in the UK Planning to visit a pick-your-own farm this summer? Let us know if you have any other recommendations in the comments below...
Aberdeen is the perfect short break for food lovers. Discover the best restaurants for Scottish seafood, mince and mealie pies and much more with our extensive guide
All recommendations have been reviewed and approved as of the publish date and will be checked periodically. If you think there is any incorrect or out of date information in this guide, please e-mail us at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk Visiting Scotland's Granite City and want to find the best local eateries? Check out our list of must-try places, where you can sample the finest produce on offer in Aberdeen. From bistro brunches by Aberdeen beach to delightful cafés tucked away in the city centre, we've selected the best places to eat in Aberdeen for romantic dining, casual drinks and family lunches. Check out our travel hub for more guides, with recommendations for the top restaurants in each city. Why not start with Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast? Best restaurants in Aberdeen at a glance Rustico - Kid-friendly, casual dining Cafe 52 - Casual dining The Ashvale - Casual dining Madame Mews - Casual dining, cheap eats, kid-friendly Nargile Rendezvous - Casual dining The Marcliffe Conservatory - Special occasion Foodstory - Casual dining, cheap eats, kid-friendly Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish - Special occasion Moonfish Cafe - Casual dining, special occasion Maggie's Grill - Casual dining, kid-friendly The Silver Darling - Special occasion Almondine - Special occasion, kid-friendly Cafe Boheme - Special occasion Cup - Casual dining, cheap eats, kid-friendly Olive Alexanders - Casual dining, cheap eats Rustico Kid-friendly, casual dining This '50s-style trattoria spans several floors and always seems busy. But, thanks to its neat little alcoves, it's as suitable for a date night as it is for a party night. The portion sizes are generous, the waiting staff notably friendly and the menu extensive. Highlights include linguine with king prawns and parma ham, homemade beef and pork ragu, and Sicilian fish stew. Two course lunch menu for £10.95. Cafe 52 Casual dining Offering indoor and al fresco dining, outdoor heaters and blankets, Cafe 52 is the most continental of Aberdeen’s restaurants. Popular for more than 25 years, it’s a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike. Expect dishes such as Normandy chicken casserole, hot smoked herring fillet with summer salsa, and oyster mushroom fricassee. Mains all £15. The Ashvale Casual dining, cheap eats, kid-friendly When it comes to fish 'n' chips, The Ashvale is a local institution that has welcomed patrons since 1985. Take on the city's famous 'Ashvale whale' challenge: finish a one-pound haddock fillet by yourself and enjoy a second one on the house. Look out for the Teatime Flyer menu (£15.95 for haddock, chips, peas, bread and butter plus coffee/tea), alongside a kids menu (free meals for under 5s) and senior citizens menu. Madame Mews Casual dining, cheap eats, kid-friendly Madame Mews on Summer Street is renowned for authentic Thai flavours in a colourful, informal setting at a great price. Its reputation spread through word of mouth, and a classic pad thai comes in at £9.40. Nargile Rendezvou Casual dining This Turkish treat has restaurants on Skene Street and Forest Avenue, both offering a mix of traditional hot and cold meze, quality iskender and kebabs. Or choose the Nargile Special – a layered dish of chopped pitta, creamed aubergine and thin slices of marinated lamb (£17.95). Conservatory Restaurant at The Marcliffe Special occasion The five-star Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, set in 11 acres of grounds, is home to the enticing Conservatory Restaurant. As well as serving local game and beef, it specialises in local seafood – try Shetland scallops, North Sea langoustines and Cove Bay lobster. Seafood mains from £28. Foodstory Casual dining, cheap eats, kid-friendly Foodstory offers healthy eating with flavour and flair in a bustling yet chilled environment. Look out for tempting veggie options such as vegan saus*ge rolls (£4), sourdough toasties (£6.50) and nutritious brunch bowls (£7.50). Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish Special occasion Chef Kevin Dalgleish's restaurant is a smart, intimate affair that serves modern Scottish dishes with a French influence. A set lunch menu (£33 for three courses) might include east coast crab, steak frites and lemon and lime pavlova. Moonfish Cafe Casual dining, special occasion Located on the cobbled medieval streets of Aberdeen’s Merchant Quarter, Moonfish Cafe would be suitable for fine dining or a casual get-together. Choose citrus-cured salmon with grapefruit, fennel and chili, or Isle of Mull cheddar soufflé with creamed leeks and onion relish. Also notable is its gin menu, featuring The Botanist from Islay, Daffy’s from Edinburgh and Aviation from America. Two-course dinner, £32. Maggie's Grill Casual dining, kid-friendly This modern eatery in Marischal Square serves unpretentious barbecue and Cajun food. Savour spicy staples such as chicken and sausage gumbo, southern fried halloumi and howlin’ wolf chilli in a laid-back atmosphere. The kids menu includes southern fried chicken tenders and mac ’n’ cheese. Adult mains from £14.95. The Silver Darling Special occasion Named after the precious herring catch, this is the place to be on a summer evening as ships sail into Aberdeen harbour. The menu showcases the best of Scottish produce, with dishes such as seared Shetland scallops, Cape Wrath oysters, hot smoked Loch Fyne salmon and breaded North Sea haddock. Mains from £15. Almondine Special occasion With a seasonal macaron menu, a French patisserie selection and a hugely popular afternoon tea, Almondine always feels like a treat. Favourites include the pink peppercorn, pistachio, and maple and bacon macarons. Afternoon tea is £27 per person. Cafe Boheme Special occasion An intimate venue that’s been serving quality French/Scottish cuisine for 20 years. Pick the five-course tasting menu (£85, with a vegan option available), or go à la carte for mains such as wood pigeon, smoked pork belly or artichoke risotto (starting from £17.50). Cup Casual dining, kid-friendly, cheap eats A delightful café down a cobbled lane in the city centre, Cup offers a colourful range of iced teas and tea lattes to complement its afternoon teas and 'sweetie wall'. There’s an array of brunch options, plus imaginative children’s dishes such as a brekkie board for £7.95. Olive Alexanders Casual dining This delicatessen and bistro set on the elegant Golden Square offers a mix of brunch, lunch and evening meals. Start the day with banana bread French toast (£9.50), savour a midday bagel stuffed with roast beef and white truffle mayo (£9), and by night try the steak pie with chicken gravy and mash (£15.50). Five more foodie places to try Ross Bakery The pies at Ross Bakery on Chapel Street are legendary. The macaroni pie is a popular carb-fest, while the mince and mealie pie marries minced beef with white pudding ('mealie'). Gourmet Cheese Company This small cheesemonger on Rosemount Place stocks cheeses from around the world, plus accompaniments including honey, chutney and oatcakes. MacBeans Start the day at MacBeans coffee roasters and tea specialists on Little Belmont Street. Choose your beans, leaves and blends. Grape and Grain A smart wine and craft beer bar on Thistle Street, where guests can hear themselves think! Look out for tasting flights of wine, Scottish gin, whisky and rum, accompanied by antipasti and small plates. Liberty Kitchen at Greyhope Bay Location, location, location. This café has a simple menu of soup, coffee and cake, but its enviable coastal vantage point at the Torry Battery makes it one of the best dolphin-spotting locations in town. More city guides and delicious travel tips The best places to travel in Liverpool The best places to travel in York The best places to travel in Manchester The best places to travel in Newcastle For more like this, check out more restaurant recommendations Best afternoon teas in London Best themed afternoon teas in London Best afternoon tea for kids in London 10 best places in London to eat classic British dishes Best bakeries in London Best burgers in London Best pasta restaurants in London Best afternoon teas in the UK Best restaurants in Brighton Have we missed a great place to eat? Let us know in the comments below... Travellers are advised to read the FCO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for the country they are travelling to.