The Best Seafood in Scotland

A list of the best fish and chips shops, seafood restaurants and fishmongers across Scotland.

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If you are heading to Scotland and want to try some of the world's best and freshest seafood then read my curated list below.

I have included traditional fish and chip shops, upmarket restaurants, fish mongers and local sea food shacks along the coast.

Anstruther Fish Bar

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Get there at opening, very popular (especially in the summer). This family owned place serve freshly cooked fish. Try the lemon sole in their famous batter. On a busy summer’s day, Anstruther Fish Bar and Restaurant can serve up to 40 stone of haddock – that’s around 1200 fish suppers!

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Fochabers Fish Bar

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Located in the small village of Fochabers, in between Inverness and Aberdeen, the Fochabers Fish bar has consistently made it to the top of the best fish and chip shops in Scotland. If you are visiting during the summer or if you happen to visit when the village has their Traditional folk music festival, Speyfest then make sure you pop in.

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Portknockie Fish & Chip Shop

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Situated on the Moray Coast, the Portknockie Fish & Chips offer fresh and local haddock suppers. Go all out and treat yourself to their "posh haddock supper" which includes battered haddock, chips, mushy peas and 2 pickled onions. A chippy staple! They also offer senior/half portion sizes. Grab your takeaway and head down to the Bow Fiddle Rock for great coastal views.

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The Silver Darling

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This modern restaurant has an extensive seafood menu including Cullen Skink soup, Shetland mussels and fresh oysters. Try the pan seared scallops served with green pea purée, prosciutto crumb & kombu oil. If you visit during daylight hours keep an eye out for dolphins in the bay.

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The Bay Fish & Chips

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Highly popular in the local area, The Bay has been recommended in Lonely Planet's "Ultimate Eat List". Famed for their crispy bread light battered haddock, alongside some homemade tartar sauce. They also have an app where you can pre-order.

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Teuchters Landing

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This cosy dockside bar and restaurant next to Leith's Shore is a great place to visit whilst in the city. They offer big mugs of hearty Cullen Skink and Kedgeree for starters and offer the fish board for sharing. Their deli boards have smoked mackerel pate, locally smoked salmon, brown trout and a homemade chive and caper tattie salad.

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The King's Wark

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Situated right on the Shore Front this pub dates back to the 1400's and offers the best fresh seafood. To start they offer a zesty crab cocktail with lime mayo and pickled chilli. For mains, I would recommend the hand dived king scallops with garlic and pineapple and jalapeno salsa. Outstanding!

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Fish Market

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Voted as one of the top places for fresh, sustainable seafood the Newhaven Fishmarket is very popular. Seafood chef Rick Stein have even highly recommended! They offer takeaway or site down- in the warmer months I would opt for a takeaway so you can sit outside and enjoy the nearby Newhaven lighthouse. If you want something a little different, then try their Peterhead Monkfish curry.

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Newhaven Harbour

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The fish market square area next to the harbour has a rich history of fishing and whaling - originally dating back to the 16th century. In it's heyday the harbour was home to over 100 fishing boats. Historically the area would have employed many women or "herring lassies" who would carry large wicker baskets of fresh fish into Edinburgh's old town to be sold.

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The Oban Fish & Chip Shop

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Named as one of the top three fish and chip shops in the UK by National Geographic, the award winning Oban Fish & Chips offer fresh daily seafood. If you want something traditionally Scottish then opt for a "Fish Tea Special" - a thick cut haddock, served with mushy peas, tartare sauce and fresh cut ships. Included is a pot of hot tea and bread and butter on the side.

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Oban Seafood Hut.. (Green Shack)

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The Oban Seafood Hut (green shack) is open during spring and summer months (March-October). You can find them on the pier next to the ferry terminal. They sell hot delicious mussels cooked with garlic, and white wine. They also serve fresh their famous prawn sandwich which is great for a summer time eat. Keep an eye on their facebook page for opening times.

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Bonnie & Wild

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You'll find this upmarket food hall on level 4 of the St James' shopping centre. If you're after seafood head to Creel Caught by Gary Maclean. The Masterchef winner offers an extensive seafood menu, including southern crispy calamari, fish tacos and a crispy panko coated monkfish.

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White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar

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Situated on the Canongate section of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, White Horse not only offer oysters but a well curated selection of small dishes and seafood platters. Their natural oysters are shucked on the bar and they offer 3 for £10.50. Alternatively, check out their Hake ceviche with coconut and chilli, or their crab scotch egg with pickled samphire. If you want a boozy cocktail to accompany your dish, check out their pacific gin martini with sea salt and seaweed mist.

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Alandas Longniddry Bents

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Found on the along the East Lothian coast, the Longniddry food unit is only open at the weekends. This is not just a fish and chips shack, however they offer hearty thick cut chips alongside their signature battered fish. On their menu you'll find fresh garlic and chilli prawns, Scottish crab meat and aioli topped chips. Parking on Longniddry can be limited so get there early!

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Orocco Pier Hotel

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Arguably offering one of the best views across the Firth of Forth and the iconic rail bridge, this South Queensferry restaurant and cafe offers excellent sharing platters, light lunches and fish of the day. Their evening menu offers pan seared scallops with black puddings and colcannon mash.

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Old Chain Pier

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Found in the picturesque Newhaven, this restaurant offers quality seasonal food every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their sharing seafood basket with breaded scampi, crispy prawns, salt and pepper squid is great to share amongst friends. They also offer a beer battered haddock with a local Stockbridge beer. They also offer a vegan friendly version of fish and chips too! *Note they do not take reservations over the phone, if you wish to book check their website.

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The Lobster Pot

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Located in Blackness (40 minutes form Edinburgh) The Lobster Pot is the perfect place to enjoy lunch after your visit to the nearby Blackness castle. As you would imagine from their namesake they offer fresh lobster on the menu - including the classic lobster thermidor, or try their version of "surf n turf" with an 8oz ribeye steak and grilled 1/2 lobster. Last orders on Monday and Tuesday are 6pm for food.

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The Lobster Shack

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The Lobster Shack in North Berwick offer the freshest seafood, quite literally right next to the sea the shack are registered "First Fish" buyers meaning that their produce comes directly from the boats in the harbour. They offer daily specials, however their classic menu includes smoked haddock & salmon fishcakes, haddock tacos or their crispy cajun prawn roll. I highly recommend this shack, especially if you have adventured out to see on the nearby boat trips. They do have outdoor seating available. Note that they are only open at the weekends (12-4).

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Tailend Restaurant

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The Tailend fish mongers and restaurant are a family run business (four generations back) located in St. Andrews. On their menu you'll find seasonal seafood, including locally caught cod, halibut and lemon sole. They offer half fillet portion sizes and they have a £10 and under lunch menu - available Monday to Friday.

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Cromars Fish & Chips

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Located in the heart of St. Andrews (Union Street) this classic fish and chip shop offer freshly made meals. The restaurant and takeaway is dog friendly and is a great place to enjoy with kids too. My go-to here is the Scottish scampi and chips, however they also have smoked haddock from Peterhead on the menu. Their classic battered haddock with chips will set you back £13.50

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Arbroath Fisheries

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Considered a Scottish delicacy, the world famous Arbroath smokies are smoked haddock on the bone are a protected food item and this (in my opinion) is the best place to enjoy them. Legally to be called an Arbroath sokie, they need to be produced within a five miles radius of the fishing town centre. The Arbroath fisheries food shop can be found on Seagate (close to the harbour) and also sell the smokies in a pate form, or in a home made cullen skink. If you are a foodie then I highly recommend a visit to this town for some of the best smoked fish!

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Cullen Bay Hotel

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The small town of Cullen in the North East of Scotland is home to the beloved Cullen Skink soup. The chowder like soup is made from smoked haddock, onions and potatoes It is a such a warming dish and at the Cullen Bay you will also enjoy great views across the sea and town. Their Cullen Skink is served with oatcakes on the side. Alternatively you can enjoy their Haddock Mornay, which is stuffed with prawns, served in a rich creamy cheese sauce. They are open for both lunch and dinner and to non residents.

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Moonfish Cafe

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This stylish and modern restaurant found in the city centre of Aberdeen is next to the granite 12th century Kirk of St. Nicholas. The Michelin recommended Moonfish Cafe run by head chef and Masterchef finalist Brian Mcleish serves up a seasonal and modern menu. Indulge in their Shetland mussels served with a massaman curry or some wild seabass with black pudding and chickpeas. This restaurant is always highly praised and consistent and if you are visiting Aberdeen then make a reservation.

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The Mustard Seed Restaurant

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Located along the banks of the River Ness the Mustard seed has become one of Inverness's most favourite restaurant. They offer lunch, early evening and dinner menus. Their seafood mains of pan seared sustainably sourced seabass with caper hollandaise or their starter sized smoked salmon tartare with cucumber offer a great choice. Their early evening menu offers two courses for £19.95. If you are visiting this area, walk along the river for towards the Ness islands for a charming walk after dinner.

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Cluny Fish Ltd

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Cluny FIsh shop on the coast in the fishing town of Buckie in the North East of Scotland offers a great selection of fresh and locally caught fish. The family run smokehouse sell smoked salmon, fresh scallops, haddock and spring onion fishcakes and many other fresh fish in store. Another highlight and regional item to try is their cullen skink pies filled with smoked haddock. The staff are friendly and offer great advice for recipes or preparation.

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Peterhead Fish Market

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Peterhead is the UK's biggest fishing port, and its fish market is one of the largest in Europe. You can take a guided tour of the market, of course it is an early start...Tour guides are Peter Bruce [Skipper of Budding Rose PD428] and Peter Duncan [Head of Fishing at Peterhead Port]. The tours take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:45am [an early start] and free to attend but you MUST book a slot as there is limited space available. The tour will give you an insight into how to market operates, the types of fish landed in Peterhead and where the fish goes from there. Refreshments will be served and the tour will also include a trip to visit the Lifeboats. Although the event is free to attend, donations are welcome in aid of Peterhead RNLI. To book a slot on one of the tours, call Peter Bruce on 07880 860 450 or email peter.bruce418@btinternet.com

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Seafield Arms

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The Seafield Arms in Whitehills, near Banff is a 1700's historic building that serves seasonal and locally soured food and drink. Their menu offers a selection of seafood including their Cullen Skink - made from "Jocky’s of Macduff Smoked Haddock". Or why not try their "Jimmy Buchan’s Amity Whole Tail Scampi". If you want a real treat, check out their Block menu that offers seafood sharing boards, loaded with Locally landed lobster, locally landed crab, Atlantic chilli shrimp, scallop mornay, oysters, mussels, crab bisque, baby boil potatoes and vegetables. Their seafood menu is very local and I think that is a testament to their quality of ingredients.

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Downie George

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Well loved in the North east coast of Scotland, Downies of Whitehills offer an in store and online shop. They have been in business for over 110 years. Their fresh fish, frozen fish, bakery products and famed Cullen Skink can be purchased 6 days a week from their shop. They have a good selection of fresh fish from cod, haddock and sole and also some herring coated in Scottish oatmeal.

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Knowes Hotel

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The Knowes hotel in Macduff offers views across the Moray firth and has a great seafood menu. The hotel also has seven rooms for accommodation and their afternoon tea and Sunday roast are exceptionally popular in the area. They serve lunch, dinner and offer private dining options. Their menu includes baked crispy langoustine, sesame prawn toast, sweet potato & chilli puree. Or on their brunch menu they have a lighter option of breaded "Sole in a Roll" with homemade tartare sauce.

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The Bothy Bistro

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The Captain's Table

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Surf and Turf

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Isle of Skye Smokehouse, smokehouse tours and tastings experience

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The Oyster Shed

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The Stornoway Smokehouse

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Mollans Takeaway

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East Coast

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Dulse Leith

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Ubiquitous Chip

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The Fish Works

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Sun Dancer, Bar and Restaurant

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Located in the coastal town of Nairn, the Sun Dancer is an award winning restaurant.

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Applecross Inn

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Beautifully

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Aspire Restaurant

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Travel Kat Tours

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Hi, I'm Kat a female business owner in Edinburgh, Scotland. I run small group and private walking tours. I specialise in Scottish history, film tourism (Harry Potter and Outlander) and the dark side of the witchcraft hunts in Edinburgh. I reside in one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK - Leith. Which is famed for it's indie shops, coffee and street art. When I am not guiding around bonnie Scotland I like to travel. I have been lucky enough to travel to over 55 different countries. Usually now with my husband, but on occasion, but have been partial to a solo adventure also. I enjoy exploring bustling cities, enjoying the local food and finding unique places to eat. As a small business owner, I like to find independent places to try out. To me travel is the best education you can give yourself. When I am exploring a new destination I will delve it to the culture and history of that location, and I like to find off the beaten track sights. It is hard to define my favourite country, as I feel many places are special to me. As a keen photographer, the vivid colours of India was incredible. Alongside the vast landscapes of Iceland, where last year (2023) I was fortunate enough to elope there. My guides will be varied, my Scottish guides will be through the lens of a local. I have experience in the industry in creating Scottish itineraries and like to prepare personalised and tailor made plans.

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