North Berwick Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: Overlooking the Firth of Forth, this clifftop coffeehouse overlooking Canty Bay recently took on a new head chef, Lewis Lane, ‘to take the venue in a smarter direction’. In June 2021, Gaby Soutar in The Scotsman, hailed some “impossibly gorgeous-looking” dishes here and a good selection all-round.

2022 Review: “A very classy experience with little or no fault to find”, say fans of the Roux-branded operation at this well-known Lutyens-designed golfing hotel, which looks towards the Firth of Forth, although it again attracted only a limited volume of feedback. Also acclaimed: “a lovely country-house ambience for a perfect afternoon tea, with spot-on service”. (Albert Roux, who passed away in early 2021, had been in charge of managing the cuisine here, but now it’s handled by his son, Michel Roux Jr).

“A very stylish pub/restaurant with rooms” run by Edinburgh restaurant royalty, Tom & Michaela Kitchin, where the “food comes with a distinctly Scottish bias and the atmosphere and service are friendly”. “Very nice outside area with a BBQ for those days in Scotland when the weather permits”.

2019 Review: “The atmosphere is exactly what you’d wish for” at this “unique and lively pub which exudes character”; and serves “a simple menu with large plates of tasty food from great local ingredients”.

2022 Review: A short train-ride from Edinburgh, this cosy harbour-side bistro has been run by chef/patron Logan Thorburn since 2006 and serves a traditional-ish menu which focuses on fish and seafood, but not to the exclusion of all else. Struggles with staffing issues and Covid-19 kept the restaurant closed in September and October 2021, but reopening subject to finding the necessary staff is heralded on their facebook page from November 2021.

2022 Review: “Fresh-as-you-like seafood, cooked perfectly with stunning views over Elie Bay – what more could you want?” – that’s the deal at this terrific shack “right on the harbour with a view of the glorious beach” run by Amy Elles of Great British Menu fame. Closed in winter.

“A lovely local restaurant with a high level of cookery” – Craig Millar’s bright coastal dining room provides “a good choice, especially fish at reasonable prices, plus beautiful sea views”. He follows a tasting menu format, offering 5-course and 6-course options.

Part of the Balcaskie Estate – which provides much of the produce for the menu – this seventeenth-century pub is run by chef James Ferguson and front-of-house Alethea Palmer, and continues to be highly rated for its short-but-impactful menu that would look just as at home in Shoreditch as it is in the middle of Fife.

“Fresh and tasty fish” of an extremely high quality is always on the menu at this famous Scottish chippy, taken over 20 years ago by Robert & Alison Smith, whose families have been in the local fishing industry for generations. The couple also run the Argofish processing business, named after the Smith family’s ‘Argonaut’ boats.

“A gem in East Lothian” – “Angelo Cocchia and his discreet but warm team” have provided a “calm and sophisticated setting for delicious Italian food” for 16 years. The cooking is “consistent” but “the menu evolves”, while “the fish is especially noteworthy”.