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).

“What a cracking spot after a round of golf!” say fans of Tom & Michaela Kitchin’s East Lothian outpost, which is handy for nearby Muirfield. It serves “excellent food, and an amazing breakfast if you stay overnight”.

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.

2023 Review: “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.

2023 Review: 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.

“Not many people visit Anstruther, or Ainster as the locals call it, without visiting this famous institution” – a veteran chippie (est. 2003) run by the Smiths, who were born into the local fishing industry and also run the Argofish processing business. “Be prepared to wait during high season, but it will be worth it, as their fish renderings are second to none (no wonder they win lots of awards)”.

This “great local Italian” has been a popular success over the past 17 years, and owner “Angelo Cocchia is brilliant as front of house, supported by his team”. “Shortage of staff means some services have now stopped, and two sittings for dinner has been normal in recent times”.

“It’s just a shack on the port but the lobster or fish ’n’ chips are spectacular” at this venue perched on North Berwick Harbour, which is open seasonally from April to October. Their suppliers are accredited by Marine Scotland, and if you fancy a change from the national dish opt for crab tacos or chowder.