Dirleton Restaurant Guide

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).

Tom & Michaela Kitchin’s restaurant-with-rooms in the village of Gullane on Scotland’s East coast sits just a stone’s throw from Muirfield golf course, and a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh. All reports are complimentary without ever hitting any heights – viz. “great place to stay and a good restaurant, if you do stay the breakfast is spectacular”.

Gob-smacking views over the North Sea underpin the appeal of this down-to-earth caff, which occupies six shipping containers perched on a cliff edge and a converted horse trailer (opened by Jo and Stuart McNicol as a farm diversification project in 2018). It was highlighted this year in the Times by Chitra Ramaswamy who noted “one of the best tables I’ve sat at this year. No, ANY year” and "brilliantly done” Korean panko-fried chicken bo ssam with “giant chips, skin on, dusted with plenty of paprika and drizzled with aioli”. Reports please!

This small, family-operated trattoria in “a popular seaside town” celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, with a reputation for cooking that’s “always delicious” backed up by “excellent service”. Founder Angelo Cocchia is the welcoming face out-front, while his daughter Daniela and her husband Daniele di Marco run the kitchen.

2024 Review: “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.