St Mary's Restaurant Guide

MasterChef: The Professionals winner “Jamie Scott is one of the UK’s finest unsung chefs” (setting aside that 2014 honour), say fans of the restaurant-with-rooms he launched with wife Kelly in 2016; “the wonderful food together with the young, local but knowledgeable serving team” make for a winning combination and “a window seat looking over the Tay estuary is a bonus” (indeed, the room has “some of the best-ever views”).

“Built right on the seafront in St Andrews”, this striking glazed venue sits “yards away from the iconic Old Course – a stunning location with views across a two-mile stretch of sand”. “As you’d expect in Scotland at this price level, ingredients are super-fresh and of exceptional quality. Lobster and langoustine are landed fresh at the local harbour” and their preparation is “good and solid”. “The downside is that it can be mega busy in peak season and is extremely popular with high-rolling US golfers, so reservations are a must. But with views like this, who cares?”

“THE place to eat in St Andrews” say fans – “… in an unassuming street near the 18th tee of the Old Course”, Dean Banks presides over this ambitious venue (in the former ‘Golf Finn’) where the “bare wooden floors mean it can get slightly noisy at peak times”. “Local seasonal produce is to the fore” and although at lunch there is the option of eating à la carte, in the evening the menu is a tasting menu format only, with eight courses for £125 per person. Top Tip – “there are also a few rooms for you to stay, but these are booked up quickly by golfers in the know”.

2023 Review: “A wonderful selection of dishes, perfect for vegans and omnivores alike” wins a thumbs-up for this long-established curry house (est. 1998). “Knowledgeable staff talk about the food and recommend combinations for you.”

2022 Review: Just shy of its centenary, and hard at work sprucing up its gardens (designed by the creator of Balmoral’s gardens no less) – an “elegant” country house hotel whose “airy restaurant” combines “super, fresh, beautifully cooked and presented food with professional and friendly service”. The kitchen garden is at the heart of the operation, and there are further dining spaces outdoors.

2022 Review: This new luxury hotel opened its doors in October 2021, months after our survey closed (hence no rating). It looks to have much of interest to diners though – especially ones who like golf – as it sits in a prime location overlooking the Old Course! There are three eateries (run in conjunction with White Rabbit): Eighteen – on a rooftop with panoramic views, where Derek Johnstone, inaugural BBC MasterChef: The Professionals winner, presides over the open-fire cooking of a surf ’n’ turf menu; The Bridge – a posh-looking brasserie, also with views; and a cosy pub, One Under Bar.