Rosie Morton’s Guide to Where to Eat in Aberdeenshire

Landward presenter Rosie Morton shares her favourite places to eat in the North-East.

Landward’s Rosie Morton spends her days discovering Scotland’s most breathtaking landscapes and all the stories woven into them. Hailing from Aberdeen, she knows the North-East like few others. So, when we wanted to uncover the best spots for eating in Aberdeenshire, Rosie was our natural choice. Here are her top picks.

Yes, that’s me.

Outside, mud-splattered and hoovering up Granny’s leftovers as if no one was watching. It’s a picture of pure, gluttonous joy and it’s where my love affair with homegrown, hearty food began.  

Fast-forward a few decades and not much has changed. To this day, nothing can distract me from a plate of homemade Scottish fare and I put that down to my upbringing in the North-East of Scotland.

But when life takes over and I need a break from cooking, my checklist for restaurants is simple: where’s the food from? How was it made? And is it as ethical as it is delicious?

With that in mind, these are the places across the North-East that get my vote… 

Fish Shop Ballater

Set in Ballater, Fish Shop is both a restaurant and fishmonger that celebrates Scotland’s rich fishing heritage. Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, it pairs modern design with a menu brimming with day-boat fish, hand-dived shellfish, and locally sourced game and vegetables. Expect dishes such as Macduff lobster tagliarini, Shetland hake, or oysters dressed with fermented green chilli. The wine list champions biodynamic producers, while spirits and beers are sourced from Scottish micro-distilleries. Low-waste, sustainable, and beautifully executed, this is seafood dining at its finest.

Rosie says: If you’re going to indulge in local fruits de mer, why not do it in a restaurant with its very own fishmonger? Fish Shop works with carefully selected fishermen, growers and makers, and exclusively uses sustainably-sourced, day boat fish or creel-caught and hand-dived crustacea. In short, the ingredients do the talking. If fish isn’t your thing though, fear not. Just as much attention goes into the meat that they serve which is free-range and locally sourced. It’s all cooked in a way that allows the produce to really shine. 

The maritime-themed décor is pitched perfectly, with a 133-strong shoal of willow fish suspended from the ceiling, made by talented basketmaker, Helen Jackson. The bar top is made from layers of recycled glass, while the plates are made by Kevin Andrew Morris, a young Aberdeen-based ceramicist. Everything from fit-out to furniture, packaging to waste, has been carefully considered. I couldn’t rate this venue highly enough! 

The Fife Arms, Braemar

A jewel in Braemar’s crown, The Fife Arms is a 19th-century landmark reimagined as a five-star Highland retreat. Its restoration has been a true celebration of Scottish craftsmanship, with interiors that marry heritage and artistry – from antler chandeliers to bespoke tartan by Aberdeenshire designer Araminta Campbell. Each of the 46 rooms tells its own story, whether through Victoriana antiques, poetry-carved headboards, or hand-painted cabin beds. Dining is equally memorable: wood-fired Scottish produce at The Clunie, hearty pub classics at The Flying Stag, or whisky explorations at Bertie’s. With Elsa’s glamorous cocktail bar, an extensive wine cellar, and tranquil spa treatments, The Fife Arms offers a stay that is as richly layered as the Highlands themselves.

Rosie says: It always makes me smile when I think of the Fife Arms. As a wee girl, I remember it being a much-loved watering hole for locals. It had sticky tartan carpets and a pinball machine in the corner. It was an institution. Nowadays, though, it’s a globally renowned art destination that has been frequented by everyone from Dame Judi Dench to Jack Lowden. Still, it remains a venue for all. Even well-behaved dogs are wholeheartedly welcomed in The Flying Stag bar. 
Staying the night elevates this to a luxurious treat that few can afford to do regularly. That said, it makes for a great pitstop after a walk in Royal Deeside. I tend to skip straight to their ‘Muckle’ main dishes. Think Shetland mussels with cider, confit garlic and herb butter, or a classic Fife Arms burger with all the trimmings. 

Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish, Aberdeen City

At Amuse, celebrated chef Kevin Dalgleish brings a touch of French flair to the best of North-East produce. Set in a stylish Queen’s Terrace townhouse, the restaurant feels relaxed yet refined, with a chic bar, private dining room, and The Snug – an intimate outdoor space perfect for cocktails. Dalgleish, who trained at London’s Savoy before leading some of Scotland’s top kitchens, has created a menu that is elegant without being fussy. Think West Coast langoustine ravioli with shellfish bisque, or Aberdeenshire lamb with green tomato jam. Desserts are equally artful, like Castleton Farm strawberry pavlova. With seasonal cocktails, fine wines and warm hospitality, Amuse has firmly established itself as a go-to in Aberdeen.

Rosie says: You might remember Kevin Dalgleish from his time on the BBC’s The Great British Menu, during which he represented Scotland and put our wee nation’s incredible surf and turf produce on the map. In my view, the North-East is all the richer for his incredible talent!

I grew up in the Granite City and while stepping over the threshold of a fine dining restaurant wasn’t even remotely on the cards back then, I don’t remember there being as much buzz around a restaurant as there is around Amuse. It opened in 2022 and has quickly become a go-to dining destination for big birthdays, anniversaries and family celebrations. Each dish puts one ingredient under the spotlight, including the exceptional ‘halibut’ dish with gently poached fish, cauliflower, mussels, leeks and a sauce marinière. It’s food fit for the epicurean gods. 

Mara, Aberdeen City

Mara is a gem on Thistle Street, blending Italian soul with the best of Scottish produce. The concept is simple but beautifully executed: Italian-influenced small plates paired with a carefully curated list of exceptional Italian wines. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, making it as suited to a relaxed evening with friends as it is to a special date night. Expect dishes that celebrate seasonality with a Mediterranean twist, complemented by wines chosen to enhance every flavour. With a coveted place in The Good Food Guide, Mara has fast become one of Aberdeen’s most exciting dining spots, loved for its authenticity, quality, and charm.

Rosie says: Aberdeen has been longing for a place like this for years. Small and perfectly formed, it’s my top pick in Aberdeen City for a glass of wine and small plate dining. It’s headed up by award-winning chef, Ross Cochrane (formerly of the exceptional Rothesay Rooms in Ballater) and his wife Carolina. During my last visit, we sat at the bar which made it feel like a private cooking masterclass as we were able to see the dishes being made right in front of us. Don’t miss the king prawns with garlic butter focaccia. They’re last-supper-good. 

Douneside House, Tarland

Tucked within the MacRobert Estate in the Howe of Cromar, Douneside House is a country retreat that blends heritage with contemporary Scottish luxury. The main house offers ten elegant rooms, while a collection of cottages and apartments provide homely options for families or longer stays. Dining is a highlight: the Conservatory Restaurant brings the garden indoors with seasonal menus that draw heavily on the estate’s own organic produce, while the intimate Library restaurant offers a candlelit six-course tasting menu with wine pairings from award-winning sommelier James Payne. Guests can relax fireside in MacRobert’s Reply Bar, enjoy the health club and pool, or simply soak up the estate’s sweeping Highland views.

Rosie says: If you’re seeking a break from the noise of the city, I can’t think of a more idyllic retreat than Douneside House. While I’ve never stayed the night, its Conservatory Restaurant is a place cherished by my family for having provided the backdrop to many happy memories and birthday celebrations.

Douneside is steeped in history and run by the MacRobert Trust in memory of Lady MacRobert who wanted it to remain a place of peace and tranquillity for all those who visit. In truth, I can’t think of a more restorative place to be in Aberdeenshire on a summer’s day. Indulge in Scottish produce for lunch, wander around the spectacular gardens in the sunshine, and drink in the seamlessly endless views of rolling Aberdeenshire hills. 

The Silver Darling, Aberdeen Beach

Perched dramatically at the harbour’s edge, The Silver Darling has been serving up some of the freshest seafood in the North-East since the 1980s. A modern glass-fronted dining room means sweeping views are as much a part of the experience as the food – you’ll see ships glide into port, waves crash along the breakwater, and if fortune favours you, dolphins leaping in the bay. On the plate, the focus is classic seafood done beautifully: hand-dived scallops, langoustines from the Moray Firth, and market-fresh catches that change with the season. The wine list is sharp, the service warm, and the atmosphere quietly elegant. A true Aberdonian icon.

Rosie says: An Aberdonian institution. This place has, quite incredibly, been going since the 1980s. So, anyone who’s ever set foot on Aberdeen Beach is likely to have heard about The Silver Darling’s exceptional reputation. It’s perched at the end of the harbour, a stone’s throw from the historic fishing village of Footdee (or ‘Fittie’, as it’s affectionately known to locals), and unsurprisingly boasts some of the best coastal views in the city. These vistas are framed by the restaurant’s floor to ceiling glass windows, meaning it’s the perfect vantage point to watch the ships come and go. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the dolphins or seals playing just off the bay… Oh, the memories! 

The Bay Fish & Chips, Stonehaven

Fish and chips by the sea rarely come fresher – or more celebrated – than at The Bay in Stonehaven. Regularly named among the best in the UK, this chippie has built its reputation on simple principles: responsibly sourced North Sea fish, potatoes from local farms, and batter that’s crisp, light and perfectly golden. Owner Calum Richardson is passionate about sustainability, so every portion tells a story of traceability and care. Grab a takeaway and eat it on the seafront wall with the waves lapping just beyond, or order a generous haddock supper with mushy peas and curry sauce and taste why The Bay has become a Scottish institution.

Rosie says: Do you call it a ‘Chippie’ or a ‘Chipper’? It’s a moot point in Scotland, but frankly I’ve never had much time for such debates. For me, the only point of concern is whether said chips are too soggy or too crisp. (I’m a real life Goldilocks, after all). 

Happily, The Bay Fish & Chip shop in Stonehaven has the balance just right and it’s now an award-winning local favourite. Calum Richardson is at the helm and has put this place on the map for its fresh fish which comes straight from the North Sea every day and is caught from certified sustainable stocks. 

Landward presenter Rosie Morton is a freelance writer and broadcaster with a passion for Scotland’s food, people, and landscapes. Whether she’s filming in the Highlands or uncovering hidden gems in her native North-East, Rosie is always chasing stories rooted in place and produce.
Follow her on Instagram: @rosie_morton_