Eating Out

(Click here for takeaways)
(Click here for standard fare)
(Click here for fine dining)

The East Neuk offers a great range of gastronomic experiences from takeaways through standard pub fare to fine dining at establishments with a national reputation. With its fishing heritage, the area goes a bundle on seafood with the annual “celebration” in October supported by the main suppliers, retailers and outlets.

Pittenweem itself is famed for its fish and 'Fresh Fish from Pittenweem' is a byword for quality and freshness and you will see numerous white vans with this epithet emblazoned on their sides setting off and selling their wares all across Scotland. With the shocking decline in the North Sea fish stocks, EU intervention and their consequent effects on the Scottish Fishing industry, Pittenweem is now mainly given over to prawn fishing and so the chances are that any cod or haddock you eat in the East Neuk will have been landed 100 miles north, in Peterhead or 100 miles south, in Shields.

Takeaways               Return to top^^

• Pittenweem Fish Bar - great fish suppers at only £3.70
   
• Mayview Hotel, St Monans - bit of an oddity - a pub/restaurant that also does takeaways eg squat lobster and chips £4.95, 8oz ribeye and chips £7.50
   
• Wok and Spice, St Monans - extensive Far East menu cooked to order
   
• Anstruther Fish Bar - winner of 'best in Scotland' award. People come from miles away. The Scottish equivalent of Harry Ramsdens in Guiseley but without the chandeliers. Unbelievably long queues in summer. £4.25 for a fish supper.
   
• Flemings Fish Bar, Anstruther - this is where you go when you get sick of queuing
   
• Golden Lion, Cellardyke - good value Chinese takeaway and restaurant.
   

Standard Fare               Return to top^^

Expect to pay £10-12 for 2 courses and the same amount for steak. Most of these establishments cook from basic ingredients locally sourced with only the breaded scampi and chicken gougon type of stuff provided courtesy of the brothers Brake.

• Gantry Restaurant, West End Bar, Pittenweem - book early especially for Sunday lunch.
   
• Anchor Inn, Pittenweem - good quality food prepared by proprietor Gordon Halkett, former chef at the Craws Nest.
   
• Larachmhor, Pittenweem - lunch/afternoon only. Choice of toasties, prawns in butter, freshly baked scones baked by Elda every morning and fantastic homemade lentil soup.
   
• Heron Bistro and Gallery, Pittenweem - bright, welcoming and arty. Mainly for lunches but opens till about 8pm in summer.
   
• Mayview Hotel, St Monans.
   
• Kinneuchar Inn, Kilconquhar - go for the steak pie at £6.25. Fishcakes are good too.
   
• Ship Inn, Elie, Barbecues in summer in the beer garden.
   
• Victoria Hotel, Elie.
   
• Dreel Tavern, Anstruther - I once heard a diner comment that it was the best steak he’d ever tasted.
   
• Craws Nest Hotel, Anstruther - 3* hotel. Restaurant lunches £14.50 and 2 course dinner about £18. Bar menu also available. The fish suppers are great. Dinner dances every Saturday at around £20/head.
   
• Smugglers Inn, Anstruther.
   
• Old Bank, Anstruther - go for the tapas especially the chorizo al vinho and fiery gambas pil-pil.
   
• Waterfront Restaurant, Anstruther - American diner style, generous portions.
   
• Haven Restaurant, Cellardyke - great location overlooking Cellardyke harbour.
   
• Golf Hotel, Crail.
   
• East Neuk Hotel, Crail.
   

Fine Dining               Return to top^^

The Seafood Restaurant, St Monans. Winner of numerous awards including 'Restaurant of the Year' and 'Best Seafood Restaurant in Scotland', the restaurant enjoys fantastic views from the dining room across the harbour and firth. It’s run by Tim Butler who opened a clone of the restaurant in St Andrews in 2003. The turbot dish is to die for. Menus are fixed price £25 for 2 courses, £30 for 3, and these prices are jacked up by a fiver in St. Andrews. House wine costs about £16 with the rest starting around £23.

The Cellar, Anstruther

National and probably international reputation judging by the hordes of Japanese and Americans occasionally emerging. Low beams, stone walls, classical music and the open fire make for an intimate experience. The owner, Peter Jukes was 'Scottish Restaurant Chef of the Year 2003' while the restaurant was 'AA Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2003'. Crayfish bisque gratin is the signature dish. 3 courses will set you back about £30 but the set lunch is great value. Booking is essential.

Sangsters, Elie

Limited menu with 3 mains, which means they’re probably cooked to perfection if you fancy any of them. Currently on offer: Medallions of Pork Fillet, Fillet of Smoked Haddock, Pan-seared medallions of Perthshire Venison. 2 courses £20, 3 courses £25. Received a great review in November 2003 in the Sunday Herald.

 
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