Sand Dollar Cafe, Aberdeen
This eatery has a New England-style interior and offers good food. Live jazz on certain nights.
Price: ££
Where: 2 Beach Front, The Esplanade Aberdeen, AB24 5NS
Tel: 01224 572288
The Tippling House, Aberdeen
With its low lights, soft sounds and cool clientele sipping classy cocktails, this subterranean tavern would not be out of place in Manhattan’s fashionable Lower East Side. But the The Tippling House is to be right in down-town Aberdeen. Its casual dining is nothing short of inspirational, with creative small plates offering treats like pulled-pork spring rolls with mango and avocado relish or Cajun spiced lobster mac and cheese bites. And Tippling time doesn’t have to be a budget-buster. Fancy Fizz and Chips? The catch of the day is served with home fries and a glass of Piper Heidsieck Champagne for £15 on Mondays while stocks last, but you’ll have to book in advance. Or how about a Buck-a-Shuck? On Fridays for a mere £5 you can have three oysters, raw on a half shell served with house-pickled Champagne mignonette and spicy cocktail sauce (no reservation necessary). But it’s the cocktails that set this place aside. Deliciously created by some of the best mix-ologists in the business and sculpted with fruit and foliage, they are the stuff of dreams.
Price: ££
Where: 4 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JE
Online booking only reservations
The Prince of Wales, Aberdeen
Ever wondered which Scots pub has the longest bar? Well it might just be this one. Prince of Wales opened its doors in 1850 and is as renowned for its characters as it is for its real ales. The atmosphere here is great and kids over the age of five are welcome until 9pm. The dining options are fab, too. You can get a simple lunch for just over a fiver or a giant sharing platter with a bottle of house wine or four-pint pitcher of Carling for £15.99. Or how about two rump steaks and a bottle of house wine for £22 (sirloins will cost you £27)? There is even a string of tasty alternatives for slimmers.
Price: £
Where: 7 St Nicholas Lane, Aberdeen, AB10 1HF
Tel: 01224 640597
Thaikhun, Aberdeen
Immerse yourself in Thai culture without leaving Scotland. This eatery in Union Square Shopping Centre prides itself on serving authentic Thai street food. The restaurant has the atmosphere of a street shack and the food is to die for. Try the traditional Pinto, used by workers to carry their lunch. The containers come with your choice of three main courses for just £12.50 per head.
Price: ££
Where: 29 First Level Mall, Guild Square, AB11 5RG
Tel: 01224 583477
Monsoona, Aberdeen
If you love Indian food, but value your health and your bank account, then Monsoona is the place for you. With a restaurant and takeaway if offers authentic, value-for-money Indian cuisine without compromising the taste. Chefs use only sunflower oil, which is low in saturated fat and high in vitamin E, as well as low-fat yoghurt and cream.
Price: ££
Where: 20 Bridge Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6JJ
Tel: 01224 590030
Mi Amore, Aberdeen
Fall in love with this traditional Italian and Mediterranean trattoria in the beating heart of the Granite City. You’ll be swooning over its authentic and relaxed atmosphere, great kitchen and waiting team and delicious menu. And if you’re on a budget the prices will impress too. A weekday two-course lunch here costs only £7.95 or £9.95 at weekends.
Price: £
Where: 80-82 Huntly Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TD
Tel: 01224 639198
Cafe 52, Aberdeen
Bold and beautiful are the two words we would use to sum up this fabulous eatery. And we can easily come up with another 50 reasons why you should try it. The chef is courageously creative with the menu. But there are no pretentions here, just good food like the lip-smacking hickory smoked wild venison and boar burger, sticky red cabbage and green peppercorn sauce. The prices are amazing, too. You can have lunch for a fiver and an evening main course for £12.90. This vibrant social hub, loved by artists and writers, wouldn’t be out of place in Montmatre, Paris.
Price: £
Where: 52 The Green, Aberdeen, AB11 6PE
Tel: 01224 590094
Cup Cafe, Aberdeen
“Imagination,” says the Cheshire Cat, “is the only weapon in the war against reality.” So if you want to escape the workaday world, visit Cup. This quirky café is a wonderland of all things tasty. The artisan tea salon has taken over the Mad Hatter’s best tea pots and china to serve more than 50 different types of flavours and blends. Fancy a white ginger pear tea or a coconut chai latte? Or what about a spectacularly refreshing lavender citrus iced tea? And, just like Alice, you’ll find this cafe curiouser and curiouser with its mismatched wall coverings, tea cups hanging from the ceiling and “drink me” potions. They even serve an all-chocolate afternoon tea. It’s enough to make you lose your head – and still come back for more.
Price: ££
Where: 9 Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JG
Tel: 01224 637730
Scone Spy Recommends…
Kilau, High Street, Old Aberdeen
“Kilau Cafe has a great vibe. This buzzing hub – with live music sessions and art exhibitions – is beautifully situated in historic Old Aberdeen. It serves fabulous scones, made fresh every day, as well as tasty and wholesome lunches that won’t break the bank.
“The menu includes gluten free and vegan choices.”
Where: AB24 3EH
The Long Dog Cafe, Claremont St, Aberdeen
“Only well behaved humans are permitted to accompany their pampered pooches to this charming independent cafe in the city’s West End.
“Here the welcome is friendly and the atmosphere cosy.
“You’ll love the tasty choices on offer but be sure to sample the sultana scones – our favourite.
“This is a great place to meet and chat with other dog lovers.”
Where: AB10 6QY
Books and Beans, Belmont Street, Aberdeen
“Bookworms will love this quality coffee shop in the city centre.
“As well as its fabulous selection of home baked scones (including cherry, cheese and fruit) it also serves home-made soups and all-day lunches and snacks.
“The cafe even has a great second-hand bookstore and hosts poetry readings on the last Thursday of the month.”
Where: AB10 1JH
Corner Tree Cafe, Whitehall Road, Aberdeen
“This beautifully bright and airy West End café serves a wonderful afternoon tea as well as breakfasts and main meals.
“Its delicious cheese, fruit and plain scones – served with butter and jam or cream if you prefer – are baked in-house and are hugely popular but you need to get there fairly early to avoid disappointment.”
Where: AB25 2PP
Want to explore more of Scotland? Head to our Scottish Gems section.
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