With some of Scotland’s best fishing grounds, Ayrshire and Arran is a seafood lover’s delight. From restaurant and bistro to shack, deli, smokery, ‘chippie’ and fishmonger, you can enjoy fresh fish and shellfish landed locally or sustainably sourced from Scottish waters. Traditional dishes or a modern twist, the seafood is lovingly prepared, packed with flavour and flows with the seasons.
AYRSHIRE & ARRAN SEAFOOD TASTE TRAIL
The Shack
The Catch at Fins
The Fish Works
The Rockpool
The Waterside Hotel
The Pier
Brambles
Lido
Mara Fish Bar
The Waterfront
Anchorage Dunure
AYRSHIRE & ARRAN SEAFOOD TASTE TRAIL
It’s catch it when you can with this sleek, silver seafood truck as it pops up around the Isle of Arran and serves up Scottish seafood with splashes and splashes of flavour. The changing menu features lip-smacking food to go like Crab and Chilli Arancini, Monkfish Scampi and Chips, Hand Dived Scallops and Tempura Squid and Mussels. Look out for their next pitch on their social media and call to pre-order if you can.
Delight in that ‘fresh from the sea flavour’ with seasonal seafood from Ayrshire waters. Indulge in hearty Cullen Skink, made with smoked haddock from Fencebay’s own smokery or choose a Hot Shellfish Platter with Fins homemade bread or Fencebay Tapas. Mussels come Mariniere, in cider or spiced and it’s decision time with oysters too. On ice, baked or do you go for Oysters Kilpatrick with that extra kick! Already craving more? Drop by the Farm Shop before you leave.
This contemporary Fish and Chip shop on Largs Promenade serves up scrumptious seasonal fish freshly made to order. Choose the fabulously named ‘Half’ or ‘Full Works’ of Haddock, Cod, Panko Lemon Sole, ‘Five Quid Squid’ or their Langoustine landed right on Largs Pier. Take to go and eat looking out over the Firth of Clyde or dine inside, where the owners’ passion for the environment goes right down to the floor of old pennies and the upcycled vintage furniture!
Working closely with local fishermen, here the menu ebbs and flows with the catch of the day. Look out for delights like ‘Posh Fish Supper’, Lobster Thermador, pretty Crab and Avocado Napoleon, their House Hot Smoked Salmon Filet and the Seafood Trio of pan seared Sea Bass, Troon Langoustines and Shetland Mussels with smokey bisque. Need a heavenly treat on the go? Swing by the Rockpool Deli for a mean and warming Smoked Haddock Chowder.
Sitting on the water’s edge, overlooking the Isle of Arran, this stunning hotel is a perfect spot to enjoy great seafood. Whet your appetite with dishes like Smoked Haddy Fish Cakes or Spiced Bloody Mary Prawn, Avocado and Crayfish Cocktail before diving into a Seafood Sharer, Tempura Seabass or Chef’s Fish of the Day. For children there’s a Mini Prawn Cocktail and Fish and Chips. Then walk off all that great food wandering around the nearby Craft and Design Town.
If cooking at home is more your speed, this family run fishmonger is the place to go for seafood fresh from the Firth of Clyde. Choose from shellfish like Lobster, Mussels, Scottish Prawns or Troon Langoustines and fresh fish like Lemon Sole, Rainbow Trout, Sea Bream and Sea Bass. You’ll also find smoked fish and deli goodies and, if you really want to scale it up, check out the Luxury Seafood Hamper and dine in true style!
Casting about for somewhere great to eat on the Isle of Arran? Look no further than this welcoming restaurant at Auchrannie Resort. There’s a delectable bite of the Isle in dishes like Arran Gin and Tonic.
Cured Argyll Scottish Salmon, Steamed Scottish Mussels with Arran Smoked Cheddar and the Salmon and King Prawn Thermador with Arran Cheddar Crust. Other highlights include their popular Chunky Fishcakes, Goan Monkfish Curry and Monkfish and King Prawn Skewer.
It’s ‘all about simple, delicious dishes with a subtle Mediterranean influence’ at this relaxed all day café/bar and brasserie. Flavours pack a punch through the light bites like Gambas Pil Pil with Chilli and Cayenne Prawns, Crispy Calamari and Prawn Cocktail with Bloody Mary Mayo. Hooked? Stay for a mouth-watering larger plate like Peroni Beer-Battered Fish and Chips, Lemon Pepper Salmon or Salted Cod Orzotto. Little ones can tuck into Garlicky King Prawns or Fish Goujons and Chips.
‘Mara’ in Scottish Gaelic means ‘the sea’ and the team are passionate about sourcing and serving the best fresh and sustainable seafood from Scottish waters. The chalkboard menu changes daily but take away or sit down outside to enjoy treats like Arran Langoustines, Loch Fyne Kipper with Butter, Skipness Smoked Whiting Kedgeree and Coley Koftas. Mara’s closes for Winter so date your diary to catch this place in season!
This gastropub looking out over the River Ayr is a top spot for a quick bite or a more leisurely meal. For warming, comfort food look no further than the Waterfront Fish Pie or Beer Battered Fish and Chips. Or there’s the flavoursome Pan Fried Sea Bass, Poached Troon Harbour Langoustine, Waterfront Tempura with Soft Shell Crab or the Trio of Smoked Salmon. Dogs are also welcome in the bar area and outside terrace.
Nestling in this early 19th century fishing village, The Anchorage is lovely place to dine whatever the season. Enjoy a Crispy Skin Seabass Thai Red Curry or Scottish Fish Supper beside a real fire in the colder months or out in the sunny enclosed beer garden. Check out Dunure Castle or enjoy the optical illusion of ‘Electric Brae’, though we recommend perhaps before you sit down to eat!
*Please note, individual dishes may change.
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