Aberdeen punches well above its weight when it comes to eating and drinking. The city has restaurants for every budget, a thriving craft-beer scene that gave the world BrewDog, and a cluster of bars along Belmont Street that locals guard jealously. Before you do anything else, pick up an Aberdeen buttery from a baker – sometimes called a rowie, this salty, flaky bread roll is the North East’s answer to the croissant and an essential first taste of the Granite City.
Where to Eat
These spots were recommended to us by locals and span cheap-and-cheerful to upmarket. Madame Mews on Summer Street serves huge, inexpensive plates of Thai food, while Foodstory on Thistle Street is the go-to popular vegetarian cafe. For Italian, try Cafe Harmony on Bon-Accord Terrace, and finish with a scoop from Mackie’s 19.2 ice cream at Marischal Square. Moonfish Cafe on Correction Wynd is the pick for something more upmarket, and Cafe 52 at The Green does alfresco lunch with heaters for Aberdeen’s changeable weather.
- Madame Mews – 7 Summer St – cheap, huge plates of Thai food
- Foodstory – 13–15 Thistle St – popular vegetarian cafe
- Cafe Harmony – 21 Bon-Accord Terrace – Italian
- Moonfish Cafe – 9 Correction Wynd – upmarket dining
- Cafe 52 at The Green – alfresco lunch with heaters
- Mackie’s 19.2 – Marischal Square – ice cream
Seafood & the Beach
As a major North Sea port, Aberdeen takes its seafood seriously. Two beachfront restaurants are worth the short trip from the centre: The Silver Darling is known for its views over the harbour mouth, and The Pier gets busy on sunny weekends when the whole city seems to decamp to the sand. Both make a natural pairing with a walk along Aberdeen Beach, covered in more detail in our practical guide.
Takeaway Lunches
- So…NYC Bagels & Brew – 269 Union St – towering, fresh bagels
- Grub Fresh Food – various locations – sandwiches
- The Pigs Wings – 22 Upperkirkgate – sandwiches
- Ross Bakery – 44 Chapel St – tasty pies served most of the night
Pubs & Craft Beer
Aberdeen is the birthplace of BrewDog, and the city’s craft-beer credentials run deep. Soul on Union Street pours cocktails inside a converted church; 6 Degrees North on Littlejohn Street is a craft-beer brewery in its own right; and Under the Hammer on North Silver Street is an atmospheric basement bar. Whisky drinkers should head to Casc on Stirling Street or The Grill on Union Street. For something with history, Ma Cameron’s on Little Belmont Street has been pouring for 300 years and its beer garden is billed as ‘Aberdeen’s best-kept secret’.
- Soul – 333 Union St – cocktails in a converted church
- 6 Degrees North – Littlejohn St – craft-beer brewery
- Casc – 7 Stirling St – whisky
- Under the Hammer – 11 N Silver St – basement bar, craft beers
- Fierce – 4–6 Exchequer Row – neat craft pub
- The Grill – 213 Union St – whisky
- Blue Lamp – 121 Gallowgate – off the beaten track
- Ma Cameron’s – 6–8 Little Belmont St – 300-year-old pub with beer garden
Cocktail Bars
- Ninety-Nine – 1 Back Wynd – relaxed
- The Tippling House – 4 Belmont St – cellar bar
- Dusk – 45 Langstane Pl – low-light bar to be seen at
- Orchid – 51 Langstane Pl – huge bar with live music
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Aberdeen buttery?
Also called a rowie, it is a salty, flaky bread roll unique to the North East of Scotland. Pick one up from any local baker – it is the city’s signature snack and best eaten fresh with butter or jam.
Is Aberdeen good for craft beer?
Yes. Aberdeen is where BrewDog was founded in 2007, and the city has its own breweries such as 6 Degrees North plus a strong line-up of craft pubs including Fierce and Under the Hammer.
Where can I eat seafood in Aberdeen?
Head to the beachfront for The Silver Darling and The Pier, both of which serve fresh North Sea seafood with harbour and sea views. They get busy on sunny weekends, so book ahead.