Fife is not just a pretty place – with farms as far as the eye can see, freshly landed scallops and langoustines, a farm to table philosophy, Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning food festivals, artisan food shops and unique spirits… Fife has truly made a name for itself as a foodie destination. Here my favourite ways to have a feast in Fife Scotland.
Pick a Shellfish lunch in Crail Harbour
Stroll from Crail’s beautiful restored high street (choose your favourite quirky seaside cottage) via Crail Pottery down to the harbour and its seafood shack ‘The Lobster Hut’.
Grab yourself a picnic bench, bring along the wine and salads (and all the extras you need from Ardross Farm Shop) and grab yourself a crab roll or a plate of lobster and set yourself up for a picture perfect lunch in the sunshine.
Crail’s foodie reputation continues with the award-winning Crail Food Festival which takes place in the village every June. After lunch walk out along the Fife Coastal Path south from the village for a fantastic view back over the harbour.
Fish & chips at Anstruther
The East Neuk’s capital, Anstruther is a bustling harbour town, whose population of 3600 is swelled by hungry day- trippers heading for the Anstruther Fish Bar. Sitting on a bench, with a fresh portion of crispy fish and hot chips is one of life’s little pleasures, and Anstruther is one of the best places to grab a bench and watch the boats go by.
Explore Cambo Estate with lunch at The Nosebag Cafe
Owned by the Erskine family, the lovely Cambo Estate has a stunning walled garden, filled with instagrammable cherry blossoms, snowdrop filled woodland walks, its own wild and remote beach and views out to sea over the famous Kingsbarns Golf Links, home to the European Tour.
Explore the Estate’s extensive gardens, stop by the new estate visitor centre and then stay for lunch in the quirky and dog-friendly Nosebag Cafe (it’s in the old stable block!) for a Scottish comfort food inspired menu made with ingredients harvested on the Cambo Estate – make sure you try their soup (their wild garlic and mushroom soup is delicious!) and incredibly moreish cakes. You can even stay on the Estate – check out the Camboat!
Visit the Nosebag Cafe
Try street food & artisan producers at Bowhouse Food Market
The Balkasie Estate covers 1800 hectares of Fife farmland and is the home and seat of the Anstruther family who have lived in the East Neuk of Fife since the 12th century.
Struck by all the vegetables growing in Fife’s fields and with no way to connect the produce to local customers, the Anstruthers opened Bowhouse as a place for restaurants and visitors to source local food before it disappears into the national food chain, as well as spaces for small food production spaces for businesses growing too big for their home kitchens.
Bowhouse now puts on a monthly food and craft market complete with street food, music and demonstrations. Pick up local langoustines, cheese from St Andrews and look out for Tayport Distillery’s Never 25 – a tasty ‘eau de vie’ made with local fruits from with fruit from Barnsmuir Farm.
Visit Bowhouse Food Market
Michelin starred dining in Fife at the Peat Inn
The first restaurant to receive a Michelin star in Scotland, the Peat Inn is a luxuriously cool and stylish restaurant inside a traditional inn. Menus range from a decadent 7-course tasting menu to a real steal lunch – dining at the Peat Inn can be as little as £22 for 3-courses.
Dine a la carte on East Neuk wood pigeon with smooth liver parfait, spiced mallard is served with lentils and figs, and moreish blackberry and chocolate ganache served in a croustillant tower before retiring to the lounge for a cocktail in front of the real fire. Book in advance at The Peat Inn and treat yourself to a night in one of their 8 suites. Read more: things to do near St Andrews
Watch the beach cricket with lunch at the Ship Inn, Elie
The East Neuk village of Elie is one of my favourites, and the Ship Inn a popular spot for a great lunch or dinner over looking the huge sweep of sand in Elie Bay. Whilst the Inn offers a shuttle service for diners, book into one of the rooms above the pub which have breath-taking views – you might even spot a cricket game being played out on the sands! > book the Ship Inn.
Read more: Seafood and Sea views in the East Neuk of Fife
Are you hungry now? I bet you are! See you in Fife sometime!
Love from Scotland x