anchorage restaurant in Argyll & Bute

On a solo sailing trip to Tarbert I was fortunate to get a call back confirming that a table had now become available. I don't normally do fine dining without the wife. My starter of Scallops in garlic butter with Samphire was excellent, no, they were better than excellent, followed by delicious Cod Fillet in sauce. The team were welcoming and the whole dining experience was first class. Meeting a friendly and knowledgeable couple from New Zealand made the "Dinner for One" a more relaxed and enjoyable evening. Go there, eat good food, get great service, and meet nice people.

We could not fault The Anchorage. The service and food when we visited (17th August 2024) was impeccable. Very friendly and the food was delicious. Thank you so much!

First visit ,small party of 6 for a reunion. Every thing was perfect.

Amazing ambiance and atmosphere. Book ahead as the place was fully booked most nights during our stay. Lovely dog friendly place. Staff were attentive and the food was amazing.

Great service and excellent food. We loved this little restaurant, with great ambience and cool music. Could not fault it.

Another lovely meal in this small restaurant. Find it hard to get a booking at times because it is popular. If you are in Tarbert give it a go and I'm sure you will enjoy

Lovely pot of mussels.. great seafood options

Fantastic space, small but plenty of space at the table. Amazing food, soft shell crabs to start with, then cod steak for me, fish pie for husband, absolutely delicious 😋 Great value for the quality of the food.

Very Cozy place with awesome service

A cosy little restaurant with tonnes of atmosphere, great service, and wonderful food. It has exactly the kind of delicious seafood you’d want from a restaurant in a fishing town like Tarbert - but keeps things interesting with plenty of variants on classics. Scallops in tempura batter, for example, were a highlight from our visit - the scallops sweet and delicious, and the batter so light and delicate you barely noticed you were eating deep-fried food! Puddings were also a highlight, with a particular shoutout to the ginger and whisky pudding. Finally, have to mention the lovely, friendly staff member who looked after us. She did a terrific job and made an already very pleasant evening all the more enjoyable. We will definitely be back!

Steak and scallops absolutely spot on.the service was friendly and prices reasonable. The drinks list is maybe a bit small but it’s quite a small place so I guess that is to be expected and there really is plenty choice. Overall a really outstanding restaurant and really handy for a walk up to the castle before or after dining.

We had a truly exceptional dinner which was great value. The seafood dishes were great. The service was friendly but not intrusive. Because it is relatively small the atmosphere is intimate.

Exceptional food, service and atmosphere. Paul and his team really make you feel welcome. A culinary must when visiting Tarbert, so book ahead to reserve a table. You won't be disappointed!

Absolutely fabulous restaurant! Small intimate, friendly and a place for foodies. Local produce raises the bar which includes fish freshly caught and delivered to the table the same day. A good range for veggies too. The host/chef and team are so very welcoming and engaging Can't recommend this place more. Love it!

Absolutely brilliant! Food was exceptional. Our steak was cooked to perfection. When you visit Tarbert, book ahead to avoid disappointment. Lovely intimate meal with great service. Paul and his team really know how to look after their guests.

Incredible food, we had an amazing time staff were so nice

Amazing service, super chill vibes, great menu and awesome food. We both had surf and turf and wow!!! The steaks were cooked to perfection. The prawns were super tasty in the garlic and chilli dressing and the chips were nice and hot. Nice bottle of Italian red to sink it down with. Can’t recommend enough. Get yourself booked in as only a small restaurant.

Amazing service and food. We pre ordered food based on the fact we had to make the ferry and ended up having to change our order as ferry time was different than expected. None of this was a problem and the food was delicious, couldn’t fault any of it. Will definitely be back soon to sample more of the menu.

Great food, the ginger pudding was incredible !

Lovely, friendly little restaurant with a delicious local menu and generous portions. Thoroughly recommended!

Despite arriving just before the kitchen closed, we received a warm, punctual, and friendly service in a cosy and tasteful environment, making for a perfect wee date night. The food itself was delightful, with the scallops a particular favourite. A wee gem of a place by the beautiful harbour of Tarbert.

Absolutely great, lovely and friendly staff. I had the chicken supreme and my partner had the rump steak (cooked to perfection). Emphasis on perfection. Highly recommend.

Always gorgeous food to be found here. I have seen produce coming in straight off the fishing boats on many occasions. Paul, the owner and chef maintains a varied menu to keep us locals happy. Both he and all staff make everyone feel welcome and do everything they can to make a visit a happy and memorable experience.

Great food with brilliant owner chef. Innovative food with solid delivery. Everyone working to please the customer. Lots of locals use this restaurant - always a good sign - make sure you book - it’s often full.

Fantastic food and friendly service. We ate from the special tapas night menu and absolutely everything was delicious. Great meal, great drinks, and great service. A special little place.

A lovely cosy restaurant, with friendly staff and a lovely chef in Paul, who is happy to chat or to help with any questions. We went for valentines date night, a tapas evening. The flavours were literally dancing in our mouths. A really lovely evening, looking forward to repeating the experience.

Went here for our valentines meal and it was outstanding from start to finish. Brilliant service from the waitress, and the meal itself was fantastic. Will definitely make a point of eating here more often. Well done!

Fabulous meal at the Anchorage. Great atmosphere and service at this lovely little Bistro. Be sure to book, it is definitely worth a visit

Visited this great spot for an early dinner. Cosy, welcoming atmosphere. Menu of small and large plates was up on the board, and although there were only 7 or 8 main courses, it was still hard to choose. Opted for the venison with game pie and it was delicious! The same applies to the wine list, not reams of pages of wines, but everything we had was excellent quality. 100% recommend if you’re visiting the village. Book if you want to eat later as fills up fast.

The evening started well with a cocktail and a Dram of Glen Scotia 15. I ordered the Calamari & Scallops starters and the Smojed Salmon Linguine for main. Only the Scallop starter arrived but we continue. The Scallops were excellent as was the Smoked Salmon Linguine. The food alone was well worth the reservation. I opted for a cheeseboard and while the quality of the produce was high the offering was not. 2 Cheeses (Cheddar & Stilton) do not make a cheeseboard. The portion sizes was large. It would have been better if half the portion was provided with 4 different cheeses. Alas this is where the meal deviated I would of liked the Madeira cake and a Baileys. However after 25mins of being ignored and without at least water I managed to gain attention for the bill and left. A Baileys was had later at a near by inn.

A wonderfully cosy and homely bistro with a brilliant atmosphere and fantastic menu with delicious local ingredients. Excellent staff and service. Will definitely be back and would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area.

After being let down by another restaurant in the area, we had the most wonderful meal in the Anchorage. The food - fresh Tarbert prawns, beautifully cooked sea bream in a mussel and chorizo broth, fantastic fish and chips - was all of the highest standard. The service was friendly and helpful - thanks Linda. If you're looking for an outstanding food experience in Tarbert, you won't go far wrong with the Anchorage. We'll be back!

After travelling from Glasgow, we’d been let down by another fish restaurant (it was closed) and we were very disappointed. However, we were soon cheered up by the lovely warm welcome (thanks, Laura) and excellent food in the Anchorage. The fresh Tarbert prawns were sensational - SO fresh, and a generous portion. The grilled sea bass in a mussels and chorizo sauce was completely delicious. My husband’s local fish and chips was also fantastic with the lightest, fluffiest batter an beautiful fresh haddock. It’s a small restaurant, so booking is advertised. We were very lucky that they could accommodate us. All around us we could hear diners praising the food. We’ll definitely be back!

Top quality food and very reasonable. Service was faultless. 100% recommended you to go. Make sure you book a table as was busy

The service is lovely. The cuisine is fresh, tasty and well served. A real treat

We'd been looking forward to this booking at the Anchorage Bistro for a good few weeks, bigging it up to our visiting friends. But the experience just didn't live up to previous. The small plates/large plates menu was off, replaced by only a handful of specials on the chalk board. We had specifically selected the Anchorage as they normally have some creative vegetarian dishes, but alas there was only one starter & one main to select from. It felt like veggie eating out in the 90s. Both the veggie dishes were average: nothing particularly wrong, nothing remotely exciting. We shall, of course, be back. The place is quirky, with a buzzy atmosphere. But hoping the small plates menu is back soon.

We had our dinner in Tarbert at the Anchorage: a tiny, cozy reastaurant! We could enjoy their wonderful dishes and relax after a walk up to the castle!

Fantastic place. Great friendly waiting staff. Wonderful food and good wine list. We had the salt and pepper squid and Malaysian seafood curry. Wow! Brilliant. Highly recommended. They turn the tables and you can understand why. Worth waiting for.

The Anchorage definitely lives up to its great reviews. We had the scallops and soft shell crab, followed by the Malaysian seafood curry and lamb rump. All were delicious and beautifully presented. Service was great too and we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Highly recommended

Amazingly food and service as always, booked in advance as always busy. Love that they had a different menu every time we visit. A trip to Tarbert must have a meal here 😊

This may be a small restaurant but the quality of food is first class and the service is excellent. There was only one waitress but she was very slick in her attention to every table. I opted for the surf and turf with scallops of...

A fantastic little bistro with wonderful food and excellent service. The lamb rump with mini shepherds pie, minted red wine sauce, served with seasonal vegetables was absolutely fantastic. Every mouthful caused a sensation for the tastebuds, exceptional flavours. The chicken gyoza dumplings with honey and...

Booked in a bit of a hurry so we had something to eat after a long day driving. Very pleased to find a well run harbour front cosy bistro getting the recipes just right. Well worth the money, delicious choices across the menu, with fish...

Ate here 22 June. Fantastic food and friendly service. Highly recommend

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Anchorage in Tarbert Argyll, and I must say, it was an absolute delight. This hidden gem of a restaurant deserves all the praise it can get. From the moment I stepped inside, I was captivated by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The Anchorage is a seafood lover's paradise. Their commitment to serving the freshest and most delectable seafood is truly commendable. The scallops and mussels I had were delicious. Cooked to perfection and bursting with flavour, they melted in my mouth with each bite. The quality of the seafood alone is reason enough to visit this establishment. What impressed me even more was the changing menu specials board. The Anchorage takes pride in offering a diverse selection of dishes that cater to various preferences. It was refreshing to see their dedication to incorporating seasonal ingredients and presenting innovative creations. The anticipation of discovering what new delights awaited me on the specials board added an element of excitement to my dining experience. The intimate size of the restaurant added to its charm. With a limited number of tables, The Anchorage creates an intimate and cozy setting, perfect for a romantic evening or a relaxed dinner with friends. The attentive and friendly staff made me feel right at home, providing excellent service throughout the evening. From start to finish, my visit to The Anchorage was a memorable one. The combination of exceptional seafood, a changing menu specials board, and the cozy ambiance made it an experience I won't soon forget. If you find yourself in Tarbert Argyll, I highly recommend indulging your taste buds at The Anchorage. Trust me, you won't be disappointed

After a long journey of about 3 hours to get there and check in to our hotel, we decided to have something to eat. The Anchorage Bistro was within a couple of minutes walk. On entering we were abruptly told the the last orders for food was 8.30 pm. A quick glance at my watch showed it to be 8.33pm. Can't comment on the food but the customer service SUCKS!!! Has obviously gone down hill since the good reviews are at more or less a year old. Could be the next restaurant in Tarbert to close down.

Gorgeous tasty food. The menu is very small but the things I have eaten have all been well cooked, good portions & look good on the plate. Intimate wee place with friendly, welcoming staff. No question you have to book or you won't get eating there.

We both had lamb which was very good. Little place but cosy and friendly. I would book.

Small and friendly restaurant right on the harbour. It’s a small menus but all cooked fresh Fabulous food and great service. Cannot recommend highly enough.

A varied menu, freshly made, tasty, well presented food and excellent service. Highly recommended!

Absolutely amazing food, service was brilliant and we had such a great evening. Will 100% be back, cannot recommend it enough

Totally fantastic meal yet again in this stunning little restaurant. You can taste the love that is put into all his dishes you won't get much better of home made cooking with fresh ingredients cooked to perfection. Service was fantastic and friendly making a perfect...

Great food, great service, great location, we created our own atmosphere! Definitely recommend it.

The Anchorage never disappoints, we had a fantastic meal, all seven of us had the most amazing food, service was very friendly as always too. Can’t wait to go back.

This wee restaurant is a little gem. We had an unbelievable meal, fresh scallops for starter beautifully cooked on a bed of haggis with peppercorn sauce. Followed by a steak cooked to perfection that just melted in your mouth. Service excellent. Restaurant only seats 18...

The food was very good and the staff (Laura) was so helpful and friendly. A little gem, would highly recommend this bistro.

A very nice meal, reasonably priced and served by the lovely Ella. Pleasant and convivial atmosphere. Obviously a popular choice among locals and highly recommended now by me! Enjoy.

Quick polite service batterd hadock with salad no chips by my chioce as on diet lovely

The food is AMAZING .service is brilliant. Only complaint would be that restaurant was quiet cold . Would deffo come again

Great atmosphere, Fabulous food, great service.

Such a lovely wee restaurant, very welcoming, great ambiance. We visited as staying in the area, and the reviews were really good. Well we were certainly not disappointed , the service and food were both amazing, Paul is a great chef, and so friendly. Our...

This was our second visit and we happened in on "Steak Night". We opted for the couples deal of 2 steaks, accompaniments, and a bottle of wine. The service was excellent, the playlist was a musical tour of our lives 😁 and the food was...

Turned up for confirmed booking on Monday 31st oct only to find restaurant closed. Very disappointed as travelled a long way. As per booking conditions £20 per head would be debited from my card if i did not cancel at least 2 hours before my reservation. I feel i amm entitled for £40 + 20 for wasted taxi as the restaurant did not cancel me. Whats the point if they treat customers like this. Very poor service

Friendly little place. Understaffed with ok food at very high prices. Food: 5/10 Ambience: 8/10 Service: 5/10 Value for money: 2/10

We booked this restaurant for our anniversary lunch. As soon as we walked through the door we where met with a big smile from the staff, the restaurant is small but cosy. The menu was great and the specials superb, they do a steak and...

What’s not to like? Great food, with good friends in a relaxed atmosphere. A retro soundtrack added to the ambience.

We were really lucky to get a cancellation for this gem of a place as booking is essential. It was a rainy Sunday evening and the place was full. Meal was lovely pie of the day & the last raspberry creme brulee for hubby as it was his birthday so I had the champagne & sorbet mango instead.

Lovely atmosphere, great music, brilliant service and food. It is small and popular. Book a table.

Great service and very friendly would not hesitate to book again, great food and wine list.

We loved the Anchorage last year and looked forward to our 2nd visit, it didn't disappoint. The 2 girls serving were so lovely and brilliant at their job. The chicken gyoza and salt and chilli squid were absolutely delicious. We both had steaks, a sirloin...

The phrase 'hidden gem' gets used a lot. In the case of The Anchorage Bistro, it's completely justified. I enjoyed an excellent dinner here while staying in Tarbert with work in early September. I had taken the advice of previous reviewers and booked a table...

Described as a bistro, but more of a restaurant. The food is fantastic, scallops with a lobster bisque sauce were sublime. Good selection of local whiskies and beers, the atmosphere being more intimate and friendly. Booking here is highly recommended.

Visited for two meals last week and were absolutely delighted with all we had. Such lovely food, beautifully presented and so flavoursome. We will be back!

Ate here on the second night of our weeks self catering holiday in Tarbert and enjoyed it so much we went back 3 days later. Quite low key from the outside but a very cosy place with Good Young staff and a chef serving up...

Lovely dinner at the Anchorage Bistro- fabulous menu and lovely staff. Had some small plates and main courses well executed and delicious

Managed to reserve a table at short notice on a ride down the coast. Service was fast and friendly, ribeye was cooked to perfection, skin on fries like I’ve never had before.

Told “table not ready” when arrived 15 minutes early, and standing next to a table which was ready! Food: should’ve known better than taking a risk with combination of scallops, black pudding and peppercorn sauce. Calamari done to perfection although sidesauce of sweet chilli didn’t...

Cosy friendly and excellent atmosphere and food 👌 perhaps put food first ?? No EQUAL !!!

The seafood at The Anhcorage Bistro was excellent, especially the scallops. They also offered a good choice of wines. Friendly, professional service

This is our second time at The Anchorage, and I can not recommend it enough! The food is of exceptional quality and the service is outstanding. The girls that served us were such lovely people. Make sure you book because it’s always busy, but make...

First time here but not last. Food done really well, not fancy just delicious. Lovely atmosphere which was very informal. The food quality was really high.

Visited here tonight with friends . We were here a year ago and loved it but tonight was even better . The lobster is fantastic and could not recommend it highly enough . The waitress Laura was brilliant and nothing was too much trouble ....

Fantastic service and amazing food.

Fantastic bistro; this is only a small restaurant (you probably need to book) but excellent service and high quality food. I had the smoked salmon pate which was enjoyably gravadlaxy. Steak and Masham ale pie a treat, individually wrapped in good pastry. Raspberry and almond tart perfect finale. Excellent

A late dinner in this wee family run Bistro. Top notch food. Very friendly service and even the chef popped his head out to thank us for our comments. It was great to be able to order the small plates and try a few different...

Lovely wee night at this restaurant which I had booked a few weeks ago because I know it is hard to get a table. Friendly chatty staff, lovely good food and nice ambience. I had the homemade steak and black sheep ale pie and my...

Hidden little gem in Tarbet. Was here for a long weekend and dined out here for both nights (recommend booking in advance). Food is absolutely fantastic and well prepared, excellent choice for everyone (would recommend the specials in the board also) and very good portions. Both our servers were really friendly and chatty and make you feel very welcome (thanks girls). Nice decor and friendly atmosphere. The homemade pie crust is simply out of of world, can't recommend it highly enough and the freshest seafood I have every tasted. Not to be missed!

We booked in at the last minute - countr staff were very helpful in finding a table for us on a busy Thursday evening, Great food, great service, good value. Highy recommend the Culen Skink

A small restaurant on the waterfront in Tarbert. We had taken the precaution of booking well in advance, probably essential at weekends. We both had salmon steaks, then shared a cheese board. All very good.

Brilliant quality of service could not be happier had the fish and chips, honestly the I've ever had

Book ahead because the Anchorage is small and popular. It’s easy to see why! Not only is the food excellent but the waitress was lovely, engaging, attentive and worked with controlled ease. Compliments to the Chef for tasty, interesting food (I had the minced Aberdeen...

Booked a table last minute based on a recommendation, had a wonderful meal, great service, we will be back!

Sailing weekend with friend's, booked The Anchorage for 6, could only get and early table. The food was without exception excellent. Good selection of local produce which was presented to a very high standard. Service good and very reasonably priced for quality.

Amazing meal. Six of us & every single dish was fabulous. The steak and ale pie especially was to die for. Service top notch and prices very reasonable. Will def be going again

This little restaurant serves excellent food good wine and the service from the two young ladies was great. Can’t recommend it enough. I had the rib eye steak with blue cheese sauce and the meet was cooked as I requested it and was very tender...

Hi, booked this for my husband and our friends last night as we were staying along the road in an air bnb and this lovely wee bistro did not disappoint. The bistro has a lovely cosey friendly feeling and the staff were very attentive, friendly...

Fair choice for gluten free. We had booked - but booking lost - however to their credit they were apologetic and squeezed us in. Very acceptable with gluten free substitutes made where possible.

Booked for dinner during a brief weekend trip to Argyll & Bute based on previous reviews, and were not disappointed. The food was first class; well prepared and presented. I had the King Scallops with Haggis starter which was beautiful. All of the staff were...

What an amazing menu, food and service were just fantastic. I can understand why you have to book. Without doubt the best food I’ve had in a long time.

Small friendly restaurant, lovely food and very pleasant staff