The Harbour Galley in Aberdeenshire

The owner of this restaurant, Dean Clark, has manged to run the business into the ground in a breathtakingly short space of time. He has had many disputes with local businesses, business partners and staff. He has routinely failed to pay suppliers and staff.

Had a lovely time hogmany at the harbour galley! The food, service, pipe band and fire works and lots of cheering made my night! And being dropped off home! Thank you we will defo be spreading the word around! Looking forward to coming back! Thanks again

I have just had my first visit to The Harbour for a pre Christmas lunch and I have to say it was one of the best I have had in a very long time. Staff were very nice and helpful and every course from the soup to desert was delicious. Each course was a good size not just a spoonful in the middle of the plate so much that I had to bring some of my beef home. I would definitely suggest the roast beef dinner. I can’t wait to visit here again next time I’m visiting family in the area. Thank you for a lovely lunch.

Most recent visit of many. Wish to thank Ellie for excellent front of house. Dean busy in the kitchen but made time to come and chat after service. I really enjoying coming here, the food is good and it’s good value for money.,where hospitality can find themselves with a struggle in this climate. I wish team Galley every success and will be back very soon.

We were back to the Harbour Galley today and had good food. We chose to sit outside as we had one very wet dog with us and the weather was delightful. I had Cullen Skink soup which was very tasty and we both had battered fish and chips to follow which were superb. Even though the restaurant was clearly busy and we were seated outside service was friendly and good.

Great location next to Whitehills harbour. Excellent waitresses who were friendly and professional. One of them had to deal with an awkward customer who made comments about her clothes but she dealt with it respectfully and with dignity. The food is fabulous. Very tasty and good portion sizes. Will definitely be back.

Being on a tour of Scotland we headed to the coast, friends of ours were here last year and said it was really good. Sadly for us we did not know it had now changed hands (we found this out afterwards) No atmosphere in the place, we were the only 2 in on a Friday night and that should have rang alarms bells. We both had Fish which was poorly presented in a soggy and overcooked batter, fish in our opinion was overcooked and having been to a few really good seafood places on our trip we were not impressed. Tables bare and apart from a nice waitress not much more to say. Harbour views are nice and that is about it!

Took the family for lunch here today. Food was amazing. We ordered the langoustines, balmoral chicken and steak. Large portions and really delicious. Staff super friendly. View of the harbour was lovely. Will definitely be visiting again.

A very enjoyable evening. As it has recently changed hands, the new owners are awaiting their alcohol licence but meantime you can bring your own. Also good to hear that well-behaved dogs are welcome. Best of luck to the new owners.

Nice menu, enhanced by a great specials selection. The chefs home made dressed crab was excellent and the Lamb Ballotine was superb. It was also good to see real chips rather than frozen. It was also nice to look out across the harbour. We will be back.

I, like many of you, will read trip advisor and base your decision to visit an eatery on what some random people have written. My wife and I visited the Harbour Gallery while we were passing through the area, and having read some of the recent reviews I wasn’t sure what to expect. Well if I’m honest I’m not sure where the less than perfect reviews have come from. For us, everything was perfect. The location was perfect situated harbour side with a setting sun, the waitress (Sarah) could not have been more helpful and attentive, the food was out of this world. We had scallops starter and dressed crab for main. Richard the chef came out and informed us of where the seafood was sourced, all very local, which we love. My only issues are that trip advisor will only let me give a mark of 5, definitely deserves and I have to go home tomorrow as there are at least half a dozen items on the menu I want to try. To Richard and the team, many thanks for a great seafood experience, keep up the hard work and we will be back. Apologies for some of my photos, I ate the food before I could take a pic. I have however provided photographic evidence that our plates were polished off.

Attentive staff on entering. The chef even brought the specials board to my husband outside. They then welcomed us and our pooch in the restaurant which was great as sun had gone down so a wee bit chilly. Starter of scallops with bacon and black pudding ordered by us both! AMAZING, no other words needed. We then both ordered crab salad. (Seafood is a treat for us living in the Lakes!) OMG it was to die for. Huge, but intensely tasty portion. Chef came out to ask how it was and explained how local the produce was sourced. Loved that. Couldn’t resist dessert, we were full but lovely waitress, who we found out was chefs daughter, sold us the idea of cranachan!! What a superb finish to a superb meal. Please peeps, if in this area go to this amazing restaurant. And if not in the area make the effort and go too. You will not be disappointed 🥰

Took a trip to Whitehills as we were told the previous night that there was a good fish shop there, and indeed there was, Halibut we had from Downies Fish Merchant that evening was lush. However, lunch I am afraid was a bit of a let down for a coastal place. The building is quite boring looking and once inside the place lacked atmosphere, we were the only 2 in. Hubby went for a Burger and I had Steak Pie. Burger was OK just but lacked flavour, overcooked. Steak Pie was just OK but the veg was too wet and cold, both dishes were spoiled by what I can only describe and soggy and overcooked chips which I would assume were frozen. It was also weird that this place had no alcohol license and no facility to make a latte coffee which was very disappointing. The only positive thing I can pick up was the waitress, a young girl with a nice smile, her service was very good. Not a fan of the live shellfish tank either. Would not go back.

This was always a regular when in Whitehills so delighted it has re opened. I have been twice now and enjoyed both visits. Our fish dishes of scallops, mussels and lobster were lovely and were reasonably priced. £40 for a whole lobster completely dressed, no crackers or shell pickers needed although were served, I thought was pretty good. Wasn’t keen on the chips but didn’t spoil the meal for me. The halibut on the second visit was indeed excellent served with a light cream dill sauce. Some of the prices seem high but in these times it’s becoming more normal as the reality of purchasing and preparing good food is costly. The staff were polite and friendly and chef came to chat to us on our first visit which was a nice touch.

Excellent food and service . Such a beautiful setting . Worth a visit . The interior is nicely decorated and you can watch the activity of the harbour between courses . Portions were generous and tasty . It is well priced and was freshly made .

Enjoyed the beautiful food and great service at the harbour galley . Will definitely be back and would recommend to others .

My husband and I visited last year and food was excellent. Decided to come again not realizing it had changed hands and some of the food was very disappointing. The chicken burger was way overdone and supposed to be cajun spiced. My husband doesn't like...

The smell of "wet dog" was off putting when we walked in so asked for a seat far away. Not sure it is a good idea have dogs on carpets??? Menu choice very limited, as a Veggie there was nothing, and very expensive for other...

Went for lunch with my family based on other reviews. A simple restaurant located slap bang o the harbour. Friendly welcome from the team who weren't fazed by two on our group being in wheelchairs. Food was fabulous, fresh fish for me preceded by a...

Had a fantastic meal here tonight, venison burger was out of this world according to my hubby, seafood pie was perfect, filled with yummy fish. Shared Toblerone cheesecake, again delicious. Chef took time our to chat with each and every table, wishing the Harbour Galley...

Heard this place had changed hands so went back whilst at the family caravan.....what a mistake. Firstly, we love Seafood but a live lobster tank where you choose your food is a massive put off, we all know where it comes from but being an...

First class food from a wonderfully enticing menu. Service was quick & friendly, with very helpful staff. Absolutely recommended, a first rate dining experience.

Richard has very high standards when it comes to food, he takes no compromises on quality. We travelled a long way to sample his cooking, and we were not disappointed. The food was delicious. Although the portions were such that I couldn’t finish mine. The...

Under new ownership, the staff and service are amazing. We had lobster from the live tank, and steak with scallops. Everything was cooked to perfection. Stunning food, all freshly cooked and locally sourced. We live in the village and will be regulars.

What an excellent hidden gem. We visited as a family of 4 with a dog and felt very welcome. We ordered two mains off the special board and two off the menu, all were excellent. I think the spicy halloumi starter needs recognition; certainly the...