Based on 422 opinions finded in 2 websites
Based on 422 opinions finded in 2 websites
Nº 95 in 595 in Argyll & Bute
Nº 20 of 173 British in Argyll & Bute
Opinions
After searching for restaurants on Bute before our visit there, The Waterfront's reviews were consistently good, so we booked for the beginning of our holiday. We were not disappointed! The food was truly delicious, but not only that, we and the couple we met at the next table enjoyed a very entertaining evening of fun and banter. So much so, we were both there again a few nights later, we had enjoyed it so much, and of course we wanted to try more of the outstanding food. Thank you Gabriel and the Waterfront for making our stay on Bute that much more memorable! 5 stars without a doubt and highly recommended.
Jane M . 2024-09-28
MORE AT TripAdvisor
The Waterfront offers a delightful dining experience with delicious, fresh food. Gabriel, the most welcoming and attentive host, sets a warm atmosphere for guests. Chef Pav prepares exceptionally tasty dishes, with a notable focus on gluten-free options. The Waterfront impresses with both hospitality and culinary excellence. We are so lucky to have the Waterfront in Rothesay!!
Dawne C . 2024-09-28
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Very nice, relaxed and busy place. We were lucky to get a table of two. Enjoyed any minute as Gabriel is amazing host and food are delicious and authentic. I recommend this place if you want eat something different.
Black S . 2024-09-21
MORE AT TripAdvisor
As walking around spotted this restaurant. Booked table to try something different. No chips that's perfect for us. No disappointment! Love the food and atmosphere in this restaurant. Food cooked from scratch which only few places do that !! Everyone was enjoying themselves. Especially Gabriel try find time for each table in very busy time. It is hard to find places like that. We will be back soon!!
Munchkin . 2024-09-06
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Once again another wonderful evening at The Waterfront. Great food, great wine and fantastic atmosphere and service. We will definitely be going back again soon.
TinaD . 2024-09-05
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Dinner eith my friends here and the food is amazing! Cooked fresh and tasty.Highly recommended. Definitely will be back .
Noera A . 2024-09-03
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Had dinner here, and the food is amazing! Cooked fresh and tasty. Highly recommended,
Noera Fraser . 2024-09-02
MORE AT Google
Another two visits to this lovely restaurant on our week on Bute. Food was excellent as it was last year - can recommend everything on the menu. Think we have tried everything now! Pav is such a great chef and it was lovely to chat to him about his obvious passion for food and cooking. As ever, Gabriel is a fantastic host and we had two great evenings. Visitors to Rothesay who love good food should not miss the Waterfront! See you in 2025. Liz and Matt
LizCunningham . 2024-09-02
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Another two visits to this lovely restaurant on our week on Bute. Food was excellent as it was last year - can recommend everything on the menu. Think we have tried everything now! Pav is such a great chef and it was lovely to chat to him about his obvious passion for food and cooking. As ever, Gabriel is a fantastic host and we had two great evenings. Visitors to Rothesay who love good food should not miss the Waterfront! See you in 2025. Liz and Matt
Liz Cunningham . 2024-09-01
MORE AT Google
I would give everything 6 stars if I could. What an amazing dining experience this was. Gabriel the owner is hilarious and really friendly, truly service with a smile 😃. And the regulars/patrons were great too and actually started up a conversation with me and other patrons which was great. Gabriel even pranks his regulars which I thought was a great personal touch. A life without laughter, would be a life not worth living. "Pav" the Chef knows how to make super tasty food😋. We don't do fish and chips is a humorous sign at the door😂🐟🍟🚫 Food is Polish, Spanish and Italian themed. I had Bigos which is steamed cabbage and pork in a kind of soup with some crusty bread, delicious. I then had Polish Nan bread Pizza - Polish sausage, gherkins, mushrooms and mozzarella 🍕😋. And finally I had Italian almond Cheese Cake, which was heavenly🍰😋 Gabby Gabriel you absolute madman and gentleman, thank you for chatting with me and giving me a good laugh, this has been one of the best dining experiences I've had. Thoroughly recommended👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😂 Cheers Neil
Neil Mackintosh . 2024-08-29
MORE AT Google
We highly recommend the Waterfront - the welcome from Gabriel was excellent, like being invited into your friend's house! The food, made by Pawel, was so delicious, we had goulash and pierogi (Polish dumplings) for mains, and peppers stuffed with hake and prawns, and broccoli and coconut cream soup for starters. Sadly no room to eat pudding too! Loved the chat with Gabriel and Pawel, particularly about the cooking process. Can't wait to visit again! From Mima, Linda and Joan
Mima C . 2024-08-26
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We enjoyed an excellent meal here. Good service.
Marilyn Stanley . 2024-08-24
MORE AT Google
What can I say. Gabriel is so lovely and whacky, the food is wonderfully different and the ambiance delightful. Can't praise it enough.
Caroline A . 2024-08-24
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Gabriel is so welcoming and a fun character. The food was excellent and varied. We chose 4 starters (tapas type dishes) and a main to share. All we great. I loved the octopus, my wife's choice was the chorizo in rich tomato sauce. No complaints at all and very reasonably priced.
Donald L . 2024-08-15
MORE AT TripAdvisor
The host Gabriel is super friendly and funny. He made us feel so welcome snd we sat chatting for around ten minutes after we’d paid the bill. The food is Polish inspired cuisine and is fresh snd tasty. We ordered the Polish, naan base pizza (sausage, pickles, mushrooms, cheese) which was delicious and the soup of the day, which again, was excellent. The pecan dessert rounded off a lovely meal. With an added beer, gin and tonic, the meal came to just under £40. The restaurant only serves fresh food and the amusing sign outside, clearly states they don’t serve fried food, with many other restaurants surrounding serving this style of food. We were lucky enough to get a walk in, but booking is recommended.
Christopher Lewis . 2024-07-19
MORE AT Google
Great quality food, interesting menu!
Carl Johengen . 2024-07-19
MORE AT Google
Pav, a talented Polish chef, produces splendid meals from an eclectic menu mixing Polish, Italian and Spanish influences. They are proud to boast that fish and chips are not available (Plenty nearby if that is what you want). N.B. The Waterfront Bistro is closed 'out of season'. Well priced, the dining room is small so booking is recommended (The 'phone number is tucked away somewhere in Facebook which I don't use, as is the menu), we simply turned up and fortunately there was space for us. Front of house is well and entertainingly managed by Gabriel, it is easy to spend an evening here talking. Very simple wine list, just 'Red, White, or Rosé'. The red turned out to be a half decent Côtes du Rhône. Nice range of Polish spirits to finish off with.
Martin B . 2024-07-10
MORE AT Google
Fantastic food and atmosphere Chose this venue as it was different from where we would normally eat. So glad we did! Vegetarian goulash was delicious as was the beef version. Cheese board and wine were the perfect combo to finish the meal. Gabriel was an exceptional host and Pawel’s cooking was sublime. Conversation ranged from the state of the world to how a curly wurly can cure most problems! Highly recommend if you visit the island.
Eileen K . 2024-07-04
MORE AT TripAdvisor
What a wonderful Saturday night we had, dining in The Waterfront - we were hosted by Gabriel, cooked for by Pawel and felt like long lost family members being welcomed back home…despite this being our first visit! I grew up eating Polish Pancakes, and was amazed to find such authentic Polish food on Bute…both the beef goulash and the vegetarian version were delicious, as was the homemade sauerkraut it was served with. The crème de la crème were the placki (Polish Potato Pancakes) - I was transported back to my childhood. We shared the pierogi as a starter and found them to be excellent. What makes this restaurant stand out is the warmth of Gabriel - he made every single person in The Waterfront feel like they were sitting in his home, and dining with good friends. At times the whole restaurant were laughing together as they ate Pawel’s authentic and super tasty Polish food. Superb!
Marie F . 2024-06-23
MORE AT TripAdvisor
What a place! Authentic Eastern European food on an island off the west coast of Scotland. Shouldn’t work but it does. I’m glad that I took a chance ( the windows were all misted up plus the lights inside are dim) so I wasn’t really sure what I was walking into. Smallish interior which makes it snug and cozy. The locals are lucky and I feel sure that if I lived there, I’d be a regular visitor myself.
Hameldaeme . 2023-12-06
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Having had some excellent times here in the past Gabriel and Pav agreed to have a 90 th birthday party for family and friends The birthday queen and her friend the Duchess had an amazing time The hosting was superb and Gabriel gave us all many laughs . The food as usual was excellent and Pav catered to vegetarians carnivores vegan dairy free gluten and nut free with no delays and the food kept rolling all night as did the bubbles and wine A fantastic memorable birthday which will remain as a memory in years to come
Sandra K . 2023-10-02
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We came to The Waterfront for a 90th birthday party and it was absolutely sensational!! The food, the service and the atmosphere were all just incredible. Both Pav and Gabe were absolutely wonderful, a truly amazing evening with not a chip or fried food in sight (thank God!) It even topped the previous best night of my life which included swimming with Harry Styles and Helena Bonham Carter in the Hampstead Heath ponds in the crystal clear water! Can’t recommend enough to anyone visiting the island and looking for some truly beautiful food and excellent service.
Rachel C . 2023-09-27
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We had a brilliant time with the best food and an excellent host. We'll definitely be back.
Lwd Walton . 2023-09-16
MORE AT Google
Fantastic place. High standard of food. Always a laugh and smile. If your looking for a place for a delight. This is it !!! I will be going back without a doubt.
Joseph Thomas . 2023-07-14
MORE AT Google
Lovely place, great polish food, excellent hosts, very friendly and welcoming.
Victoria Kimber . 2023-07-08
MORE AT Google
Popped in on Saturday just after midday and had a delicious breakfast panini and a great tasting strong decaf coffee. Also had a lush chocolate and cherry cake. Everything I had was of an excellent standard, definitely great quality, excellent preparation and presentation. Come for the delicious food and stay for the great service, smiles and laughter with the genial host.
Jafar . 2023-06-19
MORE AT Google
Excellent food and service. Thoroughly recommend.
keith conway . 2023-05-27
MORE AT Google
Superb hosting by Gabriel. A lovely and fun experience this evening. You'll not be disappointed visiting.
Amy Matthew . 2022-09-07
MORE AT Google
Great food and atmosphere. Wonderful host as well :) Highly recommend!
Marc Patrick Conaghan . 2022-08-19
MORE AT Google
Delicious Polish cuisine cooked all from fresh by chef Pav in a charmingly decorated restaurant with views onto the harbour and distant hills. Gabriel, witty and welcoming front of house who behind the banter is a very thoughtful, interesting chap. Thanks for a lovely evening; we'll be back !
Peter O'Garr . 2022-07-16
MORE AT Google
Absolutely loved this restaurant! The food was delicious- we thoroughly enjoyed the Borsch, Goulash and Pierogi. And the service was just exceptional too- we spent most of the evening eating and talking to Gabriel and Pawel who were outstanding hosts! They are both so welcoming and so friendly and really enjoy Rothesey and their restaurant. We will 100% be going back and would completely recommend The Waterfront!
Curly Scot . 2022-07-05
MORE AT Google
What a find. Great decor and spotlessly clean made an excellent first impression. Very friendly but professional staff only added to the experience. The food was great….the bean starter was magnificent. The wine was also very good and great value. The cake portion was on the large side and my Jack Daniels a bit generous but you can’t have everything. Not open every day ( sadly ) so check it out and book early. You won’t regret it.
George Mitchell . 2022-06-22
MORE AT Google
Deliciously different…. We called in this evening having passed earlier and viewed the menu, The initial greeting from Gabriel was refreshing “we don’t serve fish and chips” was his opening line which was good to hear as we didn’t fancy fried food again. We were made to feel very welcome and the friendly approach of the staff makes a nice change from run of the mill fast food chains. You can tell these guys are fully invested in the business and they see the customer as king. Gabriel was very engaging and the banter with ourselves and a couple of Swiss visitors was very entertaining. On to the food……where to start…..The Chief “Pav” knows how to make goulash, honestly if you like it or have never tried it you won’t be disappointed, it was tasty and filling, we also had the polish dumplings, these were incredible….oh I forgot to mention the starter….butter beans and polish sausage in a sauce that is making my mouth water just thinking about it. If you don’t try it your missing out on a treat, if you do try it you’ll be booking a table in advance of your next visit. 5 Stars from us, we will be back on our next visit to the island. Thanks guys, all the best Steve, Nicky & Kieron.
Steve Griffiths . 2022-05-31
MORE AT Google
A very enjoyable evening spent at the Waterfront whilst on a weekend’s break in Bute. Very welcoming atmosphere & great food too. Thanks Gabriel & Pav.
Matthew Nutter . 2022-05-25
MORE AT Google
Absolutely beautiful and authentic Polish food by the Polish chef, Pav. Front of house service is brilliant. Gabriel could not be more helpful and is entertaining too. Literally service with a smile. Great value, tasty food, excellent hosts, what's not to like. Situated near the ferry (near The Golf bar) so convenient too. An absolute must for a visit ❤️
Aileen McCalman . 2022-05-21
MORE AT Google
We had fantastic Polish vegetarian food and attentive, fabulous service. We will definitely visit again the next time we are on Bute.
Jess Sykes . 2022-05-14
MORE AT Google
We went to The Waterfront for their second seating at 7.30pm on Saturday night. Before we booked, we were clearly instructed that the restaurant would not be serving fish and chips, and to please check the menu! We had and did check the menu - very intriguingly filled with delicious sounding Polish food. This is not a cuisine with which we are overly familiar, but previous reviews led us to think that it would be worth a try. Well! We were warmly greeted to our table by Gabriel, who was absolutely a host extraordinaire - he just makes the small restaurant feel like a special place and he’s taking orders and serving drinks for all of us by himself! The wine was lovely - a to-the-point wine list but absolutely perfectly chosen wines that we both enjoyed. Then the food came out - Pav brought us first an amazing platter of meats, cheeses, olives and bread that was gorgeous and one of the best platters we’ve ever had. Next came the pierogis - I’m literally drooling/mouth-watering as I write this - they were amazing, so soft but with bite and sprinkled with just the best chunks of bacon! Spectacular, I literally would love to transport back this instant for more! Finally, we had the naan pizza - fabulous idea and such clever combinations - again a winner! We were so full by then, but Gabriel helpfully chose for us (very large) slabs of cake to take away. We had the cakes the next day with tea/coffee and they were again a delight - amazing combinations of flavours and so tender. Gabriel and Pav performed this magic-trick of a meal with just the two of them running the place, and we were astounded at the quality of the meal! Worth the ferry ride over to Bute for The Waterfront alone!
Emma Skingsley . 2022-05-03
MORE AT Google
This is not open, as advertised. We tried to call as well as visit. The Facebook page information is also incorrect.
Jon-man Cheung . 2022-04-09
MORE AT Google
Fantastic, cosy, intimate venue, with fine selection of delicious food, flavours and amazing customer service. Great selection for any diet. Without doubt the best place to eat a nice meal in Rothesay. Can't wait to come back. The owners really care about their produce and service, and it shows through in every way..
Maz . 2021-10-10
MORE AT Google
Note that old reviews here are for the 'old' restaurant, before it was taken over by Gabriel and Pawel (so don't be fooled by any rubbish reviews from before then!). The highlight of our stay on the island. Gabriel went above and beyond to fit us in last minute and service was second to none, very personal - Gabriel clearly made every table feel welcomed and valued, having a laugh with everyone while notably busy. Food was delicious, Polish dumplings particularly (made fresh at home), all very hearty. Thanks both!
Sarah Love . 2021-09-27
MORE AT Google
The Waterfront is the best place we went to on Bute. The food is lovely and Gabriel and Pawel are the best, so welcoming, funny and genuine. The restaurant is bright and well decorated in a modern way, especially compared to the dated feel of other places on Bute! Thanks for such a lovely evening guys!
Jem Roberts . 2021-09-27
MORE AT Google
Had an absolutely wonderful meal and evening here with my partner - we were lucky enough to get a table after a cancelled booking and enjoyed delicious wine and food! Gabriel was so charming funny and working hard to provide a great atmosphere so everyone dining had a relaxed and friendly evening chatting away with each other. Will definitely return next time we are on Bute !
Sophie Spencer . 2021-09-10
MORE AT Google
The best restaurant on the isle. I absolutely recommend eating at this beautiful restaurant. First, the ambience is delightful. It's light-filled, tastefully decorated, and lovely to spend time in. Between the wonderful music (played at a soothing level) and the decorative touches around the restaurant, it's a great place to spend time. Second, the food is delicious. I enjoyed the healthy and interesting options. It offers a menu that I have not come across before, and there are options for all dietary preferences/requirements. Finally, the owner and the chef have such a gracious, welcoming energy. I noticed how playful the owner was with some guests who had their children with them, and I noticed how he made sure everyone in the restaurant had a special time. I suggest booking to ensure you can get a table, but they do take walk-ins as well.
SS . 2021-08-03
MORE AT Google
I definitely recommend this lovely place 🤗 The food is delicious & the owners are really lovely people. If you’re lucky enough to visit the Beautiful Isle of Bute, then The Waterfront is a must. 😍
Aimee Galley . 2021-07-31
MORE AT Google
Food fabulous. Great atmosphere. I would suggest that you book so you are not disappointed.
Daisy M . 2021-07-28
MORE AT Google
Amazing food and great service. Just what rothesay was needing. Keep up the great work guys will be back over for a visit soon.
Stuart S . 2019-10-21
MORE AT TripAdvisor
The menu is interesting and just a little different. Prices very reasonable and service excellent. Can highly recommend.
Clare M . 2019-10-19
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Unfortunately many of TripAdvisor’s reviews and some of the photos of this lovely Waterfront Bistro are not up to date and belong to previous owners. The restaurant has new owners, it has been revamped, looks stunning and serves good tasty well selected and prepared Mediterranean and Polish food at a good price as is the good quality wine. The new owners have created a welcoming ambience, having attention to detail and a chilled out atmosphere at the same time! We have been to the Waterfront Bistro several times now and always find it to be a unique friendly enjoyable experience. It just gets better and better!
hcr-hcrr . 2019-10-15
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Very friendly staff. Food good.
Elizabeth Docherty . 2019-09-14
MORE AT Google
Sorry to see this listed as closed was planning a trip over: This is, in my opinion, a place worth taking the ferry over for. The food is always expertly prepared, high quality, and as a result - excellent value.
Neil H . 2018-09-28
MORE AT Google
Was the best reatruant on Bute but unfortunately it has closed now
Jan Cochrane . 2017-07-14
MORE AT Google
We were hoping to go here after reading the rave reviews, but it's closed. A sign in the window said it had closed down due to the owner's ill health. Hope things go well and you get to reopen again.
Anne J . 2016-09-11
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Lovely cosy bistro on the front opposite the harbour, great food prepared to order by a charming husband and wife team, none of this, out of the freezer into the microwave here. Delicious food prepared by a chef who takes pride in his work.
Alistair Woodburne . 2016-08-15
MORE AT Google
Este bistro ofrece muy buena comida a precios razonables, así como un ambiente muy agradable. Tuve fritos eglefino (que es probablemente la menos interesante plato en el menú!) y fue excelente, fue un gran trozo de pescado v, y la calidad era excelente - preparado to prefection. Muchas gracias!
982jim . 2016-06-21
MORE AT TripAdvisor
This restaurant was such a find. The meal was imaginative, well-cooked, and came with vegetables (instead of as an extra). Prosecco by the glass, too, and a good wine list!
RomesickSarah . 2016-06-20
MORE AT TripAdvisor
There are not many eateries in Rothesay so this was a good find. No nonsense cooking and generous portions. As its name suggests it overlooks the harbour. The proprietors are friendly folk and we enjoyed our evening.
dollydaydream377 . 2016-06-15
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Excellent food but service is very slow. Maybe it was busy ? 😕😕😕 Nice location. Extensive menu. Great homemade desserts. Just get it out quicker...... If you are patient it is well worth the wait. Enjoy....
Jay-Amafayat . 2016-06-11
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Fantastic place to eat good food, varied menu, good wine, great service, friendly warm and inviting. Been three times now, it would be a pleasure to go again.
Sue W . 2016-06-03
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Great food and great service. We went about 5 minutes before closing as we'd arrived on a later ferry. The woman was lovely and welcomed us despite the late hour
LMF007 . 2016-06-03
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Fuimos a cenar en una noche de sábado caliente y lo primero que la señora que creo es el propietario hizo fue traer un gran jarra de agua bonita. toque ambos tuvimos entrantes que eran buenas y entonces los dos teníamos salmón. Era cocinado a la perfección y el mejor que he probado en cualquier restaurante. no tienen un dulce, ya que no podía comer otra cosa, pero no un aspecto precioso.
sunworshipper012 . 2016-06-02
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Cenamos en la orilla y lo disfruté. Sin embargo, las raciones eran enormes, y no pudo acabar la comida,el restaurante tiene vistas al mar y está cerca de la terminal de ferry. El servicio era rápido y el menú sencillo pero atractivo.Mi esposa tenía una buena lasaña de verduras y tenía un pedazo de queso de cerdo con gigantescas y champiñones. Fue excelente, pero tuve que dejar la mitad de ella como cubierta de la placa.Por desgracia, los actuales propietarios están teniendo que vender por razones de salud... así que cambia de manos.
Alexander L . 2016-05-26
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Lovely dinner here on a Friday night. Friendly, helpful and every one (party of seven) enjoyed their meal. Reasonably priced and the desserts are worth making some room for.
loveboats . 2016-05-08
MORE AT TripAdvisor
La comida es excepcional, sin frivolidades servicio si tienes hambre ve aquí para combustible en café y tan fresco pastelerías principal orden y soñar en el desierto.
barry c . 2016-04-26
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Very reasonable prices, plenty of wines. Exceptional value. We have been going regularly for years. Overlooks the harbour which is full of yachts.
William S . 2015-12-03
MORE AT TripAdvisor
A homely restaurant with a great food,very friendly staff and ambience which overall was an excellent dining experience. Certainly value for money as the food is competvely priced .
Andrew H . 2015-11-20
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Called in for dinner on the first night of a 2 day break in Rothesay after reading trip advisor reviews and managed to get a table, enjoyed it so much we booked for the 2nd night. The lady was so welcoming and helpful and immediately brought iced water to the table, the food was large portions and delicious. The atmosphere was pleasant and busy with dinner enjoying their evening. Would go again anytime
Sheila A . 2015-10-18
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We called in for lunch while we were on a short break to Bute and were so impressed by the food that we booked for our evening meal. My partner had the sirloin steak and I had salmon. Both meals were delicious and were accompanied by generous portions of potatoes and veg. We both had desserts which again were excellent. The couple who run the bistro were both very friendly and took time to chat to us throughout our visit. I would definitely recommend a visit while you have the chance as the Bistro is for sale. Would certainly go again if we ever return to Bute and Robbie and his wife are still there. Excellent value for money too.
Colette B . 2015-10-13
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My wife and I nipped across to Rothesay from Gourock on this new ferry route whilst work is being carried out to the Wemyss Bay pier. What a great day out it was. It was only the 2nd day of this new route on 2nd October this year and after a meander about the town came across The Waterfront (As you get off the ferry it is to the left)We were only looking for a light bite but ended up eating for Scotland and paying very little for the privilege of doing so.I had the tuna mayo baguette with side salad, my wife had the baguette with brie cheese and bacon. We also ordered an extra portion of chips and portion of coleslaw (very reasonable at £1.25 for each portion) .The freshly home made coleslaw was superb, I mean really really good as was all of the food. The owners took the time of day to have a casual chat which added to the pleasant visitThe freshly made scones had just come out of the oven and it would not have been polite to not partake in having one each with jam and clotted cream , again superb .We have not been in Rothesay for some years but this little eatery is a good reason for returning
joeeggGreenock . 2015-10-09
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We were back to visit Bute again last weekend for one of our twice a year visits to the island and had another excellent experience at the Waterfront. The quality and service is still as good as ever. The menu is slightly reduced from previous visits but we were not disappointed. Could never imagine visiting Bute and not having at least one meal here. Well worth a visit every time
Carol M . 2015-09-22
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This is the second time we had visited this Bistro whilst on a sailing holiday. As expected, the food and service was excellent. We had not booked a table in advance but were lucky to find that they had one table left which they held for us while we nipped in the pub for a couple of pints.I opted for a starter, deep fried Canabert before embarking on the main course, pork escalope with a cheese and mushroom topping. Fresh hot vegetables on the side as there was certainly no room on the plate! The portions were generous. My wife ordered the Catfish. This was a huge plateful of grilled meaty white fish which she enjoyed accompanied by a glass of decent wine. To finish off we had the pleasure of an informal chat with Robert - the proprietor and chef as he took a seat in his restaurant to wind down with a large mug of tea. A worldly man with much experience of running restaurants in the UK and not afraid to offer his views on many subjects. Apparently, he has run the Bistro on Rothesay for some 11 years and reckons he must be doing something right!! Well worth a visit to this friendly establishment. The food is quite rich and you could easily be over whelmed so choose wisely bearing in mind generous portions.
peter_tull . 2015-09-21
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Plain good food in ok surroundings. Choice was good and prices reasonable. Appeared to be a Mr & Mrs establishment.Very handy for town centre and ferry terminal.
Braveass . 2015-09-21
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Such a pity this lovely looking Bistro does not allow children under 5 on their premises.We were in Rothesay for a day trip yesterday and were struggling to find somewhere to eat when we came across the Waterfront Bistro, menu looked pleasing and price wise suited our needs, only to be turned away as we had a child who is 2yrs 8 mths oldYou lost yourselves 5 hungry customers.
Michelemcquillan . 2015-09-14
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Amazing food and friendly staff - we would go again in an instant. They have generous portions and do take away sandwiches too.
Emma B . 2015-09-13
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Attended for a meal with a group of friends. Had a nice meal of chicken and haggis. The service time was good and the portion size was excellent. The prices were perfectly reasonable for the size of meal I was given so I can't complain about that. All in all it was a pleasant evening with a lovely atmosphere
S4991 . 2015-09-07
MORE AT TripAdvisor
stopped here for lunch, freshly cooked , local produce, great service with a warm and friendly welcome , highly recommend this establishment , we will visit again very soon
Norrie B . 2015-09-06
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Very busy bistro, with a friendly welcome and a good range of food on the menu, lots of different styles. Wait-staff was the owner, who was friendly, welcoming and happy to discuss the menu options. Food was all cooked fresh, portions large, and was very tasty. Would return.
Sc0ttMK . 2015-09-02
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Excellent size portions and great flavours. Good service and reasonable prices. Friendly staff - nice chatting to the chef (from Essex like me, a long way from home). Sadly, Rothesay is a run down town and this is one of the few bright spots.
Happytrailertrash . 2015-08-23
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Food was amazing. Big portions for a little cafe. And the owners are just lovely. Gave us a lot of info about the island. A must for a little stop off on a trip!.
Jo D . 2015-08-18
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We were lucky enough to get the last table in here all the others were reserved ( a good sign) My friend had salmon fillet ,I had haddock goujons.Both were excellent. I'd recommend booking though as each night we passed it was packed !
Christopher M . 2015-08-16
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Nicely decorated inside, with a nice view. Ordered chilli and was presented with a bowl of mince and bread. Last time I checked chilli came with rice! Seems to be a hotspot for the locals to come and gossip. Became grating on the ears after 30mins
laurenk779 . 2015-08-16
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On a day trip with my son from Largs we decided some lunch before going on the open top bus tour of Rothesay, we see what we could only discribed as a loverly little Bistro named Waterfront and decided to give the place our Custom but need to say the Quality of the Food served was that of a truckers cafe (apologies but the truth) the Scampi and chips were very poor and over done in the deep fat fryer,the chips which were a real plateful were over done and not pleasant ,the cheeseburger was very poor and not that expected from a bistro, I also truly expected a side salad or veg with my scampi not to mention No tartar sauce and need to say I was very disappointed and would have complained if it hadn't been for my young son being with me.To the owner I apologise for the comments as I don't like leaving a poor review but honestly the food was very poor.
Largs3 . 2015-08-15
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Ate here on last night of short break. There were only two tables not previously booked which is sensible as not a very big place. This may be the reason they do not allow under fives which is only thing I would quibble about. My husband had pate with lovely fresh salad to start, we both had salmon which was soooo nice, the accompanying vegetables were cooked to perfection. I had crème brulee which had one of the best toppings ever tasted. We had asked for extra spoon to share but I had to take my husband from him to stop him eating it all! All food is freshly made as result I think they only keep limited stock as appeared to run out of few items. Will certainly return on our next visit but would pre order our choice.
nickscotland . 2015-08-15
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We went here ready for a feast after a long day's cycling on Bute. Pork chops were overcooked and served with a mountain of undercooked chips and boatload of gravy. Most disappointing were the Haddock Goujons, fried a soggy batter, again with piles of chips. Slow (though friendly) service topped it off. Might have topped tripadvisor in 2011, but it seems unlikely to do so today.
Quayley81 . 2015-08-08
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I was here recently with my mum on a day trip. The staff were lovely - very friendly and chatty. Our lunch was delicious and their Prosecco was chilled beautifully.
Lynn M . 2015-08-04
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very friendly place, with lovely staff. The food was truly amazing - beautifully cooked and extremely generous portions, at very reasonable prices. Without a doubt the best place on the island as far as we were concerned
Jeannemint . 2015-07-23
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My husband and I had lunch here two weeks ago. My husband had a savoury pancake ( huge ) and I had soup. Both dishes were of high quality and coffee was very good too.
toddykins . 2015-06-30
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Came here on a Saturday night for birthday dinner for my dad.There was 6 of us and every one of us enjoyed our starters,mains and desserts.Staff were very friendly and attentive.We eat out a lot in Glasgow and Edinburgh and food here was great quality and superb value.Highly recommend if you're visiting Bute!
Irene C . 2015-06-21
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Made to feel very welcome on a miserable summer solstice! Great ambience. Wonderful, top quality, home made food. Superb value for money. Plus excellent coffee at reasonable price. If you're in the area, try not to miss out on this little gem.
Chris B . 2015-06-21
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My husband and I have ate in this restaurant many a time but had not visited this year and we were more than satisfied with the portions and value for money. Sheila always makes sure that your every need is taken care of and with a smile. Great Value for what you receive.
Theresa M . 2015-06-11
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We were only on Bute for two days but visited this place three times, which is testament to its quality. The coffee is as good as I've had anywhere (and that's praise indeed as I am a real coffee snob.) We loved the delicious home-made scones and were impressed by the very varied lunch menu. There's also a tempting wine list. The couple who run The Waterfront are friendly, knowledgeable, attentive to detail and willing to cater for various dietary needs. No wonder it's so popular. We will be back!
dpglasgow . 2015-05-31
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Great variety of local food. Staff are friendly but a little slow. Food is well cooked. Try the salmon and the pudding. Prices are good for the food that is presented.
James188113 . 2015-05-29
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We have just returned from a long weekend in Rothesay and this Restaurant came recommended by the proprietors of the B+B. We were not disappointed ! It is a very unassuming Restaurant, with fabulous food at reasonable prices. To match the quality of this Restaurant on the mainland, you would pay twice the price !!
PatsyCa . 2015-05-18
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We went here on the first night of our weekend stay in Bute and with 4 of us with very different dietry needs (medical and otherwise) we were immediately struck with the friendliness and willingness of owners and staff to cater for our needs. Good variety of food and pentiful. Only open 2 nights a week, otherwise we would have been back for our evening neals most nights. However, we made a point of going during the day for lunch. Highly recommended.
tobybScotland . 2015-05-18
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Had dinner with friends last weekend and really enjoyed the wholesome food.I tried catfish for the first time and it was lovely. Loads of veggies on the side so you need to be really hungry to have a starter too. Good value and friendly staff, would recommend a visit if you're not in a huge hurry and want to spend some time relaxing over dinner. Good value wine list too!
Karen T . 2015-05-10
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We ordered our food and wine quickly on arrival. Starters came but no wine. We had to ask for it when the starters were cleared. Not a great advert for good service. Mains. I had the worst lamb I have every been served in a restaurant. Fatty and swimming in the thinnest of
Lionwalker . 2015-05-08
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We visited this little Bistro on the first May bank holiday Monday. To be honest we weren't 100% sure that we wanted to go in but there wasn't an awful lot of choice in Rothesay that day - nothing much open and what was didn't appeal.First impressions were not good, the gentleman sitting at the table (I presume he is the owner/chef) was a bit abrupt in his comment about us only coming in because there was nowhere else to go - he had apparently seen us looking in the window and moving on. Yes, we did not choose to go in at first but as an owner of a business I would think that you should welcome people with a smile rather than a comment like that. Having said that the woman working with him was quick to brush aside his comment and was very welcoming.This Bistro is very eclectic in its style and rather on the small side so it does feel a bit cramped but that is really only a minor point. The menu has plenty to choose from and you would be hard pushed not like something on it. The woman who served us was very attentive and really couldn't have been nicer. We were only stopping in for afternoon tea/coffee but what we had was delicious. Homemade scones with jam and cream were wonderful and I would highly recommend.In conclusion a rather nice afternoon tea and I would have liked to have tried something more substantial but unfortunately we probably wont be back. This is no reflection on this Bistro but more to do with the fact that Rothesay really has nothing to offer us.
fionamac6819 . 2015-05-07
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Took a day to look around as most of my family have been at one time or another. Found the waterfront Bistro and decided to go in. My wife and I were greeted right away, placed our order and waited. Food was served reasonably fast. We both enjoyed or respective lunches. It is a small place but very cosy. If you visit it will be worthwhile going
Chris120759 . 2015-05-03
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an unassuming front but the service and the meals provided are excellent. Price and quality/quantity of the portions were unrelated. This is a must visit place for something to eat when your visiting Rothesay.
DazFerguson . 2015-04-14
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This is genuinely a fabulous Bistro and the best small one we have used anywhere inScotland. Very friendly with a great menu which is so reasonably priced and the portions border on huge. Don't think they have a card machine but so what. The place is absolutely comfortable and it is only a few hundred yards to the left as you leave the pier.
Frank M . 2015-03-28
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I have dined in this restaurant many times in the evening.I am very pleased to see that they are now open for coffees and lunches.Same fantastic food. Same fantastic staff. Good luck in your new venture !
bettydk . 2015-03-11
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These schedules may not be completely accurate on special days. Please always confirm with the restaurant
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We ate here two nights in a row in early August. The menu changed each night so there were new things to try. We gelt some of the food, such as the starters, were over priced for the portion (£8.50 for two small croquettes) but they were delicious. However, the slices of cake we got for pudding were easily big enough for two (the picture shows two half slices on one plate) and each only £6.50. The cakes and puddings we had were all top notch A*** (esp choc ganache) so worth coming in just for coffee and cake even if you don't have a meal. We booked in advance via WhatsApp for 6pm dinner: Wed night it was quiet but the Thursday was heaving so glad we booked. The food we had was c. £20 for a main course and was really well made and delicious. Portions aren't huge but were sufficient. There isn't a kids menu so the first night we shared two meals between the three of us and had pudding, but the second night we had a main each. The Island Cafe is cheaper than the Coll Hotel and has a nice home made, welcoming feel to it with local art and two linked rooms, one with sofas and tables and the other just tables. The serving staff were nice young people. My partner also had coffee and cake here and the cakes really are very good (I hear the Chelsea buns are to die for too) and my coffee-snob partner says this is the best coffee available on Coll.