The White Cottage in Aberdeenshire

Over priced, bad manners, just not a nice place. The chap serving us was making it up as he went along. Stay away

Most welcoming Host , lovely ambiance and best fish and chips in the area. Very comfortable setting. Couldn’t be more helpful. Thank you

Truely the best fish and chips I have ever had! Double fried chips and the fish was gloriously tasty with wonderful crispy batter. What a find! Other delicious offerings to choose from.

What an absolute gem of a place this is. Discovered it today on the way back from Aboyne and so glad we stopped in for coffee. Sitting by the open fire with the papers after browsing the eclectic mix of antiques and gifts, we decided to have a light lunch. The leek soup was excellent; hot, creamy and delicious. The cafetière coffee was dark, strong, perfect. I couldn't resist a pistachio ice-cream on the way out, very pleased to find it was better than anything I tried in Amalfi last month. This place is definitely going to be a regular spot for us...

On arrival I entered the shop and was greeted by a somewhat dull individual with an "out of town" accent. I placed my order for 3 F&C and 1 Chips which I then paid £28 for.....In addition I asked for 4 cans of Coke...another £6 @ £1:50 each.... I went outside and sat down with my friends waiting on our food. To my amazement the guy came out looking for more money as he maintained he calculated incorrectly.... i questioned it but didn't argue...we had been Munro bagging so we're tired and hungry so I paid the £4 he asked for ...I then asked him for some salt and vinegar and ketchup x 2 which he tried to charge me £1:50 each for and when I politely outlined my dismay at how he had made a complete mess of things as it were he then wanted to charge me £3 for 2 ketchup bowls I was shocked. His attitude then changed for the worst as he raised his voice telling us he didn't set the prices and if we didn't like it then we could go elsewhere.... when we said we wouldn't be back he snidely remarked he couldn't care less as he had loads of passing customers....to top it off the chips were hard like they had been cooked and reheated a couple of times, the fish was dripping with grease and was tasteless too...overall a dreadful place, with dreadful food and dreadful service all the while extortionate prices....stay away from this rip off merchant

Just before aboyne the white cottage , AKA johns kitchen , just a cute bungalow with lion statues at the door that sells home cooked fish and chips , scampi and chips , the chips are really crispy on the outside and fluffy inside , and he does the best curry I have ever had , (and I’ve had a few ) he also makes his own ice creams in all flavours, personal favourite is rose water , or the toffee banana I thoroughly recommend going along , if your out for a drive past Or out staying in Aboyne Great service , which is a top thing for me very friendly and lets you try the icecream first also only serves at weekends though So don’t be caught out driving out during the week

We have passed this place several times but never stopped however today passing by they were advertising ice cream so we stopped. I have to say the banana caramel ice cream was amazing....probably the best I’ve ever had!!! We bought some jams and chutney too and cannot wait to try them. All was homemade and the service was fabtastic. We will be back especially once we can try some hot food after lockdown eases more.

The chips were stunning and a good price, and the shop is full on unique items. I would give this place 5 stars any day! One piece of advice would be to add some indoor seating just because we saw some customers be turned away due to there not being seating, only a couple tables would do!

We stopped here after a cold and windy long walk. We had 3 hyper kids with us and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming! Pizza is my favourite meal and the kids and I both thought it was amazing. My husband had fish and chips and said it was better than most chippys. I did pinch a few chips, and they were so tasty. Definitely worth a stop. Nice little shop. We will be back. Perfect stop on journey home.

We called in on the way back from Aboyne Highland games initially for ice cream then realised it looked like a restaurant so enquired about food. They are now mainly a shop and only do pizza for hot food (unless pre-ordered) and you can sit outside but there is no indoor seating - it is more set up for takeaway. The staff were helpful though and the pizzas were amazing. Fresh, home made and loaded with toppings. The ice cream was fabulous too and although you can vaguely hear the traffic you’d never think you were just off a major road, it’s a little oasis!

Four amazing pizzas from John's Kitchen enjoyed by our family last night then followed up with the most delicious ice cream. We highly recommend John's Kitchen. Nick & Linden

Driving past here we have seen this this white cottage so many times and this time we thought let’s go in It’s such a lovely place , it has homemade icecream in all different flavours, the owner gave us a taste of a few , the strawberry was absolutely amazing I took a tub , my daughter took the peppermint , you get all sorts of toppings on We ordered 3 wood fired pizzas to go , and as we waited we took a look around the shop It sells everything, from the finest chocolate, bags of hard sweets , cakes, little gift things , I bought a reed diffuser, which was reduced and heavenly smellthey have a freezer of homemade foods they have baked like lasagne , etc I loved this place The pizzas and icecream cost £24 for all that Very cheap the pizzas themselves were amazing , wood fired , tasty Thank you John We will be back (Went back next day for an icecream) they are just so tasty If your out for a drive don’t pass this place by Go in !!! You won’t regret it

Pas de chi-chi, un salon très agréable, un accueil très chaleureux et en français par John & une nourriture d'excellent qualité.Nous y sommes tombés dessus par hasard, à notre plus grand bonheur.

Tried their take away soup and drank it outside on a seat. It was a very nice haddock and think potato soup. There were other flavours to try. Pies and sausage rolls looked lovely. Also tried their Fish and Chps. Lovely and will try again! I dont think I found their webpage. Are you on FACEBOOK also? RECOMMEND HERE FOR A LOVELY SOUP AND CHEAPER THAN SITTING INSIDE IN A CAFE

What can I say, the best takeaway fish and chips around.!!!,Good portions and excellent price. The take away menu is good wholesome food.The pre made meals that are available sorts out all my weekly menu and the choice there is fabulous. A real gem on Deeside.

this this place is now a shop. It right on the main road to Aboyne near the horse charity. They could do with better signs - electric ones that state clearly when open. They had Sugplumb advertising for weeks his plumbing business and also that a shop was opening. PLEASE IF YOU WISH PEOPLE TO DROP IN BUT UP A ELECTRIC SIGN THAT SAYS OPEN.

Always a delightful experience. The menus are always varied and of high quality. Well worth a regular visit for me to enjoy the Seafood Pie followed by Bread and Butter Pudding.

The food was dramatically overpriced for what we received. My chicken was boring and tasteless. We witnessed who we think is the owner being rude to his staff in front of the customers. I had heard multiple rumours that staff were treated badly here and on reflection that is probably true.

Staying close by on holiday we decided to try the takeaway menu. Tastiest macaroni cheese I've had in a long while. Chunky chips also ordered with haddock. Perfectly cooked. Ample sized portion of everything. Can't wait to be back in the area to try out more dishes.

Mis amigos y yo estuvimos allí en una noche de julio, lo que nos parecía más como una en octubre. El invernadero estaba ocupada por una gran fiesta, así que nos sirvieron en una habitación más pequeña, más íntima, que debería haber sido bastante acogedor- no era, de hecho era tan guay que todos estábamos contentos nos había traído suéteres y chaquetas. El tío de detrás de la barra de madrugada nos parecía intención en ignorando así las bebidas antes de la cena tomó bastante tiempo para ser ordenados/sirve.

Era la primera vez que había comido en la Casa Blanca y sin duda no será la última. La comida era muy buena, era fresca y llena de sabor. Mi marido disfrutamos de una cerveza servida en un petrolero helada que era muy refrescante en una noche de verano muy caliente. Cenamos al aire libre en el jardín y nuestro anfitrión John era amable y servicial. Hay una sección en la cabaña donde se pueden comprar regalos y antigüedades que era peculiar en una buena manera. Cuando esté en vacaciones en esa parte del país, sin duda volveremos.

Verano en Escocia normalmente no viene así que cuando vimos el sol saliendo de las nubes este último domingo nos agarramos la oportunidad y hizo un viaje de un día hacia Ballater. En el camino hemos pensado en comer y nos detuvimos en la Casa Blanca a verlo - no sabíamos nada. El lugar estaba lleno (y está en el medio de la nada). Entonces, conversando con otras personas en el restaurante mientras espera a ser ubicado, nos informaron que el dueño es bastante popular y favorito al público con ventiladores persiguiéndola alrededor de Aberdeenshire durante más de 30 años. De hecho, dice que le gustaría que retirarse, pero la gente no le permiten hacerlo. Si alguien está siguiendo por más de 30 años, que sin duda están haciendo algo bien!

Stopped at 9.30 pm on the way to Balater. The host was gracious and accommodating and managed to make us a delicious quiche and some crunchy hot triple cooked chips even though they were about to close. They did homebaked cakes that looked great !

A superb host and fabulous food. Consistently my favourite place to eat at a vary reasonable price. What's more to say?!

Lovely evening with friends. Food is the very best of home cooking. John is a superb host and we all had a great time. Charming location too.

We stumbled across this place at the weekend looking for something to eat - what an absolute find! We loved it! The host (John) was really friendly and welcoming and had a great rapport with all of the guests (some of whom were obviously locals...

Had a fabulous meal there as usual. Loving the new layout of the cottage. Lovely relaxed atmosphere and as usual John the host was excellent as was the food. Well worth a visit. And try out his marmalades, chutneys and jellies. They are just the best ever.

me and my wife love this place dearly, not only for the resteraunt but for the take away too. the couple that run this place deserve a medal on the service they deliver. the food here is what I can only describe as "your mother's best meal" absolutely fantastic place to chill out and enjoy good food. thank you to all at white cottage for all you do for your customers!

We had a lovely family lunch for 7 in the conservatory at the White Cottage. From my 15 year old son to my 90 year old mum we all had a delicious meal. Usual warm welcome, excellent service and tasty food. Not our first visit and certainly won't be our last. The menu has a good variety and the chips are genuinely 'to die for'! I can definitely recommend this restaurant.

We ate here today not for the first time either. It was an early birthday celebration for myself and family. We had a private room which was cosy and beautifully decorated, in fact the entire establishment is just lovely no matter where you are to sit. John and his wife are fantastic hosts making the service second to none. The food as always was beautifully made full of flavour and the presentation is stunning. A fabulous team running this stunning establishment including johns babies (dogs) really enjoyed our visit today and every other time we have been here to dine. John and his team go out of their way to provide an excellent experience and service for all who visit. Keep up the good work folks. Would highly recommend to anyone who asks. We will definitely be back soon

We were there today and what can I say. Excellent. From the moment you walk in you are made to feel very welcome, nice relaxing ambiance and great customer service.The food is excellent, very tasty, great choice and nothing too much trouble for the staff.A wee gem on Deeside and would not hesitate to recommend. John is the perfect host.

3 of us had dinner in this lovely restaurant on a cold November night,it was warm,lovely decor,almost Scandinavian in feel,the lady who welcomed us was charming and the food was perfect.if you are visiting this area then I suggest you add this venue to you must visit list.i look forward to returning very soon

We went here for at least 3 meals this last September. We have been coming here for the past three years as we know we always receive a fine dining experience. The food is excellent, in quality, quantity and value for money. The only 'negative' is that it isn't open every night of the week.Probably one of the best places we have dined at in the area in recent years.

Had lunch here with family who know it well. Never judge a book by its cover because the exterior is not that promising, quite small, boasting fish and chips but inside is a delight with a airy and light conservatory dining room but also a charming room within the cottage itself which doubles as a gift shop and part of the dining area. Sounds odd but it works. They have a set lunch, modestly priced but also an interesting a la carte menu.... all nicely presented and delicious.

Passed the White Cottage many times but never before stopped, but did so today and enjoyed a nice relaxing lunch. The menu had a choice that would suit most and the food and service was first class. Great place for a lazy lunch. Will return.

Avevamo scelto un altro ristorante ma era tutto pieno, così siamo finiti al White cottage. Un posto carino, con la pretesa di essere elegante, ma con tanti dettagli che stonano tipici della dozzinalità e del poco gusto scozzese. Tra i colori del pavimento in legno bianco e delle tavole eleganti si vede un armadio di giocattoli più qualche soprammobile kitsch. Niente di grave, tutte cose che fanno sorridere. In ogni caso il mio Steak & Ale Pie era davvero ottimo e il prezzo (che ci aspettavamo superiore alla media) era invece in linea con gli altri ristoranti visti in zona.

We visited early on a Thursday lunchtime and had the place to ourselves, which was lovely for us but a shame for the business. We were given the options for the £10-for-two-courses lunch but decided we would rather choose from the a la carte menu instead. After much deliberation I chose the haddock goujons with chips and peas. The lovely Mr S had 'Ham & Haddie' in cream with a poached egg and mash. Both meals were cooked to perfection. The homemade tartare sauce was divine! Although not the cheapest or the fastest place we've been to, it was certainly one of the best! The sheer amount of haddock in Mr S's meal was incredible. The chips were beautifully cooked... crunchy and golden on the outside, just how I like them. The restaurant itself is unassuming on the outside but nicely arranged with fresh flowers on the tables and pot plants all around the edges of the conservatory. The view out to the back was also very pleasing. Hopefully we will be back again to try out other dishes!

We were up Deeside last week and were lucky enough to get a table at lunch time. We were warmly welcomed and shown to a table in the beautiful conservatoryWe're plants people and thoroughly enjoyed looking at everything, inside and outside.John talked us through the menu and we chose the soup, which was a delightfully light broth containing ham hock, carrot and beetroot, followed by a delicious tart with salad and the famed "to-die-for" chips. We were well satisfied with our two courses and decided to forego pud and have coffee instead. This came in a cafetière, accompanied by some home made rocky road fudge. We had a lovely time, chez John, and look forward to a return visit.

We came upon this place by chance....actually drove past then turned around.Really glad we did as it was a beautiful meal......best I've had in ages There were so many choices for starters and mains.....it took me ages to decide as they all sounded so tasty.Finally decided to have the chicken liver pate followed by smoked haddock in a gorgeous cream sauce, sitting on mashed potato, served with spinach and topped off with a rasher of bacon and a poached egg. Delicious! While we were there, people were coming in to pick up takeaways.....which is unusual in this type of restaurant.The original part of the building has a few tables in with things like ornaments and soaps for sale. Felt cosy in there. We ate in the conservatory.Have already booked to return.

Food was average, and over priced for what it was.Menu said 5% discount for paying cash, but we never received this discount.So hope the waitress was happy with the 15% tip she ended up with. Really poor service advertising something, and not delivering.

We booked a table for a family father's day lunch and enjoyed every moment. There were 6 adults, 2 young children (4 and 2) and a baby and each of us were looked after brilliantly. The food was delicious and obviously cooked fresh and though there was no children's menu we were offered various options. It is a wonderful quaint little bistro and we will definitely go back. Can't fault it or the people who run it at all.

Went in past for a takeaway on a sunday evening and greeted by very friendly staff. Had battered chicken goujons and chips absolutly lovely, would very highly recomend.

Popped in past tonight for fish and chips have got to say it's a long time since I've tasted such a good fish supper Very satisfied customer

Went to the White Cottage today for my mother's 50th birthday.Was greeted pleasantly by John who was lovely throughout the whole service.We were a group of 10, 9 adults and 1 child. I had prebooked and had seats in conservatory area, it is very lovely.Ordering was quick and easy. Drinks came fast.My daughters food came out so quickly, which was appreciated as 4 year olds aren't patient.Then our mains came.All hot, all served at the same time.Everyone commented about how much they loved the food. It was delicious.Poritions were a great size too.We had brought a cake which John lit the candles for a came out singing happy birthday along with us.We shared the cake with other guests and the owners too.Was a lovely visit and we will all be back.10 mains, multiple drinks, fantastic service all for under £170.Well worth it! Would highly recommend! I can't wait to go back.

Popped in without reservation this evening on the off chance we could eat. A quick bite was the intention, 3 courses each later, we were both suitably fed and watered. Everything was lovely , well presented and the food had a good "home made" taste to it.The burger was especially good. Thanks John and team, we will return .

Myself, husband and two daughters turned up on spec on the chance of getting a table. This was not a problem. We were seated in the lovely conservatory. All four of us really enjoyed the food, we will definitely be back.

We both had the bruschetta and then one of us had fish and chips and the other the luxury fish pie. Both were really good. Fresh, and perfectly cooked. Then we shared a poached pear dessert and the cheese board. Again excellent. The only slight quibble was the wine. Before I make my point, I need to say that this restaurant allows customers to bring their own wine, for a corkage charge, and its website says it only sells house wines. We didn't bring our own, but were told there was a narrow choice of white - Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. The Chilean Sauv Blanc that arrived retails in Tesco for about £7 and we were charged £23.50. We also had 2 glasses of Prosecco and were charge £15 for those.

A warm welcome starts with the log fire in the waiting area and continues with very welcoming staff..The service and the food is very good with a good varied menu...

My niece took me to the White Cottage for a birthday dinner after singing the praises of this gem of a place. We were welcomed and made comfortable by the log fire with an aperitif. Throughout the evening we felt as if we were in a friend's house, rather than a commercial establishment. The service was friendly but not intrusive and the menu delightful. Each course was prepared, and served, with care. My only complaint is that I was too full to give the trio of Italian desserts the respect they deserved. Perfect evening. Thank you to John and his staff.

We quite often call in to White Cottage for lunch, always lovely, but after the owner returned from a recent trip to the Far East, he decided to have a Thai special week-end. As soon as we heard this we booked for the Saturday evening and we weren't disappointed. It was a taster menu which included several small portions for starters and a lovely selection for main course. I tried some things I wouldn't have before and really enjoyed everything, especially the Thai pork curry. It was a full house so glad we booked.

Had occasion to have take away fish and chips from the White Cottage.Would just like to say they were excellent thank-you

im out visiting my folks in aboyne for the festive period and my mum decided wed go here for a meal as a wee treat.What can i say it was so cold but when we arrived there was a lovely log fire burning and we sat in the comfortable seated area next to the heat to peruse the menu and order some drinks.first off we were greeted by the lovely chef sorry i never caught her name who was very cheerful and lovely i decided on the homemade burger and my mum opted for the fish pie.We were taken to our seats in the lovely conservatory and shortly after our food arrived.In a nutshell excellant my burger which was cooked to my liking was the best ive ever tasted and my mums pie was warm and inviting with lots of fresh fish in it.If you like processed food the cottage isnt for you but if you like fresh tasty food where EVERYTHING is homecooked youll love really great will definately go back thanks you guys

A sudden impulse to have lunch out saw us here.Lovely greeting, nice run through of the menu.....and it is always good to hear the line "and how would you like your burger cooked?". Many of the items on the menu have a daily variant, which makes return visits a must.I had the kedgeree which was generous with the fish.Just greed led me to having a dessert, a light version of a Christmas pudding.Had a nice chat with the proprietor afterwards. All in all it was a very nice way to spend an hour.Highly recommended.

I booked for me and my boyfriend to attend to celebrate my boyfriends birthday.When you arrive, there's a door with a sign saying to use the other door, so you walk round a little and there's a different door but it's locked. Turns out you have to go right to the back of the conservatory area to get into the building - needs to made clearer I think. Whilst we were at our table, at least two other groups of people tried the same door. A simple case of signposting needed. We ordered our dinner; however we did have to wait about 15 mins between receiving the menu and actually giving our order. Reason for this being that they were short staffed; we weren't informed this when we arrived, we overheard the waitress telling another party who had attended for dinner. For starters, you have a choice of a soup of the day, or a tart (quiche) of the day, so upon my questioning, the waitress didn't know and had to go and ask in the kitchen.Between ordering and receiving courses, it did take longer than you would expect but again, for same reason as above. We weren't in a rush to leave, as we were celebrating but when we were finished our courses, we would have liked our plates taken away... Main courses were delicious; my boyfriend had the traditional shepherds pie while I had the chicken goujons. The shepherds pie really was 10/10! The onion rings are great too, proper homemade ones that are really tasty. Definitely recommend the pie and the onion rings. Upon finishing our meal, we asked for the bill which we were given after about 10 minutes again.. To which we then waited another 10-15 minutes before I gave up and finally went to the desk to pay. I used credit card, lady didn't know how to use the machine which is pretty basic so had to get the chef to take my payment. Although I've niggled at a few annoying things with our service throughout our meal, the food really was outstanding and it makes you forgive the less than acceptable service.I expect that if we were to attend again, and they had full staffing numbers, we wouldn't have been kept waiting for so long at all these different stages of our meal. The waitress was lovely (never caught her name) and really chatty in a non-invasive way, she always know when enough was enough and to leave us in privacy. The chef when taking payment was really lovely again, really chatty and polite and apologised for our delays. I do believe it was literally the chef and the waitress left to run the place!Will definitely recommend to friends and family, and will no doubt attend again in the future if we're passing through.

What a gem of a place, food excellent, service superb, cannot fault the white cottage and its owner John, who himself is a real gem. Nothing is too much trouble. Think Paul R who put on those shocking comments must have been at a different restaurant. Thankfully that kind of comments are in the minority.

This is an outstanding restaurant with service and food second to none. The prices are reasonable but the food is just superb. We ate her two nights and would not consider any where else if in the area. Brilliant and such a good host however not open every day of the week.

We have visited this restaurant regularly over many years. It has been consistently excellent. The cooking has always been toothsome and inventive, the ambience thoroughly engaging and the decor, garden and patio very attractive. The staff are courteous and friendly and the host is very agreeable and entertaining. We have dined all over the world and always feel happy to return here. Try it for yourselves. It is great value (and the french fries are the best ever!!)

We decided to try the take away first and the fish and chips were certainly very tasty, so much infact that we have now eaten in the restaurant twice. Once as a party of 6 in which we all ordered various starters and mains and we were all extremely happy (my fish pie was delicious) and secondly as a party of three in which we all ordered the same starters and mains - very tasty again and we will certainly be returning. John is a host with the most and when he says the chips are to die for - he's not joking!

This restaurant was recommended by the Woodend House B & B, Miranda, where we were staying. She was able to get us in without a reservation at last minute. It is a small charming local restaurant. The owner, John, was delightful and friendly. The menu was fresh and had good choices. The four of us in my party all ordered something different and we loved what we had. Fresh ingredients and cooked to order. The wait staff (one man) was very friendly and efficient. John the owner seems to know everyone who came to dinner and did speak to each patron and went from table to table to make sure everyone was happy and liked their food. The bistro is small and seems to be well loved by locals. The dress code seems to be casual but not too casual and lovely flowers flowed throughout the room. We enjoyed this bistro and John so much, we went a second night. And again, food and service impeccable.

We booked in to the White Cottage on Saturday night for our mum's birthday. We always like going here for special treats, and it didn't fail to impress again. Dad had the ribeye steak which was cooked perfect ,mum had the cottage pie, and we had the house curry which came with all the trimmings and was absolutely delicious ! We were too full after starters and mains, so skipped pudding and just had coffees and some lovely homemade fudge. Not sure who's birthday it is next, but I hope its soon so we can go back !!

Been going to the White Cottage for years and it never disappoints. Had the fish pie recently which was totally delicious after a fabulously tasting prawn cocktail to start with. Well worth a visit.

Good food, nice little place. A bit cramped, definitely not recommended for kids at all as the place is too small.

Unfortunately we believed the website and the other reviews and were very disappointed. The place reeks of wet dog and various animals were allowed to roam free. The food is poor and every dish dribbled with cheap balsamic glaze. The burger was 50% charcoal. The kedgeree was a sloppy rice pudding and to describe jelly and shop bought ice cream as 'home made ' just about capped it until later we checked the overpriced bill to find we were overcharged by £10 which we got refunded the next day. Eat anywhere else!

Το φαγητό ήταν εξαιρετικό. Πολύ καλές και πρωτότυπες ιδέες και άψογα εκτελεσμένες.Πολύ φιλικό προσωπικό. Ρομαντικό και χαλαρωτικό περιβάλλον. Λογικές τιμές για αυτά που προσφέρει. Το συστήνω ανεπιφύλακτα!!

We only found The White Cottage by driving past,its not to far from Ballater and well worth a visit.John Inches who runs the place is a very nice chap and looked after us.The food is of a very good quality and reasonably priced we would certainly return

Experienced and knows how to provide excellent hospitality, service and delicious food.Lovely garden and indoor plants....cannot fault it!

Had a really lovely meal here. Made to feel very welcomed by the host, service was great and food delicious. Has a very friendly atmosphere, lots of local patrons who were obviously regular visitors to the restaurant.

My husband and I stopped in for lunch this past Saturday on our way to the Glenlivet distillery. We were a little wary since there were no cars in the parking lot, and we had to ring the bell to be admitted. We asked if they were open for lunch and we were seated in a pretty sunroom filled with colorful flower boxes. The server was friendly and prompt, and my husband ordered fish and chips, while I ordered the daily curry, which was described as a "British curry" made with chicken and fruit. Turned out to be apricots. Also added some fresh cream, chopped onion, tomatoes and coriander, and a crispy poppadum. It was delicious. Very fresh herb taste with just enough spice to give it a pleasant heat. Husband's fish and chips were equally delicious. It was a beautiful large piece of haddock, lightly battered and fried golden brown. Very flaky and moist. The chips were nice and big, perfectly fried and puffy inside. Didn't have any of that "old oil" taste that I've found all too common with chips in the UK. He also had a tasty pale ale, calling it one of the best he's had during two weeks in the UK. As we were headed on to the distillery and were completely full, no chance to try dessert. The owner was extremely pleasant and another couple of local quests who came in while we were there provided some helpful tips about sites to check out in NE Scotland.

The White Cottage has always been one of my favourite restaurants, as was the owner John Inches previous restaurant, Faradays in Cults. It’s about a 40 minute drive from central Aberdeen to the White Cottage, but for me the journey is well worth it and today decided to drop by for lunch. John continually changes the menu and cuisine of the restaurant and currently he is offering an all day bistro menu of around seven starters and ten main courses. Decided to start with the chicken pate (5.80) with some crisp bread and a side salad, while my friend had the bruchetta with roasted peppers and tomatoes (6.40) – both excellent. Followed up with the spicy chillied beef and rice (13.80). My friend had the battered chicken goujons, with an amazing salsa and thick cut chips, crispy on the outside but nice and fluffy inside (12.80). Decided to pass on the desert but finished with a cafetiere of coffee.With two glasses of house wine and some sparkling water, the bill came to 59 pounds – not the cheapest lunch around, but for me good value considering the quality of the food. Service from John and his staff is always extremely friendly and efficient – can’t rate the White Cottage too highly.

Without doubt the best place to eat in aberdeenshire if not scotland. John is the most superb host. The ambience is great. The food is wonderful, beautifully presented, very very tasty and great prices for such fabulous food. Choice of wines is good and John has good knowledge of wines. 5 star rating.

Due to the highland games taking place in Aboyne all the eating places were full.We found the White Cottage not far from the Lodge on the Loch and found the ownervery helpful who found us a place to dine to save us hunting around.The place is very cosy, clean and welcoming. I can say no more about the food except to say it was brilliant, freshly cooked and very very tasty. Price? who could put a price on great cooking. Just to say it was not expensive and would agree to a small price rise.

We had a carry-oot!Being near the sea port we had a notion for a fish supper to be eaten al fresco. We selected a location close by as adequate then ordered the fish and chips, advised it would be ready in 15 minutes, it took 25 minutes and we drove down the road and were eating it two minutes after leaving.It was gr8t, batter crisp and first class chips, no slopyness.Well done, but how you justify twice the price for eating in, is beyond me, but it would still have been worth it.Recommend this place, most decidedly

We have eaten here many many times over the years and took over the Restaurant for one of our Wedding Anniversaries. The food is always very good and John the owner is very welcoming - the setting is lovely and the menu changes quite often depending what is in season. If you haven't been already you should go - you won't be disappointed.

Out for a run one day we happened upon the White Cottage Restaurant and had one of the best lunches that I can remember.John made us very welcome with a drink beside a warming fire as we chose from a very interesting looking menu.All we had was well presented and delicious and the chips were like no chips I have tasted before. Try them and you will understand what I mean.

This restaurant appears to be often re-inventing itself to meet passing trade demand and offer something different to its regular customers. Having visited about five times in about three years, we have always found the service to be professional, friendly, the food excellent and the ambience cosy - a truly memorable experience for all the right reasons. A restaurant to definitely try / re-visit.

My wife, father in law and I dined here on Christmas Day having arranged by last minute booking.The equality of reception, ambiance and food was simply excellent. Now the White Cottage is firmly on our 'must revisit list'. The quality of this experience emerges from a Patron who clearly understands the highest standards of service.

The food and service here are always good (we have visited many times over the years), but their opening hours are limited, so ring ahead.

Situated just outside Aboyne, the White Cottage has been a long time favourite of myself, my friends and my family and offers a lovely weekend dining experience, in a tastefully restored country cottage with conservatory. The licenced restaurant is a pleasant, 50 minutes drive from Aberdeen and offers consistently good food from a varied menu, served by friendly, polite and attentive staff. The venue is located within a beautifully mature and tranquil garden setting and has a pleasant outdoor patio where food is also served when weather permits. A great trip and well worth a visit.

Having read other reviews I wonder if we were at the same restaurant. The food wasn't bad, the pate was good, but overall it was a bit disappointing and consequently overpriced. We were surprised that there was only a fixed price menu on a Saturday evening and a choice of wines all the same price at £23.50. We both had steak and it was tasteless with oily vegetables and a runny sauce. There was no atmosphere and although the owner was very pleasant he couldn't make up for what the overall experience lacked. We paid nearly £100 and won't be back which is a shame as the restaurant has potential.

Fantastic place to have your meal. great atmosphere and beautiful conservatory. great and fresh meals

We live in Banchory so booked as it wasnt too far and had many excellent reviews, do not believe them. Walked in, lovely rustic looking place. A bit put off as plants on every surface including our table. Owner very nice and helpful, menu looked impressive. No wine list, ordered a bottle of red it was awful and at £23.50 a bottle expected more. Ordered the curry banana soup and mussels to start. Soup wasn't bad, mussels came with a thick, gloppy curry sauce poured over, not cooked in the "broth" as stated on the menu. Main course was fish pie for me and venison for my husband. Fish pie was ok, plenty of fish but very watery. Huge piece of Venison was rather tough and was served with a mushroom sauce, carrot batons and chips not new potatoes as stated on the menu. We love game and have had venison many times you do not serve it with chips. Dessert was creme caramel and poached pears with "homemade" meringue. Creme caramel lacked flavour. The pear must have been poached in water as it was swimming on my plate with cheap ice cream and definitely not a homemade meringue.Disappointing experience and cost us nearly £90. Definitely wont be returning, which is a shame.

Dining at the White cottage is a truly unique experience !! John Inches the proprietor is a great host and a very talented chef. The menu choice is fabulous the food is delicious, the location is and ambiance is breathtaking in the heart of royal Deeside John and his staff make you and your guests feel very special every time you dine. We have been regular diners over many years and my 86 year old mother thinks there is no where else to match the experience of dining at the White cottage for any occasion whether for Christmas a birthday or a family Sunday lunch. Recently my friends from Winchester Ontario stayed in the Bed and Breakfast accommodation and were absolutely delighted with their room and Scottish breakfast they felt so welcome and loved Johns labrador dogs Amber and Ebony he made them feel really relaxed and it was a wonderful end to their three week holiday just perfect they didn't want to leave. You really do such a wonderful job thank you for making every visit so memorable.

We have been following John Inches around his various eateries for 30 years and he's still the best! Always something to tickle the taste buds, finest of food perfectly cooked and presented. One is always made to feel special in his restaurant . Even the loos are immaculate!! Keep up the good work John!

As a family we stayed at the White Cottage recently and we were delighted with the accommodation - nicely furnished cosy rooms with all facilities. We had breakfast and an evening meal - food excellent and we were grateful for the helpful information about the area from the owner. Beautiful part of Deeside - near to Balmoral Castle and lots of other castles nearbyWill definitely return next year.

We recently used this venue for the B&B, not the restaurant. It was expensive so we decided not to have breakfast as that was extra, so I cannot comment on the food in this review. However, the accommodation came as a huge shock compared to the photos. I had seen the pictures of the rooms on the White Cottage website and was looking forward to my lovely four poster bed but the rooms we had couldn't be more different as you can see from the pictures. My husband and I had one room which had a double bed and a single pushed up against the dressing table. My brother-in-law had a similar arrangement in his room next door and there was a shared bathroom between us all and that only had a bath no shower or showerhead attachment. When we asked whether there was a shower in the building that we could use, we were told there wasn't. So much for the en-suites that are advertised on the website and the sign outside, there was not an en-suite in sight! The rooms were clean but did have the smell of wet dogs lingering in the air. We entered our accommodation via the owners private kitchen and sitting room which was also somewhat unconventional. Overall a disappointing experience which we will not be repeating in the future.

Very relaxing, pleasant atmosphere, wonderful food & service. Can not fault it at all! We have already recommended it all of our friends and we will be going back again & often.

The White Cottage near Aboyne is a regular stop for lunch or dinner with freinds, family or for business reasons. John, the sole owner is a "weel kent" face from previous well known restaurants, inns and hotels and knowns his trade well.The welcome is always very professional, freindly, chatty but not invasive, you can sit outside in the patio if weather permits. The choice of wine and champagne is extensive and the food is to John's usual very high standard. All food is locally sourced and spot on. Seafood, when in season, is local and not to be missed.For those on the hoof all the time and wishing to get home fast to the wood stove or the patio, there is a discrete service available whereby John can have your food "to go" when you go to pick it up. Another advantage is, you can take all the credit for preparing and cooking the meal!Gwen Blair

Been here quite a few times and can't say I've ever had a bad meal in the restaurant. The food is always superb and the service is first class. The owner always seems to be on the go helping out and always takes the time of day to talk to you and make sure everything is good. The location is great as well, if you can get a seat in the conservatory, you get a lovely view of the garden and surrounding hills.The only slight negative point I could raise is that occasionally some of the deep fried options on the takeaway menu can be a bit greasy. Most likely due to the fact they are cooked and then instantly wrapped up to be served to you, but it's good to know that you always get a good fresh cooked meal from them whether it's sitting in the restaurant or taking away.

I took my son to the white cottage for a meal and it was outstanding. The welcome was great the atmosphere was so nice and relaxed. The owner couldn't have been nicer and went out of his way to make us feel welcome. My complainants to the chef on a beautiful meal. I will be returning here the next time I'm in Aberdeenshire, this was the icing on the cake for our holiday.

8 of us had dinner in this restaurant on a recent trip to Scotland and it was a great evening. It is one of those small intimate places that you drive by without a glance but it should not be passed up. Wonderful food and very good service in a great homey yet classy atmosphere.

The girls who work there are always lovely. The two owners are awful, you can hear them arguing through the house. Un real

This is a charmingly appointed restaurant, where the welcome, service and food are all of great quality. Fish and seafood are a specialty, inventively cooked and well presented. A really excellent place to eat.

C'est complètement par hasard que nous nous sommes arrêtés avec ma compagne dans ce charmant restaurant. Nous avons été très bien reçus, et avons eu le plaisir de discuter dans la langue de Molière puisque Monsieur a travaillé en restauration en France et connaît bien notre langue. Après avoir écouté sa description alléchante de la carte, nous avons opté pour des plats bien scottishs! Et quel régal! En bref, le lieu est charmant, l'accueil chaleureux, et la nourriture exquise! Adresse fortement recommandé!

A really splendid supper come dinner,all looked after exeedingly well,special prawn cocktails for the children and all not a bother to supply.All the main courses were great.House wines were well chosen and white and red were a success with all.Thanks for a grat time sad that you are only open Friday Sat Sun.

We ate in the conservatory, and it was beautiful, lovely ambience and the food was very good served piping hot as it should be, we all had different starters and raved about each one, mains were varied with seafood and steaks and again very high standard fresh and tasty. Will definitely be back

No fuss, just a warm welcome from the minute you arrive till you are waved goodbye by John on your departure from the car park.The new seafood bistro is a hit with generous portions and fresh produce.Accommodation is extremely comfortable and luxurious by most standards. Our friend from Hertfordshire were relieved to find this wonderful place after a mediocre trip around Scotland's sometimes not so sharp B&B's.Keep it up John you should have no problem filling the rooms.

The White Cottage really is a special place.Upon arrival we were greeted with a very warm welcome and shown to our beautifully presented room. It was very comfortable with great views out towards the surrounding countryside. The furnishings are very tasteful and although it's a cosy country cottage, it has touches that make it feel like a grand country house. It works beautifully.Dinner was delicious. The menu had a fantastic selection of fish dishes but the non-fish dishes were equally appealing. The fish pie was outstanding and the strawberry and apple crumble was one of the tastiest crumbles I've ever had. I really couldn't fault the service or the freshly cooked food. The standards were extremely high but at the same time the atmosphere was very relaxed. Perfect!I have stayed in several hotels in and around Aboyne and have been disappointed on a few occasions. However, this place really is a gem. It deserves all its 5 stars.

Stopped at this place en-route to somewhere - lovely welcome and hospitality. It was a sunny day so we were able to sit outside and eat alfresco. Shared Crab pate to start with - the other half had Fish Curry and I had a big portion of Calamari with curry mayo (all amazing!). Great coffee too! Will definitely be back......

I saw this review (below) and thought that it had been written by my husband because it's exactly what we did and how we feel about our experience at The White Cottage. We've since returned from our trip, and I can't tell you how much I miss John and his food! "Recently, my wife and I had dinner one evening, and found it to be so good that we returned the following evening. Both meals were excellent, each time introducing a combination of creativity and variety with fresh ingredients. John, the proprietor, was a gracious host in an atmosphere of country-style elegance. Reservations are recommended."

We stayed 2 nights Bed `& Breakfast John the owner was very helpful and made us feel very welcome . Tea biscuits on arrival sat in the garden in the lovely sunshine. The room was excellent and the surprise treats were most welcome after our long journey. We enjoyed the bistro so much that we booked dinner for 2 nights. The menu offered a wide choice of fish , chicken and steak. The homecooked chips were worth the 368 mile trip not to mention the green bannana curry soup or the filo pastry basket filled with large scallops in a creamy sauce topped with bacon and leeks. I will not forget the wonderful array of desserts and excellent choice of wines. We enjoyed it so much and look forward to another visit sometime soon .