The best restaurants in Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside Aberdeenshire North East Scotland

Thank you for catering so well for gluten free. Gluten free cones and a lot of effort to avoid cross contamination. Done with a smile and no problem. Tubs don't cut it really (usual option for us gluten free folks) so to leave with a cone and a smile, just like other people, is fabulous.

Do yourself a favour and visit this beautiful café when you're in Balmoral. The family run business is full of love, great food, good coffee and friendly staff. We loved our visit to the bakery and found there was so much to choose from! The lady was happy to assist with suggestions and would recommend the sweet chilli pastry wrap and 1 sweet!

This restaurant is definitely worth the price tag. Beautiful fresh fish, cooked sublimely. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable but not pushy and did not rush us. We had the Chef's menu which was a lovely way to taste a range of the menu. We also really enjoyed the Kent sparkling wine (forgot the name) as an aperitif. The crab crumpets were tasty and so cute. Flavours out of this world, thank you for bringing such wonderfully cooked food up to us in the North!

It's rare that I would travel two hours just to have lunch but the Tarmachan is one of only two places in Scotland that make that grade. It's not the poshest or the fanciest or the biggest, but it is superb. Not just for the freshness and quality of the products on offer, most of which appear to be home made, but for the originality. The choice is not vast (it can't be for a small place) but everything on offer is tempting. Often there is just one thing on a menu that appeals but at the Tarmachan I would happily have eaten my way through all of it (not all at once of course). Combine that with excellent, friendly, informative service, an interior that is as original as the food, and just as well made, and you have a winning combination that is exceptionally rare. That it sits within easy reach of Balmoral Castle is all the more remarkable. You might not live two hours away but it is worth making a trip to enjoy its delights.

We have come to Ballater for years .. this is a new kid on the block . Small menu but that makes this all the better .. Had a delicious Cajun chicken burger on a toasted brioche bun .. delicious ! Lovely staff , modern cosy eatery . Couldn't fault it ... Love it .

This was one of the best pubs I visited while in Scotland !!!! The owner Michelle is amazing !!! They have great fish and chips , a great pool table , karaoke machine but most of all the sweetest funnest staff ever Darin was a kind attentive bar tender and Julie was a fun great cook !!!! You are lucky if you get to stumble apon this charming little town and pub .

Very disappointed that the cafe was closed. On the website says open Wed-Sunday from 11-3pm. Double checked with the Tourist Office in Ballater they advised us that itwas open from 12-3pm. We walked all the way from Ballater to find it was closed !!!!!We found 2 other people there also disappointed. Have been visiting for some yearsnow food was always fantastic but think will give it a miss in the future. The word in Ballater was that the opening times is not dependable.

We visited this Cafe after a long walk in the forest. Dogs are welcome inside the cafe. Inside there is a log burning stove, which was very welcome, the cafe had a nice rustic feel they do there own baking and my wife described the scone as the best she had. The coffee was lovely. We had visited the Cafe at the Cheese makers across the road which was very nice but had to sit outside with the dog. We will certainly be back here, probably for a lunch next time.

We had a very interesting selection of toasties for lunch - had never thought of putting haggis or venison salami with cheese - both very tasty. Great coffee too and friendly service. The cakes looked great as well but we were too full!

This place is a wee gem! A phenomenal selection of whiskies, a very tasty sharing platter, all served by friendly staff who love to share funny stories. A few locals were in who also love a blether. Lovely seating area outside too. Only open Friday to Sunday at present.

Amazing experience doing the Chef’s tasting. We dined at several Michelin star restaurants in Scotland, and this one certainly deserves one. Dinner was absolutely delicious and the waiter and sommelier were outstanding. I highly recommend this experience.

You must eat here! I insist. The best supper we had all week. The terrine was the best we have ever tasted and the freshly caught haddock was amazing. Great food served by great people.

After our round of golf we had a lovely meal in pleasent surroundings great service and also please note open to visitors not just golfers.

We had dinner here with our family the night before our wedding and it was really beautiful. The dining room was just gorgeous, the food was absolutely delicious (oh my gosh the crispy shin was amazing), and they make an incredible aperol spritz to boot! The service was professional and timely. Every member of staff we interacted with was incredibly kind. Everything was very clean and the decor was so cosy and stunning. I felt like I was walking into a magazine! Planning the dinner via email was also very easy. They responded quickly and even sent us the menu to look over in advance. The whole experience was lovely, we highly recommend them and hope to be back!

Wij hadden een reservering gemaakt voor dit restaurant, maar daar werd niet naar gevraagd. Kort na onze binnnekomst werd het een gekkenhuis met héél veel mensen die binnenstroomden en mensen die online hadden besteld en hun eten kwamen afhalen. De eigenaar was in rep en roer en kon het allemaal niet meer aan. Zo ook de keuken niet. We hebben eindeloos zitten wachten en vol verbazing gekeken hoe het allemaal verder verliep. Het deed ons allemaal een beetje denken aan Fawlty Towers. De kip Uttar Pardeshi Masala was voor mij niet te eten, de shrimps Kathmandu was prima. Erbij de special rice die goed was. Alles heel betaalbaar. Ga niet naar het toilet en niet langs de keuken. Wij vonden het verder een ramp.