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.

Excellent donuts, fantastic coffee and very warm welcome. The place was busy with cyclists refuelling: soup smelled delicious. Our treats were so good we went back to buy more to take home for breakfast!

What a fabulous restaurant! We arrived 10 minutes before our booked time and were warmly welcomed and shown straight to our table. All staff were very helpful and extremely attentive which gave us an indication of what we might expect with the food and we were not disappointed! They do a fixed price lunch menu but we were able to mix and match so chose mussels from the a la carte menu followed by steamed lemon sole from the lunch menu and both were so tasty and the sauces very flavourful! We also had the very moreish Crab pancakes as a pre starter and wonderful sour dough bread which is baked daily in the restaurant! We had no room for desserts but they too looked great! We live a 3 hour drive away from Ballater but my goodness it was so worth the journey and we will certainly be back!

The soup and other dishes were all make by the chef to a very high standard. Extremely tasty and highly recommended. Great cafe

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.

This is a fabulous hotel with great service and fantastic views. We had the room at the top of the house and the view was stunning. Dinner was exceptional and delicious. The whole house has been renovated to a very high standard. We would thoroughly recommend it if you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area.

Very nice and fancy place. Tasty