Five ways to discover the arts and food of Aberdeen

ON the east coast, where the horizon sprawls and the North Sea breeze threatens to snatch your breath away, you’ll discover a city in monochrome: the Silver City. Aberdeen is a city built from oil – its stately granite buildings and international business hub funded by a lavish and now somewhat dwindling supply from the

North Sea. Now, as the gift of the deep threatens to ebb, Aberdeen is in search of a new identity, drawing on its rich history to establish itself as a thriving centre of art and culture. Already, the Silver City feels a little less grey.

But Aberdeen has plenty to offer, here are a few suggestions .....

Absorb culture at Aberdeen Art Gallery Free to explore, the recently reopened Aberdeen Art Gallery (aagm.co.uk) paints the history of Aberdeen over three floors of timeless exhibitions. Many of the galleries are dedicated to Scottish artists – from Victorian painter William Dyce to Will Maclean’s stunning landscapes and the abstract works of Bridget Riley. Each gallery focuses on specific moments from Aberdeenshire’s rich history, including exhibitions depicting the city through war, the rise of female art and celebrations of the Scottish coast. In the top floor galleries, you’ll find the visiting exhibitions, while the upstairs viewing platform boasts striking views of the Aberdeen skyline.

Splash out at the Esslemont

A stylish glass-fronted restaurant with moody-grey interior and elegant feel, The Esslemont (theesslemont.co.uk) delivers a highly sophisticated dining experience. Ideally positioned on the buzzing Union Street, its menu offers an experimental take on a range of classic dishes, from scallops to steak and fresh haddock to haggis. On the whole, the restaurant is very reasonably priced with main meals starting at just £12 per head, and a large glass of house wine coming in at around £7.

Explore the Nuart street art trail

Possibly the best way to see Aberdeen is to take on the self-guided Nuart walking tour (visitabdn.com), exploring the city through all its nooks and crannies. Discover the stencilled Aberdeen leopard hidden in a car park just off Crooked Lane, and Herakut’s mesmerising mural of a red-headed girl looking out over The Green from the side of Aberdeen Market. The next edition of the Nuart festival will take place between Thursday April 23 and Sunday April 26, but you can view the art for free all year round. Pick up a map from the visitor’s iCentre (23 Union Street), pull on a comfortable pair of shoes and start searching the granite for signs of brushstrokes.

Enjoy tasty tapas at Cafe 52

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior; this little day-to-night restaurant isn’t one to boast – though it certainly deserves to be boasted about. Tucked behind Union Street in the cobbled Green, Cafe 52 (cafe52onthegreen.co.uk) is a rustic affair with bare-brick walls and low-hung lighting. The menu is decided daily, using locallysourced ingredients to create fresh dishes. I highly recommend the afternoon tapas, with small-plates starting at £4.80 a portion – £14.90 for shareable platters. Tapas is served Monday to Friday between 3pm and 6pm, starting at 4pm on Saturdays, with a dinner menu to follow.

Taste the sea at Bay Fish & Chips

The queues for this fish bar are out the door even on the greyest of days but don’t let that put you off. Fresh and cooked to order right in front of you, The Bay Fish & Chips (thebayfishandchips.co.uk) in Stonehaven are award-winning for a reason. Take your pick of freshly-caught haddock or cod, then choose between having your fish breaded or deep-fried in batter. For a lighter option, you can even ask for your fish baked.

Add some homemade tartare sauce, take a seat on the sand and enjoy your fish with views across the Aberdeen coast.

Ships sailing into Aberdeen’s busy harbour