Catch of the Day is back!

A few of our favourite seaside venues open for a restriction-relaxed fishy feast, says Gaby Soutar

Scotland doesn’t have a shortage of seaside restaurants. There are so many goodies, strung along our coastline, from Skipness Seafood Cabin and Starfish, both in Tarbert, to Tobermory’s Cafe Fish, the Seafood Bothy in Stonehaven, The Pierhouse Hotel and Seafood Restaurant in Port Appin, Cullen’s Rockpool Cafe, The Creel Inn in Catterline, Da Haaf in Scalloway and Edinburgh’s Fishmarket.

According to our Twitter friends @ scots2travel “the seafood platter is epic” at the Cullen Bay Hotel, and @ bambigoesforth recommends The Trawler in Golspie and La Mirage in Helmsdale, as “they both do good fish and chips”.

As restrictions ease, we plan on rediscovering all this fresh seafood, ice-cream, sand, oxygenated air and epic views.

In no particular order, here are a few of our most loved and recommended.

Mara, Isle of Arran

This lovely wee restaurant, whose name is Gaelic for the sea, is at Corrie on the Isle of Arran. The focus is on seafood, with options like crab bisque or fillet of ling in a Goan curry, and they offer bread from Blackwaterfoot Bakehouse, as well as the best coffee on the island. Look out for the friendly resident Westie.

Alanda’s, Longniddry Bents

Takeaway from this vendor on Longniddry Bents, and eat your fish and chips while watching the kite surfers and their white knuckle stunts.

There’s also ice-cream, or you can swap your fish for something fancier, like battered king prawns. If you’re in North Berwick, they also have a gelateria on Quality Street.

Loch Fyne Oysters

This Cairndow restaurant has a takeaway and the Oyster Bar. They’ll be back to shucking their signature shellfish with shallot vinegar, grilled with garlic and herb breadcrumb, or crispy and Panko coated with horseradish mayo.

Oban Seafood Hut

Rachel Flynn, the PR for Worldwide Cancer Research, says “Less of a restaurant, more of a shack, but the Oban Seafood Hut is just the best I’ve come across! Street-food-esque and sharing platters galore”.

This green shack is situated on Railway Pier. Follow them on Facebook for updates.

Also in Oban is the more formal

Ee-usk – glass-fronted and featuring an equally magnificent view.

Drift, Canty Bay

The views are hard to beat from this upcycled shipping container, overlooking Canty Bay and the Bass Rock. You can also get yourself a takeaway bridie or Danish pastry from their trailer next door.

The Seafood Ristorante

This is an iconic venue, with its views over St Andrews’ Chariots of Fire sands.

We recommend visiting during the day, when you can take full advantage of the views and try their Reopening

Lunch Menu including Shetland cod Kiev and Anstruther lobster agnolotti.

The Seafood Shack

The owners of this takeaway, Kirsty Scobie and Fenella Renwick, work magic with the local seafood, which you can eat at their sheltered spot with fantastic views of Ullapool’s harbour.

You can also pick up their eponymous recipe book, The Seafood Shack: Food & Tales from Ullapool

Fenella and Kirsty from The Seafood Shack, main; Craig Millar @ 16 West End, top; Giacopazzi’s, above

(Kitchen Press) which is available through their website.

Craig Millar @ 16 West End

St Monans isn’t exactly hoaching with restaurants, but it does have this pearl, which has a terrace that looks out to the harbour. Make sure to also visit the East Pier Smokehouse if you’re in the village, or walk along to Pittenweem and visit their fish and chip bar on the High Street or The Dory Bistro & Gallery.

Giacopazzi’s

They’ll be back to shucking their signature shellfish with shallot vinegar

“The finest fish and chips in town”, says the website of this Eyemouth venue, which is also known for its ice-cream. Its fans agree. “Unquestionably Giacopazzi’s, carried out to the beach. With views like these, and food like that, there’s no comparison. Hope to be there in the summer”, says Dr Valentina Bold of Food Heritage Scotland.

The Harbour Cafe, Elie

Amy Elles, who appeared on the Great British Menu, set up this shack by Elie harbour. Although we’ve enjoyed their takeaway options, with nationwide delivery, we’re now looking forward to a walk on the beach followed by their dressed crab with homemade fries.