Waterside seafood restaurant — Restaurant in Scotland

⭐☆☆☆☆ Title: “Possessed Lobster, Haunted Chowder, and the Sea Shanty Cult”

Where do I begin? This seafood joint promised “ocean-fresh flavor and a dining experience you’ll never forget.” They were right—because I’ll be unpacking this trauma in therapy for years.

We arrived to find a hostess dressed like a shipwreck survivor, whispering “the tide is angry tonight” as she led us to our table—which was inexplicably damp. The menu had items like “The Kraken’s Claw Platter” and “Souls of the Deep Chowder.” I thought it was a gimmick. I was wrong.

I ordered the lobster. Big mistake. The lobster arrived still twitching, wearing what I can only describe as a tiny monocle and glaring at me. When I asked if it was fully cooked, the waiter stared into the distance and said, “He cooks himself… when he’s ready.”

Meanwhile, a group of men in peacoats appeared and began singing a sea shanty in a language that may not exist. One elderly woman at the next table began weeping uncontrollably during her scallops. My friend ordered the chowder, took one bite, and started reciting coordinates she doesn’t remember learning.

Then—and I swear I’m not making this up—a foghorn blasted from the kitchen, and a giant octopus tentacle slapped the exit door shut. We had to escape through the ceiling vent, which, for some reason, was filled with shrimp.

I still smell like brine and regret. Avoid at all costs. Also, if anyone sees a lobster wearing a...

I wanted to write a LONG overdue review for this lovely place and it's fabulous owner. We got married in August of 2017 and Jann, the owner of the Waterside along with her husband, was our lifeline. Not only did she let us take up her ENTIRE restaurant for our reception but also helped us organize our entire wedding from outside the country. I could never have imagined a more perfect place for our wedding nor a better person to help us- especially as both my (now) husband and I were so busy leading up to the wedding, that I am afraid that we were practically no help. Jann is a miracle worker on that front but I must also mention the spectacular food and ambiance to found at the Waterside. We were blown away by the seafood and everyone in our party came away with rave reviews of everything. The pavlova was particularly fabulous and the ambiance was nothing but charming- fairly lights and fantastic mismatched china were nothing short of breathtaking. I know I am gushing but we truly could not have had a better experience. Make the effort to dine here if you can, it's nothing short of amazing and the people that work here as well the owners truly care about...

This was a quality dining experience. The actual interior of the restaurant is on the small side, but it's nicely designed and offers nice views of the surrounding sea. This place fills up fast, so make sure you have a reservation.

I started with their seafood chowder. Most chowders I've had in Scotland go heavy on the cream, and, while that's delicious in it's own right, one tends to lose the nuances of the ingredients. This chowder, on the other hand, was loaded with a delightful array of flavors and a generous amount of mussels. Served with fresh baked bread and butter, it was a great start to the meal.

For my main, I chose their fish cakes. Made of a few different seafoods and served with potatoes and vegetables, they were well-cooked and paired nicely with the creamy tartar sauce provided. My girlfriend had one of their specials - pan-fried seabass in a thai curry sauce, which was so delicious. I was surprised to find such an enjoyable take on a Thai dish so far north in Scotland!

Strongly recommended for anyone...