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Fish Shop

Aberdeen, Ballater - Seafood - Restaurant - ££

Warm and stylish setting for sustainable Scottish seafood

Overall Rating: Very Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Very Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Very Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Very Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Very Good

There’s a real ‘place to be’ vibe at this seafood restaurant and adjoining fishmongers from Artfarm, the team behind Durslade Farmhouse in Somerset and the Fife Arms in Braemar. Packed with locals and a well-heeled crowd, the place boasts light, bright maritime-themed interiors, including an eye-catching shoal of 133 ‘fish’ fashioned from willow by local basketmaker, Helen Jackson. The kitchen is headed up by Ayrshire-born chef Marcus Sherry, who puts sustainably sourced Scottish seafood centre stage, cherry-picking the catch from boats in Peterhead and Scrabster while sourcing shellfish from Cape Wrath and fishing villages such as Macduff – it’s all hand-dived, creel-landed and line-caught stuff. To start, the must-have signature ‘snack’ is the Macduff crab crumpet, a moreish mouthful piled with sweet, buttery shredded brown crab, while the crustacean also has its say in a starter of punchy partan bree – a crab soup and...

There’s a real ‘place to be’ vibe at this seafood restaurant and adjoining fishmongers from Artfarm, the team behind Durslade Farmhouse in Somerset and the Fife Arms in Braemar. Packed with locals and a well-heeled crowd, the place boasts light, bright maritime-themed interiors, including an eye-catching shoal of 133 ‘fish’ fashioned from willow by local basketmaker, Helen Jackson.

The kitchen is headed up by Ayrshire-born chef Marcus Sherry, who puts sustainably sourced Scottish seafood centre stage, cherry-picking the catch from boats in Peterhead and Scrabster while sourcing shellfish from Cape Wrath and fishing villages such as Macduff – it’s all hand-dived, creel-landed and line-caught stuff. To start, the must-have signature ‘snack’ is the Macduff crab crumpet, a moreish mouthful piled with sweet, buttery shredded brown crab, while the crustacean also has its say in a starter of punchy partan bree – a crab soup and pickled mussels with toasted oats and cream. Mains range from a ‘tail chop’ of roast hake with lentils, kale and salsa verde or lobster tagliarini with chilli, garlic and chervil to veggie options such as roast hispi cabbage with chestnuts, crisp shallots and garlic. As a finale, try the creamy yoghurt panna cotta with whisky-soaked brambles and biscotti.

As well as the carte and specials board (think Loch Leven surf clams with mojo verde and sourdough), the restaurant offers a good-value set lunch, while Marcus’s warmly welcoming wife Jasmine manages front of house. The drinks list is well thought out too: the signature Fish Shop Negroni features samphire, there are beers from Scottish microbreweries, and the wine list champions biodynamic vineyards along with Artfarm's own Somerset-produced Maid of Bruton Bacchus – bright and zesty with aromas of grapefruit and nettle, perfect with seafood.

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VENUE DETAILS

3 Netherley Place
Ballater
Aberdeen
AB35 5QEGB

01339 720250

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OTHER INFORMATION

Separate bar, Counter seating, Wheelchair access, Family friendly

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