There are few better testaments to the hardiness of Aberdeen’s hospitality industry than this: in the midst of unprecedented challenges, this year restaurants and cafes were still opening.
And, as you can see from our list of new businesses, it wasn’t just a few.
Dozens of places flung open their doors for the first time, including some heavy hitters that continue to add sheen to the city’s food scene.
To help you keep up to date with the newest venues in town, we have catalogued some of the best and most notable of the year.
If you haven’t been to them already, we suggest you start booking your reservations now.
Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish
Opening its doors in June, Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish has been a welcome addition to Aberdeen’s food and drink scene.
Respected chef Kevin Dalgleish opened the venue to huge success and has been booked out since opening.
Local food and drink play a key part in this restaurant’s offering and it is also one of the only venues to boast a fish course section on its menus.
P&J Team picks: You have to order the langoustine lasagne from the fish course. The monkfish and beef mains are also a must. Go for something with citrus for dessert. Read Julia’s review here. Society also recommends the crab and shrimp toast.
Address: 1 Queen’s Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1XL
Six by Nico
With restaurants dotted up and down the country we knew it wouldn’t be long until Six by Nico made its way to Aberdeen.
Menus to date have already included the chipper – which was renamed to suit Aberdeen audiences – a Thai menu and a circus-themed offering. The latest menu to hit the city is a taste of Greece.
It opened in April and the concept sees the menu change every six weeks. The eatery is based within the former Topolabamba building.
P&J Team picks: The snacks always turn out to be good, so invest in those.
Address: 367 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6BT
itsu
Aberdeen shopping centre Union Square welcomed its latest foodie addition, itsu, back in June. Since opening locals have been flocking to the chain eatery which specialises in sushi and Asian cuisine.
We paid a visit just as it opened to try out some of the dishes, and you can watch how we got on, here.
P&J Team picks: The spicy tuna dragon roll is a must and be sure to get the chocolate mochi.
Address: Guild Street, Union Street, First Level Mall, Aberdeen AB11 5RG
Fat Batch
Young entrepreneur Eve Smith took her home baking business to the next level by opening her first bakery, Fat Batch, in June.
Specialising in making some of the biggest brookies, cookies and cookie pies in the city, Eve has built up a strong following of loyal customers on Instagram who help sell out her bakes every day she’s open.
If you haven’t had one of Eve’s bakes, we can’t recommend them enough.
P&J Team picks: Don’t just buy one flavour, buy a few. The ones with caramel are extra gooey so we’d recommend one of those.
Address: 57 Elmbank Terrace, Aberdeen AB24 3NL
Maggie’s Grill (second location)
As if we aren’t spoiled enough by having Maggie’s Grill in the city, owners Sebastian Lord and Richard Parfitt opened their second unit at Aberdeen’s Marischal Square in July.
The smoked meat and soul food enthusiasts brought southern food to Holburn Street in 2014 and have since grown their restaurant to be one of the most popular in Aberdeen.
P&J Team picks: If you pay a visit be sure to order the St Louis ribs, southern fried chicken burgers or any of their smoked meats. The spicy corruption glaze is a must with the southern fried chicken tenders.
Address: Unit 2, Marischal Square, Aberdeen AB10 1BL
The Hungry Beast
North-east chef Graham Mitchell is now on a mission to bring his mouth-watering food to the masses. Not only is he trying to open his first restaurant in Rosemount, but he recently launched his first food truck in July at Beach Boulevard.
From drool-worthy burgers to loaded fries, The Hungry Beast isn’t just your regular burger van.
P&J Team picks: You can’t not try The Hungry Beast beef burger with onions, streaky bacon, cheese and barbecue sauce for £7. The loaded fries are also a must – any flavour will do.
Address: Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen AB11 5DN
Olive Alexanders
This delicatessen meets bistro opened its doors in Golden Square in July. Owned by Emily Hailstones and Hayley Fisher, the duo launched their first premises, Barbelow, in the same building downstairs in March.
You’ll find all sorts of deliciousness at Olive Alexanders including small plates, lobster rolls, meaty pastrami bagels and more. Plus, don’t forget to pick up some brilliant wines, cheese and local produce from their deli section – there’s something to suit all tastes.
P&J Team picks: If they have lobster rolls on, grab one. The chicken wings are good as are their sandwiches. They made their own bagels in house so get some to take home.
Address: 8 Golden Square, Aberdeen AB10 1RB
Cafe Confidence
Opening her first cafe in Cove, Aberdeen this July, Gaynor Barrie is no stranger to food.
She’s the mastermind behind the popular street food truck, Cafe on the Kerb, which was launched in June 2021.
If you’re a fan of cafe culture then this is the place for you…
P&J Team picks: Don’t leave without a cupcake or cookie pie.
Address: Loirston Avenue, Cove Bay, Aberdeen AB12 3HE
Vegan Bay Baker
Steve Buchan has been running his Vegan Bay Baker business for years now, but has just recently opened his second shop in the north-east.
His first, which is based in Peterhead, was launched to huge demand, and Aberdeen is slowly picking up with many a queue seen at the Castlegate premises.
If you’re a fan of baked goods, plus butteries, bread and more, this is the place for you.
P&J Team picks: You must try the doughnuts and yum yums.
Address: 33 Castle Street, Aberdeen AB11 5BB
Tucan
Opening earlier this month, Tucan’s offering is focused on South American cuisine.
Located on Aberdeen’s Rosemount Place it is one of the city’s latest openings. On the menu, you’ll find Latin-inspired dishes as well as a nod to Scottish ones, too.
Sam Dagostim, alongside business partners Marcia Ramirez and Adam Marnoch, are the trio behind the business and the restaurant is open from 9am to 5pm Wednesday to Monday.
P&J Team picks: Get any of the basket empanadas or the arepas with some salsa on the side.
Address: 231 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen AB25 2XX
Seoul
If you’re in the mood for Japanese and Korean food be sure to pay a visit to the newly opened Seoul.
Situated on Crown Street, you’ll find everything from sushi to dishes from the grill and barbecue. There are also hotpots that you can feast on and be sure to order a side of Korea’s world-famous kimchi.
Manager Vincent Ho’s top pick is the grilled Japanese eel with a soy-based sauce called unagi, which is on the menu for £13.90 including rice.
Be sure to check out their website as it is in both English and Chinese.
P&J Team picks: The Japanese dumplings, grilled ox tongue skewer and the seafood ramen are all a little different to other venues’ menus.
Address: 13 Crown Street, Aberdeen AB11 6HA
Mount coffee shop
The duo behind Mount – Lauren Livingstone and Jack Sim – made the sensible decision to open across the road from the P&J office in Aberdeen.
This means we know all about the coffee and cake shop as it’s just way too tempting to drop in for a latte or cappuccino on the way to work.
Lauren and Jack have done an excellent job with Mount, and their expertly-made ‘proper’ coffee more than holds its own against what’s sold next door in Starbucks.
P&J Team picks: Any coffee. Mount uses beans from relatively new Aberdeen roaster Long Walk. It is good stuff and makes for a fantastic brew.
Address: 6 Upperkirkgate, AB10 1BA
Tarragon by Graham Mitchell
Graham Mitchell has an impressive CV, having worked as part of the teams at The Chester Hotel, Moonfish Cafe and The Scullery at Newmachar Hotel.
His restaurant – which has been some time in the making – is just as bold, adding another excellent option to Aberdeen’s fine dining scene.
The art deco-inspired interior is also magnificent. And a contrast to his Hungry Beast burger van on the beach (see above).
P&J Team picks: The parma-wrapped chicken ballotine goes down a treat.
Address: 137 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen, AB25 2YH
Kirk View Bar & Bistro
A long-time inhabitant of Union Terrace, Kirk View changed location this year to take up space on Belmont Street.
But though the address is different, the excellent food remains, and Kirk View is still one of the best places in town for a great meal.
Address: 47 Belmont Street, Aberdeen AB10 1JS
Barbelow
A lot of work has gone into making Barbelow a reality, and it has added real heft to Aberdeen’s night life.
The cocktail and wine bar even includes a delicatessen, so you know the food is up to scratch.
The entrepreneurs behind Olive Alexanders, Hayley Fisher and Emily Hailstones, have opened Barbelow and are looking to bring something different to the city centre.
P&J Team picks: The Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita is a standout. Slightly spicy with a bit of a warming punch meets refreshing watermelon.
Address: 8 Golden Square, Aberdeen AB10 1RB
Dos Amigos
This Justice Mill Lane restaurant aims to fill a gap in Aberdeen’s Mexican and Spanish options.
It does so with some great paella, burritos, fajitas and other Tex Mex and Iberian dishes.
“If you are looking for Spanish and Mexican food under one roof then we are the only place in the city,” owner Manoj Neupane says.
P&J Team picks: The patatas bravas always go down well, or why not order the pollo cremoso al pimenton, chicken in a creamy paprika sauce.
Address: 58-60 Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen AB11 6EP
The Beach Bar
There is a lot to distract you at the new Beach Bar. Axe throwing, crazy pool and other fun games.
The food is good, too, and will hold your attention for the duration of your stay. Or at least until an errant axe comes flying your way (we are of course joking; you will be perfectly safe).
P&J Team picks: If you survive the axe throwing, try a Beach Bar Burger – a classic beef burger with crispy chicken strips, bacon, cheese, barbecue pulled pork and onion rings.
Address: 1A Beach Esplanade, AB24 5NS
Gidi Grill
Dundee is the home of Gidi Grill, but Aberdeen is the choice for the restaurants first foray out of Tayside.
And we are lucky to have it. Hearty African-inspired spicy food is the order of the day with big portions of chicken, ribs and wings on the menu.
Owner Mo Adeniyi even has his own range of sauces for you to try.
P&J Team picks: Jollof rice is a West African speciality, so it’s hard to look beyond this.
Address: 263 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TL
Mike’s Famous Fish & Chips
Mike’s Famous has been around for a long time.
This year, however, marked a big step for the chipper as it expanded out to a large premise just off the A96 near Blackburn.
Set behind floor-to-ceiling windows, the shop is bright and airy, with gleaming tiles and a neon sign proclaiming every day to be “fry-day”.
It also aims to compete with the fast-food chains – breakfast, coffees and other non-chipper delights are on the menu.
P&J Team picks: Fish and chips, of course! No matter what Mike is also dishing up, the classic remains king.
Address: Site 3C, Westpark Dr, Blackburn, AB21 0BU
Resident X
It took a long time to open, but Resident X is now serving up a selection of takeaway meals to Aberdeen.
There is also a great bar where customers can eat the food, and get top notch drinks.
Worth the wait.
P&J Team picks: Pick up some spicy chicken wings from Pluck, brought to you by the team behind the Victoria Bar & Lounge in Torry.
Address: Marischal Square, Broad Street, Aberdeen AB10 1BL
Gumblossom
Caramel crunchy brookie bars, Kinder Happy Hippo cookies, cookies and cream cookies, Biscoff and white chocolate brookies and Ferrero Rocher brownies are what you’ll find in Gumblossom.
Sisters Sarah and Ailsa Davidson opened the shop this year after running a successful delivery bakery since 2019.
We can’t pretend this is health food, but even the strictest resolutions need wiggle room.
P&J Team picks: A rotating menu of cookies, brownies, cakes and brookies are on show here, so take your pick.
Address: 131 Rosemount Place , Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Beach Tree Cafe
We lost the much-loved Sanddollar Cafe from Aberdeen beach this year.
But it has been ably replaced by the Beach Tree Cafe, owned by Aberdonian Michelle Wilson.
Michelle promises business as usual for the city’s beachgoers.
P&J Team picks: The home-made sticky toffee pudding.
Address: 2 Beach Blvd, Aberdeen, AB24 5NS
The Terrace
The new restaurant at His Majesty’s Theatre is part of a £675,000 redevelopment at the city landmark.
The Terrace offers a refined menu that has street food and comforting dishes at its heart.
Is a step away from the fine dining of its predecessor and brings something new and fresh, and colourful to Aberdeen’s pre-theatre dining scene.
P&J Team picks: Try a hand-made burger with beef sourced from local butcher McWilliam’s.
Address: Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GL
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