Bridge of Don is Aberdeen’s largest suburb, so it’s no surprise that it houses a range of fantastic independent food and drink businesses.
Plus, they’re situated within a few minutes’ walk (or short drive) of one another.
You’ll find cafes selling mouth-watering breakfasts, lunches and tray bakes, as well as fish and chip shops, and a restaurant that specialises in barbecue grub.
Anyone in/passing the area is spoilt for choice, so I have pulled together a list of all the places I’d recommend stopping by to enjoy the best Bridge of Don food and drink.
Breakfast
8am to 11am
Nestled in the heart of a vibrant industrial district on Exploration Drive, the Bridge of Don Grub Fresh Food branch is a must-visit.
A contemporary space, the café is perfect for anyone looking to kickstart their day with a tasty dish, recharge, catch up with their pals, or savour a cup of brewed artisan coffee.
There are paninis, subs, sandwiches and salads galore on the menu. However, you’ll have to request a filled morning roll if you stop by for breakfast.
The branch is open from 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday.
Coffee and cake
11am to 1pm
Fancy a coffee paired with a fine piece? Well, The Coffee Bar is the place to be.
The non-profit venue – run by King’s Church in Aberdeen – opened its doors in May 2021. It has been serving a welcoming atmosphere plus tasty drinks, sandwiches and tray bakes to the local community ever since.
If they’re available when you stop by, be sure to treat yourself to a cinnamon knot.
The Coffee Bar is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays.
Lunch/brunch
1pm to 3pm
Now it’s time for lunch, and oh boy do we have a corker of a venue for you to visit.
Barbecue and smoked meat gurus Smoke and Soul opened their latest venture The Old Smiddy, located in the firm’s smokehouse, at the beginning of February.
I stopped by for the first time the following month, and the food was incredible (to say the least).
I’d recommend a portion of their creamy mac and cheese (£7.50), which includes jalapenos and bacon, as well as the double cheeseburger (£11).
However, there are plenty of other mouth-watering dishes for you to get stuck into such as BBQ slow smoked ribs and homemade tattie wedges.
Snack
3pm to 6pm
The quality businesses just keep on coming…
On the snack front, you’ll find a Charles McHardy Butcher branch in the Braehead Shopping Centre.
It opened its doors in April 2022, and offers fantastic produce coupled with great service.
Using fourth-generation traditional family recipes, it sells ready-prepared dishes, marinated stir-fries, kebabs, burgers, sausages and homemade pies.
Seafood, vegetables, sauces and condiments are also available.
Over on Jesmond Drive, there’s The Ashvale.
I know what you’re thinking – “I’d go here for a meal?”
As would I. However, there are a few menu items that would make for a great snack.
For example (should you be after something sweet), there are a range of reasonably priced desserts including sticky toffee pudding, a knickerbocker glory, and caramel apple pie.
They cost £6.45 each.
Dinner
6pm to 8pm
Now, it’s time for dinner. And I couldn’t make a list of the top Bridge of Don food and drink spots without including Sea Salt and Sole.
This Sea Salt and Sole branch is also based on Jesmond Drive.
Open 4pm to 8pm Tuesday to Sunday, the family-owned takeaway serves a range of chipper/chippie favourites.
Trust me, you won’t be disappointed by your dish(es) from the outlet.
But if you’re craving Chinese food, then give Golden Palace a try.
The takeaway is open from noon to 10.30pm daily, so it’s a great place to order from for a spot of lunch too.
Drinks
8pm to late
Located a two-minute walk away (from Golden Palace), The Brig Inn is well worth a visit for both food and drinks.
It serves hearty pub classics like stovies and steak and ale pie, plus Scottish tapas to complement a range of craft beers, premium drinks, wines and more.
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