Places to eat in Aberdeen

For the full rundown of the best eateries in Aberdeen, head to our dedicated Aberdeen restaurants page.

With long winters and leisurely summer days, Aberdeen is the perfect café city. Snuggle up with a hot chocolate in December or sit out in the sun (well, sit out at least) during summer.

If you’re looking for an up-market café treat, look no further than Almondine. This Thistle Street café has an exquisite touch when it comes to pastries, cakes and their divine homemade macarons. Almondine is essentially the fine-dining version of café living, with crisp white tablecloths and delicate plates and cutlery adding to the experience. And their hot chocolate is the best in town, hands down.

Just up the road from Almondine is the Foodstory Café, a simple but excellent café that lets the food and the drink do the talking. From healthy salads and wraps to indulgent cakes and pastries, it’s a homely and welcoming café that does some of the best food in the city.

If you’ve got your dog with you, the Long Dog Café is the most welcoming spot for you and your four-pawed friend. Perpetually busy, they have an excellent range of ice creams and cakes for sunny days, as well as a selection of healthy smoothies, fruit cocktails, salads and sandwiches. And, of course, there’s a fabulous choice of well-made teas and coffees. If that tickles your fancy, Café Cognito – a short walk away – is another well-stocked coffee shop that excels when it comes to cakes and coffee, with foam art being one of their specialities.

In the heart of Aberdeen’s business district, Parx Café is a great spot for breakfast and dinner, with a sit-in menu or takeaway. Grab a breakfast roll and a cake for later if you’re in a rush, or take a seat in the stylish wood-lined café for your lunch (and a cake, of course).

Rounding out our selection is Books and Beans, a simple but effective café that marries the magical aroma of coffee with that of well-loved paperback books. Located on Belmont Street, a short distance from the Trinity Centre and from our City Centre hotel, the coffee and service are excellent, and you’re bound to find a good read amongst thousands of books.

A monthly event that mainly runs in the summer, the Thistle Street Food Market is a vibrant affair that takes over the whole of the West End, with food and drink producers from across the region showcasing their best produce. From craft beers and artisan bread to rare meats, wild game and venison, the market is a thriving hub of activity that’s well worth checking out. And if you have a sweet tooth, make sure to pick up some tablet or fudge; two very sugary treats that are popular in the region.

Running on the last Saturday of every month from 9am-5pm, the Aberdeen Farmers’ Market takes place on Belmont Street near the Academy and Trinity shopping centres. Expect to find the best local produce spanning bread, cheese, meat, fish and vegetables, as well as several artisan and arts and craft stalls.