Every year, dining establishments across the UK are awarded accolades by the AA Rosette scheme.
Established in 1956, the purpose of the rosettes are to assess the quality of food served by restaurants and hotels.
A number in Tayside have received commendations and here we are focusing on those given 2 or more rosettes.
According to the AA Restaurant Guide, success or failure in achieving rosettes is based on one or more visits by an AA inspector to a hotel or restaurant.
Around 10% of restaurants nationwide are of a standard that is worthy of one Rosette and above. Two rosettes are deemed excellent, three outstanding, four, among the top in the UK and five, the pinnacle.
The Tayberry – Broughty Ferry
2 Rosettes
Nestled in a quiet street near Broughty Ferry’s Esplanade, the Tayberry is headed up by chef proprietor Adam Newth.
Serving contemporary Scottish fare across two levels with its beautiful coastal setting, the restaurant is named after the soft fruit which was first cultivated in the Dundee area and named after the River Tay.
Local distillery Redcastle has also worked with The Tayberry to create a range of liqueurs including Adam’s Tayberry Gin and Tonka Bean Rum.
Address: 2 594 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 2EA
63 Tay Street – Perth
2 Rosettes
Overlooking the River Tay, 63 Tay Street was established in 2007 by local chef Graeme Pallister.
The light and airy restaurant celebrates the Scottish larder and serves up everything from a light lunch to indulgent tasting menus.
The Courier’s restaurant critic Murray Chalmers said of 63 Tay Street: “Chef-patron Graham was the only person cooking in his kitchen on the day we visited and yet the food arrived seamlessly.
“Service was excellent – friendly, knowing and proud of what they were offering, as they should be because this place has got it just right.
“63 Tay Street is such a delight.”
Address: 63 Tay Street, 63 Tay Street, Perth, PH2 8NN
63 @ Parklands – Perth
2 Rosettes
Graeme Pallister of 63 Tay Street is also executive chef of 63 @ Parklands, which is part of the Parklands Hotel in Perth.
Offering a fine dining experience, traditional and new dishes can be found on the menu – and the food is complemented by the hotel’s beautiful surroundings.
Dishes such as wild garlic risotto, pan roasted guinea fowl and mesquite-smoked salmon are offered alongside wine flights.
Address: The Parklands Hotel, 2 St Leonard’s Bank, Perth PH2 8EB
North Port – Perth
2 Rosettes
Andrew Moss and wife Karen opened the North Port Restaurant in 2014.
Located in a beautiful 18th Century stone building that used to house sailors, Andrew heads up the kitchen while Karen takes care of the front of house operations and marketing.
The North Port team carefully select all their ingredients and are supplied by small, local growers, breeders and foragers.
And with mouth-watering offerings such as Highland partridge, Scrabster monkfish and Portmahomack pork belly, it’s easy to see why our restaurant critic said: “The joy of eating out is distilled into this little gem.”
Address: 8 North Port, Perth PH1 5LU
Deans Restaurant – Perth
2 Rosettes
Serving up modern dishes that capture the flavours of the season, Deans has been feeding the people of Perth and beyond for more than a decade.
Chef Jamie Deans cooks with locally-sourced produce and also foraged ingredients where possible.
The menu consists of dishes such as loin of Newtonmore venison, Deans Orkney Gold Beef Burger and wild bramble crème brulee.
Address: 77-79 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5EZ
Murrayshall Country Estate – Perth
2 Rosettes
This huge estate has much to offer. Not only does it have its refined Eolas restaurant where diners can enjoy the best Scottish produce, but there are multiple other dining areas to choose from.
Offering a refined experience, Eolas is definitely for those who love the finer things in life. As well as a main dining menu, there is also a tasting menu option.
Address: Murrayshall Road, Scone, Perth PH2 7PH
Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa – Pitlochry
3 Rosettes
Located in Highland Perthshire, Fonab Castle is a five-star hotel offering up some of the best food in the area.
There are various dining options here including the Sandeman’s fine dining restaurant, the Fonab brasserie and the bar area.
Sandeman’s is the venue’s three rosette dining room where the real magic happens and where you’ll find the specially curated tasting menu which encompasses four courses.
Address: Foss Road, Pitlochry PH16 5ND
Moor of Rannoch Restaurant & Rooms – Pitlochry
2 Rosettes
This award-winning venue takes pride in only setting each table once every sitting to allow their guests to really slow down and immerse themselves in the experience.
Everything slows down here and with more than 140 whiskies to choose from after dinner, that’s maybe not a bad thing.
Serving up fine dining in the Scottish Highlands, the menu changes daily with seasonality and provenance playing a huge part.
Address: Rannoch Station, Pitlochry PH17 2QA
Knockendarroch Hotel and Restaurant – Pitlochry
2 Rosettes
Located in Pitlochry, this stunning venue benefits from a relaxed, contemporary dining experience. Head chef Nick Imrie has been cooking at the venue since 2016 and showcased his modern approach from day to day with new menus at the ready.
Every day he offers four starters, mains and desserts, all that are constructed with the produce he gets through the door.
Address: Higher Oakfield, Pitlochry PH16 5HT
The Grandtully Hotel by Ballintaggart – Grandtully
2 Rosettes
From a daily changing market menu to the small bites available in the bar area, there’s plenty to get your teeth into here. In the restaurant diners can enjoy a three-course menu, or can teat themselves to a more refined tasting menu with the option of matched wines.
Working with an array of local producers, you’re guaranteed your meal will be made using the finest ingredients.
And be sure to check out their cookery school, too.
Address: Grandtully, Strathtay PH9 0PL
The Strathearn at Gleneagles – Auchterarder
2 Rosettes
Situated in the opulent surroundings of Gleneagles Hotel, The Strathearn offers up a Franco-Scottish dining experience.
The glamorous art deco dining room adds a touch of class, with the kitchen embracing the contemporary as well as the classics.
Executive chef Simon Attridge has created a menu with dishes such as braised artichoke barigoule and steak Strathearn, meanwhile sommelier Paul Stibbles can guide customers to their perfect wine pairings.
Address: Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1NF
Ballathie House Hotel – Stanley
2 Rosettes
With a dining room overlooking the River Tay and secluded surroundings of this historic country hotel, Ballathie is “quietly proud” of its rosettes.
With venison from the hills, game from the nearby woodland and prime beef from local pastures, the kitchen is celebrating Scotland’s bounty.
Head chef Scott Scorer works with the finest produce from around Perthshire and Scotland to create a fresh twist on classic cuisine.
Both the lunch and dinner menus are seasonal to bring the best of the market or catch of the day straight to customers’ plates.
Address: Kinclaven, Stanley, Perthshire PH1 4QN
Knockendarroch Hotel Restaurant – Pitlochry
2 Rosettes
Head chef Nick Imrie has been cooking at Knockendarroch since 2016. His modern Scottish menus change every day and use seasonal and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.
The dining style is relaxed and the hotel has had its rosettes since 2014.
In September 2020, the hotel added the orangerie restaurant, which added extra dining space and enabled social distancing.
Due to the compact nature of the restaurant and kitchen the largest booking possible is for six guests (residents only). Non-residents can book a maximum table size of two.
Address: Higher Oakfield, Pitlochry Perthshire PH16 5HT
The Glenturret Lalique – Crieff
3 Rosettes
Housed within Scotland’s oldest working whisky distillery, The Glenturret, this fine dining establishment also received a Michelin star at the beginning of 2022.
The tasting menu has been in hot demand since opening and head chef Mark Donald has consistently kept the offering at the top of its game.
The Glenturret Lalique offers a unique gastronomic experience in a luxurious dining room overlooking the River Turret.
The dining establishment consists of the restaurant, Lalique Bar, salon and vinoteque.
Address: Glenturret Distillery, The, Hosh, Crieff PH7 4HA
Gordon’s – Inverkeilor
3 Rosettes
Not far from the beautiful surroundings of Lunan Bay, Gordon’s has been producing quality cuisine year after year since its inception.
Headed by chef and Courier columnist Garry Watson the restaurant with rooms is a family-run business.
Garry’s mother Maria is front-of-house. His father, Gordon Watson, passed away in 2016. He was a former Master Chef of Great Britain.
Now Garry carries on the tradition of offering fine food in this 3 AA Rosettes establishment.
Address: Main Road, Inverkeilor, by Arbroath DD11 5RN
Sandeman’s Bistro at Fonab Castle
3 Rosettes
In the heart of Perthshire, Fonab Castle is a five-star hotel with stunning views over Loch Faskally.
Sandeman’s Bistro serves up familiar classics with a twist. There’s even a mouth-watering seven-course tasting menu complete with a selection of fine wines from the sommelier.
Address: Foss Roadd, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5ND
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles – Auchterarder
4 Rosettes
Also located within Gleneagles Hotel, the name Andrew Fairlie is synonymous with dining of the highest quality.
Andrew, who passed away in 2019 following a long battle with cancer, built his restaurant’s reputation on outstanding cuisine and service.
Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles is also the only restaurant in Scotland to hold two Michelin Stars.
The team, led by head chef Stephen McLaughlin and general manager Dale Dewsbury take great pride in continuing to evolve the restaurant and serve the best of Scottish ingredients.
Address: Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1NF
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