Dining by the water

[mylittleyumyum]

There seem to be very few places in Scotland with 'promenade' dining. I'm thinking along the lines of seaside cafes/restaurants with pavements directly out onto the shore, such as Portobello.

We spent a lovely afternoon last year eating and drinking on the front while the kids played on the beach and wondered why it's not more popular in other places that seem ideally placed for it.

Ayr, Troon, Prestwick, Cramond for example all have the space, but the facilities seem to be limited to ice cream vans.

Largs has a Wetherspoons right on the front which comes close, but isn't quite what I mean. Shudder.

I guess I just desperately miss strolling along the front with the scent of garlic wafting, stopping to peruse menus and decide where to plonk our sandy bodies for a leisurely lunch.

post edited to avoid confusion - by MNHQ at OP's request

A beach and promenade in Peebles??

Portobello ticks all your boxes

Yeah you definitely don't mean Peebles, it's nowhere near the coast!

Haha, definitely Portobello I meant and NOT Peebles.

We've edited that post for you now, @mylittleyumyum - and it sounds lovely btw.

Elie certainly does. Not sure of anywhere else on the East Neuk.

I'll have a look at Elie, I have only passed by en route to Anstruther etc. It certainly adds to that 'holiday' feel, especially on a day trip.

The Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo has just newly reopened, if you're through in Fife.

I think it's hard as 95% of the time it will be not nice promenade strolling and seaside dining. It will be rain and howling wind battering off the windows and/or pitch dark.

I'm not sure they'd be able to sustain on only summer opening or on the business they could get all year round. Some nice pop up restaurant vans might be ideal though. Or some rental outlets that established town restaurants could use from time to time?

Helensburgh has a number of restaurants on the front. Some you can even sit outside of.

South Queensferry has a few. Helensburgh too. Elie has the Ship which has a fab beer garden/ patio.

Oh Elie sounds lovely!😎

Brodick has a cafe looking out and a hotel with outside tables.

Plockton has a pub beer garden right on the shore.

South Queensferry

Helensburgh doesn't fit my brief, the main road sits between the restaurants and the water. I'm thinking sandy kids up and own for a quick gulp of juice and a few chips between wave jumping while I sit with some sizzling prawns a jug of sangria.... I live in the wrong country, don't I?

Yeah the problem is it’s fucking freezing or windy or raining for 345 days a year OP so it’s not really a priority

the Boat House in South Queensferry overlooking the bridges is lovely outside on a beautiful day

Newport on Tay has Boat Brae, which is lovely.

Broughty Ferry has The Ship, which is especially lovely now that they've installed lots of outdoor seating.