I LOVE FIFE! It’s just the best for an easy trip from Edinburgh (or most places in the Central Belt for that matter). There is no better feeling than setting off on a Saturday morning with an overnight bag in the boot of the car and the sun shining as you head over the Queensferry Crossing. It’s such a wide area to cover so we’re covering my favourite area, the East Neuk, today. It’s a bumper post, so let’s get stuck in:
Usually I reserve my full list of recommendations for paid subscribers, but as a big believer that Fife has so much to offer for a trip, I have opened up this post for everyone. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please consider a paid subscription via the link below (discounted for annual subscribers!)
Eat + Drink
One of my recent discoveries which I posted about last weekend on TikTok — incredible tacos served from an unsuspecting shipping container in a business park. Sounds bizarre but trust me on this one.
A food lover’s weekend in Fife is not complete without a visit to this former pub in the tiny village of Kilconquhar. I’ve never had a less than outstanding dish here but one that really sticks out was the braised short rib pie they had on the specials board the first time we visited. Tip: on bank holidays they exclusively serve up their fried chicken burgers — you might need to queue (it’s walk-in only for groups smaller than 6) but boy will it be worth it.
I’ve been meaning to try this fish-focussed restaurant in St Andrews for ages and was delighted to get the opportunity to last weekend. A brilliant tasting menu for a special occasion and run so smoothly — I particularly enjoyed starting the meal at the chefs table for our first bites accompanied by a cocktail.
A cafe in Anstruther with tasty home baking and a great breakfast.
Really good pub grub by the sea from the same team behind the Bridge Inn in Ratho and the Crusoe in Lower Largo (more on that later…). In the summertime make sure you book an outside table to watch the cricket on Elie beach.
A cider shop in Anstruther that has recently added tables so you can sit back and taste their selection.
I first tried their cheese toasties during the 2018 (I think?!) Edinburgh Fringe when they had a shack in George Square and have been hooked ever since. They have two permanent locations, both conveniently located by the beach in Kingsbarns and St Andrews.
It’s almost like Scotland has world class seafood and the best places to get it are right on the coast? Grab some fresh lobster and chips from here and enjoy in the harbour of one of my favourite Fife fishing villages.
You may remember this spot from my UK bakeries to plan a trip around brain download (linked below) — these guys have expanded to multiple sites across Tayside with their selection of pastries and cakes.
Another bakery, and one very close to many people’s hearts. A scotch pie and fudge doughnut never misses from here!
Is this another fish-focussed restaurant? Yes. HOWEVER, I’m highlighting their Sunday lunch offering here. I had a perfectly rare roast beef with all the trimmings on my last visit.
Not one for the veggies! This converted barn is surprisingly cosy in winter thanks to the open grill they cook the steaks on. Make sure to pop into the farm shop too (pottering around farm shops is one of my favourite weekend activities).
Unbelievably there were too many food places to fit into this newsletter, so I’ve popped all my favourite spots on one handy Google Map which you can find here, along with my recommendations below too. I hope that helps with your Fife adventure planning!
Stay
Okay, so this isn’t in the East Neuk, but it would be criminal to not include this guesthouse in a Fife travel guide. This thoughtfully designed former coaching inn is nestled down a cobbled street in the historic village of Culross (which is also definitely worth a visit in itself).
A great option for larger groups or families as the apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen and anything else you may need. Located right in the middle of St Andrews.
A great accommodation option in the centre of St Andrews, and even better if you’re having dinner downstairs at the restaurant so you can roll up to your room afterwards.
I’ve stayed at their sister hotel, The Marine in Troon, before and really enjoyed their kinda old-school, kinda granny’s-curtains-but-in-a-cool-way interiors. I’m heading for lunch at their Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, The Bridge later in the month so will report back.
Operated by the same folks as the Ship Inn down the road (as mentioned earlier in this post) this pub with rooms could not be located any closer to the sea — you can literally fall asleep listening to the waves crashing below your window.
I’m particularly eyeing up their woodland suites with star gazing above bed skylights and freestanding copper baths.
Do
A small bookable sauna perched atop the dunes on Elie Beach — one for warming up after a North Sea dip.
You could spend a whole day here during one of their monthly market weekends. As well as being a brilliant farmers market chock-full of makers of all varieties, they also have onsite brewery and bottle shop, Futtle, and bakery and cafe, Baern. Don’t forget to stop by Angry Kulture for some vegan kimchi made onsite too.
Okay so I think this recommendation needs to come with a safety warning — make sure you check the tide times before taking on this coastal walkway where you clamber over rocks aided by metal chains bolted to the wall. If you don’t you run the risk of being stranded! I haven’t done this one for a while so I’m planning a trip again in Summer where I’ll properly document the whole thing for you guys. It’s quite the unexpected adventure.
My favourite pottery in the world! Look out for the seconds discounts too.
This path runs all the way from Kincardine to Newburgh but my favourite section is between St Monans and Elie. Would make a great wee weekend trip walking and staying along the way.
On for another week or so! Wander around acres of wild snowdrops in this estate woodland. I’ll endorse anything celebrating coming out of a long, dark, Scottish Winter!!
Running for a week or so each July, this arts festival features open studios and a series of events and workshops. I love it because it gives me the excuse to be nosy and see behind the facades and back gardens of buildings in the Largo villages.
Next week we’re heading to East Lothian and the Borders! Make sure you’re subscribed to receive the recs straight into your inbox on Friday morning.