With a view as spectacular as that offered by The Boat House in South Queensferry this riverside seafood restaurant could be forgiven for not making an effort and just lazily raking in the cash from eager tourists. Thankfully with enthusiastic owner and head chef Paul Steward at the helm it doesn’t and this is one of the best places to eat in and around Edinburgh.
The setting is sublime. This charming old stone building sits on the cobbled High Street of the picturesque riverside suburb of South Queensferry. It overlooks not one, but two world class bridges (soon to be joined by a third): the Forth Road Bridge (think a grey version of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge) and the Forth Bridge.
The latter rail bridge is a Victorian marvel that has to be seen to be believed. Its unique cantilever design astounds engineers today, but it was completed in 1889. The Boat House has something of a pleasantly split personality.
On the High Street there is a cocktail bar, which in reality often functions as a holding space for diners waiting for tables in the bistro (you cannot book) downstairs. This bistro lies in an architecturally sympathetic annex that was added in 2007. It makes the most of those views with sweeping floor to ceiling windows.
The bistro menu is based around tempting comfort food – we are big fans of the beer battered fish and chips, which come with a lovely crispy batter and chunky chips. The king scallops with truffle oil are a reasonably priced winner too and if you are going down the seafood route there are also Scottish oysters. The daily changing fish of the day is a nice touch too as are decent bottles of wine for under £20.
Main Restaurant
Through in the main restaurant things move up a notch and the service is noticeably slicker. Prices are ratcheted up too, but are not unreasonable for fresh, well cooked seafood.
The menu changes frequently based around supply with regulars such as whole grilled plaice laced with a caper and lemon butter and seared tuna with a sweet chilli, mango and tomato salsa. The signature starters are plump Scottish mussels in a wickedly creamy white wine and garlic sauce, which will have you using all the chunky bread to mop up. Aberdeen Angus steaks are on hand for non-fish eaters.
Desserts tend towards comfort food with the steamed homemade sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream a real heart warmer. A nice touch are the almost too sickly sweet knobs of tablet (a traditional Scottish treat) served with coffee. Wines are reasonably priced with a solid New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc ideal for accompanying the fishy menu.
Real thought has gone into creating the maritime themed décor, without it being too over the top. Hulking stone walls give characters too and candles lend an air of romance, but it is hard not to be distracted by the views across to those bridges, so book a coveted window table if you are lucky enough to snare one.
The Boat House, 22 High St, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9PP. Tel: +44(0)131 3315429. https://theboathouse.onlineÂ
InsiderScotland Rating [effortless-gm address=”22 High St, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9PP”]
For a Romantic Meal 8/10 (Bistro 7/10)
For a Business Meal 7/10 (Bistro 6/10)
For Families 5/10 (Bistro 7/10)
For Real Gastronomes 7/10 (Bistro 5/10)
InsiderScotland Rating 7/10 (Bistro 7/10)