The Heart of Argyll is renowned for its seafood. The area’s coastline is long and varied, with the cold, clear waters of Loch Tarbert to the south, Loch Fyne to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Sea bass, cod, haddock, scallops, mussels, lobster, crab, oysters, langoustine, razor clams and more are all caught locally and feature on many menus throughout the region. So for a sensational Scottish seafood feast, head to the Heart of Argyll. You’ll discover a host of great cafés and restaurants serving up the freshest local seafood in the most beautiful coastal locations.
The fishing village of Tarbert is home to a fishing fleet which lands some of the best seafood on the west coast Scotland. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste this super fresh fish and shellfish in the pubs and restaurants that surround the natural harbour. Starfish Restaurant is an excellent place to start. This lovely, relaxed restaurant serves up delicious fish and shellfish, much of it landed that very morning on the quayside. The ‘wee queenies’ grilled with lime, chilli and ginger is a great way to start. Then check out the daily specials board, which features everything from lobster to lemon sole to seafood platters. The Anchor Hotel is great for seafood too. Or if you fancy picking up a box of seafood to take home, drop into Prentice Seafoods by the ferry terminal at Tarbert.
From Tarbert you can hop on the ferry and cross Loch Fyne to Portavadie for award-winning waterside dining. The Marina Restaurant & Bar serves up delicious local seafood. Enjoy a plate of mussels and a glass of wine while watching the yachts sail in.
The handsome Georgian town of Inveraray has a long connection with seafood. The primary industry of the town used to be centred on the herring. The smoking of these fish produced the famous Loch Fyne Kipper. Inveraray offers a choice of excellent places to eat, but one of the top spots for seafood is Samphire, a small seafood restaurant at the south end of the town. Here chef Andrew Maclugas creates simple but divine dishes using locally sourced sustainable wet fish and shellfish. The key to each dish is the freshness of the seafood, from the hand-dived scallops to the native lobsters landed at Tarbert. Try the grilled queen scallops or the steamed west coast mussels. The George Hotel is another place to sample great local seafood. This lively haunt, with its original solid flag stone floors and roaring log and peat fires, serves up delicious meals using very best Tarbert seafood produce.
If you love smoked seafood, then follow the road around Loch Fyne to Lochgilphead where you’ll find Murray Smoked Products. This family-run smokehouse creates lip-smackingly tasty smoked fish, including smoked salmon, trout and mackerel. The smokehouse is based in Ford at the south end of Loch Awe, but the team has opened a fresh fish shop on Argyll Street in Lochgilphead where you can buy their smoked products, as well as fresh, local seafood.
If you want to try your hand at cooking some of the region's fabulous seafood, Aray Fish is a family run business since 2001. They sell premium quality fish, local shellfish, smoked fish and 'fresh from the market' fruit and vegetables from a mobile shop, they can be spotted around the Heart of Argyll; give them a call, they may even be able to call at your door. They have a stand on Inveraray Pier on Tuesdays between 4-5.30 pm.
The Heart of Argyll is home to the historic Crinan Canal, known as ‘Britain’s most beautiful shortcut’. There are some fabulous canal-side eateries serving up local seafood. What could be better than tucking into a seafood platter on a sunny day while watching the boats pass through the locks? The Crinan Hotel at the Canal’s northern end, offers a range of dining options, all serving up locally caught seafood. The hotel’s Westward Restaurant offers a five-course menu with the added benefit of glorious sunset views. The bistro-style Seafood Bar has an à la carte menu that’s perfect for lunch or dinner, with the potential for al fresco dining on fine days. You might even see your jumbo prawns being landed on the quay in time for dinner! At the weekends from June to September you can book a table in Lock 16, a seafood restaurant enclosed on the roof of the hotel with views looking over towards the Gulf of Corryvreckan, Jura and Scarba.
From Crinan your next seafood destination is the village of Tayvallich on the shore of Loch Sween, where you’ll find the Tayvallich Inn. The inn overlooks the beautiful natural harbour of Tayvallich Bay. Established over 30 years ago, the Tayvallich Inn specialises in fresh, locally caught seafood, much of which is landed on their doorstep from the waters of the sound of Jura. If it’s sunny, grab a table on the deck and tuck into the seafood stew made with local fish and shellfish or the Sound of Jura dressed crab served with local langoustines and fresh crusty bread.
The village of Ardfern is home to the Galley of Lorne, a 17th-century Drovers Inn with a homely traditional public bar, a lounge bar and a spacious restaurant with panoramic views over Loch Craignish towards Jura and Scarba. You can feast on delicious lunches or dinners that use local ingredients including seafood and game.
Further north still is Loch Melfort Hotel, which offers delicious local seafood in wonderful surroundings with views onto Asknish Bay. In the AA 2 Rosette Asknish Bay Restaurant choose from freshly caught langoustines, lobster and crab, Islay scallops and more. The Chartroom II Bistro offers relaxed dining and specialises in local seafood. The view across Asknish Bay, with Shuna and Jura beyond is simply stunning. When the sun shines, nothing beats sitting outside and enjoying some local seafood. It’s family friendly, with a great kids’ menu and children’s playground. It’s also a good stop-over for sailors, with four private moorings and showers for the chance to freshen up before food is served. For a pre-dinner stroll, visit Arduaine Gardens, which is just next door. It’s a beautiful coastal and woodland garden with stunning views.
Find out more about things to do and see in the Heart of Argyll, from the historic wonders of Kilmartin Glen to the array of wildlife you can spot.