New royal-approved Scottish restaurant crowned among best in world by Conde Nast

A cosy little Scottish restaurant that once received a visit from King Charles III has been crowned one of the top places to eat across the globe.

Luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller has shared a list of the “best new restaurants in the world”, including eateries in countries such as the United States, Argentina, and Japan. Among the restaurants included on the prestigious roundup is Fish Shop in Ballater.

Described as a “beautifully designed seafood restaurant” by the magazine, Fish Shop first opened its doors last year. As reported by the Scottish Daily Express, it was given a royal seal of approval when King Charles and Queen Camilla visited last April in a surprise visit.

Although the name could make you think it is a run-of-the-mill chippy, Fish Shop veers away from traditional fish suppers and adopts a sustainability-focused approach. The restaurant sources its seafood from its very own fishmonger located right next door.

The eatery is headed by husband-and-wife Marcus and Jasmine Sherry. It comes from the team responsible for the acclaimed Fife Arms hotel in Braemar, which earlier this year was named one of the “most stylish” hotels in the world.

Among the dishes on offer at Fish Shop are monkfish tail with cauliflower, pine nuts, and sorrel, and Highland beef tartare with smoked oyster mayonnaise. Other highlights include wild nettle gnocchi with charred spring onions and lemon and Shetland mussels with East Coast cured nduja and tomato.

Meanwhile, according to the Fish Shop website, the restaurant specialises in “biodynamic and low carbon footprint wines”. These are selected from British and European vineyards, while spirits and beers come from micro-breweries and distilleries within Scotland.

Conde Nast Traveller wrote: “Despite its name, Fish Shop is not a classic British chippy but a smart, double-use venue is the sister property of Scotland’s slickest hotel, the Fife Arms, which is located just 25 minutes away. The menu is local and seasonal but might include Cape Wrath oysters in Champagne tempura or Shetland mussels with East Coast cured nduja.”

Fish Shop also recently received praise in the MICHELIN Guide, which stated: “Fabulous produce, much of it Scottish, powers a menu that offers a good choice of ways to enjoy your seafood, from a whole undressed crab and natural oysters to fritto misto and lobster taglierini.

“As always with the best seafood restaurants, keep an eye on the specials board for more fresh delights.”

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