10 places to enjoy a seafood platter in Argyll & the Isles
Argyll & the Isles's vast and varied coastline means one thing: some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste. An array of fish and shellfish is hauled from the surrounding waters and served up in eateries across the region. And there’s no better way to enjoy this sumptuous seafood than by treating yourself to a seafood platter. Feast on the freshest seasonal seafood piled high. Crack open those crab claws, linger over the langoustines and swoon over the scallops. Here are ten places to enjoy a seafood platter in Argyll.
Loch Fyne Oysters, Cairndow
The famous Loch Fyne Oyster Bar & Restaurant is pretty unbeatable for fresh Scottish seafood. Sitting at the head of Loch Fyne on the Cowal peninsula, this is the place to enjoy a seafood platter. Loch Fyne Oysters started out in the 1970s, farming oysters in the waters of Loch Fyne and selling them direct to the public in a nearby lay-by. Today Loch Fyne Oysters still produces seafood in the loch, as well as smoking fish on site, all of which is served up in the beautiful restaurant. The seafood platter is simply delicious. Scallops, mussels, cockles, langoustines, lobster and Tarbert brown crab all feature depending on the time of year. You can also buy seafood to take away from the deli.
Anchorage Bistro, Tarbert
Tarbert, the gateway to Kintyre, is home to a fishing fleet which lands some of the best quality fish and shellfish in Scotland. Many of the local hotels and restaurants serve up this delicious seafood - from quayside to kitchen is just a matter of metres! Head to the Anchorage Bistro on the harbour side for a Tarbert Seafood Platter, which includes a seasonal selection of fish and shellfish served with crusty bread. Or if you fancy buying seafood to make your own seafood platter, you can get fresh scallops, mussels, lobsters, crabs, langoustines and clams from Prentice Seafoods next to the Tarbert Ferry slip.
Skipness Seafood Cabin
It’s only open during the summer, but we couldn’t omit the Skipness Seafood Cabin from this list. The most amazing fresh seafood is served simply in the garden next to Skipness Castle. The views are just stunning and the seafood is delicious. Your seafood platter will be groaning with local scallops, mussels, oysters and more. Or if you prefer you can tuck into a bowl of mussels, plate of oysters or platter of smoked salmon from the Skipness Smokehouse.
Crinan Hotel
The Crinan Hotel at the northern end of the Crinan Canal is a fantastic spot to enjoy a local seafood platter. Head to the bistro-style Seafood Bar, which has al fresco dining on fine days. You might even see your prawns being landed on the quay in time for dinner! Tuck into the Crinan ‘Fruits De Mer’ Seafood Sharing Platter and enjoy the views of the Crinan Canal and the islands beyond. A stroll along the Crinan Canal towpath is a fine way to work up an appetite.
Eeusk, Oban
The fishing port of Oban is known as ‘Scotland’s Seafood Capital,’ and there are so many places to enjoy a seafood platter in this bustling port. On Oban’s North Pier is the multi-award-winning seafood restaurant, Eeusk. Tuck into a sensational seafood platter while you savour the views across to the islands. The Grand Platter will feed two, with six oysters, half a lobster, dressed crab, king scallops, langoustines, Thai fishcakes, smoked salmon, mussels, fresh salmon and crab claws. For a more casual affair, head to Oban’s famous Green Shack on the CalMac Pier. It’s an al fresco dining and takeaway-only shack which serves enormous seafood platters.
Pierhouse Hotel, Port Appin
At the Pierhouse Hotel at Port Appin you’ll find even more great seafood at the hotel’s award-winning seafood restaurant. The lobsters and crab are kept mouth-wateringly fresh in creels at the end of the pier. The Pierhouse Platter includes outstanding seafood from Loch Linnhe, Loch Creran, Mull and Loch Fyne. Langoustines, seared scallop, oyster, steamed mussels, smoked and hot roast salmon are served with garlic mayonnaise.
Port Askaig Hotel, Islay
Islay is seafood heaven. Scallops, lobsters, oysters, crab, langoustines and prawns are all caught locally by the Islay fishing fleet. The Port Askaig Hotel situated on the shores of the Sound of Islay, overlooking the pier, is a fabulous spot. This old drovers’ inn has a beer garden looking over the Paps of Jura. Watch the seafood being landed as you tuck into the famous Port Platter, which includes langoustines, mussels, scallops, hot smoked salmon and lobster.
Glenegedale House, Islay
The award-winning Glenegedale House on Islay has built up a far reaching reputation for its incredible seafood platter. People from all across the UK - and some even from across the Atlantic - seek out this cosy and welcoming guesthouse from Emma & Graeme to experience the Hebridean charm. Their seafood platter consists out of locally sourced, freshly caught ingredients and will have you booking your next trip to Islay whilst enjoying it.
Coll Hotel, Isle of Coll
Far out in the Atlantic on the Hebridean island of Coll, the Coll Hotel has built built up a reputation for serving delicious, freshly caught seafood. Locally caught lobsters, crabs, langoustines, squat lobsters and hand-dived scallops are delivered daily to the kitchen door. Check out the daily specials.
Cattle & Creel, Helensburgh
In the lovely seaside resort town on Helensburgh, you can get a fabulous seafood platter at Cattle & Creel. It sits right on the seafront with views over the Clyde to the Rosneath Peninsula. Dive into a seafood platter for two featuring lobster, Tarbert-landed langoustines, Isle of Mull king scallops and Loch Fyne oysters. Or take a seat at the bar and enjoy freshly caught seafood on ice with a glass of champagne. Enjoy an after-dinner stroll along the seafront.
There are so many other places where you can enjoy a seafood platter in Argyll, from seafood shacks to high end restaurants. Go on your own journey of discovery and follow our Seafood Trail!
