6 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 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 in the 1970s, farming oysters in the waters of Loch Fyne and selling them directly to the public in a nearby lay-by. Today, Loch Fyne Oysters still produce seafood in the loch and smoking fish on site, all served in the beautiful restaurant. The seafood platter is simply delicious. Scallops, mussels, cockles, langoustines, lobster, and Tarbert brown crab are all featured depending on the time of year. You can also buy seafood to take away from the deli. 

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 it into a bowl of mussels, a plate of oysters or a 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. Strolling along the Crinan Canal towpath is a great 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 savouring the views across 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. Head to Oban’s famous Green Shack on the CalMac Pier for a more casual affair. 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 crabs 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 scallops, oysters, 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.

There are so many other places where you can enjoy a seafood platter in Argyll, from seafood shacks to high-end restaurants.