Spring in the North-east is a celebration of renewal. As the landscape awakens, our menus transform with vibrant greens, zesty citrus, and the freshest catch from our coastal waters. From sun-drenched city terraces to cosy countryside escapes, here are the seasonal dishes you can’t miss this spring.
The Silver Darling: gin cured sea trout
The Dish: Gin-cured sea trout served with dill-pickled cucumber, crème fraiche, and toasted homemade bread.
The Spring touch: Perched at the mouth of the harbour, The Silver Darling captures the essence of the coast. The aromatic trout and tangy cucumber create a light, refreshing bite that perfectly mirrors a crisp spring day by the North Sea.
Udny Arms Hotel: rhubarb and blood orange pavlova
The Dish: Poached rhubarb and bright blood orange served over a light pavlova with a dollop of creamy custard.
The Spring touch: Rhubarb is one of the first true signs of spring in Scotland. This dessert balances tartness and sweetness, offering a beautifully airy finish to a meal at the historic Newburgh hotel.
Image credit: Udny Arms
Castleton Farm Shop: seasonal picnic baskets
The Experience: Bespoke picnic baskets featuring local cheeses, home-grown berries, and artisanal bakes.
The Spring touch: As the countryside turns green, there is no better way to dine than alfresco. Grab a basket from Castleton Farm and head to the nearby coast or a local glen for a true farm-to-fork experience.
The Captains Table: cullen skink
The Dish: A thick, creamy Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions from the Captains Table.
The Spring touch: Cullen Skink is a coastal classic, providing a hearty and warming pick-me-up after a walk along the coast. The dish is made from smoked haddock from Ugie smokehouse in Peterhead, potatoes and onions finished with milk, cream and parsley.
Image credit: The Silver Darling
Café Contour: the cypriot salad
The Dish: A colourful bowl of grilled halloumi, sun-blushed tomatoes, peppers, olives, and fresh mixed leaves.
The Spring touch: This Mediterranean-inspired salad is a vibrant lunch staple. It’s light yet satisfying, celebrating the transition into warmer days with bold, salty flavours and garden-fresh greens.
Moonfish Cafe: banana parfait
The Dish: Banana Parfait with peanut ganache and brown sugar ice cream.
The Spring touch: For those cooler spring evenings, this dessert offers sophisticated indulgence. Moonfish Cafe is renowned for its inventive flavour pairings, and this dish strikes the perfect balance between silky texture and rich, toasted sweetness.
Image credit: Moonfish Cafe
Wild Ginger: chicken badami
The Dish: Tender chicken simmered in a silky almond sauce infused with aromatic spices.
The Spring touch: This dish provides a warm hug on chillier nights - its delicate, nutty notes and subtle warmth offer comfort, showcasing globally inspired cuisine in the heart of Aberdeen.
Whether you are exploring city, country or coast, spring offers a unique opportunity to taste the region at its most vibrant. Our local chefs are ready to welcome you with menus that tell the story of the land and sea.
Where will your taste buds take you first? Explore our full range of local eateries here.
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