St. Andrews Restaurant Recommendations / Suggestions

[nickflaim]

Hey All

 

This July, 3 friends and I are going to Scotland for a week to play golf. We are playing the following Courses:

 

St. Andrews - New

St. Andrews - Old

St. Andrews - Castle

Leven

Lundin

Carnoustie - Championship

Carnoustie - Burnside

Gleneagles - PGA Centenary

Gleneagles - Kings

Kingsbarns

 

We are staying at the Rusacks hotel.

 

I was just wondering if their are any recommendations or advice on any restaurants or pubs to try while we are there.

 

Any info anyone has would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

[vtnerf]

The Dunvegan!!!!!

 

If you are going to be in town for a week, check getting a membership at the St Andrews Club, right next to the hotel overlooking the 18th (and 1st) fairways.

[ScottWS33]

Dunvegan and The Jigger from the point of view of their attachment to golf. I really like Forgan's on Market Street for food, and The Criterion and The Keys would probably be my recommendations for a decent pub.

[VOX]

The Adamson, Forgan's and the Vine Leaf are all good. My favorite is the Seafood Restaurant (that is its name) -- the locals will all tell you it is overpriced. The restaurant is suspended over the North Sea and the food is excellent

[JNewsted]

Cromar's for fish and chips. A+

[HoffTTM]

Nahm Jim

Vine Leaf

The Tail End for fish and chips, only let down by the fact the chips come in a poncey fake fryer basket

Doll's House

 

Overall its hard to get food wrong in St. Andrews, basically all of it is pretty good and decent value. If you feel like going for the full on fine dining option book the Peat Inn outside of town well in advance and it is excellent.

[ckermes]

I second Cromars. Best fish and chips around.

[cardoustie]

Chromars

Dunvegan

Adamson

 

Our rental was 200m from the first tee ar the Old and we had a pub at the end of our street called the Blue Stane

 

33yr old Tomintoul for 7 pounds

[VOX]

I believe Nahm Jim is out of business

[HoffTTM]

I believe Nahm Jim is out of business

 

Just checked and that is indeed the case, very disappointing

[alexgmbh]

Balaka is great for some spicy curry and cold beer after a 36 hole day.

 

If you find yourself stumbling out of a pub late and night and need some fried grub the place to go is called Empire. Chips and cheese with chili sauce. I do have to give a disclaimer that my experiences there were primarily when I was a 20 year old student, so your impression may vary. Though I do still manage to end up there whenever I'm back in town...

 

Somebody mentioned that since you'll be there a while you should reach out to the St Andrews Golf Club about a temporary membership. Definitely do that. Just write an email to the club secretary and he'll provide the details.

[sumo101]

Agree with all of the above - the Seafood restaurant is excellent. I'll also throw in Little Italy. I'm taking 3 pals up there in mid July and they've already asked me to book us in for at least 2 meals!

You've got a great tour booked by the looks of things and tough - hope the weather's kind in July.

Cheers

 

Sumo

[Your-away!]

The 2 restaurants at rusacks are pretty good, the one below does traditional pub food (think its called 1 under or something like that) and was actually quite nice.

 

There main restaurant is a bit more pricey but again quite nice, but did only have afternoon tea in that one (wifes idea!)

[vintage]

Forgans is a favourite. Bars I like are the Central , Victoria and West Port Bar.

 

Sounds like a great holiday you have planned. I'd dump Levin Links for Anstruther and Burnside for Downfield. The latter is a fantastic inland, tree lined course where most holes weave their own path through very mature woods. A nice break from the wind and Links courses.

[mick0212]

Additional votes for Little Italy and Dunvegan. Enjoyed both.

[4Par]

Start at Dunvegan and branch out from there....

[Cwing]

Dunvagen (tell Jack and Sheena hi) and Jigger Inn for drinks.

[mark m]

Thanks for this thread. Eight of us are going in early May - so this is helpful. We have a rental house in St. Andrews and our golf is all set except for one more course:

 

Old Course

New

Jubilee

Castle

Kingsbarns

Crail

 

and one more - looking at Lundin Links as that was recommended by someone here previously. What do you think?

 

We are not interested in Carnoustie and others which would require a longer drive time.

 

Can anyone recommend a distillery for a visit?

Is there a decent one within a hour or so?

 

Much appreciated.

Mark

[sumo101]

Mark M - it's a great itinerary. Personally, I'd add Scotscraig, Lundin or Ladybank. My personal preference would be for Ladybank - not traditional links but one of the best I've played. have a look on their website or the Links with History website.

[vintage]

Thanks for this thread. Eight of us are going in early May - so this is helpful. We have a rental house in St. Andrews and our golf is all set except for one more course:

 

Old Course

New

Jubilee

Castle

Kingsbarns

Crail

 

and one more - looking at Lundin Links as that was recommended by someone here previously. What do you think?

 

We are not interested in Carnoustie and others which would require a longer drive time.

 

Can anyone recommend a distillery for a visit?

Is there a decent one within a hour or so?

 

Much appreciated.

Mark

 

 

 

I've played Leven Links which is literally over the wall from Lundin Links and the grass definitely looked greener. Lundin has a reputation for being quirky and great fun.

 

Scotscraig is a nice traditional course which a lot of people seem to love although I think is a bit overrated ( same with Kingsbarns ). Carnoustie really isn't that far ...

[Ralphyboy84]

Carnoustie is a 45 minute drive from St. Andrews. I'm a Carnoustie member and highly recommend you make the effort to come across. Best course in the country in my opinion

[mark m]

Carnoustie is a 45 minute drive from St. Andrews. I'm a Carnoustie member and highly recommend you make the effort to come across. Best course in the country in my opinion

 

Ralphyboy84

 

Thanks for your response. I will talk to some of the guys and see what they want to do concerning our last course.

 

A couple of questions for you (or anyone here)

 

1. Will we have options for tee choice - or will it be basically be one choice only (yellow or whatever) everywhere we go?

2. Do the courses sell yardage books or cards?

3. When we've gone to Ireland and other destinations - we typically choose to walk with push cart and take one caddie per group. What do you guys recommend for our course choices?

 

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

Mark

[Ralphyboy84]

At Carnoustie they rotate the tee on a weekly basis. They let you move forward but not back. Depending when you play the tee of the day will either be the 6600 yellow tees or 6900 white tees. To be honest the yellow tees at 6600 yards is more than enough for most people unless you are plus handicaps.

 

Scorecards are definitely free, as are yardage books at Carnoustie.

 

Carnoustie is a course where a caddy is not quite as necessary as other courses as it's fairly flat and you can see most of the trouble. However the caddies we have are generally very good. You'd have no problem just getting one for the group and using pull carts. I think they even have electric carts as well now.

 

Any other questions feel free to ask!

[bunter101]

It's an extra 15 minutes to Carnoustie compared to Leven from St Andrews. As much as I like Leven Links, i'd drive the extra for Carnoustie every time.

 

I'm at Carnoustie for the Tassie in September. A week at possibly the best Amateur comp in the world!

[HoffTTM]

It's an extra 15 minutes to Carnoustie compared to Leven from St Andrews. As much as I like Leven Links, i'd drive the extra for Carnoustie every time.

 

I'm at Carnoustie for the Tassie in September. A week at possibly the best Amateur comp in the world!

 

Tassie week is up there with the best bargains available, gutted I can't make it this year, what are you doing in terms of accomodation? Last time I stayed with a friend in Dundee but how easy is it in general to get a place in the area?

[bunter101]

In the big hotel this time. Was basically booked by the time we knew how many had managed to get in. There's a big group go every year and they moved down to that hotel from one on the High Street about 4 years ago.

The convenience is perfect for a few quid more. Plus you have the Sauna and pool etc. Further to walk for a kebab after a few sherbets though!

[67VIP]

If your still looking for a distillery or brewery, try Innis & Gunn in Edinburg. They do a tour and dinner, details are on their website. Their beer is insane...especially the original oak aged and candian cherrywood. If you still haven't firmed up your last round take a look at The Dukes of St Andrews, it's in town and a marvelous track. Royal Aberdeen, Gleneagles Kings, & The Dukes were the best we played on my last trip; which included the Old/New/Castle/Edens courses at St Andrews.

[jsams222]

Hey All

 

This July, 3 friends and I are going to Scotland for a week to play golf. We are playing the following Courses:

 

St. Andrews - New

St. Andrews - Old

St. Andrews - Castle

Leven

Lundin

Carnoustie - Championship

Carnoustie - Burnside

Gleneagles - PGA Centenary

Gleneagles - Kings

Kingsbarns

 

We are staying at the Rusacks hotel.

 

I was just wondering if their are any recommendations or advice on any restaurants or pubs to try while we are there.

 

Any info anyone has would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

I just stayed at the Rusacks last week. It was pretty nice. Unfortunately, all of the restaurants are a 5-10 minute walk from St Andrews links.

We ate at Little Italy, it was pretty good, but you must make a reservation.

In July it should be pretty bumping there, so the Dunvegan Bar is a must just to look at all the pictures. The Jigger Inn Bar (over by the Old Course Hotel, little white "house") was not very busy when I went, but I know it would be during July.

Everyone i talked with spoke VERY highly of Kingsbarns, but its pretty pricey. They said you are paying for the golf and the views.

 

In Edinburgh, we at at the Soba Bar. It was a pretty cool bar/night dinner place. Very good thai/asian food. Lots of people in their 20s and 90/2000's music playing. Very cool vibe if you are into that.

[fhandley]

I have stayed at Fairmont last two times, looking at Rusacks for next year. Would you go back and stay there again?

[gerbowski169]

Carnoustie is a course where a caddy is not quite as necessary as other courses as it's fairly flat and you can see most of the trouble. However the caddies we have are generally very good. You'd have no problem just getting one for the group and using pull carts. I think they even have electric carts as well now.

 

Any other questions feel free to ask!

 

Hey Ralphy- My wife and I are playing there the 16th and requested 2 caddys as the site said that each caddy will tend to only 1 golfer. Before I emailed them asking if they will allow us to push bags with a forecaddy I thought I would double check with you. Thoughts?