The Best Restaurants and Cafés in Fife, Scotland

If you want to experience delicious homemade baking in a unique setting, the Rhynd is the place to go. Located on a single-track road towards Tentsmuir Beach, the Rhynd farmhouse and steading was built over a century ago. What is now the café was still a functioning cattle shed until the late 1990s, and you can still see the cows’ rosettes on the wall! Featuring much of the original stonework, timber and roof, the Rhynd offers a glimpse into local history, setting itself far apart from the popular coffee chains further afield. Find a cosy seat in front of the fireplace and enjoy the Rhynd’s homemade selection of sweet and savoury tarts, pastries and freshly baked loaves.

Lover of eclectic furniture, cake and friendly faces? Kitschnbake ticks all of the above. Based in the small town of Newport-on-Tay, Kitschnbake serves up freshly baked treats to suit every sweet-tooth: from delicious breakfast rolls to what may be the best brownies in Fife. If you get there early enough, you might even nab one of the café’s famous oaties, a baked mixture of Scottish porridge oats, apples, berries and jam. With stunning views out across the River Tay, Kitshnbake offers a (mismatched) front row seat looking over to Dundee’s new addition, the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Balgove Steak Barn draws in locals and tourists alike with its superbly cooked menu offerings as much as its demeanour. Just off the road into St Andrews, this former sawmill pays homage to its past with walls of potato boxes, earthy ground and communal tables made of local beechwood. Enjoy a steak (aged for no less than 28 days) or burgers and sausages made in the on-site butchery and cooked to order on a wood-fired barbecue, washed down with a great selection of wine, or beer from local brewery Eden Mill. The menus at Balgove Steak Barn change often and are rarely repeated, but they always feature the chef’s mix of fresh and seasonally inspired dishes and cuts. As a casual dining spot, there’s no booking system. If you do have to wait for a table, the adjoining bar is a a great place to while away the minutes.

This cosy, family-run restaurant tucked down a close in the centre of Cupar’s historical town centre features a varied menu, an ever-changing specials board and a pretty courtyard to enjoy on warmer days. The Courtyard serves up delicious yet affordable seafood, game and vegetarian and vegan dishes in a relaxed dining setting. More typical Scottish dishes include a venison hot pot and chicken with Stornoway black pudding, but thanks to the German-born owner and chef, customers can also enjoy Bavarian offerings like jaeger schnitzel and wheat beers. It’s also just a five-minute walk from Cupar train station, making it ideally situated for visitors to the area.

Established in 1983, Pillars of Hercules is one of the oldest organic farms in Scotland. A mile outside the quaint village of Falkland, Pillars of Hercules is very off the beaten track. Growing its own salads, vegetables and apples and with its own laying hens, the café offers a great selection of vegan and vegetarian food, as well as whole foods, home baked breads, meat, dairy products and gluten-free options.