Tolbooth - Stonehaven

We went for my husbands Birthday on 22nd June 2023 and had such a lovely meal. We live locally and feel very lucky to have such a good seafood restaurant on our doorstep. The menu isn’t huge but it is quality. Lovely choice of wines and the service and the staff were spot on. Unlike the service we had in another (and rated locally) sea food restaurant a few miles down the coast last year. It was much appreciated to be back in a restaurant that got it right. Neither are inexpensive restaurants but the Tolbooth gives you a whole experience not just nice food for your money, and that’s what we are looking for. Not stuffy but class. The interior and the ambience are warm and welcoming. We will definitely be back. Thank you to the owners and everyone who was working that night. You topped off the lovely day we had for my husbands birthday. Sitting at the beautiful harbour for an hour before we came up into the restaurant made us appreciate how lucky we are to have moved to this beautiful town x

Went here for lunch on a cold wet May day (will it ever get nice), and glad we did. I had the smoked haddock chowder which was lovely and thick and very fishy. Partner had the Coronation Scallops which I tried and we both agreed were delicous. Partner then had the sea bass which again was well cooked and presented. I had the halibut, which to be honest was very nice, but needed something to lift it, just felt a little bland, although again it was well cooked and presented. I finnished off with the rhubarb and custard crumble. Not quite what you expect as the custard was set with the rhubarb placed on it with the crumble sprinkled on top. Now this is not the traditional way of doing it but it was absolutely gorgeuos. The rhubarb especialy was not cooked to a mush, but remained as cut whilst still being soft meaning it retained all its flavour. Soooooo good. We found the staff very friendly, especialy the young lad who chatted away quite happily, especialy about the cider I had which was one I had never heard off but I think I'm addicted to. Would deffinately go back.

The building itself is historic, and the museum is really the only reason you should step foot inside. The restaurant itself food was good, albeit smaller portions, so not a place to go if you’re really hungry. The server was awful, which is why the 1 star rating. When you enter, the chef calls out a quick hello as you walk past the kitchen service window, a lovely welcome. However, our server was Gus, and he was one of the rudest servers I’ve ever encountered. We weren’t expecting red carpet treatment, but being kind to your guests shouldn’t be the exception. Both my husband and I worked in the service industry for years. We know good service, and this was not it. Gus began our dining experience by belittling us when we asked for a jug of tap water for the table, bringing us a bottle of flat water instead and “correcting” us for not being clear about what we ordered. How does one misunderstand a table asking for a jug of tap water? He then proceeded to take our drinks menu away before we’d had a chance to consider what we were eating before ordering a beverage. When we’d entered the restaurant a customer coming out told us they had enjoyed the sea bass on special. When my husband inquired, Gus told him “I would have told you if we had any”. How about just saying there was none left and leaving it at that? The meal was full of insulting remarks, but the final insult came when Gus came to collect our dishes after the meal and commented that he’d never seen people clean their plates as well as we had, to which my parents responded that they hadn’t licked the plates. My husband then shot back “I guess most people don’t finish their food here”. There was no way in hell we were staying for dessert. I’d rather have a past due Kit Kat from the petrol station that’s been sat on for 8 hours in the car than suffer through dessert at this place. The food was good, but not nearly good enough to make up for the deplorable way we were treated by this server. I can’t tell you when I’ve felt so unwelcome or belittled in a restaurant. Perhaps because we were dressed comfortably for a long drive and arrived slightly rumpled that we were treated with such disdain. If you enjoy a heaping pile of snobbery with your meal, go. If you prefer to feel welcome, and that your custom is valued, go somewhere else. Like, ANYWHERE else in the bay would have been better than this place.

Called in at Stonehaven on the 'off chance ' to look for somewhere to eat. WOW! What an absolute find this restaurant was. From enquiring (with Ricky) if they had a Table to when we left, this was special. We were fortunate to be seated by the window, overlooking the harbour, on a glorious evening. The food was excellent, perfectly cooked and so tasty. The Service was amazing and everyone, but especially Ricky, made our visit so memorable.

We enjoyed a very high quality seafood lunch in this beautiful restaurant. The food was exquisite and beautifully presented I particularly appreciated my gin cured sea trout entrée. The service was welcoming and attentive, making our whole experience quite memorable.