Round One, Part Two... The best restaurant in St Andrews 2025
Wrapping up round one with the final 16 matches
Time for the second half of Round one, and the final 16 matches, read on to find out who has made it through, but here’s the fixtures:
The Consevatory (old course hotel) v Mint Tea
Brewdog v Zizzi
Shawarma House v Eighteen
Oppa v Surf & Turf
The Dukes Bar v Claytons
Miller Concept v Combini
Pilmour Bar v Greggs
One Under Bar v Sands Café Bar
The Cheesy Toast Shack v Dervish
The Braes v The Smoked Thistle
The Inn at Kingsbarns v 1 Golf Place
Maisha v Rock & Spindle
Hatch v The Crepe Shack
Golfers Bar (Dunvegan) v The Byre Restaurant
Papa Johns v St Andrews Brewing Co.
Afternoon Tea v Rufflets
So as mentioned in part one of round one which you can read here, having gone through the top 100 ranked restaurants on Tripadvisor there are a few caveats here.
There are some duplicates (this is because they are ether on Tripadvisor twice with different spellings/names or because I’m just an idiot and added them twice!). So, where there is a duplicate I will need to factor this in to the result, my game, my rules!
Also, there may be a match where both are actually shut or both are not even in St Andrews, meaning the nobody would go into round two, and so I am putting all losers into a wildcard pot, where a lucky loser can be put into a gap, but let’s see what happens!
So on to the competition, and the first eight matches.
Match 17: The Consevatory (old course hotel) v Mint Tea
According to Trip Advisor Mint Tea is ranked at 98 in the best restaurants in St Andrews, though when you look at the review is shows as #93, who knows! Anyway when you then look at this in a bit more detail, the address appears to be in Glasgow, the website link doesn’t work and then one review is quite frankly a bit weird. When you actually then stick in the postcode you get a street in Guernsey, so quite frankly I can only assume that Marcus R was drunk when he wrote this review.
(Update: Tripadvisor have now removed this restaurant review following my feedback)
So this looks like an easy win for the Conservatory, but lets have a look.
The Conservatory is based within the Old Course Hotel, and to be honest I didn’t realise you could eat there, I thought it was just a wedding venue, but according to the website you can book in and enjoy the food and looking over the Old course, who knew! Not me that’s for sure. So given that it’s open, and not in Guernsey, they get the win, and I’ll need to investigate more for round two.
Match 18: Brewdog v Zizzi
Zizzi is a duplicate, Brew Dog serves decent pub grub and excellent beer and probably my favourite pint, Punk IPA, so an easy win in round one. Tougher matches will surely follow.
Match 19: Shawarma House v Eighteen
Eighteen is also a duplicate (for 18 see part one) and so a walk over for the people’s champion here, the Shawarma House. I don’t want to peak too early by waxing lyrical about this place, it’s time will come, though all I can say is if you haven’t enjoyed a trip here after a days golf and a few pints, you haven’t really visited St Andrews.
Match 20: Oppa v Surf & Turf
Surf & Turf is currently 97 on the Tripadvisor list, but doesn’t exist anymore as was in the Rusacks before it was taken over by Marine & Lawn. As such it became the Bridge and so could this be another walkover?
Oppa is sitting at 66 on the list, but this was a believe a bubble tea place (not that I really know what that is!). Anyway, it’s definitely gone now to be replaced by an Asian supermarket which is doing a cracking trade at the moment.
So, both of these two are out, opening the potential for a lucky loser maybe, more to come!
Match 21: The Dukes Bar v Claytons
The Dukes golf course is owned by Kohler Group who also own the Old Course Hotel. The golf course is fun, but quiet, which in turn makes the clubhouse quite quiet (though plans are afoot for the course to be taken over by the Links Trust, so who know what that will bring). Technically this is outside of town, thought the views from the bar are fantastic and the food is pretty good.
Claytons is on a caravan park outside of St Andrews also.
Both out of town, so to be fair ruling both out.
Match 22: Miller Concept v Combini
Miller Concept is at 94, and the listing suggests this is on the Stewarts resort which is a caravan park outside of the town. Looking on the Stewarts website I can’t find any reference to this, so assume its been updated.
Combini is showing as on South Street, and I’ve either not noticed it before or its not there, will need to check! Assuming it’s there and still open, it’s a default win.
Match 23: Pilmour Bar v Greggs
The Pilmour Bar, is/was part of the Ardgowan hotel which is currently being refurbished. There is only 1 review on Tripadvisor. I’ll visit when open.
Greggs is a UK institution, and whilst obviously Gregg’s isn’t going to win best restaurant in St Andrews (or could it? My son does like a post school visit for a pizza slice), its won this round. Now it’s time for a sausage roll!
Match 24: One Under Bar v Sands Café Bar
Sands Café Bar is 67 on the list and is according to Tripadvisor within the Old Course Hotel. There is no mention of this on the Old Course hotel, and only mention of the Swilcan Loft (35). Looking at the pictures I think this was what has now become the Swilcan Loft, so I’m saying this is now closed.
That said to get to the Swilcan Loft you have to go up to the 4th floor of the hotel where there are wonderful views over the golf courses from what I know as the “Road Hole Bar”. The views are great, the choice of drinks are good, the service I’ve received in there has been mixed at best, but it’s worth going in (and you can go in as a non-guest) to enjoy the views.
The One Under Bar is within the Rusacks hotel, in the basement.
You can access it from the main hotel entrance or by walking down The Links and when you spot the most brilliant weather sign you’ll know you’ve arrived. Inside you’ll find a decent bar that serves decent food. I’m giving the One Under Bar the win by default as the Swilcan Loft has already snuck into round two.
Match 25: The Cheesy Toast Shack v Dervish
Enter a St Andrew phenomenon. The Cheesy Toast Shack is not on the top 100 restaurants on Tripadvisor, however they are #1 on the quick eats for good reason and so I’ve given them a wildcard entry into this competition. I guess technically it’s not a restaurant, not really a café either in that you can’t sit down to eat, and it’s not a bar serving food, but the food speaks for itself and has to be considered therefore in my opinion.
Situated on east sands, the toasties are the sort of food that just makes you happy on a cold day. A family run business that goes from strength to strength, gaining national recognition and a huge social media following and presence.
Dervish is now I believe shut, though replaced by another fast-food takeaway. Now I’m not knocking kebabs they serve their purpose, but there are better options in town, and one on one against the Cheesy Toast Shack there is only one winner, cheese-based food wins, as they say themselves “damn fine toasties”. A tougher match up awaits in round two!
Match 26: The Braes v The Smoked Thistle
Match 26 appears to be a holiday park match up.
The Braes is on a holiday park heading out of town towards the Castle course, Kingsbarns and Crail, and I haven’t been, so can’t comment, but not in town.
The Smoked Thistle is 93 on Tripadvisor, and appears to be based on the Craigtoun holiday park but I don’t think is open and only one review in May 2022. I will contact Craigtoun holiday park, but I’m giving the win to The Braes which is still open I believe.
Match 27: The Inn at Kingsbarns v 1 Golf Place
An interesting match here, but an easy win for the Inn at Kingsbarns.
1 Golf Place is possibly the greatest address in town. Golf Place is indeed a place of golf, one of the greatest roads in the world in my opinion. It’s the road you turn into past the Dunvegan, past Auchterlonies, where watching peoples face as they head down this road is something I love to see. Seeing the Hamilton grand on their right, the R&A on the left, and the old course open up before their eyes and the views across west sands is something truly special, nobody forgets their first trip down Golf Place.
That said, 1 Golf Place as it is recorded on trip advisor is closed (another message to them!), and is in fact now Haar, so this is an easy win for The Inn At Kingsbarns.
Anyone who has headed out to Kingsbarns or Crail and the East Neuk would have gone past the Inn and probably thought to themselves what a cracking little pub that looks. Recently it has been taken into community ownership which is great news. So an easy win, even though technically outside of St Andrews, straight into round two.
Match 28: Maisha v Rock & Spindle
Gosh, things could get a bit controversial here.
Rock & Spindle is the bar and restaurant run the Links trust at the Castle Course, and to be frank is really good. It was number 68 on tripadvisor (updated to 66 following feedback I’ve given on a some closures) which feels a bit harsh to be honest. If you are playing golf at the Castle course, you’ll do well to have a bite to eat before and after your round (and you can phone up on the 8th/9th hole to order from the half way house). The food is good quality and there are some good offers to be had to play golf that include food especially early in the season.
Putting the food to one side, the views from the Rock & Spindle are awesome (as anyone who has played the Castle course will agree) and so it’s well worth a stop in even if it’s just for a cup of coffee.
Maisha is an Indian restaurant in town, and has been unlucky to draw the Rock & Spindle in round one, but as it’s in town, I’m awarding it perhaps a controversial win here. That feels harsh on the links trust but I hope they will forgive me given the win to Maisha be default of location (and they will have other shots at the title in town!).
I’ll be visiting Maisha again soon to help my decisions in the next round as it’s been a while since I’ve been.
Match 29: Hatch v The Crepe Shack
Hatch is I believe part of the same group as the Adamson and the Physician, if not well it’s very close to them on South Street. It’s quite a small venue, but out of the three it’s the one I would pick for breakfast or lunch, serving really good food for that Saturday lunchtime brunch with friends.
The Crepe Shack is not in St Andrews, and was based at the Scottish Deer Centre which is in the Bow of Fife. I haven’t been so I can’t comment, but am awarding the win to Hatch for this reason. I will do some digging though to see if they are still there as socials seem a little quiet.
Match 30: Golfers Bar (Dunvegan) v The Byre Restaurant
The Dunvegan is of course a St Andrews icon, and whilst probably wouldn’t be first on anyone’s list for a sophisticated meal, does serve decent food, and of course no golfers visit to the old grey toun is complete without at least one visit.
Let’s be honest, it’s gonna be tough to beat, so what is the Dunvegan up against?
Number 79 on tripadvisor is the café at the Byre theatre, which is a St Andrews icon in it’s own right. A venue for the arts, music, cinema and theatre it’s a great venue. That said, I’m not sure there is actually a café in there now, but I will need to go and find out.
Either way, given the choice of where I want to go eat, I’m going to pick the Dunvegan, so a comfortable win for one of golfs most famous bars.
Match 31: Papa Johns v St Andrews Brewing Co.
Easy win for the local brewer here, and I’m sure tougher battles to come, but Papa John’s is not that tough competition. Based on a holiday park on the outskirts of town on the way to Crail it is what it is. Sure if you want a pizza delivery it might be an option, but surely you’d pick domino’s? Sorry Papa Johns or if you are posh perhaps it is Pa Pa John’s (if you know, you know).
St Andrews Brewing is known for it’s beer really and you’ll find its award winning pints in many places and golf clubs in the areas. The pub on South street is well worth a visit for a pint or two if you fancy mingling with students.
Match 32: Afternoon Tea v Rufflets
Wrapping up round one, we have the a battle of two hotels.
The randomly named Afternoon tea is I believe within the Old Course Hotel in the conservatory and therefore essentially a duplicate of the conservatory from match 17, though looking at the Old Course Hotel, they do list the two separately (presumably you can go for afternoon tea in the Conservatory (on a Friday or Saturday afternoon) and eat dinner or lunch there other times.
The Rufflets is a hotel just outside of town that Tom Watson used to stay at when he visited, though I couldn’t find any mention of that on the website. I haven’t actually eaten there (though my wife has) but I’m giving it the win at the Conservatory has already snuck into round two by default! Let’s see what round two brings.
Round Two matches
With round one now complete, some big names now enter round two, and here are the match ups!
Note: this is based on the top 100 restauarants from TripAdvisor and so there are some ommissions from this list whom I reserve the option to add as wildcards if needed.
Speaking of Wildcards, for round two I’m adding a few. Some of these are strictly not restauarants, but given other cafes or takeaways are on the tripadvisor list I think they should be (though they are on the quick bites list). So some late entries for The Dook, Blackhorn and the Cottage Kitchen into round two.
Rogue v Zizzi
Haar v either Thai Pop Up or Le Rendez Vous
Balgove Larder v 18
Lupo’s v Gorgeous
Tom Morris Bar & Grill v Eden Clubhouse
Bistro Du Vin v Neighbours Café
Mitchells v Swilcan Loft
The Saint v Sweetpea
The Grange Inn v Rocca Deli
The Criterion v Morrisons
Tulsi Indian v Tanon Thai
Hams Hame v The Rule
Road Hole Restaurant v The Vic
The Niblick v La Cucina (Taste)
Dune v The Bridge
Little Italy v Molly Malones
The Seafood Ristorante v The Consevatory
Ziggy’s v Brewdog
Greyfriars Inn v Shawarma House
Centrals v (The Dook)
Cromars v The Dukes Bar
Jahangir v Combini (Blackhorn)
Tailend v Greggs
The Adamson v One Under Bar
Forgans v The Cheesy Toast Shack
The Tavern v The Braes (The Cottage Kitchen)
Café in the Square v The Inn at Kingbarns
St Andrews Bay v Maisha
Balgove Steak Barn v Hatch
Bibi’s Café v The Dunvegan
The Jigger Inn v St Andrews Brewing Co.
The Bothy v Rufflets