Aberdeen city guide

Grape & Grain is a super trendy bar in the west end of the city, with the most opulent decor which looks straight out of a fancy interior design magazine. An expertly curated selection of world wines and local beers and gins, and mouthwatering cheese and charcuterie boards, plus pleasant, knowledgeable staff on hand to give recommendations, make this the ultimate spot for date night.

Breweries

Fierce

Kirkhill Industrial Estate, Units 49

Howe Moss Ave, Dyce, AB21 0GP

Fierce has been making beer since early 2016, and has become well-known throughout the country for the mighty selection of fruity and sour brews, flavour-packed stouts and porters, and hop-forward pale ales and IPAs - not to mention the awesome special one-offs and collabs it has come out with over the last couple of years. The brewery was founded by two ex-oil and gas workers, and their and their team’s passion for good beer shows in the many accolades Fierce has won, including Brewer of the Year and Growth Business of the Year at this year’s Scottish Beer Awards. New and exciting ventures include beer-infused hot sauce, and a range of spirits including gin and rum.

BrewDog

Balmacassie Industrial Estate, Ellon, AB41 8BX

Pioneers of the ‘craft beer revolution’ BrewDog definitely need no introduction. Brewing, pouring and selling beer the world over, the makers of flagship Punk IPA have certainly taken the world by storm since opening in 2007. One of their latest big projects, their Overworks brewery on the site of the original brewery in Ellon, is making some of the most exciting brews in the UK in the form of wild-fermented and sour beers, and they even have a beer hotel in the USA now. What can these guys not do?

Six Degrees North

Reekie House, Aberdeen Rd, Laurencekirk AB30 1AG

Established in 2013, Six Degrees North was born from a love of Belgian beer. Founder Robert Lindsay and his team brew six degrees north of Brussels (see what they did there?) - a clear reference to the brewing culture and traditions it takes its inspiration from. It now has five outposts across Scotland, including the Marine Hotel in Stonehaven, its hometown, and its bar in Edinburgh houses the largest tap selection in Scotland thanks to its whopping 40 draught beers.

Brew Toon

72A St Peter St, Peterhead AB42 1QB

About an hour’s drive north of Aberdeen (or an hour and a half on public transport), Brew Toon is a great wee brewery in the nautical town of Peterhead, which is the most Eastern point of the Scottish mainland. Brew Toon brews tasty small-batch beers in its 10-barrel microbrewery, including classic styles such as lagers and American IPAs, and less common styles such as a raspberry cream ale and a mango IPA. The brewery taproom also hosts live music every weekend, and regular street food takeovers, so it’s definitely worth the jaunt out of Aberdeen!

Food

Foodstory

13-15 Thistle St, AB10 1XZ

With something to suit almost every dietary requirement, and opening times spanning from early morning to late evening, this (mostly) vegan cafe is a delight for those looking for ethical produce when eating out. Come for the coffee and cake, stay for the freshly homemade soups, salads, and hotpots. Plus, there’s a great community feel around the cafe, as they host regular events like live music, art exhibits, and yoga classes. Oh, and they also have Foodstory Zero, a zero waste cafe within the campus of the University of Aberdeen, which is a genius idea if you ask me.

Maggie’s Grill

242 Holburn St, AB10 6DB

If you like your meat smoked, spicy and slathered in sauce then this is the place for you. Maggie’s Grill specialise in BBQ and Cajun cuisine, and pride themselves on the quality of their meats and produce, which is sourced locally. Except for the hot sauce, which is imported from Louisiana for authenticity! Simple decor and finger-lickingly good food made from scratch - you can’t go wrong. Bring your pals and get one of their giant BBQ platters!

Moonfish Cafe

9 Correction Wynd, AB10 1HP

With modern surroundings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a thoughtfully-selected drinks menu, Moonfish Cafe has been delighting foodies for over 15 years. This gorgeous, Michelin-starred bistro offers fine dining in an unpretentious setting, and has a small yet varied menu of innovative dishes which constantly change depending on the seasons. If dinner is slightly out of your price range, go at lunchtime for their set menu which is very reasonably priced!

Yorokobi by CJ

51 Huntly St, AB10 1TH

Yorokobi is a family-owned joint specialising in Japanese and Korean food. They offer a lot of options, but they do everything really well with only the finest ingredients - choose from traditional sushi, sashimi and nigiri, or pick from the extensive rolls & maki rolls section, or maybe you want something warm and cosy like noodles or katsu curry, or choose something from their bento box menu, *takes deep breath* or simply opt for their infamous bibimbap. Yorokobi is Japanese for ‘joyous bliss’, which is what you will feel after an evening of food and sake here, trust me on this one

What to do in aberdeen

Hang out with dolphins

Aberdeen is one of the greatest places to go dolphin-spotting on the North-East coast, if not in the whole of Scotland. Head to Torry Battery since it has panoramic views across all of Aberdeen Harbour, but for a more informative dolphin-watching session, go between April and August, Thursday to Sunday, where the RSPB team are there with binoculars, brains full of knowledge, and even special activities for families. If you’re lucky, you might spot a seal or a whale too! The other best spot is Cove Bay in the South East of the city, or hit up Aberdeen Harbour Tours for a cruise which offers a greater chance since you’re actually in the sea, duh.

Visit a park or six

For such a small city, Aberdeen has so many gorgeous parks! Seaton Park, Cruikshank Botanic Gardens, Hazlehead Park, Duthie Park, Johnston Gardens, and Donmouth Nature Reserve are just a few of them - there are 14 in total. Whether you’re looking for a woodland stroll, somewhere to go dog-walking, a family day out, or to gawp at some stunning horticultural displays, there’s something for every park-going occasion in this ‘City in Bloom’.

Have a dram of proper Scotch whisky

You’re in the North of Scotland after all! Glen Garioch distillery is less than an hour away by bus, and you can get to Ardmore distillery in less than two hours with a train and bus combo. If you can’t be bothered with public transport, simply head along to the Aberdeen Whisky Shop on Union Street for one of their regular whisky tastings led by their knowledgeable, friendly staff.