The Tolbooth Restaurant

Review summary

1. C

   Cameron

   London6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had the tasting menu which was fabulous - every course was beautifully cooked and the Service was outstanding 10/10
   

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2. C

   Colin VIP

   Yorkshire1 review

   3.0

   Dined on 2 March 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   We have been to the Tollbooth regularly since 2022 and we have always considered it to be one of the top restaurants in the north-east, on the quality of its food. Today we were very disappointed with everything we were served: the seafood bisque (usually a killer!) was just a bowl of milk with no discernible seafood flavour. The scallops were ok but raw in the middle. The pieces of hake and coley were perfectly cooked but lacked seasoning. The cassoulet beans were al dente, a cassoulet needs to be cooked long enough to become unctuous. The mornay sauce was wrong, too much raw egg. All lacked seasoning, and that element of caramelisation that brings out flavour. The poached pear was tasty but had obviously just come out of the fridge. Most people would expect this to be a hot or warm dessert, for the correct flavours. We seriously hope the Tollbooth’s kitchen can get back to its usual standards. There’s a shortage of good restaurants in Aberdeenshire already, let’s hope we’re not losing another one.
   

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3. L

   Lorraine

   Angus2 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on 1 March 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   My shellfish bisque was watery and tasteless, the bhaji was tasty but soggy as it was served in the soup. I enjoyed the Hake and the sauce was tasty but unsure about the seafood and seaweed hollandaise and my artichoke was hard inside. I had the cheese for dessert which was presented nicely with fruit loaf and mini oatcakes but the cheddar was totally tasteless. My husband enjoyed the ham hock and he said the pork belly was melt in the mouth. The service and atmosphere were good but my food was a bit disappointing for this standard of restaurant.
   

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4. S

   Steve

   Kincardineshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 1 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Perfect in every sense. Intimate, historic setting overlooking the harbour. Scallops and halibut cooked to perfection. Service attentive and professional. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be back very soon.
   

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5. S

   Sylvia

   Toronto8 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 1 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience, lovely staff went over & beyond! Food was excellent- we chose the special - locally sourced halibut - cooked to perfection! Very nice wine list albeit I would have liked to see more choice by the glass, however the sommelier sorted that for me - excellent customer service… Our first visit, indeed we will return soon!
   

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6. E

   Eileen

   Kincardineshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 1 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had the Taster Menu and it was perfect. Excellent sized portions and the food was delicious. The waiter was very professional and friendly. We would definitely go there again and will highly recommend it to our friends.
   

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7. K

   Kerensa

   London1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 26 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Just lovely! Great staff and amazing food - fabulous quality and nothing, including the view or weather could have been better. Been before and always top quality with lovely passion from the people with humour!
   

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8. C

   Chris

   Kincardineshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 22 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful food, fantastic staff and a beautiful location.
   

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9. C

   Christiane

   Kincardineshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 21 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Had a GREAT evening! We had the Tasting Menu, and each course was better than the course before, going from seafood, to fish, to blade of beef (cooked to perfection) and then the most delicious dessert of pecan filled cookie with a salted caramel sauce and ice cream. The atmosphere was quiet and relaxed, and the young staff so attentive. I had a seat with a view of Stonehaven harbour and there were lovely works of art on the walls. All-in-all, a wonderful dinner in lovely surroundings - finished off by a really good cup of coffee! Definitely a place to take visitors to show them what great food Scotland has to offer, or for a special occasion.
   

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10. R

    Rebecca

    Aberdeen1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 21 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Delicious food and wine pairing. Fantastic service and knowledge of staff. Wonderful experience and will definitely be back.
    

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