The Kinneuchar Inn
Kilconquhar, Fife
Best Local Restaurant: Scotland
Just inland from the quaint East Neuk of Fife lies Kilconquhar Loch, famed for its winter ‘bonspiels’ – outdoor curling jamborees for the uninitiated. The unassuming 17th-century Kinneuchar Inn (‘the hub of the village’) reflects this local custom on its signage, having doubtless provided welcome sustenance on many icy days. Today, it’s a rustic yet classy spot, successfully blending high-end dining with the virtues of a cosy hostelry; above all, ‘it still feels connected to the local scene,' notes one fan. Alethea Palmer’s warm welcome makes everyone feel like a regular and partner James Ferguson prepares dishes that he describes as ‘familial and nostalgic’, reflecting his own Greek/Italian backstory. The pub is part of the local Balcaskie Estate which farms 2,000 acres along this coast, so food-miles are low and seasonality high; whole-carcass cooking and local day-boat fishing ensure authenticity and sustainability. Even with a daily changing menu, any ‘specials’ genuinely reflect what arrived at the kitchen door that morning. House sourdough with funky home-cultured butter, and nibbles of crispy pig's skin with apple and chilli jelly whet the appetite for silky kitchen skills, a few surprises and dishes ‘laced with Mediterranean vibrancy’. A colourful starter of mangetout, red dandelion, mint and Lanark White cheese brings it all together, or you might fancy grilled octopus with fava beans and pickled chilli. Generously proportioned mains continue the theme, from gnocchetti sardi or the house Toulouse sausage with lentils to a sunny coupling of skate, cucumber, chickpeas, monk’s beard and olive-oil mayo. Leave room for delicate patisserie such as raspberry and almond tart or a feta cheesecake with poached peach and honey. To drink, there are craft beers (local, of course) and a small but interesting choice of wines.
Dining Information:
Private dining room, Separate bar, Outdoor dining, Wheelchair access, Credit card required
9-11 Main Street, Kilconquhar, Fife KY9 1LF
01333 340377
