Restaurants
Kildrummy Inn
A gorgeous 20 minutes drive from Acorn Bothy, this is a must during your stay. Excellent value, it's affordable enough for more than one visit during your holiday week and once you've sampled the award-winning cuisine you'll understand why. If you're not the designated driver, there's local Deeside ales (from a Banchory micro-brewery) and an excellent selection of Scottish gins and whiskies.
Address: Kildrummy Inn, Kildrummy, Alford, Aberdeenshire. AB33 8QS
Phone: 019755 71227
Website: http://www.kildrummyinn.co.uk/
Echt Tandoori
This gets our vote! Good value Indian cuisine. And they tell us they're 2014 Regional Winner of the Scottish Curry Awards.
You can order via their website. But we'd recommend going there in person. You get the full city-authentic feel and yet you're out in the country.
Address: Echt, Westhill, Aberdeenshire. AB32 6UL
Phone: 01330 860601
Website: http://www.echttandoori.co.uk/
Alford Bistro
Local coffee shop and restaurant for lunches and dinner. Mainly Scottish cuisine. Decent enough value, you'll over-hear all the Alford gossip in this popular place.
Address: 40 Main Street, Alford, Aberdeenshire. AB33 8PX
Phone: 019755 63154
Haughton Arms Hotel
A couple of miles from Acorn Bothy. Bar and restaurant. Indian cuisine is their speciality in their Reubens Restaurant. Mixed reviews - some of our guests say it's pricey for what you get, others have said it's the best Indian they've ever had. Personally, we've found the pub-grub better than the Indian. A fine place for a beer though, and they have a section in the bar with TV sports.
Address: Main Street, Alford, Aberdeenshire. AB33 8WA
Phone: 01975 564219
Website: http://www.haughtonarmshotel.co.uk/
Milton Brasserie
Based in a steading, the Milton Brasserie offers excellent fine dining lunches. Close to Crathes Castle near Banchory, so you can pop there for a visit too. Connected to the Brasserie is a small art gallery and a shop offering a mix of Scottish products and tartan/leather goods. Last time, we went for lunch and came away with fine full bellies and a leather hat!
Address: Milton of Crathes, Banchory AB31 5QH
Phone: 01330 844566
Website: https://www.miltonbrasserie.com/
Castle Fraser Restaurant
Close to Acorn Bothy and only open for 4 days per week, this is a gem of a restaurant, offering French-style cuisine. You may need to book well in advance as it can be booked up well in advance, particulaly on Sundays.
Address: Castle Fraser, Sauchan, AB51 7LD
Phone: 01467 642834
Website: http://www.castlefraserrestaurant.com/
Buchanan Bistro at Woodend Barn
A popular Bistro offering tasty lunches and dinners, next to the multi-arts facility of Woodend Barn. We just love the sharing boards, including the Coastal Board (fish) and the Spanish Board (meats and cheeses). Amazing teas and coffees too. They provide live music during Sunday lunch - not too loud!
Address: Woodend Barn, Burn O Bennie, Banchory, AB31 5QA
Phone: 01330 826530
Website: https://www.buchananfood.com/
Menu: https://www.buchananfood.com/lunch-dinner
Cults Hotel
A pleasant restaurant offering good qualify cuisine on the West side of Aberdeen about 20 minutes from Acorn Bothy.
Address: 328 North Deeside Road, Cults, Aberdeen, AB15 9SE
Phone: 01224 867 632
Website: http://www.thecultshotel.co.uk/food-drink
Forbes Arms Hotel Restaurant
Recently renovated. Great new local Alford restaurant. Well recommended. Booking required.
Address: Bridge of Alford, Alford AB33 8QJ
Phone: 01975 562800
Website: https://www.theforbesarmshotel.com/dine
Farquharson's at Haughton House Coffee Shop
Farquharson's at Haughton House Coffee Shop, is situated within the dining room of the mansion house based in Haughton Country Park. The Coffee Shop is open daily throughout the year. Their Winter hours are 10am - 4pm from November to the end of March. From April onwards the opening hours are 9am - 5pm. They pride ourselves in offering delicious homemade soup, hot meal of the day, traditional home baking and sandwiches/toasties.
Address: Montgarrie Road, Alford, AB33 8NA
Phone: 01975 562107