Fife | Bite Magazine

Fife: Coastal Charm and Culinary Adventure

From the windswept shores of St Andrews to the bustling kitchens of Dunfermline, Fife’s food scene blends tradition, innovation, and community. Bite contributors have explored everything from 10-course Punjabi tastings at Dhoom to seafront fine dining at The Seafood Ristorante. This section celebrates the region’s producers, chefs, and seasonal escapes—whether it’s a night market at Balgove Larder, afternoon tea at Balbirnie House, or a wine-soaked weekend at The Peat Inn. Fife’s flavour is bold, generous, and unmistakably local.

A picture of the interior or Antioch with a vase of tulips, red leather chairs and colourful lamps

Antioch - A Turkish restaurant in Dunfermline

Hospitality is King at Antioch There’s nothing obvious to alert you to the excellent cuisine served at Antioch . This Turkish restaurant sits quietly at the bottom of Dunfermline’s High Street near The Glen, in a pedestrian row of takeaways and shops. But don’t let its modest appearances fool you—this Turkish grill is an absolute gem. The soul of Antioch is in the long charcoal grill where coals smoke and embers glow red hot. Presiding over the fire is the chef who, with quie

Sharon Wilson

Nov 92 min read

Jean-Michel drinking wine in the South of France

4th & 5th December - From La Garrigue to the vineyards of Faugères: Jean-Michel Gauffre’s next chapter - Languedoc wine tastings & tours

Sipping wine in the sunny south of France Languedoc Wine Tastings & Tours For over two decades, La Garrigue was more than a restaurant—it was a love letter to the Languedoc, tucked into the heart of Edinburgh. Under Jean-Michel’s care, the restaurant became a haven for rustic French cooking, generous hospitality, and unforgettable wine. Now, with the restaurant closed, he turns the page and invites friends old and new to join him in celebrating the next chapter: one rooted

Sharon Wilson

Nov 12 min read

Casa Mia – A warm southern Italian hug in Dunfermline

Caprese Salad and a glass of Pecorino Casa Mia is a family-run restaurant in Dunfermline that radiates the kind of warmth you hope for but rarely find. When Mr Bite and I visit, we’re greeted by Fabio in the kitchen and his 'mamma' Sylvana front of house — a duo whose hospitality is as comforting as the food they serve. The space is light, bright, and crisply decorated, tucked into an unassuming corner of the Auld Grey Toun. The menu leans into sourdough pizzas and Italian cl

Sharon Wilson

Oct 272 min read

East Pier Bar Fife & Spry , Edinburgh

East Pier Another escape to the East Neuk, where, on Saturday, we made a significant dent in the wine cellars of The Peat Inn to accompany some super-fancy belated birthday dining. Owner Geoff Smeddle is now ready to hang up his apron and enjoy some family time, so we joined friends for what might be a final time with Geoff at the helm before the right contender is found to take his place and carry forward its formidable international reputation. Our foodie chums were up for

Elizabeth Bowman

Apr 253 min read

Afternoon delight at The Orangery, Balbirnie House Hotel

Top tier Afternoon Tea Every so often Mrs Bite visits the small luxury hotel Balbirne House Hotel. Located on the edge of the small village of Markinch in Fife it is an A-listed Georgian country house set in 400 acres of Parkland. Inside it is plush and comfortable. Plump sofas invite you to relax and admire the Scottish Colourist artworks. Giant vases of flowers and earthy colours reflect the Scottish landscape. It’s a popular wedding venue but fine dining also happens in

Sharon Wilson

Aug 23, 20242 min read

The Crusoe Hotel, Lower Largo

Lower Largo Bay The Crusoe Hotel is located in the fishing village of Lower Largo tucked between Leven and Elie on the Fife Coast. It sits in and I mean ’in’ Lower Largo Bay where the waves lick the solid, old building. The hotel's namesake Defoe’s castaway was inspired by a local 17th-century sailor, Alexander Selkirk and in the village there is a statue of him dressed in goat skins peering out to sea. He spent four months stranded on the uninhabited Juan Fernández Islands

Sharon Wilson

Aug 22, 20242 min read

St Andrews Bay Clubhouse & Grill - launch Summer menu

A perfect setting for a seafood platter Despite driving under torrential rain recently, I discovered the joys of Fife. The picturesque rural scenery, once across the bridges, helps you realign your chakras and, even more so if your final destination is Fairmont . Just 10 minutes from St Andrews, and between two championship golf courses, this estate encapsulates quintessential Scottish luxury. It is the perfect place for a retreat where you’ll never get bored. There are fiv

Sharon Wilson

Jun 4, 20243 min read

Jack ‘O’ Bryan's - a neighbourhood favourite

The bistro is next to Pittencrieff Park Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s is in the heritage quarter of Scotland’s ancient capital, near the Abbey built by Queen Margaret and next to the verdant Pittencrieff Park with its peacocks and statue of Andrew Carnegie who gifted the 76 acres to the people of Dunfermline. Owners of this bustling family bistro are Brian and Michelle Coghill who briefly ran the Black Pig and Oyster at Commercial Quay in Leith. The menu focuses on fish, pork, and choco

Sharon Wilson

Aug 7, 20232 min read

Daytripper to Dunfermline and Jack 'O' Bryans

The Abbey by Liz Bowan Dunfermline is known as ‘the auld grey toun’ but the Heritage Quarter and Pittencrieff Park are lush and green in what was the ancient capital of Scotland until the 17th century. My friend Liz and I only dip our toes into one corner of the town when we visit. We run out of time, not things to do. The morning is mostly spent at the Abbey and Palace. Queen Margaret founded the former which was originally a small church built to mark her marriage to Malcol

Sharon Wilson

May 2, 20223 min read

Craig Millar @ 16 West End, St Monans, Fife

With so many beautiful spots along the Fife coast; the whole of the East Neuk is worth taking some time to explore. The food and drink...

Jill Blair

May 1, 20222 min read

Bistro Dory, Pittenweem

Calamari What better way to blow away the 2021 COVID cobwebs than with a slap-up lunch in the East Neuk of Fife. Even if we were allowed, Mr. Bite and my clubbing days are over. Early to bed and early to rise and instead we are driving to the fishing village of Pittenweem for a rock 'n' roll lunch on New Year’s Day. A blustery walk around the creel-littered harbour sees us chatting to a lone fisherwoman, watching the sea swell and ducking some rogue sea sprays. A pleasant way

Sharon Wilson

Jan 2, 20222 min read