Budget-Friendly Beach Dining: A Frugal Foodie's Guide to The Rocketeer, North Berwick

It is in that simplest of British dishes, Fish & Chips, that this place excels.

The East Lothian town of North Berwick is an ideal affordable day out from Edinburgh, just 30 minutes on the train from the city centre, and offering a treasure trove of independent shops and eateries. For the more active, there are sandy beaches for swimming, kayaking or paddle-boarding, and coastal walks – to Yellowcraigs in one direction and Canty Bay (and the fabulous Drift Café) in the other – or the popular hike up North Berwick Law.

After a strenuous ramble or tour of the many unique gift and charity shops, there is no shortage of pubs, restaurants and cafés to refuel, including pastry purveyors Bostock Bakery, Edinburgh favourites Herringbone, and the charming, family-owned Osteria.

The Rocketeer inhabits the old Coastguard station

However, for a satisfying seaside lunch on a budget, my vote goes to The Lobster Shack (check out my previous review) or, on a brisk, cold January day, its sister restaurant The Rocketeer.

Named after the local volunteers who fired rockets with rescue lines attached across the bows of stricken vessels in the Firth of Forth, The Rocketeer inhabits the old coastguard station and has an enviable location overlooking Milsey Bay and out to Bass Rock. This makes it the perfect place to enjoy coastal views in cold or stormy weather.

Seafood is always best enjoyed as close to the sea as possible, and the restaurant is also a registered First Fish Buyer, securing the freshest, ethically caught seafood directly from the boats in the harbour, as well as supporting other local businesses like Anderson Butchers and Belhaven Smokehouse.

Seafood by the seaside

While the Seafood Chowder, Salt & Pepper Squid and North Berwick Lobster are all delicious, it is in that simplest of British dishes, Fish & Chips, that this place excels. The generous portion of flaky, creamy haddock can be enjoyed just grilled or breaded if desired, but the light, almost tempura-like beer batter is hard to resist. Paired with double-dipped chips, homemade tartare sauce and a crisp white wine, it can’t be beaten. Both the breaded and battered fish can also be made gluten-free, which is unusual.

Home-made cakes are available if you have any space left, though I would usually save myself for a gelato at nearby Alandas, whatever the weather.

Enjoying the warming effects of a hearty plate of food and a glass of wine for just over £20, it’s easy to see why North Berwick was named the best place to live in the UK by The Sunday Times. If only the house prices were a little more budget-friendly.

The Rocketeer, 26 Victoria Road, North Berwick, East Lothian EH39 4JL - 01620 895577

OPENING TIMES: Sunday 9am - 4pm, Mon, Tues, Wed & Thur 9am - 3.30pm

Friday and Saturday 9am - 7.30pm