The Foyer

Set up in 1999 as part of a youth opportunities initiative, this restaurant is a local gem. An attractive granite frontage leads into a clean, contemporary interior that doubles as an art gallery. The food might be taken for granted in larger, more cosmopolitan cities, but in Aberdeen this venue is to be cherished. Service is bright & friendly, & the menu changes every six weeks or so along with the art. At lunch, you could have venison stovies with redcurrant & beetroot chutney, or a chorizo & potato frittata with rocket salad. At dinner, three courses might include sweet potato, spinach & chickpea fritters with sour cream & chilli salsa to start, char-grilled fillet steak with thyme polenta & creamy mushrooms as a main, & passion fruit & lime tart with coconut sorbet to finish. An affordable one-page wine list features some nice choices by the glass.