3 Best Restaurants In St Monans, Fife

Are you planning to trip to the East Neuk and looking for the best St Monans restaurant? My guide to the best cafes and restaurants in St Monans includes my favourite eateries, serving everything from locally caught seafood to delicious coffee & cakes.

The East Neuk of Fife has an unrivalled foodie scene, and the restaurants around the coast are well worth a trip on their own. This is especially true in the tiny but oh so charming village of St Monans, where there’s a handful of wonderful eateries to be explored. Luckily, you don’t have to look far to find the best St Monans restaurants, as they’re dotted around the quaint harbour.

I’ve sampled food in most of the cafes and restaurants in St Monans, and I have a definite list of favourites – for all times of the day. This guide covers the best places to grab a relaxed lunch or formal dinner, amongst incredible St Monans restaurants and cafes. 

1. Giddy Gannet

Best for: sweet treats, breakfast, and lunch

Address: 10 Station Rd, St Monans, KY10 2BJ

A wonderful little café, tucked away along a narrow street next to the harbour. Both their sweet treats and savoury plates are equally delicious, and the coffee is also excellent.

The Giddy Gannet is open all day from 10am, perfect for a late breakfast. They serve a brilliant food menu of light bites throughout the day, and there’s plenty of choice including utterly delicious pork apple sausage rolls, bacon butties, pastries, and croissants. Whilst at the weekend, the Giddy Gannet stays open late on a Saturday for those looking for a beer or prosecco.

It's a beautiful space, filled with chatter, and friendly staff. Be sure to stop if you’re passing through, plus it’s the perfect stop for those walking the Fife Coastal Path (you’ll see the distinctive orange sign on the trail only a few miles outside of St Monans).

Find the café and opening hours here.

2. East Pier Smokehouse

Best for: the freshest seafood

Address: East Shore, St Monans, Anstruther KY10 2AR

Situated directly on St Monans harbour, East Pier Smokehouse is an iconic St Monans restaurant. The speciality here is seafood – scallops, lobster, sea bass, smoked langoustines, and maple miso salmon. Though if that doesn’t tempt you, there’s plenty of other choices, including BBQ lamb and roast duck with mango salsa.

There’s lunch sittings and dinner reservations, with ‘beers on the pier’ drinks at weekends. No matter which you choose, I recommend you book a table in advance, as it’s such a popular spot. Plus, if you’re lucky enough to grab a roof terrace table in summer you’ll also be rewarded with glorious sea views.

Book your table here.

3. Craig Millar at 16 West End

Best for: a special occasion

Address: 16 West End, St Monans, KY10 2BX

This AA Rosette St Monans restaurant may be small, but it has a solid reputation for high quality food.

At 16 West End, they serve a fine dining set menu at both lunch and dinner, with dishes made with local produce and the freshest ingredients. Expect to see dishes like beer & hoisin braised ox cheek and herb & onion crumbled halibut. Inside is a quietly stylish space, with harbour views and heaps of light.

Whilst I haven’t eaten here (yet), customer reviews are excellent, though be aware prices reflect the Rosette status. But this is the perfect choice if you want an experience as well as a lunch or dinner.

Book your table well in advance here.

As you can likely tell from this short list, though only a small selection, the restaurants in St Monans are wonderful. Let me know in the comments if you try any, or if there’s any foodie hotspots missing from this list.  

 Read next

• Best things to do in St Monans, Fife

• A short guide to the East Neuk, Fife