We are open daily from 12, with last bookings at 9. You can view our menus right here.

Why Scotland’s Seafood is Considered Some of the Best in the World

Scotland is well known for its whisky, dramatic landscapes, and history. But there’s another export that often steals the spotlight for chefs and diners alike: seafood. Our wee country has earned its reputation as one of the best places in the world for fresh fish and shellfish, and we couldn’t be more here for it.

a bowl of cullen skink

If you’ve ever searched for ‘seafood in Glasgow‘ or ‘fish restaurants near me‘, you’ll quickly see that demand for Scottish seafood is high. At The Buttery, seafood dishes have become an integral part of our menu. They allow us to showcase what Scotland does best, right here in the heart of Glasgow.

Why Scottish Seafood Stands Out

Several factors make Scottish seafood world-class:

  • Cold, clean waters: The North Atlantic provides the perfect conditions for species like haddock, halibut, scallops, and monkfish. The slower growth in these colder waters produces seafood with a distinctive depth of flavour.
  • Sustainability: Scotland’s fishing industry is tightly regulated. Many fisheries follow strict sustainability practices, ensuring fish stocks are preserved for future generations.
  • Global demand: Scottish seafood is shipped around the world, sought after by Michelin-starred chefs and high-end restaurants in Europe, Asia, and North America.

All of this means that when you sit down to a seafood dish in Glasgow, you’re often eating the same produce that’s celebrated on international menus.

pan seared halibut with beurre blanc and caviar

Scotland’s Seafood on the Plate at The Buttery

While The Buttery isn’t purely a seafood restaurant, our menu proudly features dishes that highlight Scotland’s finest catches. Each plate is designed to celebrate provenance, while adding the creativity and flair our kitchen is known for.

  • Cullen Skink – a traditional Scottish fish soup made with smoked haddock, leeks, potatoes, and cream. Rich, warming, and rooted in heritage, it’s a dish that feels like home.
  • Sole + Crab Paupiette – sole wrapped around fresh crab, served with grilled courgette, lobster bisque, tempura samphire, and dill oil.
  • Seared West Coast Scallops – paired with Stornoway black pudding, crispy Parma ham, and smoked haddock cream. A dish that shows just how well Scotland’s produce can work in harmony.
  • Miso + Maple Glazed Halibut & Prawns – glazed halibut with onion dukkah crumb, accompanied by pan-fried king prawns, seasonal vegetables, potatoes, and a spiced sweet potato and coconut velouté.
  • Monkfish + Scallops – Serrano-wrapped monkfish and pan-fried scallops, with crispy gnocchi, keta, garden peas, spinach, guanciale, and pea cream.

These dishes aren’t about overcomplicating. They’re about using the best ingredients possible and creating flavours that feel balanced yet memorable.

Glasgow’s Place in Scotland’s Seafood Story

You might not immediately think of Glasgow as a seafood destination, being inland, but the city has become a hub for seafood lovers. With daily deliveries coming straight from Scotland’s coasts, fish and shellfish arrive in kitchens just hours after leaving the water.

west coast scallops with crayfish and lobster
scallops with a crayfish butter

For diners, this means you can enjoy scallops from the West Coast or haddock from the North Sea without leaving the city. The Buttery takes full advantage of this access, turning premium produce into plates that feel both classic and contemporary.

The Heritage of Scottish Seafood

Seafood has always been part of Scotland’s food culture. Smoked haddock dishes like Cullen Skink date back generations, originally created as a way to preserve and stretch precious ingredients. Scallops, too, have long been fished from the West Coast, prized for their natural sweetness.

Today, that heritage lives on – only now, it’s refined and elevated. At The Buttery, we keep those traditions in mind while presenting seafood in a way that feels modern, elegant, and fitting for a Glasgow dining experience.

Experience Scottish Seafood at The Buttery

If you’re searching for the best seafood in Glasgow or want to try fish dishes that showcase Scotland’s natural larder, The Buttery is ready to welcome you. Our menu changes with the seasons, but the commitment to celebrating Scottish seafood remains the same.

Come for Cullen Skink on a cold day. Share scallops that melt in the mouth. Or make a night of it with halibut, monkfish, and a glass of wine carefully chosen to match.

When it comes to seafood, Scotland offers some of the finest in the world – and at The Buttery, we’re proud to put it on the table.

Share the Post:

Related Posts