Town guide
Aberdeen food & drink
North East food capital — home to Scotland's biggest monthly farmers market
Aberdeen is Scotland's food and drink centre by some measures — Aberdeen Country Fair at Thainstone (just outside the city) is the country's largest monthly farmers market, with 100+ producers from across Aberdeenshire and Moray. The annual Taste of Grampian festival in June draws 25,000 visitors to the same venue. Within the city: Fierce Beer and BrewDog (Ellon) are the headline breweries; outside it, Glen Garioch and the Speyside distilleries to the west sit within driving distance. Aberdeenshire is also home to some of the most-respected Scottish farm shops — Aberdeenshire Larder and Macduff Castle Farm Shop are well-known regional destinations.
Full Aberdeenshire food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.
- Aberdeen Country Fair (Thainstone) — Scotland's biggest monthly market
- Taste of Grampian — 25,000 visitors annually in June
- Fierce Beer (in the city) and BrewDog (Ellon, 30 min north)
- Glen Garioch distillery — 30 min west
Where to eat & drink in Aberdeen
Places our published guides actually recommend — every entry links back to the article that covers it.
The Ashvale
Fish & chipsMultiple branches
An Aberdeen institution since the 1980s — the 'whale', an enormous fish, is a challenge meal.
The Grill
PubUnion Street
Fewer hand-pulls than the Prince of Wales but excellent Aberdeenshire ales.
The Prince of Wales
PubSt Nicholas Lane
Aberdeen's oldest pub, with six or more hand-pulls — a CAMRA regular.
Farmers markets in & near Aberdeen
Whisky distilleries near Aberdeen
Breweries near Aberdeen
Scottish gin makers near Aberdeen
Coming up in the next 14 days
See all →Whisky regions within reach of Aberdeen
Aberdeen sits within day-trip distance of several of Scotland's whisky regions. Each region has its own flavour profile and a full TasteSCOT guide.
Aberdeen food & drink FAQ
+What's the best farmers market in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen Country Fair on Aberdeen (typically saturday). Next confirmed date: Saturday, 25 July 2026. We list every market within 70 km of Aberdeen on this page.
+Where can I taste whisky near Aberdeen?
5 distilleries within 70 km of Aberdeen are open to visitors. Glen Garioch, Lone Wolf (BrewDog Distillery), Fettercairn are the closest. Each has a full tour and tasting guide on its TasteSCOT page.
+When is the next food or drink festival in Aberdeen?
No festivals scheduled in Aberdeen or nearby in the near future. See our full 2026 festivals calendar for what's coming up across Scotland.
+Where should I stay in Aberdeen for a food and drink trip?
Use the accommodation map below to find hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of central Aberdeen. For multi-day Scottish food and drink trips, Aberdeen is a sensible base if you want access to 8 distilleries and 1 breweries we cover in the surrounding 70 km.
+What is Aberdeen known for in Scottish food and drink?
Aberdeen Country Fair (Thainstone) — Scotland's biggest monthly market. Taste of Grampian — 25,000 visitors annually in June. Fierce Beer (in the city) and BrewDog (Ellon, 30 min north). Glen Garioch distillery — 30 min west.
Where to stay near Aberdeen
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of central Aberdeen.
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