3 weeks Ago By Rosalind Erskine
Home Food Restaurant Reviews Recipes Drink Distilleries Whisky Gin Craft Beer Locations Scran Podcast This Highland restaurant has boat-fresh seafood on the menu and gets rave reviews. It’s no secret that Scotland is home to world famous (and delicious) seafood, and luckily, there are many restaurants across the country in which to enjoy it. From award-winning seafood restaurants to seaside shacks and Michelin Star eateries, there’s something for all budgets.
One restaurant that sees tourists flock to it from all over the world is The Cabin, in Mallaig. The Cabin serves ‘Scotland’s most expensive lobster’ which can cost up to £200. It’s also often named as serving the best seafood in Scotland, given how fresh it is.
Given its location, at the harbour, diners who visit for the fresh seafood can enjoy views across the water to Skye . The small restaurant, which seats 28, rates high on TripAdvisor and is run by chef Harry Marshall and fiancée Arlene MacBeth. These reviews plus the giant, two-kilo lobsters that are available only a few times a year, are why people from across the globe make the journey to the remote restaurant.
Speaking of the lobster, Harry said : “People know what they are getting fresh lobster as we are only 50 metres from the sea. “We are always paying a premium price for the lobster we buy off the boats as most of it goes to France and Spain. “Lobster prices are at record levels and that has to be reflected in the prices we charge.
“What we serve really depends on what we get from the boats in the summer. Normally it would be two people sharing. “We don’t do any bookings and it’s first come, first served.
We also have a good local following and from fishing families as well who appreciate that the lobster is fresh and not frozen.” The giant lobsters are popular with Chinese and Japanese customers and, Harry said, there can be queues around the block to get seated. Reviews on TripAdvisor mention the ‘exquisite food’, ‘excellent service’ and 'best scallops ever’.
Many mention going early given just how busy the restaurant gets. Harry said of these well travelled visitors, “They (customers) say it’s cheaper here than at home. These are people who know their lobster and are willing to pay our prices.
They also trust that the lobster we serve is the best.” If you do head to The Cabin for lobster, expect to pay about £70 per portion (this is for a 600-700g lobster). This is then cooked in garlic butter, white wine, and herbs and is served with aioli, salad and chips.
Lobster, much like other fish and seafood, is seasonal and the giant ones can weigh over 2 kilos, with one customer spending more than £200 on this. The Cabin opens seasonally, from April until October, and also serves boat-fresh seafood platters for two, which are priced from £140. For traditionalists, they also serve chippy meals such as fish and chips and smoked sausage supper as well as prawn cocktail and calamari.
Find out more about The Cabin and its menu via their social media. If you want to know more about food and drink in Scotland, then why not subscribe to our newsletter ? Food Drink Recipes Producers Whisky Gin Craft Beer Vodka Rum Announcements Jobs Public Notices Must Read Buy a Photo Directory Reader Shop Conferences The Scotsman Archive.
