A Chef’s Guide To Perthshire

With its foot in both the Lowlands and the Highlands, Perthshire stretches across a vast section of Scotland – hence its ‘big county’ nickname. The region is home to a variety of landscapes: tumbling waterfalls, fairytale-like glens and luscious greenery – which are not only easy on the eye, but also create a bountiful natural larder of fresh produce. Consequently, Perthshire has a great food and drink scene, from charming country inns to lochside eateries and Michelin-starred fine dining. Here to guide us is local culinary couple Tom and Matilda Tsappis, who head up the renowned Killiecrankie House in Pitlochry.

Where To Eat In Perthshire

Tom and Matilda Tsappis

Tom and Matilda Tsappis, Alex Baxter Photography

Husband-and-wife duo Tom and Matilda Tsappis spent years working in finance and advertising respectively before deciding it was time to change tack. In 2018 Tom retrained as a chef, and Matilda as a sommelier, and they went on to launch a supper club, Elia, which they ran from their flat in Dulwich in London. 

Post-pandemic, they moved to Scotland to be near Matilda’s family. Then, in 2021, they bought a property called Killiecrankie House, which they transformed into a restaurant with rooms. It comprises a fine dining eatery, five guest rooms and a one-acre kitchen garden. Tom heads up the kitchen, serving a modern tasting menu which includes playful reinterpretations of classic Scottish fare, drawing inspiration from both his and Matilda’s heritage (Tom is half Greek Cypriot and Matilda is half Japanese). Matilda, meanwhile, spearheads the drinks side, curating unusual wines to pair with Tom’s dishes.

Here, the culinary pair share their recommendations for where to eat in Perthshire. 

Perthshire Restaurants: Tom and Matilda’s Pick

The North Port, Perth

Chef Andrew Moss and his wife run this small Michelin guide restaurant in an 18th century cottage in the heart of Perth. Expect good quality, seasonal, Scottish fare at a reasonable price, in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

8 North Port Perth PH1 5LU, thenorthport.co.uk

Inn at Loch Tummel

A beautiful country inn run by a young couple, Alice and Jade. The views here are to die for and on a sunny day, it’s a lovely place to sit outside with a cold drink and while away an afternoon. They also offer a fantastic Sunday roast, with all the trimmings.

Queens View, Strathtummel PH16 5RP, theinnatlochtummel.com

Wasted Degrees, Blair Athol

Our local brewery in Blair Athol, run by brothers Conall and Jack Low. They make a range of premium craft beers, including one for us specially at Killiecrankie House. The taproom offers very good sourdough pizzas (sometimes topped with locally foraged ceps) on Saturdays in the summer, and beer straight from the tank.

Unit 11, sawmill yard, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry PH18 5TL, wasteddegrees.com

Tom Tsappis, Alex Baxter Photography

Glenturret Lalique, Crieff

Perthshire’s newest Michelin star restaurant, and the only currently housed in a whisky distillery. Expect refined French cookery from chef Mark Donald and his team, in a Lalique crystal wear-clad dining room. Their signature Tattie Scone is a joy.

Glenturret Distillery, The, Hosh, Crieff PH7 4HA, theglenturretrestaurant.com

The Taybank, Dunkeld

There is something for everyone at the Taybank – there’s a pub with live music downstairs and a more formal restaurant upstairs, utilising lots of the produce from their off-site walled garden. There is plenty of event-based dining going on in the summer as well, with things like an outdoor cinema, which ties in with Dunkeld’s other foodie institutions and their riverside pizza kitchen.

Tay Terrace, Dunkeld PH8 0AQ, thetaybank.co.uk

Aran Bakery, Dunkeld

Dunkeld’s original foodie destination. Great British Bake Off finalist Flora Shedden and her team craft beautiful breads, pastries and more for locals and tourists alike. Just about everything they make is delicious, but be sure to get here early as they are prone to selling out!

2 Atholl St, Dunkeld PH8 0AR, aran-bakery.com

Redwood Wines, Dunkeld

Morgwn, who worked as a chef at restaurants in New York and London, and his wife Roseanna, own this wonderful wine shop come bar come brasserie, serving a range of well sourced wines, including those from Morgwn’s family vineyard in California. This is a lovely place to while away an evening eating exactly the sort of food you want with good wine – delicious salads, great bread, cheeses and cured meats. Don’t miss Morgwn’s signature beef tartare or soon to be famous tacos.

12 Bridge St, Dunkeld PH8 0AH, redwoodwines.co.uk

Gleneagles

Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Gleneagles

A Scottish fine-dining institution. The only 2 Michelin star restaurant in Scotland, located in the heart of the world-famous Gleneagles Hotel, is still serving classic, precise French cooking night after night.

Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Auchterarder PH3 1NF, gleneagles.com