Celebrated table

The Taybank

The Taybank in Dunkeld blends award-winning Scottish cooking with a vibrant riverside atmosphere. Chef Nicolas Fischer brings French technique to seasonal Perthshire ingredients, supported by a walled garden and live music.

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The story

The Taybank Restaurant Dunkeld: Award-Winning Riverside Scottish Dining

A Riverside Hub in Historic Dunkeld

The Taybank in Dunkeld occupies a prominent position on the banks of the River Tay, where owner Fraser Potter has crafted a popular destination blending award-winning Scottish cooking with a vibrant social atmosphere. Potter acquired the building in late 2019, transforming a former bank and later a famous music venue once owned by Dougie MacLean into a multifaceted venue. An old riverside car park became a large beer garden sheltered by a stretch tent, featuring firepits and long communal tables. The upstairs restaurant retains a sense of occasion with sheepskin-strewn seating in a high-ceilinged room that frames views of Thomas Telford's arched bridge.

French Technique Meets Local Flavour

Head Chef Nicolas Fischer applies his classical French training, gained in Michelin-starred kitchens and at London's 12:51, to seasonal Perthshire cuisine that highlights the region's produce. The kitchen sources heavily from a walled garden at Murthly Estate, where fresh growth adds brightness to fiercely seasonal plates. Dishes demonstrate a fusion of refined methods and local ingredients, such as a creamy garden pea velouté accompanied by a slow-cooked egg and apple-smoked Cheddar foam. Game features prominently, with tender slabs of Perthshire venison haunch served with earthy beetroot and a flaky pastilla parcel, finished with a Drambuie-spiked jus.

Vineyards and Community Events

The beverage programme extends globally, offering a thoughtful wine list that includes selections from Italian producers like Produttori Di Manduria in Puglia, curated after trips by General Manager Fran Rossi. While fine wines are available, the list emphasizes sound drinking at fair prices across various regions. The venue remains a cultural anchor for the village, hosting weekly traditional Scottish music sessions in the rustic downstairs bar where instruments await impromptu performances. Guests can also enjoy open-air cinema screenings and long table dinners in the gardens, ensuring the Taybank functions as both a serious dining room and a welcoming community hub.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

The Good Food Guide

Good

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Good

Services Accomedation, Bar, Breakfast, Catering, Cocktails, Dinner, Events, Fine Dining, Food Truck, Live Music, Lunch, Outdoor Seating, Parking, Private Parties, Table Service, Takeaway

History

On the record

2026

The Good Food Guide — Good

Located in what is possibly Perthshire’s prettiest village (with glorious river views), this aptly named all-purpose destination is an asset to any community. Factor in some very decent cooking and you also have a bright spot on the local dining scene. It's all down to Fraser Potter, who took over this live music venue (once owned by singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean) and turned the riverside car park into a beer garden partly sheltered by a stretch tent (this is Scotland, after all), complete with firepits, a pizza oven, long tables for communal feasting and an outdoor bar. The Taybank even has its own riverside cinema, while the original bar remains charmingly rustic with musical instruments ready and waiting for weekly live sessions. On the first floor, sheepskin-strewn seating sets the tone in the high-ceilinged two-room restaurant, which also makes the most of the dreamy river views. Here, the cooking is well above the local norm, with homegrown produce from the walled garden adding some zingy freshness to fiercely seasonal dishes that seem to please just about everyone. Food miles mean a great deal here. A starter of creamy garden pea velouté with a slow-cooked egg, broad beans, sugar snap peas and a punchy apple-smoked Cheddar foam was thick, creamy and suitably moreish, while tender slabs of Perthshire venison haunch were accompanied by earthy beetroot, shredded venison in a flaky pastilla parcel, turnip gratin, asparagus tips, Drambuie-spiked venison jus and a nasturtium-leaf garnish. For dessert, lightly poached chunks of still-squeaky garden rhubarb came with a sharp rhubarb sorbet sweetened with white chocolate and a sprinkling of crumble. A thoughtfully assembled wine list offers sound drinking at fair prices, plus a handful of ‘fine wines’ if you want to splash out.

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Established

Location

Find us

Tay Terrace, Dunkeld, Perthshire & Kinross, PH8 0AQ
Dunkeld, United Kingdom
info@thetaybank.co.uk
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