McGinty’s Meal an’ Ale | Aberdeen Restaurant Review

Recently, Blair and I headed along to McGinty’s Restaurant in Aberdeen city centre to try out their updated dinner menu. McGinty’s Restaurant is an independent eatery that opened back in 2009 and prides themselves in serving hearty meals made with Scottish produce and if you are after some tasty, pub grub or a pint, McGinty’s is absolutely a favourable place to visit.

The Interior

McGinty’s interior is rustic but welcoming. The exposed brick walls and dark tones throughout the restaurant give an industrial feel, while the tartan upholsteries bring a sense of warmth and homeliness to the customer.

The Starters

McGinty’s offers a selection of traditional starter dishes with a Scottish twist such as their Crafty Haggis Bon Bons (Brewdog beer battered haggis served with whisky sauce) and the dish Blair chose on our visit.

This was the Stornoway Black Pudding Stacker which is a tattie scone (potato scone for those who aren’t clued up on Scottish lingo) stacked between black pudding slices, served with chilli jam and a side salad. Black pudding is a firm favourite for Blair and this dish did not disappoint.

For my starter, I selected the Crispy Cauliflower Bites which is a dish suitable for vegans. The crispy cauliflower florets are coated in a lightly spiced batter and served with a sweet chilli dip or McGinty’s House Hot Sauce. This was probably my favourite plate from our entire meal – I never expected to love battered cauliflower so much but it is delicious! The spiced batter has the perfect amount of flavour and has you believing you are eating something far less healthy than cauliflower. As I’ve mentioned previously, I am trying to delve more into vegetarian and vegan cuisine, so finding gems like this is a winner.

The Main Course

The restaurant provides proper pub grub and homely meals for all tastes, from traditional Scottish meals like Haggis, Needs and Tatties to Chilli Con Carne and Stir Fry Noodle Bowls.

Our main course both consisted of trying The McGinty’s Burger which is a 6oz beef burger topped with haggis, onion rings and grated cheddar cheese. The burger comes with a satisfying portion of chunky fries, a pot whisky sauce and coleslaw. Honestly, the burger wasn’t the most succulent I’ve ever had but it was enjoyable. The sauce is creamy and screams Scotland, which aligns well with the McGinty’s brand image. Next time I visit, I think I’d be keen to try other items on the menu such as

Final Thoughts

We had an enjoyable time at McGinty’s Restaurant trying out their wholesome, Scottish infused menu. The service was up to scratch and the majority of the food we enjoyed vastly. I find McGinty’s the perfect place to have a quick pub lunch with friends for a catch up over a drink. The location is superb and I think it will continue to hold a place in Aberdeen’s restaurant scene for a long time to come.

Have you been to McGinty’s? Let me know your thoughts.

Why not also check out my previous food post on Brewdog Castlegate all about the vegan burger I swear by.