Cornerstone Restaurant

Someone from this business manages this listing.

945 reviews

#2 of 12 Restaurants in Mallaig$$ - $$$, Seafood, British, Healthy

+44 1687 462306+ Add website

Hours

Mon

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Tue

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Wed

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Thu

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Fri

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Sat

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Improve this listing

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

945 reviews

#2 of 12 Restaurants in Mallaig

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Seafood, British, Healthy, Scottish, Vegetarian friendly

“Would recommend the Halibut and the wild Mallard.”

“We had the cod and hake.”

“The special was a Halibut in ink squid linguine with Mallaig prawns which we...”

Location and contact

Davies Brae, Mallaig PH41 4PU Scotland

+44 1687 462306

Improve this listing

Does this restaurant primarily serve Healthy cuisine?

Yes

Unsure

Details

Manage this business?

CUISINES

Seafood, British, Healthy, Scottish

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

Contribute

Write a review Upload a photo Ask a question

We perform checks on reviews.

Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews

Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.

When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.

Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.

Learn more about our review moderation.

4.5

945 reviews

Excellent

670

Very good

201

Average

Poor

Terrible

3Lilla3

894 contributions

Cozy experience

May 2022 • couples

Mallaig is simply stunning.. a out of the world place. We went there for dinner and the view through the windows is so beautiful. You can eat looking at the harbour. I am celiac and I always look for places that serve gluten free options. Here I was able to find good gluten free dishes; I tried the fish soup (so delicious.. Haddock is simply delicious) and I took after it the Haddock with potatoes (it wasn't fried in my case but simply cooked, my brother that isn't celiac he could eat fried Haddock instead and told me he liked it). The restaurant is quite pricey but I can understand it because of the quality of dishes and also because of the cozy location with a view of the harbour. Definitely recommended.

Written 20 November 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fingal

Mallaig47 contributions

Best Fresh Fish and Homemade Chips Ever!

Sept 2020 • none

I have eaten a lot of fish and chips over the past few months and the Cornerstone Restaurant has by far the best I have ever tasted! The fish is super fresh and the homemade chips are chunky and delicious. They had a great variety of options for lunch and dinner on their menu including a large selection of fresh seafood caught right in Mallaig. They have a huge passion for their food and it shows in the quality of each dish that is served, make sure you try the pickled cauliflower if it's on offer. Also, the Arancini Balls for a starter were brilliant, as was the haddock wrap for a snack from the takeaway menu. Their staff are super friendly and very attentive to my needs as a customer, and I couldn't have had a better experience. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the view! You can see right out into the harbour, a great spot for some people watching and seeing all the happenings of a busy fishing harbour. If you are in Mallaig and feel like a great fresh seafood feed then take yourself to the Cornerstone Restaurant, you won't be disappointed!

Written 1 October 2020

Andrew

Newcastle upon Tyne109 contributions

Just go here - best food in town.

June 2022 • couples

We'd been trying to find a decent place for fish and chips in Mallaig for a few days. This is clearly the best place in Mallaig. Great food, staff who could raise a smile and ask how we were doing, a fair price and everything cooked to order, bagged and handed over in ten minutes. One place very close to this kept us waiting for twenty minutes to place an order before we walked. Not so much as a nod of acknowledgement from any member of staff whatsoever for the whole time we were stood with our cash in our hand. Others told us they'd been waiting between thirty and forty minutes. Yet another place, across the road, which actually backs onto the fish quay sold us what we can only figure out where the trimmings from a proper haddock fillet. This, along with awful chips and a tartare sauce which was like something my Grandmother made and she's been dead for thirty five years. Look for my other reviews and you'll see exactly who I'm referring to. The Cornerstone has made us realise that we can actually get very decent fish and chips in Mallaig. It's one of the reasons we'll be returning. You should open a full time takeaway - you'd clean up, deservedly so. Great food, great service and an altogether pleasant experience contributing to the return of visitors to Mallaig.

Written 2 June 2022

Gayle1969

Edinburgh1 contribution

Double booked

July 2020 • family

So I’ve eaten in this restaurant 3 times. Arrived in Mallaig on the Jacobite train and ran straight there to secure a table because the number on the website was wrong. Thankful that I was able to get a table in 20 minutes which allowed me to have some retail therapy and a little walk around the harbour. Unfortunately when I arrived with my sister and nephew 20 minutes later I was informed that the table was no longer available however they were very sorry!!!!!!!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬 if anyone has ever visited Mallaig at this time you will know how busy it is, so we ended up with a chippy and had to eat it on the train on our way back to Fort William so spent the majority of our time in Mallaig waiting in a queue for food, absolutely disgraceful, have recommended this place to so many people however I will reconsider this when someone next asks me where I think is good in Mallaig.

Written 31 July 2020

cornerstone2015

Dear Gayle, I am sorry I can’t phone you as you didn’t book by phone, also sorry about the mix up and that a table wasn’t available to you. The member of staff that made the mistake also wants to apologise on their behalf. Best wishes, The cornerstone .

Written 1 August 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Anne H

Dunning9 contributions

Rather disappointing

Sept 2020 • couples

We booked this restaurant as part of a short trip to Mallaig expecting to be offered a variety of fresh seafood. The only seafood on the menu was scallops which my partner had,they were undercooked and not very hot.My Cullen skink was not great either.My partner sent his seabass back it was cold in the middle and not cooked properly,my fish and chips were average. The staff comment on our complaints was that the chef had a lot of covers,not my problem.There were 8 other people in the restaurant, hardly busy but they were also selling takeaway,maybe that made it too much for the kitchen.We won't be back.

Written 28 September 2020

cornerstone2015

We are sorry you didn’t communicate to us about the scallops, we were sorry you didn’t let us cook a replacement meal for the one you complained about. On the menu that night there was , smoked fish, haddock, mussels, calamari , sea bass and scallops, a reduced menu to keep everything fresh , usually more options but as a result of the pandemic we as other are on a smaller menu. It’s a shame you don’t rate the Cullen or haddock as indeed it is in my and other guests options... fantastic. I am most disappointed that you have taken out of context part of our communication to imply I replied “it wasn’t our problem”. Twisting events and communicate is unfair. You waited 20 mins between courses, no longer . Indeed we had a lovely service the rest of the 5 five tables in the dining room had a lovely night enjoying their food and company. Please when you next visit a restaurant let them do their job and fix the problem. We are not offended about fixing a complaint but most offended by your twist on events.

Written 29 September 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Geordie1108

64 contributions

Fabulous Fantasic Meal

Sept 2022 • none

Prior to our visit to Mallaig, I checked the local restaurants, the Cornerstone stood out so telephoned and made a booking, make sure you do, when we were there they turned away several couples. On arrival they made us very welcome even though we had a dog with us for dinner. The staff were very well dressed and very professional. As soon as we were sat bottles of water were brought to the table, now you know you picked a good one. Out of the four nights we eat on this holiday they were the only restaurant to do this. A friend who was dinning with us wanted Monk fish and sadly was not on the menu outside, he was delighted that it was on the special board and it was fantastic. I went for duck starter with chutney loved it, then ribeye steak med rare, the meat was amazing I did not want to put my peppercorn sauce on, home made chips, super onion rings amazing. However the dessert was to die for wanted to pick my plate up and lick it, all washed down with a very nice wine something on the menu not a Pinot or Chardonnay,

Written 20 September 2022

david s

517 contributions

A table by the window on a rainy day..

May 2022 • none

We arrived in Mallaig by train on a very rainy day. Because of the weather and time of day, all the passengers from the train practically headed straight for the nearest restaurant. We proceeded on Main street downwards and spotted a second-floor restaurant that seemed perfect for the weather. Indeed we had a table by the window and could look outside to the street and the harbor beyond. Being in Scotland already for a few days our Scottish friend suggested that we sample the local dish called Cullen Skinks..Indeed three of us had that, in addition to some small portions of appetizers. While the service was friendly and the atmosphere relaxed with no other diners, the food itself was a bit disappointing . The bill also seemed quite excessive for what we actually got.

Written 12 May 2022

Tommy

Bo'ness88 contributions

Hidden Gem, talented chef.

Sept 2020 • couples

Beautiful sea food, freshly made and beautifully presented. I asked about the chef when we had eaten and was amazed how young he was to have the knowledge and skill he has, we learned he had spent time in Tom Kitchin’s restaurant in Edinburgh and also Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant in London and it shows. Thanks to Sharon and the guys, see you all again soon.

Written 27 September 2020

Daniel M

Green River35 contributions

Seafood With a View

Sept 2023 • family

My family and I visited the Cornerstone while waiting for a ferry in Mallaig. We arrived at the very end of their regular lunch service, but the staff kindly seated us anyway. All members of our party ordered fish and chips (I know, we're boring) which was delicious and served in very large portions. The staff were kind and very attentive, the atmosphere is cozy and the view of the harbor is pretty special, certainly befitting a seafood restaurant. I got the impression that the Cornerstone is a very authentic local restaurant, it's a peaceful place to slow down and enjoy some seafood, I can't recommend it highly enough.

Written 19 September 2023

FireTim44

Wetherby901 contributions

Scotland Break

Aug 2020 • family

The 3 of us had got off the Jacobite Steam Train and after a walk around the village and harbour food was required we didnt want a Restaurant but noticed here did takeaway from round the back. Ordered them and came back 20 mins later to collect them and sit by the harbour. Simply the best fish anf chips we have had in years. Highly recommend

Written 26 August 2020

TDalziel2

Glasgow3 contributions

Fabulous

Apr 2022 • none

We had a delicious meal here the lady who served us was so lovely and friendly. We had a table at the window the setting was perfect. The wine was DELICIOUS the wine glass it was served in was to detail. Highly reommend great wee find. Thank you :)

Written 19 April 2022

AMD

Acharacle2 contributions

Best in Mallaig

Sept 2020 • family

My family and I have had a few visits at the Cornerstone Restaurant over the recent months. Every time has been absolutely wonderful. We’ve tried the Calamari, Haddock and Chips, Passionfruit and Coconut Cheesecake, Chocolate Cremeux and the Panna Cotta to name a few. These dishes have been incredible and we’d highly recommend the Cornerstone.

Written 9 September 2020

Angela H

2 contributions

High quality dining

June 2023 • couples

My husband and I were lucky enough to be squeezed in.at short notice and the experience exceeded our expectations! The staff were charming and helpful, the ambience was most pleasant and the food was of very high quality! Everything we ordered was full of flavour and cooked to perfection and the buttery, melt-in-the-mouth shortbread served with our dessert was sublime! Definitely worth a visit.

Written 24 June 2023

Pathfinder787267

2 contributions

Hidden Gem for all seafood lovers.

June 2023 • couples

Me and my wife have been holidaying near Mallaig for many years now and always have at least one trip to Cornerstone while there. Every time the food has been great, the severice prompt and polite. Has a lovely family vibe as it should have with it being run by a family with a young chef cooking and serving food way above his age and experience would suggest. Always enjoy catching up and seeing the progress the little hidden gem has as each year passes. The only downside being they were out of their famous langoustines again, but that also shows that they only serve fresh seafood and fresh fish. Unlike other establishments in the town who served me not so fresh and obviously frozen seafood. So as advised I will be phoning and ordering them in advance nextime. Already counting the days till we get to go back next year. A real treat for any seafood lover.

Written 22 June 2023

Roisin K

Falkirk1 contribution

Fab food, friendly service

Aug 2020 • family

Lovely restaurant with great views over the harbour. Delicious, freshly cooked food. Passion Fruit Cheesecake was the best I’ve ever tasted, so light and fluffy! Great service and super friendly staff! Can’t wait to visit again!

Written 26 September 2020

…

Showing results 1-15 of 834

Best moderately priced restaurants

See all