Craig Millar and Award-Winning Dining
Craig Millar @ 16 West End is the headline act. The dining room looks straight over the Firth of Forth and the cooking is precise, modern and rooted in local produce. The restaurant holds two AA Rosettes and appears in the Michelin Guide, which matches what you taste on the plate. Lunch is a set three (or four) course menu; dinner runs to a five (or six) course format with a choice of mains. The menu changes with the seasons and is published online with current pricing. If you want a weekend table in summer, reserve early.
Service feels polished but relaxed. Ask for a window table when you book and arrive a little early so you can settle with the view before the first course. The team is open about dietary constraints on its site, so check those notes and flag any needs when you reserve. It saves back-and-forth on the day.
Booking Craig Millar in advance
St Monans is a popular weekend escape and daylight stretches long in summer. That means prime tables go quickly. Make the booking as soon as you set dates, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings. If your diary is tighter, try lunch: same kitchen, easier availability, and the sea looks just as good at midday.
Cafés, Lunch Spots & Casual Dining
A short stroll from the piers brings you to East Pier Smokehouse. It’s casual, it’s on the harbour, and it’s all about seafood. Expect hot-smoked fish, kippers, crab croquetas, lobster with chips, and a smoked fish curry that regulars talk about. You eat inside or out on the terrace, with boxes and benches built for views. Bookings open exactly one week ahead and fill fast in fine weather; off-season hours are shorter, so always check the site before you set off.
For coffee, bagels and home baking, Giddy Gannet is the village favourite. It keeps clear hours on its social channels, typically Tuesday to Saturday from morning to late afternoon, with occasional seasonal tweaks. The team leans into good coffee, stuffed scones and simple lunches, which makes it handy before or after a coastal walk. You’ll find it on Station Road, a few minutes from the harbour.
If you’re mapping a foodie day along the East Neuk, St Monans sits between Pittenweem and Elie, and just a few minutes from Anstruther. That cluster means you can have breakfast here, lunch on the pier, and a further dinner along the coast without spending half your day in the car.
Dog-friendly outdoor tables
On sunny days the Smokehouse terrace is a relaxed option after a beach walk, and cafés around the village open windows and pavement spots. Policies vary by season and space, so ask on arrival. In a pinch, takeaway boxes by the harbour are as St Monans as it gets.
Seafood & Local Favourites
Seafood leads here. The village’s best plates are simple and confident: grilled lobster with chips, hot-smoked sea bass, smoked salmon with brown bread, Cullen skink when the haar (fog) rolls in. The Smokehouse keeps it unfussy and generous; Craig Millar refines those same East Neuk ingredients into tasting-menu form. National round-ups and guides continue to single out both for quality and for the setting above the boats. If you want the best seafood in St Monans, you’re choosing between casual by the pier and white tablecloths with a view – there isn’t a wrong answer.
When to visit for fresh catch
Summer is peak for shellfish and long evenings. It’s also when bookings disappear quickly and walk-in benches get claimed early. Shoulder seasons bring calmer streets but shorter hours. The Smokehouse announces booking releases one week ahead; check at breakfast and lock in the slot you want.
Vegetarian options available
You’ll find meat-free plates across cafés and at the Smokehouse, and Craig Millar has dietary guidance on its site. In any case, tell the team when you book. It helps the kitchen plan a neat, thoughtful run of courses rather than last-minute swaps.
FAQs About Eating in St Monans
What is the best restaurant in St Monans?
For a special dinner with harbour views, Craig Millar @ 16 West End is the destination. It holds two AA Rosettes, appears in the Michelin Guide, and publishes current lunch and dinner formats online.
Do I need to book Craig Millar in advance?
Yes. Prime times go early in summer. If your dates are fixed, secure dinner first. If you’re flexible, try lunch for the same level of cooking and a better chance of a window table.
Is there seafood in the village?
Plenty. East Pier Smokehouse serves smoked fish, lobster and harbour-side favourites in a relaxed setting, while Craig Millar elevates local catch into multi-course menus. National guides and features back both.
Are there any cafés or lunch spots near the harbour?
Yes. Giddy Gannet is close by for coffee, bagels and cakes. It’s ideal before or after a coastal path stretch.
What’s open year-round vs seasonal?
Craig Millar trades most of the year with planned closure periods. The Smokehouse runs a shorter season and opens bookings one week ahead; it also shortens hours off-season. Cafés keep regular daytime schedules but may tweak hours in winter. Always check the venue page on the morning you plan to visit.
