The Waterfront

While walking along Ayr Beach and Harbour, we came across a little bar/​restaurant alongside the harbour called The Waterfront. The worry with taking your dog on a day out is trying to find somewhere that is dog friendly. Thankfully, we didn’t need to worry. We chose a seat out in the terrace and Bobby even got his own little bowl for his much needed water.
I loved the variety in the menu but it was rather hard to pick what to have. However, since we were by the sea, it had to be fish (with chips– naturally). Delicious. Complete with mushy peas, pickled onion and a little nifty spray bottle of vinegar.
My dad ordered a bread board for one. A great selection of bread with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, black olives and sundried tomatoes. It was a vast amount of bread just for one person, so we shared it amongst the four of us. Yes, Bobby had some bread for his lunch.
Going with the fish theme, my dad then ordered mussels in a bacon and leek sauce for main course. A huge pot of big mussels, with only a few closed shells (which were discarded). The bacon and leek didn’t add much to the mussels though so I don’t think he’d try that flavour combination again.
My mom ordered haggis and black pudding fritters to start and a chicken salad sandwich. The fritters were delicious and I really want to recreate them at home rather soon. The fritters came with a lovely whisky sauce as well as little mounds of mashed potato and turnip.
All in all, it’s a lovely little place, perfect for sunny days sitting out in the terrace and there are lots of menu items I want to go back and try!

Had the seafood «wheel» for 2, it had smoked salmon cannelloni, shrimp Mary Rose, Harissa spiced seared salmon, and mussels in garlic cream sauce. Also ordered the scallops off the appetizer menu. All excellent and fresh tasting. Staff was very friendly and gracious even though we showed up around 9:30pm. Great place to eat in Ayr.

Very vegetarian friendly. Huzzah!!!
The lunchtime menu is short and sweet in a small but fairly perfectly –formed manner. It’s also very reasonably priced indeed with the food punching above its weight when it comes to pub cuisine! Meals are presented nicely and prepared with some skill. Staff are helpful and friendly. A la Carte is also available.
I’ve been to this recently refurbished and re-​opened harbourside pub a few times and my preference is definitely to sit in the cosier bar than the perfectly pleasant restaurant on the other side. The restaurant is all hard surfaces and I found that when there’s a crowd in its very difficult to hold a conversation, such are the loud acoustics of the place.
The drinks are on the slightly pricey side as are some of the items on the a la carte menu (£17 for an asian beef stir-​fry main course), so I’ll be sticking to the budget friendly lunch for the time being.
A special mention is due for the fabulous home-​made onion rings and the fish and chips. The tarragon and mushroom fettucine was delightful, and my neighbour raved about the fish pie and chicken in peppercorn sauce. No-​one has thus far had room for dessert.
Lovely views when the tide is in! Would recommend this place as a great lunch-​spot.
*They could do with opening a few windows or ramping up the aircon in the warm weather. Its been a little stuffy on each visit.*

Recently opened by two brothers The Waterfront is a welcome addition to Ayr’s dining scene. With onsite parking and a view over the River Ayr I suspect it will be even more popular this summer when their outdoor terrace opens. The food can’t be faulted and is priced reasonably enough for any budget; definitely get the chips as they are amazing!