Quaich & Banter - Picton, Ontario

Fran M.

Review
We loved the Quaich & Banter so much, we had dinner there two days in a row! We were thrilled to discover this comparatively new Scottish restaurant, just minutes by car from Main Street Picton. The food is outstanding…beautifully prepared, with fresh ingredients and everything made from scratch, producing dishes that are authentically Scottish, and absolutely delicious. Also, the servers were attentive and friendly. We are both British and being at the Quaich and Banter was like being in a high-end gastro-pub in Edinburgh with an A-list chef running the kitchen. We highly recommend the Cullen Skink soup, Scotch Eggs, Fish and Chips, Haggis Croquettes with Whisky Sauce, the Sunday Roast (which included a Yorkshire pudding, perfect gravy, plus the best roast potatoes I’ve ever had in a restaurant, on either side of the Atlantic) and a superb apple and blackberry crumble. How I wish there was a restaurant like this in Toronto! If you are looking for quality, delicious food, carefully prepared and served in a welcoming, friendly and Scottish atmosphere, then look no further if you are in the County. Also, we found it reasonably priced, which should mean that the Quaich & Banter will be a wee piece of Scotland that locals & visitors will flock to regularly. Hasten ye back!

michael L.

Amazing service. All the staff were friendly. Food was great. My wife ordered the pork chop and she does not usually like pork and it was amazing. I had the. Fish and chips and the batter was 2nd to none. We plan to go back for a whiskey tasting!

John C.

Love the many different options of Scotch, especially when pur server Jeff came by to give me an overview of what I was drinking even though I didn't have the tasting flight. He was very knowledgeable and made our lunch there that much more enjoyable. The Fish sanswich of the day, the fish cakes were great and the sticky toffee pudding was delicious and best we have tasted anywhere! A must visit when in Picton especially if you love Scotch as much as I do!

Lauren B.

Really enjoyed our Sunday dinner tonight! The whiskey was absolutely lovely and all of the food was perfect. Our little one was crazy for the Scotch egg (huge and cooked to perfection, complete with jammy yolk) and Cullen Skink (creamy, well-balanced and full of smoked fish). Already planning our next visit!

Richard D. I. C.

Authentic Scottish Flavors Elevated – A Must-Visit!

We had an incredible dining experience at Quaich and Banter! If you're looking for authentic Scottish dishes with a modern twist, this is the place to be. The food was a perfect blend of tradition and creativity.

We started with the Scotch Eggs, and they did not disappoint—perfectly cooked with a hearty sausage filling that leaned towards the bold flavors of haggis. It was a true Scottish classic done right.

The highlight, however, was the Haggis Croquettes. The interior was buttery smooth, with that unmistakable rich flavor of haggis, encased in a perfectly crispy exterior. Every bite was a delightful contrast in texture and taste.

Our main was an expertly prepared beef tenderloin. Served rare, it was a properly aged generous serving that you could cut with a fork, perfect!

Dessert - Sticky Toffee Pudding, I have NO words, just order it!!!!

If you're expecting French cuisine or overly fussy dishes, this isn't the place for you. Quaich and Banter is all about celebrating Scottish standards and elevating them to new heights. Highly recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy bold, comforting flavors with a touch of finesse!

Anthony C.

The food here is really the star of the show. We ordered the scotch eggs and cullen skink to start, which were both exceptional. So delicious and comforting. For mains we ordered Fish and Chips. The fries were very very good. Not our favorite tartare sauce...sufficient but just a preference. We also ordered the Pulled Lamb Shoulder. The lamb absolutely melted in your mouth and was seasoned perfectly. The sticky toffee pudding was to die for. The service, although very pleasant, was the only thing we found had some opportunities. Our server was lovely but it was a very quiet night and we watched a couple of other people come in after us and leave before us as we waited for next orders or the bill. We had to flag someone down. Again, it was lovely, just an opportunity to mention. We will definitely be back. Kudos to the chef 💯 👌

Luciano B.

Last night, my partner and I had dinner at Quaich & Banter and it was a delightful experience. I ordered the beef bake, while my partner opted for the fish and chips. We also shared a plate of croquettes. The food was nice and had a very Scottish touch to it. The drinks were great, and the highlight of the night was our fantastic server, who kept all the guests entertained and truly enhanced our dining experience.

However, it was a bit disheartening to see the patio empty on a warm summer night, with only four tables occupied inside. As a marketer, I have a few suggestions to help attract more customers.

First, consider changing the signage from "Public House" to "Restaurant and Pub." Picton is a tourist city, and many people may not realize you offer a full dining experience just by driving by. Additionally, adding a few more general items to the menu that pair well with drinks could attract more patrons to enjoy the patio.

While keeping the Scottish theme, don’t be shy with seasonings and salt to bring out more flavour in the dishes. Making the plates more visually appealing with some vibrant colours and better combinations could also enhance the dining experience.

We genuinely want to see your business thrive and believe these small changes could make a big difference.

Lisa M.

I have been looking for a restaurant offering a roast dinner and finally found it! This was an authentic, home-cooked roast dinner that didn’t disappoint. The food was excellent; portions were very generous - we walked out full and with leftovers. We highly recommend a visit to Quaich and Banter. Ian, the owner and Chef is lovely, and we had a great experience with Jen, our server. We will be back!