Located at Dundee’s vibrant City Quay, Porters is a lively and much-loved restaurant that recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Over the past decade, it has become a firm favourite among locals and visitors alike, known for its generous portions, stylish setting, and welcoming atmosphere.
With its warm, industrial-chic décor, extensive drinks menu, hearty portions, and unexpected dietary inclusivity, this restaurant deserves more attention than it often gets.
From the moment you step inside, Porters welcomes you with a sense of space and style. The restaurant is airy and modern, softened with colourful touches like floral wall installations and playful neon lights.
Fantastic drinks menu at Porters
The large bar anchors the room and offers an excellent drinks selection. A bottle of wine will set you back a reasonable £25-£35, cocktails are imaginative and fun, and the beer and spirit selection is broad enough to please even the pickiest of drinkers.
The service matches the surroundings: attentive without being overbearing. Staff are quick, efficient, and most importantly, friendly. They clearly care about both the food they’re serving and the people they’re serving it to.
Whether you’re popping in for a casual lunch, indulging in a hearty Sunday roast, or attending one of their popular themed events (ABBA nights, anyone?), Porters has you covered.
The menu leans heavily into meat and fish, with hearty, traditional British dishes taking centre stage – though you’ll find some creative flair in the specials.
While vegetarian and vegan options are somewhat limited, they do exist, and what’s more impressive is how quietly accommodating the kitchen is when it comes to gluten-free diners.
Gluten-free frickles were fab
Almost everything fried is made gluten-free as standard, and they do it so well you’d never know it wasn’t the norm.
During a recent family dinner, we kicked things off with starters that were both gluten-free and delicious. The fried pickles – delightfully named “frickles” on the menu – were a standout.
Sharp, crunchy, and moreish, they paired beautifully with a glass of white wine. We also tried the tempura cauliflower (£8), another gluten-free gem, which was even more tasty.
For mains, the king prawn and chargrilled chorizo linguine was a hit at the table. Too often, seafood pasta dishes skimp on the protein.
But this one was bursting with juicy king prawns and just enough smoky chorizo to complement the tomato and dill sauce without overpowering it.
At £18, the dish was not only well-executed but generous in portion, a theme that runs consistently throughout the menu.
No scrimping on portion sizes
The fish and chips (£17.50) were another winner, especially since the batter was gluten-free. Crisp, golden, and light, the fish was perfectly cooked, and the accompanying chips were chunky and plentiful.
There’s something wonderful about being able to enjoy a comfort classic like this without having to worry about dietary restrictions.
My husband chose the mushroom and spinach arancini (£18), which was tasty but the dish was lacking something.
Served with Parmesan and a truffle cream sauce, the large arancini balls were indulgent but called out for something else on the plate.
He pinched a lot of my chips to break up the creaminess, so perhaps a side dish would’ve been a good idea with this option. Still, it’s a really decent vegetarian dish.
Desserts and decadent cocktails
For pudding, I went for the Bubblegum Pop cocktail, essentially a liquid dessert adorned with a whimsical mountain of blue candy floss.
At £9, it felt like a mini-celebration in itself – sweet, nostalgic, and the perfect light ending after a substantial meal.
Others at the table opted for the sticky toffee and ginger pudding (gluten-free and reportedly divine), and the apple and hazelnut crumble tart, which was met with wide eyes and satisfied murmurs.
At £8.50, desserts are reasonably priced, especially considering their quality and size.
And size, really, is something Porters does exceptionally well. Every course is generous, offering real value for money.
The price really is right
Mains mostly sit just under the £20 mark, unless you go big with a double steak burger or pile on extra toppings.
Starters hover around £8, and you’ll never feel short-changed. It’s clear that the restaurant takes pride in ensuring its guests are well-fed and well looked after.
The menu itself offers a little something for everyone. From black pudding fritters and Cajun chicken skewers to feather blade beef and sea bass fillet, you can go traditional or try something with a twist.
Burgers, pasta, pies, and salads round things out, and the rotating specials and seasonal updates mean that even regulars will find new things to try.
Themed dinners for fun night
Porters doesn’t just rely on its food and drink to bring people in, though. Themed events and fun evenings, such as tribute nights, help keep the atmosphere lively and community-focused.
It’s this combination of quality, character, and consistency that has helped it survive – and thrive – for a decade.
So if you’ve walked past Porters at City Quay without a second thought, now’s the time to turn around and book a table.
Here’s to another 10 years of Porters – Dundee’s hidden gem that deserves to be in the spotlight.
Information
Address: Camperdown Street, Dundee DD1 3JA
Telephone: 01382 225139
Website: https://www.portersbar-restaurant.com/
Price: £160 for five starters, five mains and five desserts, so around £32 a head for a three-course meal.
Accessible: Yes
Dog friendly: No
Scores
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Surrounding: 5/5
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