"Steaks and brasserie cooking in a historic post office — book The Adamson in St Andrews for chargrilled cuts, the Adamson burger and cocktails."
About The Adamson
The Adamson sits at 127 South Street, in the centre of St Andrews, in the town's former post office. The building was once home to Dr John Adamson, the photographic pioneer who took the first calotype portrait in Scotland in 1841 and is marked by a blue plaque outside. Founded in 2012 by the Dalton family, the restaurant pairs a grill-led brasserie menu with a busy cocktail bar.
It sits among the town's leading tables. Compare the seafood-led Haar, the harbour-view The Peat Inn nearby and the bistro Ondine, or browse the full St Andrews dining guide.
The Kitchen
The kitchen works a modern brasserie menu around the grill. The dishes to order are the chargrilled steaks and the signature Adamson burger, with the steak focaccia, the Korean chicken burger and seasonal Scottish plates close behind; starters run from olives and calamari to venison and haggis. The grill is the focus, and Scottish produce drives the plates, plated with care rather than fuss.
It is an upper-mid St Andrews spend: mains start from around £19, with steaks higher, and most diners spend around £35 to 45 a head.
The Room
The room keeps the period bones of the old post office — high ceilings, big windows onto South Street — and dresses them in a smart, contemporary brasserie style, with a lively cocktail bar up front. Service is warm and well-paced. The mood is relaxed but polished, equally happy with a celebration, an easy date or a group dinner. Booking ahead is wise, especially at weekends and during golf events.
Best for a relaxed dinner or celebration in St Andrews
The Adamson suits a relaxed night with a sense of occasion — the grill and the cocktail bar make it a fine first date, an easy anniversary or a sociable team dinner in St Andrews. For more of the town's tables, see Haar or browse the full St Andrews dining guide.
Not for
Not for a hushed, formal fine-dining night — The Adamson is a lively grill and brasserie with a busy bar, built for a relaxed dinner rather than a quiet tasting-menu occasion.
Frequently Asked
What is The Adamson known for?
It is a grill and brasserie in St Andrews, set in the former South Street post office, known for chargrilled steaks, a signature Adamson burger and a busy cocktail bar.
Where does the name The Adamson come from?
From Dr John Adamson, the photographic pioneer who once lived in the building and took the first calotype portrait in Scotland in 1841; a blue plaque marks the spot.
How much does The Adamson cost?
It is an upper-mid spend: mains start from around £19, with steaks higher, and most diners spend around £35 to 45 a head.
What should I order at The Adamson?
The chargrilled steaks and the signature Adamson burger are the draws; the steak focaccia and the Korean chicken burger are the picks around them.
Where is The Adamson?
At 127 South Street, in the former post office in the centre of St Andrews, Fife.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at The Adamson
Book via the restaurant; weekend and golf-event tables go first.
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Practical Information
Address127 South Street, St Andrews KY16 9UH
NeighbourhoodIn the former post office on South Street, in the centre of St Andrews
CuisineSteakhouse
PriceÀ la carte mains from around £19, steaks higher; most diners spend around £35–45 a head
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingA brasserie dining room and a cocktail bar; booking wise, especially at weekends
ReservationBooking wise, especially at weekends and golf events; à la carte, lunch and dinner
