Dundee

A lesser-visited but excellent city escape, Dundee offers a mix of culture, history, and great food. The city is compact, making it easy to explore on foot, and it’s perfect for a full day of discovery. Parking in Dundee is tricky, so I recommend heading straight to your hotel and parking there before exploring the city.

V&A Dundee

Start your visit at V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first design museum. The striking building sits on the waterfront, with exhibits ranging from contemporary design to Scottish craft and innovation. The building itself is the main exhibit, so even a quick visit is inspiring, and the views across the Tay are worth lingering over. Free to enter, but exhibits generally require a ticket.

You can see what’s on here.

Outside, you’ll find Heather Street Food (street food stall) and a short but lovely promenade walk by the sea.

Directions: find it here

Discovery Point

Next, head next door to Discovery Point, home to the RRS Discovery, the ship that carried Scott and Shackleton on their first Antarctic expedition. Explore the ship itself and the engaging exhibitions that bring Dundee’s maritime history to life - it’s a fascinating stop.

Tip: If you plan to visit Discovery Point and Verdant Works (below), buy an Explore More pass.

Directions: find it here

Tickets: here

The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum

This gorgeous building is home to Dundee’s best museum and art gallery. There are heaps of exhibits and so much to see; allow at least an hour. Free to enter.

Directions: find it here

Verdant Works Museum

Step back into Dundee’s industrial past at Verdant Works, a restored jute mill featuring interactive exhibits that detail the city’s history. The museum is fascinating, offering a glimpse into the lives of Dundee’s mill workers.

This museum is around a 20-minute walk from the centre, and along the way you’ll pass through residential streets. But you can also grab a taxi from the train station, but you’ll likely need to return on foot.

Directions: find it here

Where to eat and drink in Dundee

During the day:

  • Hofn Coffee: A cosy spot for artisan coffee, brunch, and sweet treats. Perfect for a bit of downtime before exploring more of the city.

  • Mana: A city centre coffee shop that serves both speciality coffee and excellent sandwiches and soups at lunch time.

  • Sook Kitchen: A small cafe in the city centre with limited tables, but the food is genuinely excellent. Expect toasties, salads, and soups, all with Mediterranean flavours.

  • Eastfield: A relaxed yet very stylish cafe; their seasonal menus and locally sourced ingredients make each a welcoming spot for brunch or lunch. This is around a 15-minute walk from the city centre along the rather vibey Perth Road.

  • EH9 Espresso: A speciality coffee shop, also on Perth Road.

In the evening:

  • The Wine Press: A welcoming spot to enjoy a glass of wine in the city centre (we like the wine vending machine; buy a card from the staff) or a light bite with small plates, charcuterie boards, and olives on offer.

  • The Bach: A very relaxed, New Zealand-inspired BBQ eatery with most dishes coming from the grill. Food is fantastic!

  • The Selkie: A cosy, intimate spot for dinner, the menu is creative, and the food is brilliant.

  • Gallery 48: A refined Spanish tapa-style eatery with great wine, lots of character, and a lovely atmosphere.

Previous

St Andrews