Fingal Sails into Christmas Retaining Two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence

Christmas has come early for Scotland’s only five-star luxury floating hotel, Fingal, after retaining two prestigious Rosettes for culinary excellence

Article Source: https://www.fingal.co.uk/
Last Updated: 9 December 2025 10:32

Christmas has come early for Scotland’s only five-star luxury floating hotel, Fingal, after retaining two prestigious Rosettes for culinary excellence by the internationally recognised Automobile Association (AA) for the fourth year running.

A two AA Rosette award signifies an excellent restaurant showing higher standards, better consistency, and precision in cooking with quality ingredients, indicating skilled chefs who combine flavours well and focus on fresh produce with noticeable flair and technical ability.

Only around 45 per cent of restaurants in the AA Restaurant Guide have two Rosettes.

Permanently berthed in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith, the Fingal’s Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar has already earned its reputation as a world class foodie destination since its re-launch as a luxury hotel in 2019.

The ship has all the glamour and style of a superyacht, but with an air of old-world Art Deco luxury ocean liner elegance inspired by the ship’s rich maritime heritage.

Head Chef Pedro Barreira, and Restaurant Chef Andrea Sendon Alonso are the driving force behind Fingal's award-winning Lighthouse Restaurant and its galley team of 14 hospitality professionals.

Menus embrace the finest seasonal produce from local suppliers, including crab from The Belhaven Smokehouse in Dunbar, and wild ingredients from foragers Coeur Sauvage, in simple, sensational food. A new Festive Afternoon Tea menu is also available in time for Christmas.

Franck Bruyère, Chief Executive Fingal Hotel and The Royal Yacht Britannia, said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to keep our two AA Rosettes – it’s a huge recognition of the incredible work our team puts in every single day.”

“This award is all about consistency and quality, and that comes down to the passion and skill of our chefs and hospitality team. I am so proud of them all.”

“The inspectors loved our focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and the way our chefs bring flavours together with real flair and precision – and that’s exactly what we aim for with every dish.”

Fingal is now providing a stylish setting for friends, family and colleagues to indulge in the ship’s new festive afternoon tea, festive private dining and a Hogmanay celebration.

Served in the ship’s Lighthouse Restaurant, Fingal’s galley team have created a new Festive Afternoon Tea, which is now being served daily between 12pm and 3.30pm until 4th January 2026.

Open to residents and non-residents throughout the festive period, Fingal offers a choice of private dining booths for small pre-booked groups. Festive private dining for up to 60 guests is also available in Fingal’s ballroom.

Fingal’s 22 luxury cabins are each named after Stevenson lighthouses, inspired by Fingal’s rich maritime heritage. The ship is now the ultimate in luxury accommodation and dining.

The former Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) tender is owned and operated by the award-winning team at The Royal Yacht Britannia, which is located just 10 minutes away.

Fingal is located opposite the Port of Leith tram stop, which offers a direct and quick transport link between Leith, Edinburgh city centre and Edinburgh Airport.

For more information on Fingal Hotel’s festive line-up of experiences and packages, go to https://www.fingal.co.uk/christmas-new-year/

Follow Fingal on social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fingaledinburgh
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fingaledinburgh and www.instagram.com/lighthouserestaurantatfingal

For more information on the AA and its AA accolades, go to www.aahospitalityservices.co.uk/aa-quality-assessment/restaurants/aa-rosettes-explained

Image credit: Fingal Hotel, Edinburgh:

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