Q&A with Julia Bryce for UnDiscovered Aberdeen
Julia Bryce is one of Aberdeen’s most recognisable faces when it comes to food, drink, and all things delicious. A proud Aberdonian, Julia has spent over a decade writing about Scotland’s incredible food scene, from hidden gems to the best bites.
Quickfire Q&A with Julia Bryce
Best spot for coffee?
I don’t drink coffee. I get funny looks when I say that, but I’d send everyone to Cairn Coffee down at the beach. For somewhere to sit in? Mount or The Cult of Coffee.
For the best hot chocolate though, visit Fat Batch or Sweet Toots Cakery, which is just up from Cairn Coffee at the beachfront.
Best Sunday roast?
This is hard, but I’d say Number 10 Bar and Restaurant. I always pick the beef, it’s so tender, but I think the fact you can get pigs in blankets all year round is another reason why it’s the best. You can’t miss their cauliflower cheese though, No.10’s has parmesan on it.
Best brunch spot?
Parx Café in the West End. The breakfast burrito is incredible and always goes down well, but stay for lunch and grab the Korean fried chicken, you’ll thank me later.
Bar or pub?
Fierce Bar on Exchequer Row. I’d usually order a fruity or sour beer, or maybe one of the specials but I hear they are now serving cocktails so I’ll be exploring that menu asap.
Desperate to try?
Sea Salt + Sole has just opened their first sit-in bistro in Dyce so I’m keen to see what it’s all about. I’m also eager to try out Grape & Grain’s sister venue, Mediterranean on Thistle Street, oh, and Zera Café at the beach, and the little Georgian place in Aberdeen. There’s quite a few places on my list…
Best value?
Madame Mews is great value for its price vs portion size. The food is all freshly made, and the owner Mew Garthley is super sweet. Maggie’s Grill, while being expensive, is two meals in one. You will genuinely go home with your lunch for leftovers because the portions are that big. Order the chicken tenders with corruption sauce, it’s the best.
Best bakery?
Bandit Bakery. The produce owner Pete and the team create there is outstanding but I’m also loving the new pop-up bakery in Portlethen called Haar Micro Bakery. Don’t overlook the Vegan Bay Baker’s doughnuts or butteries either.
Best grab and go?
FreshMex for all the Tex-Mex goodies.
Best lunch?
West End Chocolates for their stellar paninis. Upperkrust is also good value for money too and the ladies’ banter in the shop makes it worth every penny – there’s also a Tom Hardy cardboard cutout and some Doric sayings on the wall to keep you entertained in the queue.
Drink of choice and where are you having it?
I’d have to say a spicy margarita, or any cocktail really, from Ninety-Nine Bar and Kitchen.
Best takeaway?
I love a Chinese so it’s Fu Kwai near the Lang Stracht for me. You can’t beat their prices or portion sizes.
Best fine piece spot?
Almondine has some of the best French patisserie in the city. Pera Palace is excellent for Turkish bakes, and I’ve heard Rosa’s is spectacular for Sicilian treats.
Best date night spot?
Optimum time for a fly cup?
2PM – that’s tea and biscuit time when I’m working from home.
Buttery or rowie?
It’s a buttery.
What you putting on your buttery?
It needs to be toasted. But if you haven’t tried it, some cheese and a slice of beef tomato with a sprinkling of quality sea salt. Delicious.
Somewhere that surprised you?
Newburgh Beach – there are so many more seals than I’d ever imagined.
What’s something you wish everyone knew about Aberdeen?
How much there is to do here and what a brilliant place it is to live. We have hills, mountains, beaches, coastal paths, parks, lochs, and so much more all on our doorstep.
Where are you going on your day off?
I’m probably going for a long walk, maybe to Loch Muick or up Bennachie, although I do love Dunnottar and Fowelsheugh when the puffins are there.
I’ll always grab something to eat after at a local spot, that’s a non-negotiable.
About Julia
While studying PR and Communications at Robert Gordon University, Julia started her writing journey in 2010 with a fashion blog which, in 2015, transformed into her award-winning lifestyle blog, Just Julia. Since then, she’s been on a mission to put local food on the map.
As the first specialist food and drink writer at DC Thomson, Julia quickly became the go-to expert, landing the title of Food & Drink Writer of the Year in 2021 at the Scottish Press Awards. She even made her Netflix debut on season seven of Somebody Feed Phil and won the title of Scottish Influencer of the Year in 2024.
Now, you can catch her every Sunday from 1-5pm on Original 106, where she keeps everyone entertained with good chat, great music, and, of course, plenty of foodie talk.
Keep up-to-date with Julia online here.
