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  3. Dunbartonshire/Renfrewshire
  4. Helensburgh
  5. Helensburgh
Sugar Boat, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire

Sugar Boat

4.4
4.4
341 reviews
£25 and under
Bistro
Welcome to Sugar Boat - a relaxed & informal neighbourhood bistro in the heart of the town on Colquhoun Square, a stones throw from the sea front. We are open daily from 10am (11am on Sunday's) through until late. We serve everything from a simple breakfast menu with cracking bacon sarnies or avocado & egg on toast, a fixed price lunch menu at £13.50/£16.50 for 2 or 3 courses & an a la carte menu available at both lunch & dinner. Cakes and scones & savoury snacks are available all day. We have a Wine Shop for off sales from our extensive list of over 75 wines - everything from £8.50 per bottle upwards. Enjoy a tip top cocktail from our bar made with premium sprits & our home made purees, cordials and juices or enjoy a pint of a locally brewed beer or a bottle of Scottish craft ale from around the country. Choose to sit on the square (there are heaters and awnings for when the wind blows & the rain falls....and it does or in our rear courtyard (again partially covered & heated).

Make a booking

2 people

19:00


Booked 3 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Bistro

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon–Sat 9:00 am–12:00 am Sun 10:00 am–12:00 am

  • Phone number

    01436 647522

  • Payment Options

    Contactless Payment

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive Chef

    Oliver Nodwell

  • Area

    Helensburgh

  • Cross Street

    Colquhoun Street

  • Parking Details

    A large car park is adjacent to the restaurant accessed via an archway from Sinclair Street & offers free parking for 2 hours. Free parking on local shopping streets for an hour or a couple of streets up the hill with no time limit. There is free parking too on the pier (5 minute walk).

  • Public Transit

    Trains run direct to Helensburgh Central from Glasgow; Edinburgh (2 min walk). Trains run direct from London Euston to Helensburgh Upper (10 min walk). Local bus services drop you in the square from neighboring villages & towns to Central Glasgow. The Waverley Paddle Steamer regularly stops at the pier in Helensburgh between Easter & October.

  • Additional

    Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

What 341 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseEnergetic

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  1. LevetteC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 March 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding first visit! Mussels were the best we’ve ever had. Both Canadian grandsons loved it, as did we! We’ll definitely be back!
  2. Polly

    Inverness

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 17 March 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another fabulous meal made that much more special by great staff and choice of menu. Thank you Team SB. See you soon!
  3. FionaC

    Argyll

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 16 March 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Once again, a perfect mid week lunch. Excellent service, the best Steak Frites with Bearnaise you could ever want, accompanied with a superb glass of house wine. What's not to love about Sugar Boat? I just wish we lived nearer!
  4. GSRV

    London

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 March 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Great little restaurant with friendly staff who care
  5. BeckyG

    East Lothian

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 March 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Lovely space and friendly staff. Well behaved dogs welcome in the cafe area. Great food. Enjoyed our evening at the Sugar Boat.Would recommend and return.
  6. Flipper

    Dunbartonshire

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 6 March 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    A pleasant business lunch. I hoped for an ox cheek or sea bass dish, but they weren't on the menu. I had the beef shin ragu and pappardelle instead, which was nice but not stunning. Service was excellent, and the noise levels were low. I'm hard of hearing and had no difficulty following the conversation.
  7. CatherineM

    Dunbartonshire

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 4 March 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Lovely food. Relaxed atmosphere. Good service. Look forward to returning.
  8. AnnH

    Glasgow

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 3 March 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    The service is very leisurely, don’t go to this restaurant if you need to be somewhere. The menu is good & food we all had was delicious. It is actually nice to go somewhere that does not chase you out but would be nicer if the staff took your drinks order quicker. The presentation of the food is lovely. Will still return.
  9. Auds

    Memphis/West TN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 February 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience3
    The oysters were fresh and tasty! For our main we had your fish and chips! Fish was fresh and plentiful and the chunky chips were great! Stuffed! We will be back and we have recommended you to our friends.
  10. AileenY

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 February 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious! Enjoyed some cocktails afterwards & they were great. Thoroughly recommend
  11. LesleyI

    Glasgow

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 29 January 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a special restaurant. Excellent food in a lovely setting. Attentive service.
  12. IreneH

    Dunbartonshire

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 28 January 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Excellent ambiance and superb food recommend a visit
  13. Catriona

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 28 January 2023

    overall4food5service2ambience4
    The food was excellent as it always is at the Sugar Boat, and the ambiance was good - busy without being noisy. The staff are always friendly and efficient once you catch their eye, but the service can be rather slow, particularly if you are up at the far end of the restaurant as we were.
  14. DrewB

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 January 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Meal was really nice and would certainly recommend eating here, as we have done on numerous occasions. Price is what you would expect to pay for the quality and the ambiance of the place 👍👍
  15. JenB

    Glasgow

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 January 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an excellent Saturday Brunch. The waiter was fantastic
  16. ColinR

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 January 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Good menu with choice of various cooking styles. Daily specials always tempting but the ordinary menu "standards" are always my choice. Soup of the day is exceptional. Friendly service too, so overall highly recommended.
  17. TaraM

    Argyll

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 January 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous food and service!
  18. EdwardD

    Dunbartonshire

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 January 2023

    overall1food4service4ambience4
    Issues with our presentation of a substantial gift voucher to pay our bill, our benefactor lost a lot of money because our voucher was not used in full and renaming balance was not allowed to be used as a tip. Manager was unable to explain where the outstanding balance went. My advice, don’t buy Anyone a gift voucher for The Sugar Boat and I doubt if I would return to this establishment again. Although the food and service was excellent, customer service needs a vast improvement. E. J. Doherty
  19. MoiraH

    Dunbartonshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 31 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Went for New Year’s Eve early dinner. Exceptional food served by very friendly, professional staff. No delays on food arriving but given enough time to not feel rushed. Utterly brilliant way to start Hogmanay. Highly recommended. Great place!
  20. KittyD

    Dunbartonshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 30 December 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Top class food. Great choice of cocktails. Thoroughly enjoyable evening.
  21. Ann1

    Liverpool

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 28 December 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Service and attention was good and it’s a nice venue. Disappointed with choices being off the menu though efforts were made to rectify. More options especially vegetarian options would be better. Food was slightly over priced for whilst it was served as being of a high standard it was a disappointing to the palette with a persisting aftertaste. Overall it was an adequate experience though not one I would rush back too.
  22. ColinJ

    Dunbartonshire

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 December 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Bit disappointed some menu items were unavailable.
  23. MikeR

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 23 December 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Great welcome, no issues to the table and good attention to detail. Only issue was the noise level hence the 4 stars otherwise great.
  24. JacquelineW

    Dunbartonshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent meal, excellent service, great ambience.
  25. Saskia2014

    Glasgow

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 20 December 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    A bit disappointed not as good as it usually is however itWon’t stop us coming back.
  26. AnoukV

    Dunbartonshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 16 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is amazing and the service excellent 👌🏻
  27. MielC

    London

    12 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 13 December 2022

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Food not really up to standard, presentation poor, and too expensive!
  28. RossM

    Glasgow

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 December 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    It was a great atmosphere and they have a varied menu and cocktail range.
  29. OpenTable Diner

    Qatar

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 December 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Excellent meal although the premises had a temperature of slightly South of the north pole….
  30. KounEllie

    Glasgow

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 4 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We are always enjoying brunching at Sugar Boat. Staff are lovely and very attentive and the food is always of excellent standards. I had the duck terrine which was complimented by pickled mushrooms and absolutely loved it. My mum had the mules that came in a super tasty wine sauce and she really enjoyed them too. We finished off with divine pudding!! I have never had a bad bite at Sugar Boat - we are staying in Glasgow however we make the effort to visit now and again because of the food quality, the lovely staff, and the atmosphere.
  31. JimC

    Dunbartonshire

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 1 December 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. The best place to eat in Helensburgh
  32. Fraser

    Dunbartonshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 28 November 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food and service. Would recommend and will go back.
  33. RICHARDF

    Glasgow

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 November 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Our second visit and just as good as our first. We had the Sunday roast which was excellent as was the wine. Only slight quibble was that some of the tables were very close together which wouldn’t have been a problem, except some of our neighbours were very loud
  34. DavidS

    Edinburgh

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 November 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience2
    Poor service mainly But good lacking too No lemon with oyster’s
  35. MrsM

    London

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 November 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    A favourite spot and dependable. Thanks for a lovely lunch.
  36. AMKG

    London

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 November 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    The mushroom Ragu with crisp polenta slices was delicious. The whole party enjoyed their meals.
  37. BryceL

    Glasgow

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 November 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    this was the first time we had eaten at the Sugar Boat. I love going out for breakfast and it was quite unique to find a breakfast menu that did not have the usual list of breakfast items i.e. full breakfast etc. The menu was interesting, the food delicious and would most definitely go back and also recommend the Sugar Boat to all and sundry.
  38. AlexisE

    Hertfordshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 November 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great meal at the Sugarboat. Scallops and Mussels to start, Cassoulet and Cod to follow all absolutely delicious. Treacle tart and tiramisu were fab. Despite being very busy after the Christmas lights were switched on, service was excellent. A very enjoyable meal.
  39. JoanneM

    Liverpool

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 November 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We have dinned at Sugar Boat several times now and when we received a voucher for Christmas last year for Sugar Boat we knew that we would not be disappointed and was looking forward to visiting again. On arrival we were greeted with a smile from the waiting staff and taken to our table which was right opposite the open kitchen which was wonderful as we could see all the wonderful food being cooked. Our waitress took our drink order very quickly and efficiently and then explained the specials etc which I went for the pasta and my husband went for the fish cake, when they arrived they tasted delicious. The mains arrived in a nice space of time of about 15 minutes which gave us chance to order more drinks. The mains arrived which I had the pan fried duck, and my husband had the steak frites and they were both cooked to perfection. We also had a side of the truffle and Parmesan fries which were divine and would highly recommend. We were enjoying the experience so much we thought it would be rude to not have a dessert which were also delicious. We both cannot recommend Sugar Boat enough as you always receive a warm welcome with lovely friendly and efficient staff and we will definitely be returning in the future. If you do get the chance to visit give it a try as you will not be disappointed.
  40. LizzieQ

    Glasgow

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 11 November 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    We go here a lot and it’s really lovely but most of the food was really salty on this particular occasion. Think the chef was a little heavy handed with the salt on the fries, the chicken ragu the venison pie, the duck and pork cassoulet and the cod which was already wrapped in salty ham, sadly! I totally get that seasoning can be a matter of taste but the whole table felt it was too much. We’ll be back as usually everything is perfection. Deserts were amazing too.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Contactless payment available
  • Protective equipment

    • Waiting staff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Contact tracing information collected

FAQs

Sugar Boat is rated 4.4 stars by 341 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

19:00


Booked 3 times today
Google Map for Sugar Boat

30 Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire G84 8AQ

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street

    Colquhoun Street

  • Area

    Helensburgh

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon–Sat 9:00 am–12:00 am Sun 10:00 am–12:00 am

  • Cuisines

    Bistro

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking Details

    A large car park is adjacent to the restaurant accessed via an archway from Sinclair Street & offers free parking for 2 hours. Free parking on local shopping streets for an hour or a couple of streets up the hill with no time limit. There is free parking too on the pier (5 minute walk).

  • Public Transit

    Trains run direct to Helensburgh Central from Glasgow; Edinburgh (2 min walk). Trains run direct from London Euston to Helensburgh Upper (10 min walk). Local bus services drop you in the square from neighboring villages & towns to Central Glasgow. The Waverley Paddle Steamer regularly stops at the pier in Helensburgh between Easter & October.

  • Payment Options

    Contactless Payment

  • Executive Chef

    Oliver Nodwell

  • Additional

    Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

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