Sugar Boat

Name: Sugar Boat
Address: 30 Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, United Kingdom, G84 8AQ
Telephone: 01436 647522
Price range: £25 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

439 Reviews

£25 and under

Bistro

Top tags:

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 7.30am (8.30am on Saturday & 9am on Sunday's) through until late. We serve everything from breakfast with a cracking fry up or eggs benedict with or avocado & poached eggs on toast. For lunch & dinner we offer a la carte menus. Lunch is the more informal with burgers, fish & chips & daily sandwiches. Dinner can be a little more special. Cakes, scones & savoury snacks are available all day. We have a Wine Shop for off sales from our extensive list of over 100 wines - everything from £9.50 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 can of local Scottish craft ale. Choose to sit on the square or in our rear courtyard.

Make a booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

1 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 8 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Bistro
Hours of Operation
Mon–Fri 07:30–00:00 Sat 08:30–01:00 Sun 09:00–00:00
Phone number
01436 647522
Website
http://www.sugarboat.co.uk/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Oliver Nodwell

Location
30 Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire G84 8AQ
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
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Sugar Boat Fry up£12.00
bacon, egg, sausage, black pudding, beans, potato scone, mushroom, tomato, toast & butter
Kedgeree – Smoked Haddock, Poached Egg£11.00
Grilled Loch Fyne Kipper, Sourdough, Lemon£10.00
Eggs Your Way (Poached, Scramble or Fried), Toast, Bacon£10.00
Avocado on Toast, Poached Eggs, Tomato & Shallot Dressing£12.00

Breakfast Muffins

Benedict£12.00
prosciutto cotto, rocket, 2 poached eggs, hollandaise
Royale£12.50
Loch Fyne smoked salmon, 2 poached eggs, hollandaise
Hebridean£12.50
Stornoway black pudding, 2 poached eggs, hollandaise
Florentine£10.50
ricotta & spinach, 2 poached eggs, hollandaise

Sweetthings

Porridge with Fruit Compote, Honey, Flaked Almonds & Chia Seeds£8.00
Natural Yoghurt with Fruit Compote, Honey, Flaked Almonds & Chia Seeds£8.00
Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes, Maple Syrup (Until Midday)£9.50

Continental Breakfast

£13.50

Tea or Coffee
Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
Croissant or Toast with Homemade Strawberry Jam
Natural Yoghurt with Nuts & Seeds
Serrano Ham & Emmenthal Cheese

What 439 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

440 Reviews

P
Pdgriff
Glasgow
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I returned after a two year absence that was due to the rudeness of a previous manager. We were celebrating our wedding anniversary and were looking forward to the lamb dish that was listed on the online menu, on arrival found this was no longer on the menu and the only main course dish that we could eat was the burger. Told the waitress that this wasn’t really the best thing to celebrate an occasion, she informed the manager who recommended the ox ragout which although it was a starter the kitchen would be able to serve as a main course. The chef then came to the table and after wishing us a happy anniversary gave us a sample of the dish to try before we ordered. On finding this to be delicious we went on to order and had a fantastic meal. The professionalism, courtesy and helpful attitude of the waitress, manager and chef turned what could have been a disappointing night into an enjoyable experience, Thank you to all involved for making this happen
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G
Greggy
Glasgow
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall2food4service1ambience2
The attention of the staff is poor, I had to get up & ask to have my food order taken.
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DT
DianaT
Glasgow
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 22 November 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a lovely lunch, the food was delicious and beautifully presented and cooked. Large portions, just a wee bit too much for us but so good. All the staff are so nice and friendly and it’s not overpriced. Top marks all round.
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CE
ColinE
Liverpool
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 18 November 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had two excellent meals, lunch and dinner, both fabulous with well considered accompaniments. Lovely atmosphere. Great service from a strong team. Right in the thick of things for the Christmas lights switch on in the square. A great weekend spent in an excellent place.
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L
Leanne
Manchester
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 13 November 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service were excellent, as usual. Steak night was great value. The food was perfect, and was good value for money.
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P
Pixie
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 13 November 2023
overall2food2service2ambience3
Very restricted menu with some odd combinations/choices to be honest. Also very overpriced. Quite unwelcoming.
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SF
StephenF
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 11 November 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Couldn’t recommend enough, 5/5 and will definitely be back
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LG
LaylaG
Dunbartonshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 5 November 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
6 of us in for a lovey brunch. Service was excellent, as was the food!
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PS
PeterS
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 4 November 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Have been here many times and it never fails to impress.
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AB
AlliB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 28 October 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Cullen skink was excellent, fish curry superb. Staff are helpful friendly and attentive. Place was really busy but meal and drinks arrived promptly. Would recommend for dinner. Lovely atmosphere, not too bright. Good choice of wine and cocktails
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MN
McNay
Dunbartonshire
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 27 October 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
The staff were very attentive. Good choice on menu and food was excellent and fresh.
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GB
GillyB
Glasgow
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 26 October 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We go as often as we can to this lovely bistro and it never disappoints. Thoroughly recommend 😊
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M
Mariaro69
Dunbartonshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 22 October 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food,nice place.Will highly recommend it.Great variety
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JS
JamesS
Dunbartonshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 20 October 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Get food and service. Many thanks will definitely be back
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JM
JackM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 15 October 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and tasty food in a lovely setting.
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i
isabelb
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 15 October 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
A comfortable and pleasing venue in which to dine with friends. Served by friendly and obliging staff. Very tasty food and nicely prented.
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AV
AnnekeV
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 14 October 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and wonderful service! We loved it, both diner and breakfast
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RB
RogerB
East Sussex
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 14 October 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
A wonderful experience, my elderly parents were visiting me from England and I’ve eaten here before so hoped it would be a treat for them. The sugarboat didn’t let us down, great service, great ambience and amazing food all at a reasonable price 😊
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O
Ou812
Glasgow
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 14 October 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food and service.lovely restaurant in the heart of Helensburgh .
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PB
PierreB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 5 October 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Absolutely delicious restaurant. The coffee had something special to it. The dishes were generous. Perhaps the cod dishes were a tad salty. Besides that, everything was perfect.
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RM
RossM
Glasgow
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 3 October 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great restaurant, very much enjoyed the waiter sense of humour and overall a good place to eat!
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CE
ColinE
Liverpool
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 30 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely place, good staff numbers and hard working team helped to ensure great service.
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GC
GemmaC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 30 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really nice meal, the sugar boat is constantly good and that makes it a great place to go. The food is made from scratch and it’s worth the money
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BC
BillC
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 27 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
I often wondered how long Sugar Boat would retain their unique menu when it first opened. Sure, I no longer need a dictionary nor a gastronomy book to know what is on the menu but the quality is as high as ever. It was a while since I had visited so the staff last night were all new to me. They were fantastic!
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J
Jacko
Worcestershire
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 27 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Good choices on the menu . Prompt friendly service. Meals were excellent
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ED
ElizabethD
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 27 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is our favourite place for a meal in Helensburgh. The Cullen skink was delicious, served in just the right sized portion, as was the lamb ragu with pasta. The service is welcoming and efficient without being intrusive. Altogether another happy experience.
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KH
KevinH
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 24 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were recommended this restaurant and were happy that we tried. We had great food and the service was impeccable.
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CT
CarolynT
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 23 September 2023
overall4food5service3ambience4
The service was very slow. We booked for 7 and didn’t get our mains until half 8. We were given bread and olives until our table was ready but it is was over half an hour before we got our table.
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C
Cherrypi
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 23 September 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
High quality dishes and excellent atmosphere. Would be good to rotate the menu as it was minimal but delicious although new items would keep it fresh and interesting to regular customers.
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J
Julia
Edinburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 23 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Thank you for finding extra room for our party's reservation at short notice on a Saturday night. Our request was granted graciously despite the challenge to fit in twice as many as originally expected. We had a lovely time and the food was delicious.
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CD
CraigD
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 21 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Friendly welcome from the staff, food speaks for itself, definitely worth a visit
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VG
VickyGreen1
Manchester
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 21 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent choice of very tasty food using imaginative ingredients and the service was excellent.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Bath
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on 8 September 2023
overall4food5service2ambience5
Sugar Boat on our visit was really good for food although what did let it severely down was the time for you to receive your drinks and food. We waited 1 hour to receive our starters and the mains were around 30 mins after the starters. The staff were very pleasant and the courses we received were delicious. Overall great food and drinks, pleasant staff, nice surroundings let down by time to receive your food and drinks.
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JR
JasonR
London
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 6 September 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Very pleasant bistro with great food and friendly service
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DM
DouglasM
Glasgow
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 1 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food and service .Attending on one of their nights when music was playing in the bar area but it was not intrusive in the restaurant . Highly recommended ! :-)
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I
Iain
Dunbartonshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 1 September 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely staff, attentive and pleasant, food great quality at good prices, recommended***
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A
Arno
Glasgow
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 28 August 2023
overall4food5service2ambience4
food was excellent but we had to wait a lot to get our first drinks ordered and served and then again a lot to get food served. we nearly stayed two hours which for lunch is quite slow. I don't know if it was because of the waitress or the kitchen but we saw people that came in after us were out way before us. perhaps they've ordered things readily made which was faster to plate and serve but I have my suspicions. anyway the main thing is that food was of great quality. I would come back hoping the service part of the experience was just a hiccup.
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M
Marine
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 26 August 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and outstanding food, from mains to desserts. The music is also particularly nice. Great experience overall.
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JM
JasonM
Dunbartonshire
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 25 August 2023
overall3food5service3ambience3
The food was grate just not a lot of verity, understandable due to the size of the kitchen.
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JH
JaneH
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 25 August 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A lovely meal as always. Thank you to the great team.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Contactless payment available

FAQs

Sugar Boat is rated 4.6 stars by 439 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

1 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 8 times today

30 Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire G84 8AQ

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Colquhoun Street
Area
Helensburgh
Hours of Operation
Mon–Fri 07:30–00:00 Sat 08:30–01:00 Sun 09:00–00:00
Price
£25 and under
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
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Oliver Nodwell
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.sugarboat.co.uk/
Phone number
01436 647522

Sugar Boat

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Popular dishes

Cullen Skink

Sugar Boat Fry Up

Fish Soup

Menu

Main

Sugar Boat Fry up£12.00

Kedgeree – Smoked Haddock, Poached Egg£11.00

Grilled Loch Fyne Kipper, Sourdough, Lemon£10.00

Eggs Your Way (Poached, Scramble or Fried), Toast, Bacon£10.00

Avocado on Toast, Poached Eggs, Tomato & Shallot Dressing£12.00

Breakfast Muffins

Benedict£12.00

Royale£12.50

Hebridean£12.50

Florentine£10.50

Sweetthings

Porridge with Fruit Compote, Honey, Flaked Almonds & Chia Seeds£8.00

Natural Yoghurt with Fruit Compote, Honey, Flaked Almonds & Chia Seeds£8.00

Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes, Maple Syrup (Until Midday)£9.50

Continental Breakfast

Tea or Coffee

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

Croissant or Toast with Homemade Strawberry Jam

Natural Yoghurt with Nuts & Seeds

Serrano Ham & Emmenthal Cheese

What 439 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising

FAQs

How is Sugar Boat restaurant rated?

Is Sugar Boat currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information