A chef's travels,
on South Street.
Amber is chef Dean Banks' Mediterranean restaurant in the middle of St Andrews, inspired by his travels across the Mediterranean. Food. Wine. People.
- ✦Opened August 2026
- ✦Part of the Dean Banks Group
- ✦159 South Street
From Arbroath
to South Street.
Dean Banks started cooking at 15 in Arbroath, the fishing town famous for the Arbroath Smokie. He studied at Angus College and Dundee University, then spent 18 months at Rick Stein's in Padstow before coming home to work in Michelin-starred kitchens across Scotland.
Next came the mountains. Dean spent about seven years as a private chef, starting in Verbier and going back season after season, and travelled to more than 40 countries in between. Those travels are where Amber's Mediterranean plates began.
In 2018 he reached the final three of MasterChef: The Professionals. A year later he opened Haar in St Andrews, which was added to the Michelin Guide within weeks of opening. When Haar had to close in March 2020, he launched Haar at Home that April. Dean Banks at The Pompadour followed in Edinburgh in June 2021 and Haar moved to 1 Golf Place later that year. Amber opened on South Street in August 2026.
- 1Cooking at 15 in Arbroath
- 218 months at Rick Stein's in Padstow
- 3Seven years as a private chef, from Verbier
- 4Final three, MasterChef: The Professionals 2018
- 5Haar opens in St Andrews, 2019
- 6Amber opens on South Street, 2026
Yes is the answer.
Now, what's the question?
That line sits at the heart of how every Dean Banks restaurant works. Put the guest first and look for the way to make their visit better.
- 1Consistency. Every plate, every drink and every visit should be as good as the last.
- 2Local and sustainable. Sustainable seafood, less waste and Scottish suppliers. Haar has been recognised as one of the most sustainable restaurants in the UK.
- 3Community. Good neighbours in St Andrews, Edinburgh and Dundee, buying local wherever we can.
Recognised
across Scotland.
Amber is the newest restaurant in the Dean Banks Group. Here is what our sister venues and house spirits have picked up so far.
Mediterranean,
made for sharing.
Amber opened on South Street on 5 August 2026. Plates for the table, steak frites, pasta and seafood, with spritzes by the tray and a long wine list.
Lunch from 12pm every day. Open till 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Lunun Gin
and Mond Vodka.
Our house pours are our own. Lunun Gin is made in Dean's hometown of Arbroath and was named Scottish Distilled Gin of the Year in 2021 and again in 2025. Its flavoured gins, Brambley and Jamberry, are award winners too. Mond Vodka goes into our St Tropez spritz and Espresso Martini.
One family,
six places.
A chef-led group working with local farmers, fishermen and artisan suppliers. Amber sits alongside these venues.
Open every day
Amber opens at 12pm seven days a week, till midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am Friday and Saturday.
Where
Amber St Andrews, 159 South Street, St Andrews KY16 9UP. In the middle of town, a short walk from the cathedral and West Port.
Opening hours
Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to midnight.
Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 1am.
About Amber.
Who owns Amber?
Amber is part of the Dean Banks Group, led by chef Dean Banks. The group also runs Haar and Dune in St Andrews, 1925 and Dulse in Edinburgh and Temple Lane in Dundee.
Who is Dean Banks?
A Scottish chef from Arbroath who started cooking at 15. He studied at Angus College and Dundee University, spent 18 months at Rick Stein's in Padstow and was a private chef for about seven years, starting in Verbier. He reached the final three of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2018 and opened Haar in St Andrews in 2019.
Has the Dean Banks Group won awards?
Yes. Haar, Dulse and Dean Banks at the Pompadour are listed in the Michelin Guide. Haar holds 4 AA Rosettes and 1925 at the Pompadour holds 3. Dune was SLTN Best Newcomer in 2024 and Lunun Gin was Scottish Distilled Gin of the Year in 2021 and 2025.
When did Amber open?
Amber opened on 5 August 2026 at 159 South Street, St Andrews.
What kind of food does Amber serve?
Mediterranean food made for sharing: plates for the table, steak frites, pasta, seafood and desserts, with spritzes, cocktails and a long wine list. See the menus.
Do you use your own spirits?
Yes. Lunun Gin and Mond Vodka are our house pours. You will find them in our Negroni, Espresso Martini and St Tropez spritz. Lunun also makes two award-winning flavoured gins, Brambley and Jamberry.