Anstruther was originally founded as a fishing village and is home to the Scottish Fisheries Museum. Its main industry is now tourism, although other small scale manufacturing and service industries continue. Pleasure craft now moor in the harbour, and a golf course is situated near the town. Anstruther Pleasure Cruises operate sightseeing/wildlife cruises from the harbour to the Isle of May, the UK's #1 puffin location, on board the vessel the 'May Princess' from April till October. An abundance of other interesting wildlife, including seal colonies, also inhabit the island. The Waid Academy, the local state comprehensive school, is a focus of the community and through its secondary role as a community centre, offers a wide range of activities, sports, and entertainment. A sports hall, gym and swimming are all open here and open to public use.
The town has a fish and chip shop, Anstruther Fish Bar, which won Fish and Chip shop of the year in 2001-2002 and was awarded the same prize once again by the Sea Fish Organisation in 2009.
Famous names from Anstruther include religious thinker and leader Dr Thomas Chalmers, co-founder of the Free Church of Scotland (whose house is preserved) and sports writer Graham Speirs. It was also the childhood home of BBC Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman.
Anstruther is a tourist destination and therefore has a number of guest houses, hotels and self-catering options available.
Anstruther has a parish church at its center, perched on a small hill. This structure incorporates a tower/spire feature rare to Britain, but common to the area.
Anstruther is close to the Caves of Caiplie situated on the coastal path to Crail.
Anstruther War Memorial is located in the cemetery, somewhat further inland. It is of an unusual war memorial form, being totally flat to the ground, in the center of a landscaped roundel, broadly adopting the shape of a celtic cross.
Somewhat out from the town center, on the coastal road to the west, stands the Dreel Tavern (taking its name from the adjacent burn). This fine building dates from the 17th century.
