The foodies of the Highlands have spoken – here are the top 10 best Highlands restaurants to eat and drink in the north, according to TripAdvisor ratings.
If you want to get a sense of an area’s culinary scene, you need look no further than TripAdvisor which gathered 859 reviews and opinions globally in 2019 alone.
Below, we’ve collated the top 10 of all types of restaurants in the Highlands, based on the number of five stars they’ve received out of all their reviews from customers past and present.
Due to recent coronavirus restrictions and remoteness of the Highlands, several of these restaurants may be temporarily closed, offering takeaway only or operating under reduced hours so it’s best to check their websites or social media pages for more information.
Highlands’ restaurants are bouncing back in style and there’s even talk of a new Highland Food and Drink Trail emerging.
You can look at the list on TripAdvisor here, which matched up with the rankings below at the time of writing.
10. The Bealach Cafe and Gallery (Strathcarron)
Address: Tornapress Kishorn, Strathcarron IV54 8XE
Tel: 01520 773436
Website: www.thebealach.co.uk
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 197 reviews
Profile: First up in our best Highlands restaurants guide is The Bealach Cafe and Gallery in Strathcarron – one of the most popular and picturesque pitstops in the north west Highlands.
The cafe offers customers its homemade soups, salads and sandwiches with cakes, scones and pancakes.
The gallery also has various works of art, jewellery, ceramics and textiles available, further complementing the cafe’s homely feel.
9. Crannag Bistro (Bonar Bridge)
Address: Dornoch Road, Bonar Bridge IV24 3EB
Tel: 01863 766 111
Website: www.crannag.com
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 371 reviews
Profile: The Crannag Bistro offers up a relaxed dining environment, with special themed nights taking place in the autumn and winter.
With seasonal Scottish food in abundance on their menu, the Crannag Bistro is currently offering up a new menu every week for drive-thru takeaway, featuring freshly baked pizzas and a variety of homemade specials.
8. Carnegie Hall Cafe (Portmahomack)
Address: Well Street, Portmahomack IV20 1YD
Tel: 01862 872 798
Website: www.facebook.com/Carnegie-Hall-Cafe-727759584071610
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 97 reviews
Profile: At number eight is Carnegie Hall Cafe, located in the small fishing village of Portmahomack, around 15 minutes east of Tain.
Open from 11am – 3.30pm every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, the cafe also has a selection of cute and quirky gifts available, which is especially handy if you’re looking to support local businesses this Christmas.
7. The Seafood Shack (Ullapool)
Address: West Argyle Street, Ullapool IV26 2TY
Tel: 07596 722 846
Website: www.seafoodshack.co.uk
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 849 reviews
Profile: Would it really be a guide to the best places to eat if the Seafood Shack didn’t appear somewhere in here?
Fenella and Kirsty, who run the shack, have been wowing the tastebuds of customers since 2016 with their seafood delights.
You can take a look at their recently-launched cookbook for the ultimate foodie Christmas gift and bring their fantastic dishes to your own kitchen.
6. Gille Brighde (Torridon)
Address: The Old Schoolhouse, Lower Diabaig, Torridon IV22 2HE
Tel: 01445 790 245
Website: www.gille-brighde.com
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 301 reviews
Profile: Despite being closed from now until the spring, Gille Brighde is still one of the top places to eat in the Highlands.
Nestled in a tiny lochside hamlet, surrounded by rugged crags and cliffs, during normal operating hours, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind with some stunning views.
5. Glen Rowan Cafe
Address: Skye Road, Invermoriston IV63 7YA
Tel: 01320 351 208
Website: www.facebook.com/GRcafe
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 410 reviews
Profile: Currently closed until March, Glen Rowan Cafe is a family-run business not too far from Loch Ness, that makes the most of local produce and seasonal food on its menus.
With their coffee and cakes receiving rave reviews from TripAdvisor users, it is the perfect pit stop for those on their way to or from Skye or even further afield.
4. Coyote’s Inverness
Address: 21 Academy Street, Inverness IV1 1JN
Website: coyotesinverness.co.uk
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 321 reviews
Profile: Claiming to have the best burgers in town, Coyote’s Inverness is not one to be missed if you’re a burger fiend.
With options for vegans and vegetarians, sit-in or takeaway, there really shouldn’t be any excuses not to sample their goods.
If you live locally, you can order through their website for collection too.
3. Cheese & Tomatin
Address: 10 Stephens Brae, Inverness IV2 3JN
Tel: 01463 223 752
Website: www.cheeseandtomatin.com
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 182 reviews
Profile: Known mostly for their sourdough pizzas, Cheese & Tomatin in Inverness takes the third top spot in the TripAdvisor list.
With recent reviews being titled “Most delicious pizza I have had”, “Tasty find in Inverness!” and “Naples in Inverness” it’s easy to see why this might be.
Locals are able to reserve a table in the restaurant or order for takeaway/pick-up on their website.
2. The Struy Inn
Address: Struy, Inverness-shire IV4 7JS
Tel: 01463 761 308
Website: www.thestruy.co.uk
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 out of 122 reviews
Profile: A country inn located in a small village in central Highlands, The Struy Inn offers traditional and modern pub grub in a characterful setting.
1. Milk Bar
Address: 8 Market Arcade, Inverness IV1 1PJ
Tel: 07775 611 249
Website: www.facebook.com/milkbarinverness
TripAdvisor rating: 5/5 from 114 reviews
Profile: Taking the top spot for best Highland restaurants, Inverness’ Milk Bar brings their own unique coffee blend from The Inverness Coffee Roasting Co, some delicious ice cream and milkshakes from Black Isle Dairy and some scrumptious bakes from The Storehouse.
The Milk Bar showcases local produce at its finest and it’s easy to see why it’s a hit with locals.
Further reading…
The top 10 places to eat in Aberdeen, according to TripAdvisor reviews
