11 Best Restaurants in Inverness and Around the Great Glen, Scotland

Consistently recommended by locals as one of the best restaurants in the area, Café 1 really practices what it preaches in terms of sustainable, local produce. Taking inspiration from such big names as Blue Hill in New York, the restaurant rears its own herds to provide the menu's Hebridean lamb and Highland beef, usually served with a simple order of chips (thick-cut fries) and rich garlic butter. The atmosphere is casual, and the prices, though high for Inverness, won't raise too many eyebrows among those used to city dining. The tiny bar at the front has a great view of the castle.

With a reputation for quality and simplicity, this restaurant on the town pier serves outstanding seafood. Fishing boats draw up on the shores of Loch Linnhe and deliver their catch straight to the kitchen. The menu might include fillet of hake with a cashew pesto crust or panfried monkfish with coconut and chili. From the window seats you can watch the sun setting on the far side of the loch. During summer the restaurant runs daily, seal-spotting cruises of Loch Linnhe (£17.50, 90 minutes).

Another perennial favorite, the Rocpool has a frequently changing menu of modern bistro classics, with a few international twists. Local seafood from scallops to sea trout is a particular specialty, while meaty dishes range from Highland côte de boeuf steak to loin of Speyside venison. Vegetarian options are available, though limited. The wine list is excellent. Dine early in the evening and you can enjoy two courses for £30.95.

The clean modern design is as sleek as the service at this restaurant in the Rocpool Reserve Hotel (not to be confused with the nearby Rocpool restaurant); think monochrome walls, straight lines, and a whole lot of upholstery in tasteful accent colors. As for the menu, expect creative, decadent dishes, from venison tartare to salmon risotto. The hotel's chic cocktail bar serves a more economical selection of classic pub food, while overindulgers can stay in one of Rocpool's 11 beautifully appointed rooms.

This former tweed mill, with a narrow river running alongside its stone walls, is a haven of wooden beams, whitewashed stone walls, and open fireplaces, all set within 4 acres of woodlands. The intimate dining room serves sumptuous Scottish produce, from duck and halibut to lamb and sea bass, each delicately prepared with an intimate knowledge of textures and flavors. As a nice personal touch, food is often served by the owners, Derek and Celia, themselves. For dinner choose from the three-course (£60) or six-course (£75) tasting menu. If you like it here so much you don't want to leave, there are also rooms available starting at £160 per night.

This intimate restaurant has been packing in the crowds nightly thanks to its modern bistro fare presented stylishly but without fuss. You could start with a delicious goat cheese and fig tart, for example, followed by a sumptuous steak with a red-wine-and-thyme sauce. The atmosphere is lively, and the staff runs things effortlessly well—but you'll need a reservation, especially on weekends.

One of Fort William's most upscale culinary spots, this restaurant is unfussy and modern inside, with low-hanging lamps, rich jewel-toned walls, and solid wood furniture. Expect filling dishes that, while not overly complex, are given an edge with embellishments such as fennel sauerkraut or marrowbone crumble. It's a welcome departure from the standard pub food that can be hard to escape in this town. The restaurant is part of a hotel of the same name, which offers rooms from £155.

This old-style bar and conservatory restaurant serves what many locals claim is the best pub food in Aviemore. The menu changes with the seasons, but you can always expect simple dishes built around quality ingredients such as local lamb chops or Angus beef, as well as a variety of fresh fish. Order some crispy, golden roasted potatoes on the side if they're on offer. The bar serves a wide selection of local brews, and there's often live music playing. Roaring fires are very welcome in a place that can have cool nights any time of year.

Head chef and owner Alfie Little draws heavily on local inspiration to shape the menu at this tiny riverside seafood restaurant, which has an interior as stylish as its appealing gray-and-white exterior. Start with mussels or oysters from the Scottish islands, then take your pick from mains based on native fish, such as Shetland halibut and Scrabster hake, and wash it all down with a local beer. Even the desserts are sourced from a nearby bakery. In summer, sit outside to make the most of one of the best locations along the River Ness, away from the hubbub farther up. The small number of tables means reservations are essential, especially in high season.

Off a pretty country road on the eastern shore of Loch Ness, this low-slung, white-stone eatery is the perfect place to stop for lunch or dinner. The menu is a combination of well-prepared old favorites like fish-and-chips, together with steaks, lamb, and seafood. It's busy during the summer and on weekends, so be sure to book ahead. For dessert try the local ice cream (handmade on the "Black Isle" peninsula), served with fresh berry compote.

On the waterfront, this 1722 barn has been converted into a lovely, reasonably priced restaurant. Expect simple but tasty plates of local fish and seafood—think haddock, monkfish, scampi, and salmon—prepared in a French-bistro style. Try the Cullen skink, a thick and tasty fish soup. Make a night of it in one of the six cozy guest rooms for around £120 for a double, including breakfast.