5 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.