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.

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.

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.

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.