Eating out in the Highlands is something you want to get right and there are plenty places to choose from. Our favourites are located on the NC500, the Black Isle and in Inverness. Below are a few personal recommendations from Nicola & John at Campbell’s of Beauly.
The Rocpool, Inverness £££
A family run restaurant with a very reasonable and delicious set menu for lunch, a larger a la carte menu is also available. The menu often shows a gentle nod to more Asian flavours of coriander, sesame and chilli. Service is slick and efficient, with owner and Maitre’d Stephen running the show. Gin and tonics are served Spanish style in big goblets. Reservations are necessary and easy to do online.
Firm favourites of ours are the oriental chicken salad, scallops, crab and sweetcorn soup and pigeon. We go for Birthdays, special occasions and pre-theatre.
01463 717274 https://www.rocpoolrestaurant.com/
Hou Hou Mei, Inverness ££
Asian food has come to the Highlands! This restaurant is only open for dinner and bookings are necessary as it is so popular. The food menu has lots of variety and the cocktail menu, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic is impressive. Favourites for us are the Asian beef and noddles, chill beef and the dimsum. Well worth a visit and somewhere we keep going to back to.
01463 236 371 www.houhoumei.co.uk
IV10 Café Bar Deli, Fortrose ££
Worth a drive on the Black Isle for coffee, lunch or dinner as the atmosphere is fantastic, a strong design element is at play here and it feels very comfortable. We went recently for John’s Birthday and it was jam packed which was great fun. The wine menu is extensive and carefully put together by the owner Emma who was able to tell us much about each bottle we picked. The menu has plenty to choose from and changes from day to night and on a Sunday. We often struggle to decide as everything sounds great but the Rib eye went down very well. Reservations are necessary. IV10 is also a deli so there are lots of delicious things to purchase and take away with you.
01381 620690 http://iv10.net
The Seafood Shack, Ullapool £
A local seafood takeaway perfect distance for a fresh seafood lunch. It is outdoor dining so good weather is imperative. Run impeccable by two local ladies and their team, you walk off the high street into a little seafood oasis with fresh food cooked infront of you. The menu is small and changes daily, we highly recommend the half lobster with dilled potatoes, crab linguine and the tempura haddock wrap.
07876 142623 http://www.seafoodshack.co.uk/
Sutor Creek, Cromarty ££
A firm favourite of ours for when friends are visiting, a 45 minute drive along the Black Isle with plenty places to stop for a dog walk including the beach in Rosemarkie or the Fairy Glen. Sutor Creek has a wood fired pizza oven and they make delicious thin pizzas. The Black Isler is a meaty favourite. They also have a daily specials board packed with local seafood. I usually order the mussels with a side of chips and they are delicious, served in a broth with fennel and parsley. Excellent puddings too and all of the staff are charming. Reservations are necessary.
01381 600 855 www.sutorcreek.co.uk
Luigis, Dornoch ££
Luigis is run by a charming couple who have been experts in their field for many years. Book in because it seems everyone in the area goes here, particularly at the weekend. There is a regular menu – the chorizo and prawn linguine is a winner on this menu. But also, a daily special board with treats like lobster thermidor and cheese souffle available. They are very child friendly here and have tolerated many a messy toddler in my time.
01862 810 893 www.luigidornoch.com
Greens, Dornoch ££
Newly opened in the Court House and located above our 2nd store Campbell & Co. Greens Dornoch is the sister restaurant to Greens Tain. Privately owned and managed and with a flair for variety and quality.
01862 811241 www.greensrestaurant-dornoch.co.uk
The Highland Larder, Dornoch Beach ££
On a warm sunny day, you simply cannot beat a walk on Dornoch beach and then head over to the Highland Larder for langoustine and chips or a lobster roll (our favourite). Served with French fries and a delicious salad, these guys know what they’re doing. There is a sheltered covered area for blowy wet days, the food still comes hot and they are they are daily whatever the weather.
No need to book, 1st come 1st served www.instagram.com/thehighlandlarder/
