Guidebook for Inverness
Food Scene
Close by place to have good local food. Also a nice place for a drink while watching the world go by.
28 locals recommend
Heathmount Hotel
Kingsmills RoadClose by place to have good local food. Also a nice place for a drink while watching the world go by.
Small restaurant with great local Scottish food. You will need to book!
23 locals recommend
Fig & Thistle
4 6 Stephen's BraeSmall restaurant with great local Scottish food. You will need to book!
We eat here quite often and get the early menu which is great value! Locally sourced food and Haggis balls are a favorite!
75 locals recommend
The Kitchen Restaurant
15 Huntly StWe eat here quite often and get the early menu which is great value! Locally sourced food and Haggis balls are a favorite!
Another favorite of ours and again, the early menu is great value though a smaller selection. Seasonal menus make it an interesting place to go anytime of the year. The trout is Heather's fav! Booking is a must unless you want a 9.30pm dinner
141 locals recommend
The Mustard Seed Restaurant
16 Fraser StAnother favorite of ours and again, the early menu is great value though a smaller selection. Seasonal menus make it an interesting place to go anytime of the year. The trout is Heather's fav! Booking is a must unless you want a 9.30pm dinner
More of a pub than restaurant, but the pub food is always good. A great place to hangout outside looking over the castle as well as a snug restaurant section for those cozy nights.
60 locals recommend
The Castle Tavern
1 View PlMore of a pub than restaurant, but the pub food is always good. A great place to hangout outside looking over the castle as well as a snug restaurant section for those cozy nights.
Fine dining restaurant run by Albert Rouz. Great for a treat!! There's also a tester menu in the brasserie which is a fair bit less expensive!
18 locals recommend
Rocpool Reserve Hotel
Culduthel RoadFine dining restaurant run by Albert Rouz. Great for a treat!! There's also a tester menu in the brasserie which is a fair bit less expensive!
A local pub service good honest pub food. Large portions make it great value for money and a lovely spot by the river. There also music on most weekend evenings.
19 locals recommend
The WaterFront
70 Huntly StA local pub service good honest pub food. Large portions make it great value for money and a lovely spot by the river. There also music on most weekend evenings.
Usually need to book, but worth it. Locally sourced food and a pre-theatre menu. We like to go here for a treat!
82 locals recommend
Cafe One
75 Castle StUsually need to book, but worth it. Locally sourced food and a pre-theatre menu. We like to go here for a treat!
Great location on the shores of Loch Ness! Get the mixed board in the starter section!! You'll need to book ahead for here. Definitely worth the short drive down. Check if you can arrange a lift back as they do have a people carrier for groups.
74 locals recommend
The Dores Inn
Great location on the shores of Loch Ness! Get the mixed board in the starter section!! You'll need to book ahead for here. Definitely worth the short drive down. Check if you can arrange a lift back as they do have a people carrier for groups.
A great place to stop off for home made meals, cakes and local farm produce. Their selection of Gins is pretty impressive too! From here, you often see the local seals basking on rocks in the sunshine
Foulis Ferry
A great place to stop off for home made meals, cakes and local farm produce. Their selection of Gins is pretty impressive too! From here, you often see the local seals basking on rocks in the sunshine
Simply, the best pie shop!! You can get sweet and savory pies and I can recommend the venison and cranberry pie for 1st course then the pear, chocolate and almond pie for dessert! Worth the 2 hour drive to get them! get them to go and hot, then head off to Ardvreck Castle to eat them surrounded by stunning scenery!
26 locals recommend
Lochinver Larder
Main StSimply, the best pie shop!! You can get sweet and savory pies and I can recommend the venison and cranberry pie for 1st course then the pear, chocolate and almond pie for dessert! Worth the 2 hour drive to get them! get them to go and hot, then head off to Ardvreck Castle to eat them surrounded by stunning scenery!
The most northern mainland chocolateer where you can pick up a great selection of chocolates as well as one of the best hot chocolates in the country! Located in an old army base, there are a selection of cratfers and artists around the shop. A very unique offering!
13 locals recommend
Cocoa Mountain Balnakeil
The most northern mainland chocolateer where you can pick up a great selection of chocolates as well as one of the best hot chocolates in the country! Located in an old army base, there are a selection of cratfers and artists around the shop. A very unique offering!
Best place for seafood! A bit pricey but worth it! Great location at the foot of the castle
123 locals recommend
Rocpool
1 Ness WalkBest place for seafood! A bit pricey but worth it! Great location at the foot of the castle
Velocity
1 Crown AveCool cafe where you can fix your bike too!
River House
1 Greig StBest wood-fired pizza in town! Mention Doric House and you should get a discount! :)
14 locals recommend
Cheese & Tomatin
10 Stephens BraeBest wood-fired pizza in town! Mention Doric House and you should get a discount! :)
Fab authentic Indian cuisine. Started as a pop-up during lock down and has become a local favourite!
7 locals recommend
Tiger on The Wall
4 Ardross TerraceFab authentic Indian cuisine. Started as a pop-up during lock down and has become a local favourite!
Locally made, fresh filled rolls and paninis for your packed lunch!
9 locals recommend
Harry Gow Bakery - Kingsmills
15 Kingsmills RdLocally made, fresh filled rolls and paninis for your packed lunch!
If you would like a salad box made up, you can order on line and pick up the next day. They are very good!! You can also click and collect Harris Gin from here! Yum!!!
12 locals recommend
crown deli
17 Kingsmills RdIf you would like a salad box made up, you can order on line and pick up the next day. They are very good!! You can also click and collect Harris Gin from here! Yum!!!
Drinks & Nightlife
Great for live and traditional music in the evenings and in the afternoon on the weekend. They also do food and the Cullen Skink is particularly good.
130 locals recommend
Hootananny
67 Church StGreat for live and traditional music in the evenings and in the afternoon on the weekend. They also do food and the Cullen Skink is particularly good.
The Tooth & Claw
50 Baron Taylor's StQuite a grungy place that usually has music on over the weekend.
The White House
50 Union StNice place for cocktails and time of the day!
They sell pizza from a wood-fired oven, but the reason to go is their fantastic selection of beers! There bewery is on the Black Isle (hence the name) and you can sample all that they brew including a selection of guest ales. I love it!
61 locals recommend
Black Isle Bar and Rooms
68 Church StThey sell pizza from a wood-fired oven, but the reason to go is their fantastic selection of beers! There bewery is on the Black Isle (hence the name) and you can sample all that they brew including a selection of guest ales. I love it!
You can get an evening meal from here as well as chill out in their beer patio in the summer evenings. Just a few mins walk from us
The Corriegarth
5-7 Heathmount RdYou can get an evening meal from here as well as chill out in their beer patio in the summer evenings. Just a few mins walk from us
Always live music on in the evening, they claim to be the oldest pub in town. A very honest pub where you will definitely experience the local "craic"!!
34 locals recommend
Gellions Bar
14 Bridge StAlways live music on in the evening, they claim to be the oldest pub in town. A very honest pub where you will definitely experience the local "craic"!!
Great place for food and music! Twice a week they have a whisky, story telling and music evening. A great night!!
47 locals recommend
MacGregor's
113 Academy StGreat place for food and music! Twice a week they have a whisky, story telling and music evening. A great night!!
Shopping
A traditional under roof market since the Victorian era. The original roof was replaced after a fire, but still a very quaint experience with small independent shops.
31 locals recommend
Victorian Market
Academy StreetA traditional under roof market since the Victorian era. The original roof was replaced after a fire, but still a very quaint experience with small independent shops.
Unique independent shop in a beautiful town. Great for gifts and Barbour, Musto Cashmere clothing
18 locals recommend
Jail Dornoch
Castle StreetUnique independent shop in a beautiful town. Great for gifts and Barbour, Musto Cashmere clothing
Marks & Spencer Inverness
EastgateGreat for fresh food!
Authentic Harris tweed products! Watch out for fakes in the other outlets. This is the real deal!
Harris Tweed Isle Of Harris
6-8 Inglis StAuthentic Harris tweed products! Watch out for fakes in the other outlets. This is the real deal!
Arts & Culture
Small museum below the castle, provides an insight into the history of Inverness and the Highlands. Free entry
87 locals recommend
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Castle WyndSmall museum below the castle, provides an insight into the history of Inverness and the Highlands. Free entry
Great little art gallery showing a mix of paintings and sculptures.
14 locals recommend
Castle Gallery
43 Castle StGreat little art gallery showing a mix of paintings and sculptures.
Sightseeing
Although not an attraction, the viewing platform will open this Easter which gives great views of the city and surrounding area. The castle is a relatively new build after being sacked after the battle of culloden and is currently used as a court house.
127 locals recommend
Inverness Castle
Although not an attraction, the viewing platform will open this Easter which gives great views of the city and surrounding area. The castle is a relatively new build after being sacked after the battle of culloden and is currently used as a court house.
Site of the last pitched battle on British soil, this site and visitor centre offers an insight into the Jacobite Raising, Bonnie Prince Charlie and the knock on effects that has shaped our culture here in the Highlands. The battlefield is free to wander around, but the centre has an entry fee, but worth it in our opinion.
259 locals recommend
Culloden Battlefield station
Site of the last pitched battle on British soil, this site and visitor centre offers an insight into the Jacobite Raising, Bonnie Prince Charlie and the knock on effects that has shaped our culture here in the Highlands. The battlefield is free to wander around, but the centre has an entry fee, but worth it in our opinion.
Site of 4000 year old burial chambers, now made famous by the TV series Outlander. I recommend going late in the afternoon as the sun goes down as it's really atmospheric but also usually much quieter.
97 locals recommend
Clava Cairns
Site of 4000 year old burial chambers, now made famous by the TV series Outlander. I recommend going late in the afternoon as the sun goes down as it's really atmospheric but also usually much quieter.
Build after the battle of Culloden, this is the largest barracks in Europe and is still a working garrison. There's a really interesting museum here too. Also a good place to spot the dolphins in the Moray Firth
10 locals recommend
Fort George Barracks
Build after the battle of Culloden, this is the largest barracks in Europe and is still a working garrison. There's a really interesting museum here too. Also a good place to spot the dolphins in the Moray Firth
Boat trips out to the Moray Firth to spot the most Northern family of bottle nose dolphins
NAIRN BOAT TRIPS
Boat trips out to the Moray Firth to spot the most Northern family of bottle nose dolphins
Dornoch Cathedral
Beautiful cathedral with stunning stained glass windows!
At the end of a single track road there is a small church where you can really experience what it must have been like during the Highland Clearances. A very poignant place
Croick Church
At the end of a single track road there is a small church where you can really experience what it must have been like during the Highland Clearances. A very poignant place
Would be wrong of us not to add our very own, exclusive tour experiences! We specialise in slowing things down, getting out and enjoying the countryside in the less visited spots in the Highlands
Secret Highlands
13 Denny StWould be wrong of us not to add our very own, exclusive tour experiences! We specialise in slowing things down, getting out and enjoying the countryside in the less visited spots in the Highlands
If you want to get on the Loch, Jacobite are the cruise company for you! You can add on a visit to the famous Urquhart Castle too!
25 locals recommend
Loch Ness by Jacobite - Dochgarroch Lock
Dochgarroch CottagesIf you want to get on the Loch, Jacobite are the cruise company for you! You can add on a visit to the famous Urquhart Castle too!
Parks & Nature
The largest national park in Scotland. Aviemore is about a 30 min drive South and from there you can go up the funicular railway to Britain's highest restaurant!
123 locals recommend
Cairngorms National Park
The largest national park in Scotland. Aviemore is about a 30 min drive South and from there you can go up the funicular railway to Britain's highest restaurant!
Plodda Falls
Up a remote single track to one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland! We take guests here as part of a day experience, (subject to availability).
80 locals recommend
Glen Affric
Up a remote single track to one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland! We take guests here as part of a day experience, (subject to availability).
stunning views over the Cairngorms and Strathspey! About a 3 hour hike.
13 locals recommend
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
stunning views over the Cairngorms and Strathspey! About a 3 hour hike.
Essentials
Tesco Extra
Dell of Inshesfood superstore, open 24 hours. One of the cheapest places for fuel.
Tesco Metro
10 Tomnahurich Stopen until 9pm, you can get all your food requirements
A short walk through the eastgate shopping centre for all your food requirements. They also have a filling station.
18 locals recommend
Morrisons
A short walk through the eastgate shopping centre for all your food requirements. They also have a filling station.
Probably the closest place for food, but not the cheapest. We spend too much money in here!! The food is always of great quality!
12 locals recommend
Marks & Spencer Inverness
EastgateProbably the closest place for food, but not the cheapest. We spend too much money in here!! The food is always of great quality!
The nearest chemist is right round the corner! Out the door and turn left then left again and it's at the bottom of the street on the left.
7 locals recommend
Boots
1-11 Academy StThe nearest chemist is right round the corner! Out the door and turn left then left again and it's at the bottom of the street on the left.