9 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.

Spread over three floors with views along the river to the castle, the Kitchen serves inventive, high-end brasserie food without the usual fuss or formality. Scottish produce rightly reigns supreme, not only with fresh seafood and meat specialties (like smoked haddock fish cakes, roasted venison loin, and slow-cooked shoulder of lamb), but also with the surprising use of Scottish spirits (try the Misty Isle Gin--cured salmon or, for dessert, the pineapple poached in Dark Matter rum). The dishes are elegantly and beautifully presented, the setting is cozy and sophisticated, and the service is friendly and attentive. Come for lunch during the weekend to enjoy a discounted two-course menu; at £19.95, it's less than most dinnertime mains.

A perennial Inverness favorite, the Rocpool has a frequently changing menu of modern bistro classics using the freshest local ingredients. Seafood is a particular specialty, from crab and halibut to scallops and sea trout, while meaty dishes like Angus beef carpaccio and loin of Speyside venison also have a local flavor. Vegetarian options are available, though limited. The wine list is extensive and excellent. Dine at lunch or in the early evening to enjoy discounted two-course menus for £25.95 and £29.95, respectively.

Off a pretty country road on the eastern shore of Loch Ness—less than 6 miles east of Drumnadroicht as the crow flies, but a 30-minute drive around the northern tip of the lake—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 burgers, steaks, pies, and seafood. It's busy during the summer and on weekends, so be sure to book ahead. Stay for dessert (try the sticky toffee pudding) or grab a coffee and a cake from the Ness Coffee van opposite and take it for a stroll along Dores Beach.

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 pepper-crusted salmon fillet with coconut curry. 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.

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 £130 for a double, including breakfast.

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.

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 make the most of local produce but add creative twists—like pan-seared duck breast with wild garlic pesto and ginger sea bass in a Thai green curry sauce. It's a welcome departure from the standard pub food that can be hard to escape in this town. The restaurant is part of Lime Tree An Ealdhain Hotel, which offers rooms from around £180 a night.