Top Restaurants in Inverness, Scotland

Wherever we are in the world, we love getting a taste of the local fare – and Inverness, Scotland is no exception! During our long stay, we found the hearty Highlands cuisine an absolute delight!

We have rounded up the popular restaurants in Inverness, Scotland – and share our picks for great bars, too!

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8 Best Restaurants in Inverness, Scotland

Dining out is one of the Fun Things To Do in Inverness! Below, we outline where to eat and drink, but share more advice about traveling to the Highlands in our guide to Inverness Trip Planning!

Our list of the best places to eat in Inverness is based on our personal experiences, as well as suggestions from locals and fellow tourists.

#1 The Mustard Seed in Inverness

Housed in a former church along the River Ness, The Mustard Seed is regularly ranked as one of the best Inverness restaurants. The rotating menu is upscale, specializing in local meats – like lamb, venison, duck, salmon and haggis.

#2 McBain’s By the River

The family-run McBain’s exudes a warm, yet classy atmosphere. As a top Inverness restaurant, highlights of the menu are local Highlands favorites, like venison, salmon and steak.

#3 Urquhart’s Inverness

Homecooked fare in a refined space, Urquhart’s is a family-owned establishment and a highly-rated restaurant in Inverness. They excel at Scottish dishes – it’s a great place to eat haggis in Inverness!

#4 Rendezvous Café

Known for serving the best breakfast in Inverness, the Rendezvous Café is quirky and fun. Decorated with movie star memorabilia, what really shines is the excellent offerings. We recommend ordering the Full Scottish for a filling first meal of the day.

#5 Black Isle Bar

Black Isle is well known for their delicious wood-fired pizzas that feature local ingredients. Our favorite pizza is the Venison Salami – but all have been excellent. Of course, the food tastes even better with one of their own craft beers!

#6 Inverness Victorian Market Food Hall

A perfect place to stop for a quick and affordable lunch, the Victorian Market Food Hall has numerous vendors selling both local eats and international fare.

The Indian food at Namaste Inbhir Nis gets rave reviews, but we could not resist the Scottish Cullen Skink soup at The Redshank and desert from Bad Girl Bakery!

#7 Inverness Street Food

The Highland Food and Drink Trail is an Inverness food experience. Local food trucks line the Ness Walk on the west bank of the river beside the Cathedral, providing tasty fare for lunch and dinner.

The offer includes everything from fish-and-chips to pork pies to wood-fired pizzas. Guests can eat at the picnic tables in the churchyard – or find a bench along the river and dine with a view! More info.

#8 Torrish Restaurant at Ness Walk Hotel

The elegant Torrish Restaurant is the epitome of fine dining in Inverness. That said, we include it on our list for their Heavenly Afternoon Tea.

No restaurant in Inverness does the mid-afternoon meal of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes better. We believe indulging in the age-old tradition is a must when visiting the United Kingdom!

8 Best Bars in Inverness

Besides hitting up the top Inverness restaurants, there is no shortage of bars where travelers can find live traditional Scottish music, a dram of whisky or a proper pint. These recommendations are our personal favorites.

#1 Uilebheist Distillery and Brewery

For whisky and craft beer enthusiasts (like ourselves), Uilebheist is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Inverness. Established in 2023, it is shockingly the first Inverness distillery to open since 1892!

Dedicated to creating sustainable craft beer and artisan whiskies, it’s located right along the River Ness in the heart of Inverness. More than once, we were lured into the fabulous beer garden for a pint.

Note that Uilebheist also offers guided tours of the facilities, as well as tastings of other Scottish Whiskies (until their first offering is ready in 2026).

#2 MacGregor’s

Unlike many Scottish pubs, MacGregor’s is bright and modern, which is a refreshing change on sunny summer days.

It’s nearly always full of locals, laughter and live music. In fact, it’s our favorite spot for a traditional Sunday Session in Inverness.

#3 The Gellions

Open since 1841, Gellions Bar is as classic as they come. This traditional boozer features a regular line up of live music and a nice variety of beers on tap.

Our favorite act to watch at Gellions is the local duo, Schiehallion, performing on most weekends during the early evening.

#4 Hootananny

Long known for having the best live music in Inverness, Hootananny has two stages. One for traditional music and the upstairs stage for a variety of acts (from indie rock to hip hop).

#5 Highlander Bar

A fantastic venue for everything Scottish – from food to drinks to music – Highlander is always hopping and has live music on stage every night.

As an all-in-one bar, Highlander is a solid choice for visitors who are only in Inverness for a short stay.

#6 Johnny Foxes

Casual and fun, Johnny Foxes is a favorite riverside spot for locals. We appreciated the friendly bar staff – as well as the live tunes throughout the night.

#7 The Castle Tavern

A traditional real ale tavern, the Castle is a classic place for a pint or a dram. It’s cozy and comfortable inside the bar, but there is plenty of outdoor space for sunny days, too.

We always found a craft beer on tap worth trying, and while we didn’t try the food, it looked like proper pub grub!

#8 The Malt Room

The best Scotch whisky bar in Inverness, The Malt Room offers tasting flights and drams of the finest whisky in the Highlands. The bar staff is top notch, too!

We highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a personalized Scottish Whisky tasting experience.

Map of Inverness Restaurants and Bars

Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our Inverness Restaurant Map below.

Start planning your trip to the UK! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

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