Inverness
This spectacular glass-fronted restaurant offers a great menu of top Scottish produce with a Mediterranean or Asian touch, and a view over the River Ness …
Must-see restaurants in Scotland
Ullapool to Kyle of Lochalsh
Incorporating a small shop, this restaurant is a fun place to eat, with an upbeat attitude and inventive flair for presentation. The menu is strong on…
Scotland
Britain’s most elegant equine accommodation – the stables of grand Hopetoun House, where the earls of Hopetoun once housed their pampered racehorses – is…
New Town
The first Scottish outpost of London's famous celebrity haunt, the Ivy in Covent Garden, this classy but informal brasserie serves up traditional British…
Leith
The atmospheric dining room in the popular Shore pub is a haven of wood-panelled peace, with old photographs, nautical knick-knacks, fresh flowers and an…
Islay
One of the more upmarket places on Islay to eat, this candlelit restaurant serves local seafood, Islay beef, venison and duck. The bar also does great…
North & West Coast
Signposted off the main road at the eastern end of Durness, this amiable local has quality bar food in hefty portions. Haddock or daily seafood specials –…
Edinburgh
The Buffalo Grill is cramped, noisy, fun and always busy, so book ahead. An American-style menu offers burgers, steaks and side orders of fries and onion…
Loch Lomond
One of several pubs in Scotland claiming the 'oldest inn' title (opened 1734), this is an atmospheric, family-run spot with thick whitewashed walls and…
Stirling
This Old Town split-level favourite has a short menu of southern Italian cuisine augmented by weekly specials, which are definitely worth going for. It…
Oban
With a stylishly casual contemporary interior, this place in a former bank offers well-integrated plates with a focus on local game and seafood. Dishes…
Moray
It's increasingly rare to find a real, physical travel agency, let alone one like this that incorporates a thriving cafe, a gift shop and a library of…
Southern Highlands & Islands
The Colonsay Hotel's stylish restaurant offers down-to-earth cooking using local produce as much as possible, from local oysters and lobsters to herbs and…
The Cairngorms
Friendly service, cold bottled beer and great barbecue contribute to the antipodean atmosphere at this lively restaurant set in the old railway station…
Arran
It's hard to resist a pint, bar meal or restaurant sitting at the Kildonan, where magnificent perspectives over the water can be fully appreciated from…
Inverness
Lots of polished wood, crisp white linen and leather booths and banquettes lend a sophisticated nautical air to this relaxed bistro, which offers a…
Old Town
The restaurant in the stone-vaulted basement of the Victorian part of the National Museum of Scotland serves tasty light lunches, including Scottish-beef…
Leith
The Royal Yacht Britannia’s sun deck (now enclosed in glass) makes a stunning setting for the Royal Deck Tea Room, where you can enjoy coffee and cake, a…
Inverness & the Great Glen
Cawdor Tavern, in the village close to Cawdor Castle, is worth a visit, though it can be difficult deciding what to drink as it stocks more than 100…
Skye
This gorgeous modern community centre, opened in 2017, has a cafe with fantastic views over the sea to the mainland mountains, and sofas in front of a…
Portree (Port Righ)
Sea Breezes is an informal, no-frills restaurant specialising in local fish and shellfish fresh from the boat – try the impressive seafood platter, a…
Dumfries & Galloway
This converted bank on the main street had just opened when we last passed by. It was still finding its feet but we liked the way it was shaping up: solid…
Borders Region
Interior design isn't a strong point at this restaurant, which has taken over a too-large space, but the food certainly is. A young French couple produces…
Lowland Perthshire & Kinross
Simply styled in shades of coffee and cream, this plain and unpretentious place takes the best of Scottish produce and serves it with a French flourish in…
Dundee & Angus
Housed in a former butcher's shop, with hand-painted tiles and meat hooks on the ceiling, Smithie's is a great little neighbourhood deli and cafe serving…
North & West Coast
This tiny place by the water near the tourist office has great fresh seafood salads and rolls for a pittance. Get them to take away and munch on them…
New Town
A bright and airy Georgian corner house provides the elegant setting for this hugely popular restaurant. The recipe for success includes fresh Scottish…
Dundee
The industrial-chic cafe-bar in the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre serves excellent deli sandwiches and burgers, as well as more adventurous…
Edinburgh
A long-standing Edinburgh favourite, Kalpna is one of the best Indian restaurants in the country, vegetarian or otherwise. The cuisine is mostly Gujarati,…
West Highlands
This atmospheric tearoom, set in a 1960s railway coach, serves soup and sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and pots of tea, with superb views of the…
Edinburgh
A chilled-out, colourful and comfortably scuffed-around-the-edges antidote to squeaky-clean espresso bars, this volunteer-run, not-for-profit art space…
Skye
A mixture of modern and rustic with touches of tweed and sheepskin, this wee cafe captures the spirit of enterprise that's bringing life back to areas of…
The Trossachs
This sweet licensed cafe by the ferry pier in Stronachlachar, near the western end of Loch Katrine, does tasty breakfasts as well as burgers, fish and…
Outer Hebrides
Here’s a surprise – authentic, inexpensive Thai food in the heart of Stornoway. This spick-and-span, no-frills restaurant has a Thai chef and serves some…
Stirling Region
Right in the middle of the village, this cute cafe serves good breakfasts (including eggs Benedict, pancakes, omelettes and gluten-free options; until 11…
Kirkwall
This sizeable hotel restaurant by the Highland Park Distillery offers well-presented, rich cuisine that's long been a local favourite. The menu changes,…
Arran
Offering a sun-drenched conservatory on the water's edge, this place serves dinners in the evening, with lighter offerings during the day. It has changed…
Scotland
Gazing out at Dunbar from its westerly cliffs, the Rocks serves up generous plates of locally sourced seafood and steak in two charming, deep-red dining…
Kirkwall
This exciting project that was just about to open as we last passed by has seen a transformation of a listed 19th-century herring warehouse into an…
Orkney
On the meandering main street through Stromness you'll find this very likeable little deli. Local cheeses and yoghurts are a highlight, alongside smoked…
