Long gone, mercifully, are the days when swathes of the Scottish Highlands were something of a culinary desert. Yes the Highlands have always produced world class meat, seafood and game (and of course whisky), but it was just that the best of it was exported and even what was left was not always put to the best use by local chefs and restaurants.
That has all changed. Big time. And a great example of this is the only city in the Highlands, upwardly mobile Inverness. There are a great range of options in the city today and all the best places make use of that aforementioned fine local produce, which ranges from Highland seafood through to beef and lamb, and even on to the fruits of the labours of the local breweries. I’ve included five of my favourites for you below. I’ve leant towards the fine dining, posh food side of things to kick off, with a few less formal option towards the end.
I think an apartment is the ideal base for a foodie break in Inverness. You can buy in some foodie goodies for breakfast and then armed with this blog plan your lunches and dinners out. You will no doubt find your own great places to eat in this rapidly growing city, so pop us any tips in the comments section below or on social media. Bon appetit!
- Rocpool – Ask me to put Inverness and restaurants together and see what I came up with and for a long time it would have been one word – Rocpool. This foodie bolthole has stood here overlooking the banks of the River Ness since 2002. Like most restaurants it has had its ups and downs over the years, but I’ve just been back and it is back on form. I feasted on a lip smackingly delicious starter of Scottish king scallops spiced up with chorizo. My main course was Shetland halibut laced with wild mushrooms. There are some decent wines on their list too. If you are on a real foodie break you can even indulge yourself with a bottle of Meursault, which would go down beautifully with the seafood at a relatively affordable (for Meursault) £89 a bottle.
- Chez Roux at Rocpool Reserve – No I’m not repeating myself here, but there is another Rocpool in town. It’s a (very) long story, which I’m going to spare you. Ask in either of them and depending on who you talk to you might get quite a colourful insight! Anyway this chic eatery is housed in the Rocpool Reserve Hotel on the opposite side of the River Ness from its namesake. The legendary Albert Roux has put his name to it and there is definitely a Francophile touch at work. I was pleased to see that they still endeavour to source as much Scottish produce as possible rather than just buy posh ingredients in from elsewhere. Delicate dishes include ‘Moray Firth Blue Tail Lobster Mousseline, Beignet of the Claw, Baby Spinach, Sauce Americaine’, or how about ‘Loin of Newtonmore Venison, Slow Braised Shoulder and Cabbage Faggot, Hazelnut Pomme Puree, Ruby Port Wine Poached Pear, Sauce Grand Veneur’?
- Mustard Seed – This ace, buzzy bistro style place overlooking the river has been around as long as I can remember and long may it continue. It can be tempting to let a few positive Tripadvisor reviews go to your head and take your eye off the culinary ball. Thankfully that, so far, has not yet happened here. I love that they spice up fresh local ingredients with culinary influences from around Europe. I also love that their menu changes weekly! Inventive dishes include the likes of haggis bonbons served with creamy garlic mushrooms and watercress. There are plenty of old faves like 21 day aged Scotch ribeye and a glorious fillet of salmon with crushed new potatoes, capers, parmesan and lemon aioli with blushed tomatoes and rocket. No fuss. No messing. Just proper, honest food.
- Fig & Thistle – This bright and breezy newish bistro is one of the hottest places to eat in Inverness at the moment. It may have two levels, but you will seriously struggle to snare a table if you do not book well in advance. They cook what may well be the finest fillet steak in the city. They are not afraid to be creative either with another star the seared spiced Orkney salmon fillet, with a fragrant coconut curry with kaffir lime and lemongrass, served with steamed basmati rice and crisp vegetables. Lovely friendly staff and can do service. Go!
- Black Isle Bar – If your idea of a foodie experience is a proper local craft beer served up by people who know what they’re doing, with comfort food to go with it, then this is the place for you. It all feels a bit hipster East London here, in a good way with wood floors, chunky wood tables and chairs and hanging exposed lights. Run by the people behind the legendary Black Isle Brewery this welcoming haunt just back from the river has a brilliant range of lagers and ales. They, of course, stock the full range of Black Isle beers. I can personally vouch for the rich, fruity IPA, which I’m drinking in here as I write this blog! On the food side there are snacks and nine wood-fired pizzas to choose from. My tip is the delicious, and uber trendy at the moment, spicy Nduja sausage pizza, served with even more spice in the form of chilli.
