Inverness has come a long way. Ten years ago, the dining options were limited and unremarkable. That has changed. The city now has a genuinely good food scene – not Edinburgh or Glasgow levels, but more than enough to eat very well during your stay.
This is not a list of every restaurant in town. These are places we actually recommend to guests, family and friends. We have eaten at all of them, most of them many times. Updated for 2026.
We have organised by type – fine dining, casual, seafood, and good lunch spots. Most are within walking distance of the city centre. If you are planning a visit, our travel intelligence guides cover everything from weather to packing to getting around.
Fine Dining and Special Occasions
Chez Roux at Rocpool Reserve
Albert Roux’s name is on the door, and the standards match. Modern French-Scottish cooking with excellent service. The tasting menu is the way to go if you want the full experience. It is a small, intimate restaurant inside a boutique hotel on Culduthel Road – quiet and unhurried. Book ahead, particularly in summer. Main courses around £28–35.
The Mustard Seed
Overlooking the River Ness. One of the longest-running good restaurants in Inverness, and still one of the best. Generous portions, well-sourced Scottish ingredients, and a menu that changes with the seasons. The early-bird menu (before 6.30pm) is excellent value. Window tables with river views are worth requesting when you book. Mains £16–28.
Rocpool
Modern European food on Ness Walk. Bright, smart dining room with a relaxed feel. Good steaks and seafood. Reliable for a nice dinner without the formality of fine dining – somewhere between special occasion and casual night out. Mains £18–32.
Casual Dining and Bistros
The Kitchen on the River (Brasserie)
Run by the same team as The Mustard Seed, so the quality is there, but the atmosphere is more relaxed. Bistro food, good pizzas, and river views from the terrace in summer. More affordable and less formal. Good for families and for evenings when you want something straightforward done well.
Hootananny
Part live music venue, part restaurant. Scottish food done simply – haggis, cullen skink, venison burgers. The food is honest rather than fancy, but the atmosphere is the real draw. Live music most nights, both traditional and contemporary. A proper Inverness experience. Worth visiting even if you only have a drink.
Velocity Cafe
On Crown Road. A quirky, bike-themed cafe with excellent home baking and light lunches. Soups, sandwiches, cakes – all well made. Friendly and informal. Good for a casual lunch or afternoon coffee. Not the place for a big dinner, but reliably good for daytime eating.
The Black Isle Bar
Craft beer from the Black Isle Brewery and decent bar food. On Church Street in the city centre. Good for a relaxed evening – the kind of place you end up staying longer than planned. The beer selection is the main attraction.
Seafood
Fisherman’s Rest
Fresh, well-prepared seafood in the city centre. Good fish and chips, but also proper restaurant dishes. They use local catches when available, which makes a difference. Unpretentious and well priced.
River House
On Greig Street by the river. A seafood-focused menu with local and Scottish suppliers. Intimate setting – it is a small restaurant, so booking is sensible. The cooking is careful and the fish is fresh. Mains £18–30.
Good Lunch Spots
Cafe 1
On Castle Street, close to the new Castle Experience. Reliable bistro food, good salads, and lunch specials. Popular with locals, which tells you something. Good vegetarian options too.
Leakey’s Bookshop
Technically a second-hand bookshop in a converted church, but the small cafe inside does excellent soups and cakes. The atmosphere is unique – thousands of books, a wood-burning stove, and a peaceful feeling that most cafes would pay good money to recreate. Worth the visit even if you do not eat, though you should.
The Victorian Market
An indoor market in the centre of Inverness with several food stalls and small cafes. Good for browsing and a quick bite. The market itself is worth a look – it has been here since 1890 and has a good mix of independent traders.
Practical Tips
- Book ahead for dinner at Chez Roux, Mustard Seed and Rocpool, especially in summer. These fill up.
- Early-bird menus (usually before 6.30pm) offer excellent value at the fine dining places. Same kitchen, lower prices.
- Most restaurants are within 10 minutes’ walk of the city centre. You do not need a car.
- Sunday dining is more limited – check opening hours before heading out.
- Groups of 6+ should always call ahead, even at casual places.
- Dress code is smart casual everywhere. No restaurant in Inverness requires a jacket or tie.
If you are spending time in the city, see our guide to the best things to do in Inverness for more ideas beyond dining.
Visiting Inverness and want help planning your days? We offer private chauffeur services and tailored day tours – we can recommend the best restaurants to suit your evening plans.
Inverness Restaurants FAQ
What is the best restaurant in Inverness?
For a special occasion, Chez Roux at Rocpool Reserve. For an all-round excellent dinner, The Mustard Seed. Both are consistently good and well worth booking ahead.
Is it easy to find good food in Inverness?
Yes. The city has improved greatly in recent years. You can eat well at a range of price points, from casual cafes to fine dining.
Do I need to book restaurants in Inverness?
For fine dining places like Chez Roux, Mustard Seed and Rocpool, yes – especially in summer. For casual spots, walk-ins are usually fine outside peak summer evenings.
Where can I get good seafood in Inverness?
River House and Fisherman's Rest are the best dedicated seafood options. Most good restaurants in Inverness also feature local fish and shellfish on their menus.
Is Inverness expensive for dining?
Reasonable by UK standards. A good dinner with wine is roughly £40–60 per person at the mid-range restaurants. Fine dining is £60–90+.
Are restaurants in Inverness vegetarian-friendly?
Increasingly yes. Most menus have decent vegetarian and often vegan options. Cafe 1 and Velocity Cafe are particularly good for plant-based choices.
Can I walk to restaurants from the city centre?
Almost all the restaurants on this list are within 10 minutes' walk of the High Street. You do not need a car for dining in Inverness.
