Must-Try Restaurants in Inverness, Scotland

Opened in 2002, Rocpool has a superb location in the centre of Inverness on the west bank of the river Ness. The restaurant is constructed from glass on two sides and enables diners to admire the nearby Inverness Castle, built in 1836, as well as the view over the city. The interior décor is light and modern, as befits the cuisine which is modern European in style with an emphasis on using the best quality Scottish produce. Expect plenty of seasonal produce from hand-picked local suppliers and small independent outlets. On the menu at Rocpool you can find Highland beef, Speyside venison, Black Isle pork, smoked salmon from Mallaig on the west coast, and mussels from the Shetland Isles.

The Indian Ocean is regarded as the finest Indian restaurant in Inverness. It has an a la carte menu featuring a wide range of traditional and more exotic curries using fresh ingredients and high-quality produce. Located on Academy Street in the centre of Inverness it is just a short walk from the eastern bank of the river. The Indian Ocean is especially noted for the quality of the seafood specials, among which are Tandoori sea bass, king prawns, or rainbow trout, haddock roast biran, and jhal kakra bhuna – spicy crab with capsicum, onions, and special sauce. You can opt for curries of any strength – from the mild options such as tikka masala, chasni, and mohonwala, through to jalfrezi, madras, and all the way to vindaloo. House specials include the indulgent lamb naga jalapani – Scottish lamb cooked with spices, Naga pickle, and Jalapeno peppers.

Just outside Inverness is Culloden Moor, the scene of the battle of Culloden in 1746 in which the Jacobite forces under Bonnie Prince Charlie were finally defeated by the army of the Duke of Cumberland. Before the battle Bonnie Prince Charlie used Culloden House as his lodgings. Set in 40 acres of gardens the hotel boasts an excellent restaurant that stresses the origins of the produce served. Fruit and vegetables come from within the gardens of the house, meat from Munro of Dingwall, and local fish from Duncan Fraser. There is also a Whisky of the Month and a promotion of the enjoyment of Scotland’s national drink – there are more than 160 malts in the Culloden House cellar and each month a different one is on offer. The restaurant is a Malt Whisky Embassy affiliated with the Scottish Malt Whisky Society.