The best restaurants in Aird and Loch Ness Highland Highlands and Islands

Cracking little Italian cafe in Beauly, friendly, clean , and lovely traditional Italian treats and coffee ☕️ 😋 still a treat and shouldn't be missed ,

Brilliant food, excellent staff. Great choice of deli goods. Gluten free dietary requirements very well catered for. 100% happy

Great stopping point after walking the Falls. Lovely coffee and great service.

I recently had the pleasure of spending a delightful day at Dores Inn, and I still find myself reminiscing about the experience six months later. Nestled along the shores of the iconic Loch Ness, this charming inn offers a perfect blend of stunning views, a warm atmosphere, and exceptional service. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a lovely ambiance that sets the tone for a relaxing visit. The inn has ample seating, both indoors and outdoors, making it easy to find a cozy spot to enjoy the picturesque scenery. We opted for an outside table, and it turned out to be the best decision of the day. The views of the loch were absolutely breathtaking, providing a serene backdrop for our meal. Speaking of the meal, I must rave about the food—simply sublime! I usually find coleslaw unappealing, but Dores Inn's homemade version was a game changer. It was fresh, flavorful, and complemented our dishes beautifully. Every bite was a testament to the culinary care that goes into their offerings. After our satisfying meal, we joined a Rib-Boat journey on the loch, which was an exhilarating way to experience the surroundings. The thrill of speeding across the water, combined with the breathtaking views of the loch and its mythical charm, made for an unforgettable adventure. As a memento of our day, I couldn't resist purchasing one of their handmade crochet teddies of Nessie. It's now a cherished keepsake that brings back fond memories of our visit. To wrap up our day, we took a leisurely walk along the shoreline. The tranquility of the loch, coupled with the stunning natural beauty surrounding us, was the perfect ending to a fantastic day. Overall, Dores Inn exceeded my expectations in every way. From the lovely atmosphere and great views to the delectable food and friendly service, it’s a place I highly recommend. If you're looking for an exceptional day out near Loch Ness, don’t miss the opportunity to visit this gem. I still think about that wonderful day, and I can’t wait to return!

The food and service was outstanding. The staff were very knowledgeable about the menu and the 400 plus whiskies on offer. Can't fault it at all

Visited in September 2024 whilst on holiday, we couldn’t take dogs inside (fair enough) but we then asked if we could eat outside and was told no, asked if we could just get a drink outside and was also told no. What’s the point in putting tables outside? Terrible hospitality - I wouldn’t bother giving them your money, let alone my own.

Lovely clean rooms, friendly staff. Food was excellent. Great location for exploring the local area. The bar was very comfortable and the bar staff were lovely

Having stayed at the Lovat some years ago, we were looking forward to returning to the bar and restaurant for dinner. However, the receptionist had other ideas. I called the hotel as we are travelling with 2 dogs in our motorhome. I know that dogs are not allowed in the restaurant, but my request was simple if we sit in the bar, can we order food from the restaurant and eat in the bar. The response is that is where the staff let this place down "we would not do that. Food is for the restaurant, and we do not serve food in the bar in any circumstances. " Now people may find this fine, but having travelled most of the UK and eaten in some of the best restaurants, we have never experienced this level of superiority from staff. We have many times had this request accommodated and, in fact, establishments have complimented us on asking for the adaptation and commented that they will offer the service moving forward. The hotel is situated in prime tourist territory and surrounded by beautiful walks for ramblers and their dogs, so this is so very short-sighted. We won't be making the 600-mile trip from suffolk again after this encounter. Your star will never be available without training for your staff.

One of the most beautiful meals we have ever had. The 10 course taster menu was incredibly well thought out all the way though, it was clear the entire team had a passion for their product, the serving team had an in depth knowledge of all the produce and drink, proudly promoting local. Would highly recommend as a romantic treat for those special occasions.

Stopped for a piece of cake and a cup of tea. It was a lovely, easy quick stop on our journey and we enjoyed it very much. The almond and cherry cake was delicious.

The deli has become a regular stop for coffees, cakes, or lunches. The food is always great, there are loads of options available and daily specials. Good selection of drinks too, including local beers. Staff are always friendly and attentive, creating a really welcoming atmosphere. Definitely recommend Ness Deli for a stop in the village.

Excellent service and,considering the restrictions caused by space and layout on the barge,the food also was excellent. Highly recommended and we will be back!

Fantastic little hotel. Lots of little personal touches made it a most enjoyable stay. The food was tremendous, service was great and staff were warm friendly and went out of their way to ensure everything was great.

I saw this online and it looked very cool and the food looked amazing. We arrived, in the middle of nowhere. I questioned going in. But my nephew assured me if it wasn’t the same place we could leave. OH.MY.GOD. It was the same place. This is an absolute case of do NOT judge a book by its cover. The inside is SOOOOO cool. The staff are amazing. The food portions are huge… and absolutely sublime. There are games to play. 100% cannot recommend this place highly enough. Worth the detour.

We had a wonderful meal here from starter to dessert, the menu is very well put together. I had the scallops to start, beef fillet for main and Delice for dessert, all highly recommended, the beef main course was one of the best pieces of beef I have ever had. Simply outstanding!!