Where to Eat on the North Coast 500: Restaurants, Cafés and Local Food Experiences
If you’re wondering where to eat on the North Coast 500, you’ll find everything from award-winning seafood restaurants and cosy cafés to whisky distilleries, traditional Highland hotels and roadside seafood shacks. Whether you’re looking for breakfast before setting off, fresh seafood overlooking the coast or a memorable evening meal, the NC500 offers plenty of places to stop along the route.
This guide highlights some of the best food and drink experiences around the North Coast 500, showcasing local produce, Highland hospitality and spectacular scenery.
Highland hotels and restaurants
Highland Coast Hotels
Across six locations, Highland Coast Hotels offers year round dining centred around homemade dishes, local suppliers and seasonal Highland produce.
At Kylesku Hotel, the emphasis is on ultra local seafood straight from the loch and nearby coastal waters, alongside pork and beef from neighbouring crofter farms. The menus are built around sustainable sourcing wherever possible, with simple, well prepared dishes served in both the restaurant and bar.
At Tongue Hotel, the restaurant showcases dishes inspired by the surrounding landscapes, using fresh produce sourced from nearby suppliers. Highland beef, venison and seasonal vegetables feature throughout, with menus changing regularly depending on what is in season. Within the hotel, the Brass Tap Bar offers a relaxed Highland pub setting where locals and travellers meet at the edge of the Kyle of Tongue, serving casual dining and drinks in a welcoming village atmosphere.
Discover more dining options from Highland Coast Hotels here.
Tongue Hotel, Brass Tap Bar
Badachro Inn
On the shores of Badachro Bay, Badachro Inn is a traditional Highland inn offering relaxed dining in one of the most picturesque coastal settings on the west coast.
Guests can enjoy bar lunches and informal evening meals inside by the fire or outside in the garden overlooking the working jetty and bay. The drinks list includes an extensive selection of wines and malt whiskies. A converted horsebox trailer houses a wood fired oven serving pizzas, with oak whisky barrel staves from a local cooperage used for added flavour.
Mackays Hotel
Mackays Hotel is home to No 1 Bistro, a relaxed dining spot on the shortest street in the world.
They serve fresh Highland inspired dishes in a relaxed and welcoming setting. The menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal cooking, with options suitable for a range of dietary requirements. It is a comfortable stop for both light lunches and evening meals.
Ness Walk
Ness Walk hotel is home to Torrish, a highly regarded restaurant in Inverness.
Set within the original 19th century drawing room of this luxury hotel, Torrish offers seasonally driven dining in a relaxed riverside setting. Guests can choose from tasting menus, afternoon tea or whisky flight experiences, each designed to showcase the best of Highland produce with a refined yet welcoming approach.
Seafood on the North Coast 500
Crofter’s Kitchen
Overlooking Scourie’s bay, Crofter’s Kitchen is a small chef led kitchen with a strong connection to its surroundings.
The menu is built around a thirty mile radius and changes regularly depending on what local fishermen and crofters have brought in, with dishes such as hand dived scallops, langoustines, crab pancakes and shellfish platters, all served in a relaxed setting overlooking the water.
A recently added container dining space has also allowed them to extend their season and offer greater flexibility for year round dining.
The Redshank
At Inverness Marina, The Redshank sits right on the waterside and acts as a natural stop at the beginning or end of the North Coast 500.
It serves a street food style menu focused on Highland seafood, including beer battered haddock, hand dived scallops and salmon. In summer, the marina also hosts barista coffee, sweet treats and regular pop up events with music, food and drinks.
Kishorn Seafood Bar
Kishorn Seafood Bar sits at the head of Loch Kishorn and serves fresh local seafood in a roadside setting with dramatic views.
The daily catch comes directly from local boats and includes langoustines, lobster and hand dived scallops. The location looks out towards Skye and the Applecross hills.
The Seaforth
In the heart of Ullapool, The Seaforth combines harbour side dining with a lively atmosphere and strong focus on local produce.
Its award winning fish and chips sit alongside a wide range of seafood dishes sourced from nearby waters and across Scotland. The whisky bar features over 90 whiskies, making it a popular stop for both food and drink.
Cafés and casual dining
Piper’s Coffee House
Piper’s Coffee House is all about homemade food made with bold flavours and local produce wherever possible.
Everything is made in house, from daily fresh dishes to small batch kombucha. The menu includes Scottish breakfasts, brunch favourites, loaded nachos, burgers, sandwiches and homemade cakes. It is family friendly, dog friendly and community focused, making it a relaxed stop along the route.
Dulse Meikle
Dulse Meikle is a relaxed restaurant and bar celebrating Highland produce and easy going dining.
Situated around an hour north of Inverness, between Inverness and Golspie, it is a convenient stop for travellers exploring the east coast. The menu focuses on fresh, locally inspired dishes served in a welcoming setting.
They also offer a small selection of locally produced goods to take away — ideal for a simple gift or something for the road.
The Smiddy Chippy
The Smiddy Chippy is a highly rated award winning takeaway in Contin.
Housed in a converted 16th century blacksmith’s forge, it serves traditional fish and chips and is also well known for its extensive gluten free menu.
The Storehouse
The Storehouse is a popular self service restaurant known for its fresh, daily changing menu.
It serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee, with small batches of dishes prepared throughout the day using seasonal ingredients. Guests can relax indoors or outside overlooking the Firth, with additional treats such as local ice cream available in warmer weather.
Dalmore Farm
Dalmore Farm is a bright and spacious restaurant with views over the Cromarty Firth.
It offers home cooked food, cakes and Dalmore Roast Coffee from Inverness Coffee Roasting Co. Guests can dine indoors or outside on picnic benches overlooking the Black Isle, and there is also a farm shop for visitors to enjoy.
Unique food and drink experiences
Downright Gabbler
Downright Gabbler offers an award winning dining experience built around storytelling as much as food.
Their seven course Highland Banquet takes guests through 12,000 years of Scottish history, covering tragedies, triumphs, love and loyalty. The North Coast 500 in 5 Objects experience is designed as a companion to the route, showcasing both produce and stories from along the way. Guests can also enjoy the Tipsy Afternoon Tea, which explores how tea, coffee and chocolate helped shape the world.
Explore more of their events here.
The Singleton Distillery
Visitors are welcome to enjoy the bar and deli at The Singleton during the distillery’s opening times, offering a relaxed whisky experience in Speyside.
Guests can also take part in a variety of guided tastings and tours. The cask sampling tour includes five rare and experimental whiskies, with three drawn directly from the cask and two exclusive releases. The premium tasting offers a 40 minute experience guided by an expert host, featuring five Singleton drams.
Check out the full range of tours and tastings here.
Extend your foodie adventure
Sonas Collection
For those wishing to extend their Highland journey beyond the NC500, the Sonas Collection offers dining experiences across Skye and Oban.
At Duisdale House Hotel, guests can enjoy relaxed dining and bar meals in a cosy setting, complemented by a selection of whisky and gin.
Over at Skeabost House Hotel, afternoon tea is served in peaceful surroundings with views across Loch Snizort.
Meanwhile, Knipoch House Hotel is home to the 1635 Restaurant, where seasonal tasting menus are inspired by Scotland’s larder and its network of local producers.
Discover more dining options from Sonas Collection here.
Knipoch House Hotel, 1635 Restaurant
Plan your North Coast 500 food stops
From fresh seafood and cosy cafés to traditional Highland hotels and whisky experiences, there’s no shortage of places to eat and drink while exploring the North Coast 500.
Use our Interactive Map to discover even more restaurants, cafés, pubs and food and drink experiences along the North Coast 500 route.
Frequently Asked Questions About Food and Drink on the North Coast 500
Should you book restaurants ahead on the North Coast 500?
It is a good idea to book restaurants in advance where possible. Many food stops along the route are small, independent businesses with limited seating, and popular venues can become busy during peak travel periods.
Is it easy to find places to eat on the North Coast 500?
There are a wide range of places to eat along the North Coast 500, including seafood restaurants, Highland hotels, cafés, pubs and takeaways. Some parts of the route are remote, so it is worth checking opening times and planning your stops ahead, particularly when travelling outside the main season.
What food is the North Coast 500 known for?
The North Coast 500 is known for its Highland seafood, with many places along the route serving locally sourced produce such as scallops, langoustines, lobster, crab and fresh fish. Visitors can also enjoy other Highland ingredients including venison, beef and seasonal produce.
Are there vegetarian and dietary options available on the North Coast 500?
Many venues along the North Coast 500 offer vegetarian and dietary options, although choices vary between businesses. If you have specific dietary requirements, it is best to check directly with individual restaurants, cafés or hotels before travelling.
