5 Best Restaurants in Inverness and Around the Great Glen, Scotland

With a reputation for quality and simplicity, this restaurant on the town pier serves outstanding seafood. Fishing boats draw up on the shores of Loch Linnhe and deliver their catch straight to the kitchen. The menu might include fillet of hake with a cashew pesto crust or panfried monkfish with coconut and chili. From the window seats you can watch the sun setting on the far side of the loch. During summer the restaurant runs daily, seal-spotting cruises of Loch Linnhe (£17.50, 90 minutes).

Another perennial favorite, the Rocpool has a frequently changing menu of modern bistro classics, with a few international twists. Local seafood from scallops to sea trout is a particular specialty, while meaty dishes range from Highland côte de boeuf steak to loin of Speyside venison. Vegetarian options are available, though limited. The wine list is excellent. Dine early in the evening and you can enjoy two courses for £30.95.

The clean modern design is as sleek as the service at this restaurant in the Rocpool Reserve Hotel (not to be confused with the nearby Rocpool restaurant); think monochrome walls, straight lines, and a whole lot of upholstery in tasteful accent colors. As for the menu, expect creative, decadent dishes, from venison tartare to salmon risotto. The hotel's chic cocktail bar serves a more economical selection of classic pub food, while overindulgers can stay in one of Rocpool's 11 beautifully appointed rooms.

One of Fort William's most upscale culinary spots, this restaurant is unfussy and modern inside, with low-hanging lamps, rich jewel-toned walls, and solid wood furniture. Expect filling dishes that, while not overly complex, are given an edge with embellishments such as fennel sauerkraut or marrowbone crumble. It's a welcome departure from the standard pub food that can be hard to escape in this town. The restaurant is part of a hotel of the same name, which offers rooms from £155.

Head chef and owner Alfie Little draws heavily on local inspiration to shape the menu at this tiny riverside seafood restaurant, which has an interior as stylish as its appealing gray-and-white exterior. Start with mussels or oysters from the Scottish islands, then take your pick from mains based on native fish, such as Shetland halibut and Scrabster hake, and wash it all down with a local beer. Even the desserts are sourced from a nearby bakery. In summer, sit outside to make the most of one of the best locations along the River Ness, away from the hubbub farther up. The small number of tables means reservations are essential, especially in high season.