For those with a taste for soulful sojourns and epicurean exploration, there are few places more enticing than Kishorn. One of the top places to visit on the West Coast of Scotland, this lochside realm can be found between craggy bens and the Sea of the Hebrides. Promising wanderlust forays plucked straight from a fairytale, it beckons with otherworldly landscapes peppered with a plethora of delectable places to eat – the perfect way to complement Highland retreats and coastal reveries.
Embrace a spellbinding Scottish staycation with our guide to some of the best places to eat near Kishorn and curate delicious moments to weave into your luxury escape.
Kishorn Seafood Bar
Residing on the upper reaches of Loch Kishorn, the picturesque realm of Kishorn inspires awe with mountain-fringed shores and peaks topped with wispy clouds and sugary snow. Making the setting even more appealing is the blue-hued Kishorn Seafood Bar, which nestles on the banks of the loch and boasts incredible vistas overlooking the surroundings. Established in 1996, this beloved bistro opens seasonally and entices diners with its seafood specialities. Take your meals alfresco on clement days and look out for the fresh catch landed daily from local boats, such as langoustines, lobsters, and hand-caught scallops, perfectly enjoyed with a glass of something chilled.
The Bealach Café and Gallery, Tornapress
The single-track Bealach na Bà is one of the most legendary mountain passes in the UK. Renowned for its steep inclines, hairpin turns, and winding trajectory, it is one of the highest roads in Scotland and rises to over 2,050 feet in less than 4 miles. Proposing a challenging ascent, it is particularly magnetic amongst cyclists looking to capture its summit. At the foot of the pass, the dog-friendly Bealach Café awaits at the mountain’s gateway and offers a beautiful spot to rest with homemade sweet and savoury treats. Sit fireside in the café in winter or take a seat on the decking in summer, basking in the spectacular views across Kishorn and Bealach na Bà from toasty comfort.
Waterside Café, Lochcarron
Just a stone’s throw from Kishorn, Waterside Café in Lochcarron tempts with menus crafted with the freshest local fare. Overlooking the glistening water, it is one of the best places to eat near Kishorn for those seeking flavoursome breakfasts, coffee stops, and light lunches in style. Secure a table inside the welcoming interiors and peruse the menus. Each dish is composed of seasonal ingredients and the majority of the products are sourced from the kitchen’s own gardens or neighbouring suppliers. This café is also dog-friendly, perfect for those cherishing serene adventures with canine companions.
The Bistro, Lochcarron
Head to The Bistro in Lochcarron for an intimate waterside dining experience. A cosy venue with windows overlooking the loch and an open hatch into the kitchen, it invites diners to relish moreish moments in a welcoming setting. Select your favourite dish from the menu of local classics, such as Cullen skink, local hand-dived scallops, baked crayfish, and freshly cooked mussels with a white wine sauce. As you await your dishes, enjoy the home-baked bread rolls to start your meal and let the mesmeric views outside and the activity of the one-man kitchen vie for your attention.
Rockvilla Restaurant, Lochcarron
Embark on wilderness adventures and uncover the breathtaking scenery of Lochcarron and its surrounds, before wending your way to a delicious eatery to refuel. One of the top places to eat near Kishorn, Rockvilla Restaurant in Lochcarron is a heavenly place to relax. Open from April to October each year, it opens its doors to those seeking replenishing meals and refreshing tipples alike. Unwind with a drink in hand in the outdoor seating area when the sun is shining and admire the captivating scenery of the greenery-clad hills and mirror-topped loch. Making the menus extra special is the focus on provenance, with everything from seafood to gins locally sourced wherever possible.
Murphy’s Café, Lochcarron
For breakfasts, beverages, and light bites, the family and dog-friendly Murphy’s Café is one of the best places to go. Situated beside Lochcarron Golf Club just off the iconic NC500 route, it creates the perfect refreshment stop for golfers and wanderers alike. Practice your swing with a round or two on the green with a backdrop of loch and mountain, or skip to your favourite course by heading straight to the café. This café is particularly well-known for its Cullen skink, as well as its full Scottish breakfasts, which traditionally feature link sausage, lorne sausage, haggis, tattie scones, fried eggs and more.
Nanny’s, Shieldaig
For warming mornings and sun-kissed lunchtime rituals, head to Nanny’s café in Shieldaig. An inviting café by the waterside, this culinary hub offers sit-down moments and takeaway treats from its picturesque location. Venture over during day trips exploring Highland realms in spring, summer and early autumn and choose from the menu. For a barista brew, the café uses its own blend of fresh coffee and serves a selection of specialty loose-leaf teas. To satiate appetites are an array of homecooked soup, sandwiches, and seafood, followed by freshly baked cakes and bakes. For decadent mornings, the fluffy pancakes are hard to resist, while for afternoon indulgence, cream teas and ice cream await.
Applecross Inn
Take a leisurely journey to Applecross to uncover one of the most beautiful beaches on the west coast of Scotland. Above the golden sands, you can also find the bayside gem of Applecross Inn. With far-reaching views over the coastline and across the Inner Sound and isles of Raasay and Skye, this charming inn takes pride of place in a magical position. Reserve a table in advance to avoid missing out and cast your eyes over menus curated with tasters and aperitifs, wholesome pub classics and local seafood, as well as the specials du jour. From the characterful interiors to the incredible views, there is ample to tempt for lunch and dinner. For an alfresco experience, you can also visit the inn’s beloved Inn-Side Out takeaway horsebox for delicacies to-go.
Applecross Walled Garden
A floral idyll above stunning sandy swathes, Applecross Walled Garden is one of the most enchanting places to eat near Kishorn. Proposing secret garden sojourns in the heart of manicured Scottish wilderness, it offers gourmet experiences with views garlanded in greenery. Arrive in season to discover the gardens in bloom and the restaurant serving a range of dishes for lunch and dinner, as well as themed menus including Italian-inspired evenings and Sunday roasts. To work up your appetite or stretch your legs after your repast, you can also wander the gardens at your leisure, soaking up the perfumed air and tranquil ambience.
The Torridon, Annat
The Torridon resides at the foot of an emerald-adorned crown of mountains beside Upper Loch Torridon. A Highland gem adored for its dramatic aesthetics and warm welcome, the estate boasts a number of dining opportunities for every occasion. Enjoy afternoon teas and candlelit suppers at 1887 restaurant and peruse the refined menus over a glass of something special. Just a few steps away, Bo & Muc Brasserie calls to connoisseurs with field-to-fork plates with ingredients sourced from the estate’s 2-acre Victorian kitchen garden. For those seeking an authentic Scottish dram, you can savour a tipple in the oak-panelled Whisky Bar. The well-stocked bar also presents around 80 gins to choose from, including the estate’s very own Arcturus Gin.
Plockton Inn
For the lovers of fruit de mer, Plockon is home to one of the finest places to eat near Kishorn. Specialising in fresh fish and shellfish, Plockton Inn has a relaxed seafood restaurant that is a favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Take a seat in the cosy dining area or outside on balmy days and settle in for a flavourful feast. On the menu, seafood takes centre stage and is sourced from local dayboats who land fresh catch straight to the kitchen door each day. The creel-caught Plockton prawns (langoustine) are a particular delicacy here, while classic favourites such as oysters, mussels and the fish of the day also accompany the specials and ensure every seafood fan is catered for.
Plockton Shores
For further delectation, Plockton Shores can also be found in Plockton and specialises in seafood cuisine. Harnessing the finest, seasonal produce to craft succulent starters, mains, and desserts, this waterside restaurant is a delicious place to dine. Alongside seafood fancies such as langoustines, lobster and king scallops, Plockton Shores also serves traditional and contemporary Scottish and international plates. These encompass delights such as haggis and black pudding fritters with spicy house salsa, loch-to-wok smoked haddock with buttered veg, and butternut squash and mixed bean pie with smoky Strathdon Blue Cheese sauce.
The Midge Bite, Achnasheen
The Scottish Highlands beguile with breathtaking scenery. For those pursuing unforgettable reveries through mystic mountainscapes, Achnasheen is a divine destination. Travel from Kishorn and pass forested valleys, atmospheric heathland, and along mountain corridors to reach this idyllic pocket of Scotland. To greet you as you arrive, The Midge Bite café provides breakfast and lunch in season and the perfect opportunity to unwind with something appetising. Take a seat in the café to relax as your food is prepared or opt for a takeaway to continue your wayfaring adventures, ready to picnic nearby overlooking soul-stirring scenery in your favourite setting.
Feeling inspired for a heavenly homestay? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Kishorn.
