The Highlands is not only a haven for wildlife, a walker’s paradise and a photographer’s heaven, it is also a source of amazing local food. Foodies love the Highlands and it’s no wonder. Skye and Lochalsh are particularly blessed with fine eateries. Whether you are looking for fine dining, quality restaurant food or just good and wholesome, we have it all here for you. A clear aim for all our restaurants is to source as many of their ingredients as locally and seasonally as possible locally
Fine Dining
On the Isle of Skye we are blessed with Michelin Star quality restaurants
The Edinbane Lodge opened its doors in 2018 and was immediately popular with the Skye community and tourists alike. In 2019 it was awarded ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Taste Local Awards 2019 and received aMichelin “Commendation”. Its website describes Edinbane Lodge as, ‘Casual, Fine Dining Restaurant with Rooms on the Isle of Skye’. Head Chef, Calum Montgomery, confirms “The menu will constantly reflect my passion and determination to source, prepare and showcase the very best fresh seafood, game and vegetables that Skye has to offer.”
It offers an excellent 10 course taster menu with a great flight of wines that we thoroughly enjoyed with friends and family last season.
Claire & Godfrey Macdonald’s Kinloch Lodge sits in a spectacular position on Loch na Dal and its head chef Marcello Tully produces the finest local and seasonal cuisine. The taster menu is beautifully balanced with an excellent flight of wines.
Kinloch Lodge is also a great place for ‘Afternoon Tea’
Gordon Campbell Gray acquired The Three Chimneys in 2019 with the intent of a ‘strong focus on providing guests with the Finest Scottish Food and Drink’ whilst ensuring its ‘impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. It has a worldwide reputation has helped put Skye on the world ‘Foodie’ map. We are looking forward to paying them a visit so we can offer a personal recommendation, in the meantime you’ll just have to check out TripAdvisor.
Loch Bay Restaurant – Michelin *
Martin Smith’s Loch Bay Restaurant achieved its Michelin star in 2019 and it is well deserved. The food is exquisite and the service so warm and friendly. With just 22 covers it is one to book early if you don’t wish to be disappointed. “Loch Bay Restaurant is a contemporary Scottish restaurant with classic French influences…”. We love it and have returned several times now.
Eolach Food in Glenelg is another excellent newcomer to the Highlands’ collection of wonderful eateries. Owned and run by Verity and Jenny it provides a true Highland Food experience with menus that are “seasonal, local and a celebration of the Scottish Highlands”. We absolutely loved it just before Christmas. The food was beautiful and being sat around one large table it provided a great opportunity to meet other food lovers.
Great Pubs/Restaurants
The Plockton Inn is our ‘Go To’ if we have friends and family to stay as the food and service are excellent, Plockton is very beautiful and it is only 15 minutes drive from Seadrift. They have an excellent breadth to their high quality menu. The seafood is always on point and the service invariably crisp without being rushed. Lisa’s favourite is the Plockton Prawns in warm butter, either as a starter or main.
Runner Up in Highland Pub of the Year 2020, and no surprise there. The Applecross Inn is an absolute must if you are heading to the Applecross Peninsula and experiencing the Bealach na Baa. It sits overlooking the beach with views across to the Isles of Raasay and Skye. The food is always excellent and the service superb. On a sunny day there is plenty of space to sit outside.
To the north of us in Lower Diabaig is the Gille Brighde. Owned and run by our good friends, Aart & Amanda Lastdrager, the Gille Brighde sits on the shore of Loch Torridon and has stunning views to the Applecross peninsular and the Isle of Skye. Amanda’s food is truly wonderful and Aaart is a fantastic host. The journey through the mountains to Lower Diabeg is one you’ll always remember. It is a regular haunt for us, particularly when Lisa’s father is staying at Seadrift.
The Croft Cafe opened in 2019 and was an immediate hit with the local community and many of our guests at Seadrift. The food is excellent and wholesome and the cafe is quite simply beautiful. You’ll also be in the heart of the crofting community with a very good chance of bumping into the local Highland Cattle that roam freely nearby.
