Fort William Holiday Lodge
(and some worth a drive to)
Some of the Best Fort William RestaurantsThese are 11 of the best Fort William Restaurants (with some a little further afield). If you’d prefer to cook for yourself in Highwinds’ lovely kitchen, we have Morrisons, ALDI, Lidl and Marks and Spencer, all close by in Fort William. Morrisons, Tesco (based in Oban) and Asda (based in Inverness) deliver to our doorstep. If you need some suggestions on places you can eat that are dog friendly please visit our dog friendly places to eat in Fort William page.
steaks, salmon or halloumi
Factors Inn
Conveniently located within a short walking distance from Highwinds, the Factors Inn is a charming and cozy pub that offers a delightful dining experience. Even if you’re staying elsewhere in the area, it’s well worth a visit.
Don’t let the pub setting fool you – the food here is delicious and often described as being cooked to a high restaurant standard. At the time of this update, their enticing offers frequently include the option to have more of your chosen main course (such as salmon, steak, or halloumi with vegetables), accompanied by bottomless fries, a fresh salad, and crusty bread, all for a set price.
Important Note: Please be aware that the Factors Inn operates seasonally and is closed during the winter months, with their opening date typically being April 1st. Be sure to check their current opening times if you are visiting outside of the main season.
Don’t let the pub setting fool you – the food here is delicious and often described as being cooked to a high restaurant standard. At the time of this update, their enticing offers frequently include the option to have more of your chosen main course (such as salmon, steak, or halloumi with vegetables), accompanied by bottomless fries, a fresh salad, and crusty bread, all for a set price.
Important Note: Please be aware that the Factors Inn operates seasonally and is closed during the winter months, with their opening date typically being April 1st. Be sure to check their current opening times if you are visiting outside of the main season.
european/ scottish
Old Pines Hotel Restaurant
A personal favorite for dining in the Fort William area, the Old Pines Hotel Restaurant boasts a truly stunning location just a short, scenic drive from Fort William, past Spean Bridge and close by to the Commando Memorial.
This restaurant prides itself on its commitment to sourcing fresh, local ingredients, resulting in a fantastic seasonal Highland menu that truly showcases the flavors of the region. Old Pines is particularly known for its amazing multi-course meals, offering a delightful culinary experience.
Important Note: Due to its popularity and focus on fresh, seasonal produce, booking a table in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment, especially during peak season.
This restaurant prides itself on its commitment to sourcing fresh, local ingredients, resulting in a fantastic seasonal Highland menu that truly showcases the flavors of the region. Old Pines is particularly known for its amazing multi-course meals, offering a delightful culinary experience.
Important Note: Due to its popularity and focus on fresh, seasonal produce, booking a table in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment, especially during peak season.
scottish/ European
The Silly Goose
The Silly Goose at the Lime Tree promises an exceptional culinary experience. Guests can expect incredible food, with every dish meticulously prepared fresh from the kitchen using high-quality ingredients.
Beyond the exquisite food, The Silly Goose offers a good atmosphere and is complemented by friendly and attentive staff, ensuring a memorable dining occasion.
Beyond the exquisite food, The Silly Goose offers a good atmosphere and is complemented by friendly and attentive staff, ensuring a memorable dining occasion.
breakfast, brunch & lunch
Highland Soap Company
Looking for a delightful spot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch in Fort William? The Highland Soap Company comes highly recommended. Not only does it offer incredible food, prepared with care and quality ingredients, but it also houses a wonderful shop showcasing a wide selection of locally produced arts and crafts.
Whether you’re starting your day, taking a mid-morning break, or enjoying a leisurely afternoon meal, the Highland Soap Company provides a welcoming atmosphere and delicious options. It’s more than just a place to eat; it’s a chance to sample local flavors and discover unique souvenirs.
Practical Tip: Located conveniently in Fort William, the Highland Soap Company is easily accessible and well worth a visit during your stay. Allow some time to browse their shop after your meal – you might find the perfect Highland keepsake!
Whether you’re starting your day, taking a mid-morning break, or enjoying a leisurely afternoon meal, the Highland Soap Company provides a welcoming atmosphere and delicious options. It’s more than just a place to eat; it’s a chance to sample local flavors and discover unique souvenirs.
Practical Tip: Located conveniently in Fort William, the Highland Soap Company is easily accessible and well worth a visit during your stay. Allow some time to browse their shop after your meal – you might find the perfect Highland keepsake!
pizza
Black Isle Bar
If you’re in the mood for fantastic pizza in Fort William, the Black Isle Bar is widely considered the top choice.
This popular spot offers a wonderfully relaxed and informal atmosphere within a beautifully converted old church, creating a truly unique dining experience.
Their specialty is delicious wood-fired pizzas, cooked to perfection with fresh, quality ingredients. To complement their excellent food, the Black Isle Bar also boasts an impressive and diverse range of craft beers, making it a great place to unwind and enjoy a satisfying meal and a local brew.
Good to Know: The Black Isle Bar’s combination of great pizza, craft beer selection, and its distinctive setting makes it a popular choice.
It’s a perfect spot for a casual dinner with friends or family after a day of exploring the Fort William area. You might want to check their current beer list online or ask the friendly staff for recommendations.
This popular spot offers a wonderfully relaxed and informal atmosphere within a beautifully converted old church, creating a truly unique dining experience.
Their specialty is delicious wood-fired pizzas, cooked to perfection with fresh, quality ingredients. To complement their excellent food, the Black Isle Bar also boasts an impressive and diverse range of craft beers, making it a great place to unwind and enjoy a satisfying meal and a local brew.
Good to Know: The Black Isle Bar’s combination of great pizza, craft beer selection, and its distinctive setting makes it a popular choice.
It’s a perfect spot for a casual dinner with friends or family after a day of exploring the Fort William area. You might want to check their current beer list online or ask the friendly staff for recommendations.
indian
Spice Tandoori
Craving a delicious and authentic curry during your stay in Fort William? Look no further than Spice Tandoori!
This restaurant offers a lovely and contemporary dining space inside, perfect for a comfortable evening out.
For those who prefer to dine in the comfort of Highwinds, Spice Tandoori also provides a convenient takeaway service. Simply phone in your order, collect it, and enjoy a flavorful curry in the relaxing setting of your accommodation.
This restaurant offers a lovely and contemporary dining space inside, perfect for a comfortable evening out.
For those who prefer to dine in the comfort of Highwinds, Spice Tandoori also provides a convenient takeaway service. Simply phone in your order, collect it, and enjoy a flavorful curry in the relaxing setting of your accommodation.
international
The Geographer
Discover a true gem in the heart of Fort William – The Geographer. This unique restaurant offers a menu brimming with flavors inspired by the owners’ extensive travels around the globe, promising a delightful and diverse culinary journey.
Beyond its globally influenced dishes, The Geographer also caters excellently to those with dietary requirements, offering a superb selection of gluten-free options. To complement your meal, they feature a range of locally brewed beers, allowing you to sample the regional flavors.
The atmosphere is warm, cosy, and inviting, making it a perfect spot for both a relaxed lunch after some shopping in Fort William or a delicious dinner in the evening.
Important Note: The Geographer operates on a walk-in basis and does not accept table reservations. Simply turn up and hope for the best! While there might be a short wait during peak times, it’s generally manageable and well worth it for the unique dining experience.
Beyond its globally influenced dishes, The Geographer also caters excellently to those with dietary requirements, offering a superb selection of gluten-free options. To complement your meal, they feature a range of locally brewed beers, allowing you to sample the regional flavors.
The atmosphere is warm, cosy, and inviting, making it a perfect spot for both a relaxed lunch after some shopping in Fort William or a delicious dinner in the evening.
Important Note: The Geographer operates on a walk-in basis and does not accept table reservations. Simply turn up and hope for the best! While there might be a short wait during peak times, it’s generally manageable and well worth it for the unique dining experience.
great pub food
Clachaig Inn Boots Bar
If your day has involved exploring the breathtaking landscapes and perhaps tackling a walk in nearby Glen Coe (approximately a [insert estimated driving time, e.g., 20-30 minute] drive from Fort William), a stop at the historic Clachaig Inn is highly recommended.
For the quintessential Clachaig experience, be sure to head to ‘The Boots Bar’, located at the rear of the property. This legendary pub has a wonderfully relaxed and informal atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day on the hills. With its numerous comfortable booths, you can literally put your feet up and rest, making it an ideal spot for groups to relax and share stories of their Glencoe adventures.
Expect hearty pub fare and a welcoming, no-frills environment steeped in climbing history.
For the quintessential Clachaig experience, be sure to head to ‘The Boots Bar’, located at the rear of the property. This legendary pub has a wonderfully relaxed and informal atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day on the hills. With its numerous comfortable booths, you can literally put your feet up and rest, making it an ideal spot for groups to relax and share stories of their Glencoe adventures.
Expect hearty pub fare and a welcoming, no-frills environment steeped in climbing history.
Seafood
Garrison West
Conveniently located just off Fort William’s High Street, near The Highland Cinema, Garrison West is highly regarded as one of the best restaurants in the area for those who appreciate locally caught, fresh seafood.
Step inside to discover a warm and inviting atmosphere, the perfect setting for a beautiful meal whether you’re visiting on a crisp winter evening or a bright summer night.
Their extensive menu showcases the finest catches from the surrounding waters, promising a true taste of the Scottish coast. This is a must-visit for any seafood lover exploring Fort William.
Step inside to discover a warm and inviting atmosphere, the perfect setting for a beautiful meal whether you’re visiting on a crisp winter evening or a bright summer night.
Their extensive menu showcases the finest catches from the surrounding waters, promising a true taste of the Scottish coast. This is a must-visit for any seafood lover exploring Fort William.
seafood
Lochleven Seafood Cafe
While it requires a scenic drive from Fort William (allow approximately [insert estimated driving time, e.g., 30-40 minutes]), the Lochleven Seafood Cafe is a highly recommended destination, even earning a mention in the prestigious Michelin Guide.
This laid-back and charming seafood restaurant is part of a family business with its roots in the adjacent shellfish shop, guaranteeing the freshest catches. Its location is truly superb, nestled right on the shore of Loch Leven, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the water and surrounding mountains.
You can expect a focus on the day’s best West Coast fish, often listed on blackboards to highlight seasonality and freshness. A unique feature is that their shellfish comes directly from seawater tanks located next door, ensuring unparalleled quality.
This laid-back and charming seafood restaurant is part of a family business with its roots in the adjacent shellfish shop, guaranteeing the freshest catches. Its location is truly superb, nestled right on the shore of Loch Leven, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the water and surrounding mountains.
You can expect a focus on the day’s best West Coast fish, often listed on blackboards to highlight seasonality and freshness. A unique feature is that their shellfish comes directly from seawater tanks located next door, ensuring unparalleled quality.
fancy
Inverlochy Castle
For those seeking an exceptionally elegant and luxurious dining experience near Fort William, look no further than the renowned Inverlochy Castle Restaurant, conveniently located just a short drive away.
Dining at Inverlochy Castle is a truly special occasion, offering exquisite cuisine within the opulent surroundings of a historic castle.
Please be aware that the restaurant maintains a dress code, with jackets required for gentlemen to enhance the sophisticated ambiance.
A Touch of Elegance: Prepare for a memorable evening of fine dining and impeccable service in a breathtaking setting. While the castle’s grandeur might inspire a sense of formality, we do recommend arriving in appropriate attire via a comfortable mode of transport rather than a muddy trek across the fields!
Consider this option for a celebratory meal or a truly indulgent culinary experience.
Dining at Inverlochy Castle is a truly special occasion, offering exquisite cuisine within the opulent surroundings of a historic castle.
Please be aware that the restaurant maintains a dress code, with jackets required for gentlemen to enhance the sophisticated ambiance.
A Touch of Elegance: Prepare for a memorable evening of fine dining and impeccable service in a breathtaking setting. While the castle’s grandeur might inspire a sense of formality, we do recommend arriving in appropriate attire via a comfortable mode of transport rather than a muddy trek across the fields!
Consider this option for a celebratory meal or a truly indulgent culinary experience.
