It’s that magical time of the year and just about acceptable to get the Christmas trees up and dive headfirst into the Christmas spirit. Should you find yourself in the Highland capital over December then you’ll probably want to indulge in festive eats from top restaurants to thriving Christmas markets.
Inverness is a great place to visit throughout the year and the holiday season is no exception. Should you find yourself here over the jolly season then here are some of the best food-related experiences in Inverness this Christmas:
Special Christmas Menus
Inverness is blessed with some real gems of high dining restaurants and some of the famous ones are pulling out the stops this festive season. Offering curated Christmas menus and blending Scottish Highland ingredients with the advent cheer such as at:
- Rocpool Restaurant – Always known for its modern sophisticated menus and creative flair, Rocpool offers a Christmas feast with some big punchy ingredients such as roasted venison with juniper berries, and honey-glazed root vegetables. Diners can pair their meals with extensive wines to make a night to remember…or not!
- Mustard Seed – A legend in the Inverness gastro scene, Mustard Seed is set in a converted church overlooking the River Ness. The iconic award-winning eatery will be serving smoked salmon starters, traditional turkey mains, and a boozy Christmas pudding in a whisky sauce.
- Kingsmill Hotel – A lavish experience in a luxurious venue. Kingsmill is offering festive lunches all month and a lavish Christmas dinner or Grand Buffet on the big day itself.
These menus will be running throughout December and of course, early booking is essential, especially if you plan on eating out on Christmas day.
Inverness Christmas Market
Located at the City Markets at Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness Christmas market is one of the Highland capital’s highlights of the season. Sparkling lights, the smells of mulled wine, and a variety of stores create a brilliant atmosphere no matter what the weather is doing.
Running from December 7th, the market will see handmade shortbread, freshly grilled venison burgers, and artisanal cheeses from local vendors as well as an abundance of other great Highland produce.
Why not warm up with a spiced cider or hot toddy? ‘Tis the season to be jolly, after all!
Afternoon Teas
Did someone say Christmas-themed afternoon teas? An afternoon tea is a great idea whenever you find yourself travelling across Scotland and the British Isles and the festive season makes for a great excuse to treat yourself!
- Loch Ness Country House Hotel will be serving up Christmas-themed afternoon teas with delights such as turkey and cranberry sandwiches, gingerbread cookies, and mince pies. This offering is likely to last throughout the rest of December.
- Café 1 is another one, albeit with a more cosy and modest menu. Their afternoon teas can be expected to be integrated with mulled wine macarons and spiced plum scones.
Festive Whisky Experiences
- Tomatin Distillery – Offers tours throughout the year and sometimes has limited edition whiskies in time for Christmas. Be sure to check their socials for Christmas-themed events.
- MacGregor’s Bar – A popular local jaunt that hosts whisky events all year round, this Christmas they also have special Christmas-themed cocktails from the Balvenie Bobsleigh team to Not the Gumdrop Buttons. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for live music events too.
We get it, we write about whisky experiences a lot. But this is with good reason, we are blessed with the finest single malt whiskies on the planet here in the Scottish Highlands!
What are some of your favourite places to eat in Inverness over the festive season, and why?
Let us know in the comments below!
