11 Of The Best Restaurants On The NC500 2026

If you’re planning a road trip around the famous Scottish north coast 500 this year and like me, are always on the look out for the best food and new restaurants to try, then this is the blog for you.

After driving the NC500 and testing these spots for myself, I’m sharing my run down of the top 11 restaurants you should head to for the best eats.

To help you plan these stops along your route, I’ve mapped them out as you can see below. I chose the tastiest places all along the main route so you’ll never be far from brunches and lunches to seafood and pies. Now let’s get into it…

P.S. If you’re also a cute café lover or need a caffeine fix along the way, check out my blog on the best NC500 coffee shops here. For the best places to stay, discover my list of the best campsites and best hotels on the NC500!

1. Cheese & Tomatin

Location: Inverness

The detail:

First things first, I’d personally recommend driving the NC500 from west to east as the landscapes get progressively more impressive and you’ll finish on such a high. With that in mind, I’d kick things off by fuelling up in Inverness at beloved local pizza spot, Cheese & Tomatin.

Here traditional wood-fired pizzas meet Scottish flavours and you can enjoy an incredible black pudding and haggis pizza as well as classic favourites. It’s a super cosy friendly spot with tables inside and out alongside takeaway options. Plus, for those with a sweet tooth – they also offer a Nutella and Biscoff pizza… need I say more?!

It’s worth noting, they also have a second restaurant in Aviemore in the Cairngorms so if you are driving through on your way to Inverness, that one is equally good!

2. The Highland Larder

Location: Dornoch

The detail:

Further north on beautiful Dornoch beach, you’ll no doubt have worked up an appetite for some seafood. Head over to the car park to find a humble-looking food truck serving some of the best lobster rolls, scallops, haddock wraps and cajun cod you could imagine.

For a real treat, order the seafood platter for two and sit back to enjoy the view. They’re open every day during the spring and summer season, just be sure to get there well before closing as they often sell out!

3. The Pier

Location: Lairg

The detail:

If you’re prepared to make a 30 minute detour inland from the main NC500 route, you’ll find the beautiful not-so-hidden gem on Loch Shin. As you’ll be able to see from the reviews, this is a well-loved spot for good reason.

Sat right on the edge of the pretty loch is this welcoming restaurant serving some of the best brunch, lunch and dinner dishes with the finest local produce. Head here for classic dishes done well and the chance to enjoy a stroll around the loch.

4. Puldagon Farm Shop

Location: Puldagon

The detail:

A hop further north will take you to the small village of Puldagon, just outside Wick. Here you’ll find a delicious and extensive breakfast menu, sandwiches and evening meals as well as their gorgeous food hall and farm animals.

A trip here really is a meal and an activity as you can admire their lambs, highland coos, shire horses, Shetland ponies, peacocks and more. Then pick up some souvenirs and treats for the road from the shop!

5. The Printers Rest

Location: Wick

The detail:

If you’re in Wick for dinner then head straight to The Printers Rest, located (as the name suggests) in a former printing press that now serves incredible fresh Mediterranean inspired dishes. From Maltese-style pizza and fresh pasta to salads and Italian antipasti, you’ll find something you love.

The restaurant is set up with an open kitchen so you can watch all the action and while they don’t serve alcohol, you can bring your own for a small corkage fee. Or try one of their delicious granitas – choose from Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk, Maltese coffee with chicory root, cloves and aniseed with honey or refreshing orange and mango. The perfect pick up after a day of exploring!

6. Haven (formerly Olive)

Location: Thurso

The detail:

Up onto the north coast, the top spot is Haven in Thurso. I mentioned this place in my blog about the best coffee shops on the NC500 and I had to include it here too for their brilliant lunches.

You may see the north coast is a little sparse when it comes to great food and drink but Haven is everything you could want and more. Set in a really fun restaurant with booths and swing chairs, they serve tasty salad bowls and delicious bagels with all the fillings. Just be sure to get here around lunch or earlier as they close at 4pm!

7. The Store Bistro & Bar

Location: Bettyhill

The detail:

The Store is another repeat entry from my coffee shops of the NC500 blog. Again, we loved this spot so much and while we only had coffee there at the time, we could see the food was excellent. Just off the main road from pretty Bettyhill beach you’ll find this unassuming general store. Step inside and you’ll go back in time to a cosy shop and restaurant serving warming toasties and hearty stews for lunch and brilliant traditional breakfasts.

Plus, there’s plenty of seating outside so if the sun is shining, you can catch those rays.

8. Lochinver Larder

Location: Lochinver

The detail:

Heading south down the west cost you’ll come to Lochinver Larder serving some of the best pie, mash and peas you can find since 1986. Let’s face it, after a morning or day of exploring, nothing hits the spot like a hot tasty pie with buttery mash.

If that didn’t have you drooling – there are 18 different savoury and sweet pie fillings to choose from including our favourites venison and cranberry, and rhubarb and strawberry.

Plus, in summer their pie shack is in full operation so you can grab them to-go or sit in their garden overlooking the river to enjoy.

9. The Seafood Shack

Location: Ullapool

The detail:

Further south you’ll come into the bigger harbour town of Ullapool where your craving for seafood will kick back in. For that, head to the humbly named Seafood Shack where you’ll find a lovely restaurant with outdoor seating serving only the freshest seafood that has literally been dropped off by fishermen that morning.

Because of that, the menu changes daily depending on the catch but expect treats like lobster mac & cheese, tempura haddock, mussels in creamy white wine sauce and hand-dived scallops.

Just note – they don’t take bookings, it’s first come, first served so get here in good time to nab a table.

10. Black Pearl Creole Kitchen

Location: Gairloch

The detail:

Further down the east coast, you’ll come to the incredibly well reviewed Black Pearl Creole Kitchen run by Anji Locke who’s bringing punchy Caribbean flavours to the Scottish highlands. With a Dominican mother and father from Barbados, Anji infuses family and heritage into her flavourful dishes.

Run, don’t walk to her restaurant for BBQ ribs, Trinidadian curry, jerk chicken, coconut pie and more. Just note, Black Pearl is only open Thursday to Saturday 5-8pm so be sure to reserve a table so you don’t miss out!

11. Gille Brighde

Location: Diabaig

The detail:

Last but by no means least, the final restaurant before you start heading back west to complete your NC500 loop is Gille Brighde. Sat right on the waterfront in a tiny hamlet, you can enjoy a glass of wine and hearty meal as the sun sets to celebrate the end of your trip.

What better way to finish than at this friendly homey spot!

There we have it, my top 11 tastiest spots to get everything from breakfast and brunch to light bites and hearty dinners. Have you visited any of these restaurants or do you have favourites to add? Comment and let me know. Happy road tripping!

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