The festive season is still a couple of months away, but as the nights in Inverness draw in thoughts will inevitably turn to Christmas Day dinner.
Which is why we have put together a guide to six of the best restaurants in Inverness serving up a delicious Christmas dinner on the day itself and the run-up to it.
A handful of the restaurants are open on Christmas Day 2022 itself, but be warned – they book out early. It may even be wise to start booking for NEXT year already.
But if it’s a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings you want, whether for a family gathering or a tinsel-draped work night out, then all of the venues will see you right.
Vegetarian options are available, and while some of the more-upmarket restaurants will put a dent in your wallet, we’ve included a couple of the more price-friendly establishments.
So grab a cracker and get stuck into a Christmas blow-out.
Best Christmas dinner in Inverness
Rocpool Reserve Hotel & Restaurant
A star of the Inverness culinary scene, the Rocpool offers a fine-dining answer to the question – what’s for Christmas dinner?
The restaurant will be taking bookings for the 25th of December this year, however a spokesperson told the P&J that a menu has yet to be finalised.
You can be sure that the meal will offer some of the best local food around as this restaurant is famed for its excellent menus.
A sure-fire Christmas cracker.
Kingsmills Hotel
The Kingsmills Hotel is already fully booked for this year’s Christmas Day celebrations but don’t let that stop you from considering the restaurant for future occasions.
For the past 15 years, with the exception of when Christmas was cancelled for hospitality in 2021, this stalwart of the festive scene has served up a traditional Christmas lunch ahead of a grand buffet in the evening.
Joyce Arbuckle from the hotel’s sales team says the occasion is a chance for families to come together in the same place and celebrate as one.
And with the Kingsmills’ wonderful gardens a short step away there’s ample opportunity to walk off the meal.
Glenmoriston Town House
The Glenmoriston’s restaurant in Inverness is open as usual for Christmas Day dinner in 2022.
Bookings, however, are already full, but the Christmas menu is available starting from December 1 so you don’t need to wait for the day itself to tuck into your turkey.
The Christmas Day menu is £85 per person for eight courses, while the pre-Christmas three-course meal is £35.
You’ll find all the usual Christmas foods on show, and if you want to have a few drinks then you can book a room at the hotel from £60.
Prime Steak & Seafood
Prime is not open on Christmas Day but has both a pre-Christmas lunch and dinner menu. And as a steak house, you’ll find plenty of red meat on offer here such as the braised blade of beef.
Turkey also rears its head and there are vegetarian options such as the butternut and sage walnut risotto. Prime is also one of the best places to try seafood in Inverness if you fancy something a little different this Christmas.
Dinner is £40 a head while lunch comes in at 26.50 per person for three courses.
Columba Hotel
Christmas starts on December 3 at the Columba Hotel.
That’s when the hotel restaurant starts its Christmas lunches and dinners for families, work parties or anyone else looking to get into the festive spirit.
The evening meal is £27 for three courses while the lunch is £22.50, making the Columba one of the best value Christmas feasts in Inverness.
And if you fancy something more energetic, the hotel runs Christmas party nights that include a disco after your meal. Yours for £37 per person.
The Drumossie Hotel
The Drumossie also runs a Christmas disco, but its hits stay firmly in the ’90s.
Now That’s What I Call The 90s is held on the two Fridays before Christmas Day and costs £40 per person including a three-course meal.
For those more interested in the food, you can get a straightforward Christmas lunch at the Drumossie (and no dancing) for £29 per person.
Christmas Day itself is the grand gala Christmas banquet. But book early to avoid disappointment. This Christmas treat sells out fast.
People will do anything to avoid the Christmas washing up.
