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Restaurant review: Findhorn’s Kimberley Inn is a must visit for exceptional pub grub

You haven't been to Findhorn if you haven't paid a visit to the Kimberley Inn says food and drink editor, Julia Bryce.

Tuck into Scottish fare at The Kimberley Inn in Findhorn. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson
Tuck into Scottish fare at The Kimberley Inn in Findhorn. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

You’d struggle to find a bay on the north east coast of Scotland more picturesque than that of Findhorn Bay.

Located on the eastern shore of the Moray village, it is one of those places that can truly take your breath away.

I’ve experienced its beauty in the lashing rain as well as the roaring sunshine and I have to admit, both are equally as impressive.

Outside the Kimberley Inn in Findhorn. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

My best friend’s extended family are lucky enough to have a holiday cottage in the small village, although they are there often enough that it should be classed as their main home.

Findhorn has a special place in their heart, and I’m finding the more time I spend there that it too is having the same effect on me. It’s hard not to fall for its quaint buildings and scenic backdrop.

Kimberley Inn

But no trip to Findhorn, in my opinion, is complete without a visit to the Kimberley Inn.

It’s ideally located in the centre of the village and a mere minute’s walk from the cottage my friend and I were staying.

We’d just come back from a beach walk along the bay and were a bit soggy, so we were glad to see the log fire on. You can’t book a table in advance, so it’s any man’s game on bagging one – luckily on this Saturday night we managed.

The bar serves a range of drinks. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Our host, Moira, joined my best friend and I for a bite to eat and before we knew it, she was perched at the bar chatting with all of the locals she knows so well.

Lauren and I admired the Scottish gin collection behind the bar, which is rather impressive, and ordered ourselves a drink. Before we could even put our hands in our pockets Moira had paid.

We’d been given a table in the corner so made our way to the cosy spot with bench seating. The venue is slightly rustic with blue and cream hues throughout. There’s panelling along all of the walls and the lighting is dim to create a relaxed ambience.

The blackboard specials on the wall are always worth checking out. The salt and pepper squid (£7.75) caught our eye, as did the Scotch egg (£7.95).

I noted the Mars Bar cheesecake which I have heard many a good thing about and nudged my friend giving her “the look”.

The Kimberley Inn has a range of areas to sit. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Mains were easy for Lauren and Moira to pick as this was not their first rodeo. I was advised to stick to the classics and while they opted for the Buckie haddock (£16.50) and a chicken burger (£14.75), I went for the five bean chilli (£13.95).

Service was a little slow and with no sign of anyone coming to take our order for a while, I took it upon myself to order with the team at the bar.

The place was starting to pick up and even the private seating and additional restaurant space on the level below (where the kitchen lies) was filling up.

The food

Our starters arrived in record time. We asked for side plates and more cutlery seeing as the three of us were sharing and got torn in.

There wasn’t much salt and pepper taste to the calamari as it was more of a southern fried/Cajun seasoning taste.

Don’t forget to check out the specials boards for some gems. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

The calamari had been fried and was a little chewy, but it was a great size for sharing. It came served in a little fryer basket and was served with creamy lemon mayonnaise.

The scotch egg was my favourite of the two. Made with fresh sausage meat, black pudding and a poached egg in the centre, it was juicy and every mouthful was packed with flavour.

It didn’t look like much, but there was plenty eating in it and the egg was perfectly cooked with a little of the yolk running down it. A red onion chutney added slight acidity as did the fresh salad.

The Scotch egg with black pudding. My egg yolk was much runnier than this one pictured. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Despite it being so busy we didn’t have to wait long for mains either.

Smoky, fruity flavours were at the forefront of the veggie chilli although it had more of a kick than I expected, which I loved. Sometimes restaurants play it too safe, but this level suited me and was far from bland.

Two hard tacos stood proudly in the bowl of rice, beans and veg. I used both as vessels to scoop up the chilli and although they broke quite easily, they added a welcome crunch.

The cheddar cheese that had been finely grated would have been better if it had melted. Even when mixing it into the chilli and rice it didn’t melt which would have happened if the food was piping hot I think, and I’d have loved a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche in the mix, too.

Five bean chilli with tacos. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

It was a very reasonable portion and one that stopped me from ordering the Mars Bar cheesecake.

One of the biggest pieces of battered haddock sat to my left and had my chilli not been so good I’d have been very upset. I’ve had the fish and chips before so knew Lauren was onto a winner.

The batter was crisp while the perfectly cooked fish flaked away. It sat on top of a bed of chips and a pile of sweet garden peas. A ramekin of tartar sauce and lemon garnished the dish and my friend squeezed the lemon over the fish before tucking in.

It was a hefty portion and not one she managed to conquer.

Buckie haddock is a classic you won’t go wrong with at the Kimberley. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

The third of our party had chosen the chicken burger. Two big breasts came battered in the brioche bap. There was a smidgen of sriracha mayo hidden under the top half of the bun which I personally felt it needed more of.

Inside the burger was a big piece of tomato and lettuce and it came with the same chips and a plastic ramekin of creamy coleslaw.

We were all left incredibly full and satisfied, and although service had been a little sporadic, we weren’t looking to be made a fuss of and everyone had been polite and friendly

In the end I decided to head to the bar to settle the bill to save us, and the staff, some time. As we left our table was already being turned around for the next customers.

The verdict

If you’re looking for somewhere comfortable and casual to enjoy a pub dinner in Findhorn then The Kimberley is a great place to do so.

The locals are warm, the place is welcoming and the food was simple comfort food done well.

Next time I would love to try more of the seafood and I’m sure they’ll have even more fish specials soon as the tourist season begins to take shape.

And I really need to get my hands on that Mars Bar cheesecake.

Information

Address: 94, Findhorn  IV36 3YG

T: 01309 690492

W: kimberleyinn.com

Price: £60.90

Scores

  • Food: 4/5
  • Service: 3/5
  • Surroundings: 4/5

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