ALEX HENDERSON'S INSIDER GUIDE TO INVERNESS
Head Chef at The Torridon resort offers his top tips on dining in the Highland Capital
Born and raised in Inverness, Head Chef Alex Henderson now leads The Torridon resort’s fine-dining, 1887 restaurant and oversees the more informal Bo & Muc brasserie.
Alex has worked in a host of top UK restaurants, including Michelin-starred House of Tides, where he was sous chef under acclaimed Chef Patron Kenny Atkinson.
Located in one of the most idyllic parts of Scotland, The Torridon is one of Britain’s leading retreat hotels. The two-acre Torridon Kitchen Garden and Farm provides endless opportunities to pick and choose from the best fresh ingredients available, while curating the menu as the seasons change.
1887 restaurant offers exquisite cuisine with a menu that mixes modern British and Scottish cooking with inspiration from around the world.
And Alex is the man in the know about how to eat and drink your way around the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
1887 at The Torridon Annat, By Achnasheen, Wester Ross IV22 2EY
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COFFEE
XOKO BAKEHOUSE AND COFFEE BAR
XOKO is a lovely little coffee bar and bakehouse and they make the best sourdoughs, pastries and cakes. Whenever I'm in the area, I'll pop in here for a coffee and pastry. They only use fresh ingredients and their coffee comes exclusively from groups of small holders based within the Hula region of South West Colombia, where traditional farming methods are still used. You can definitely taste the difference!
XOKO, 13 Bridge Street, Inverness, Scotland, IV1 1HG
BREAKFAST
HIGHLAND FARM CAFÉ
In Dingwall, not far from my house, there is the Highland Farm Café, which is my go-to breakfast spot. It’s very consistent with its offering and it’s a good place to go with kids. It has local produce and offers local wine and beers – it acts as an eco-friendly deli spot. The eggs benedict on waffles is my top pick.
Highland Farm Café, Mountgerald, Ross-Shire, Dingwall, IV15 9TT
LUNCH
ROCPOOL
For lunch, I love Rocpool in Inverness. You can never go wrong when eating out there - it’s a great staple that has been around for a long time. It offers simple, but fine Scottish food with delicious flavours.
The menu changes often, but I always go for seafood as a starter and a meaty dish as a main.
Rocpool, 1 Ness Walk, Inverness IV3 5NE
DINNER
THE DIPPING LUGGER
It has to be The Dipping Lugger in Ullapool. It belongs to one of my friends and offers the most beautiful view over the loch and mountains. You can stay there, too - the rooms also have a view across the water and you can't beat sleeping above one of the best restaurants in town.
Expect to get lovely food in the perfect, Highland setting. I cannot pick one dish from the menu… I love it all. The produce is fresh – so fresh, you can even sit at your table and see the fish coming from the boat.
The Dipping Lugger, Ullapool, Wester Ross, IV26 2UR
DRINKS
BLACK ISLE BREWERY
I don’t go out for drinks that often, but when I do, it has to be the Black Isle Brewery in Inverness. They serve brilliant, local craft beers with wood-fired pizza made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients – the perfect combo.
Black Isle Brewery, Black Isle Brewing Co, Old Allangrange, Munlochy, IV8 8NZ
INSIDER TIP
TRY THE STOREHOUSE, MUSTARD SEED AND A DREAM RING
I love to go to The Storehouse in Dingwall. It’s nothing fancy but has a big menu with simple, tasty food. I always get their Fish and Chips. For good deals, head to The Mustard Seed in Inverness. It’s a great spot on the river with good food and a friendly atmosphere. It’s also great value for money. Plus, if you are ever in the area, you have to try a dream ring – it’s a sweet bun with cream and icing. For me, it’s a very nostalgic treat that I used to get as a kid.
The Storehouse, Foulis Ferry, Evanton, Ross-shire, IV16 9UX
The Mustard Seed, 16 Fraser Street, Inverness IV1 1DW
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