For the prisoners of Inveraray Jail food was basic and boring. The menu consisted of porridge for breakfast, broth and bread or potatoes with milk and bread for dinner, and porridge or potatoes and milk for supper. It might have filled them up but it certainly wasn’t fine dining! But when you visit Inveraray, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The town is packed with great places to eat and drink, whether you fancy fish and chips, coffee and cake or a special dinner featuring Argyll’s finest produce. So if you’re feeling a bit peckish after your visit to the jail, why not make a break for some of these excellent eateries? Just don’t tell the prisoners…
The George Hotel
This lively, family-friendly pub in the heart of Inveraray is full of character with original solid flag-stoned floors and roaring log fires. It also serves up fantastic food, with an emphasis on using local meat and seafood, including Loch Fyne salmon. It’s not fancy cooking, rather ingredients are used imaginatively and simply to produce well-cooked meals at a good price. There’s also a fine selection of real ales and whiskies. Food is served from noon to 9pm.
The Loch Fyne Hotel
This stunning hotel overlooking Loch Fyne is another great option for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. The Clansman Restaurant is formal yet relaxed, and local ingredients feature on the menu, including Loch Fyne oysters and mussels. Youngsters are encouraged to dine from the main menu in smaller portions. For something more informal, you can enjoy bar meals, light snacks or afternoon tea in the lounge, where food is available from 10am until 9pm each day.
Inveraray Castle
If you’re looking for tea and cake, then you can’t beat the Castle Tearoom at Inveraray Castle. Run personally by the Duchess, it offers a mouth-watering menu using the best local ingredients. Indulge in some excellent home-baking, prepared locally using family and traditional recipes, or tuck into a light lunch of soup, sandwiches, salads and other snacks.
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
This is another great option for lunch. Located on Front Street by the entrance to Inveraray Castle, the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Anvil Tearoom serves up home-cooked hot foods, vibrant salads, freshly made baguettes and delicious cakes.
Brambles Café & Bistro
Brambles is an Inveraray institution. It’s a lovely place to relax with an inviting, warm atmosphere and delicious home-cooked food and home baking. It’s open every day from 8m to 5pm.
The Cottage Restaurant
It’s well worth seeking out this fabulous little eatery, which you’ll find down a quiet sleepy lane off Main Street in the centre of Inveraray. Good traditional Scottish food is on the menu for both lunch and dinner.
Ban Diuc Indian Restaurant
And for something a bit different, Inveraray has a great Indian restaurant that also provides take-away. They offer freshly prepared authentic Indian food using local produce, fresh herbs and carefully selected whole spices.
