Fort William Restaurants: 11 Best Places To Eat in Fort William
Are you planning a trip to Fort William and looking for delicious places to eat? My guide to the best Fort William restaurants includes 11 of my favourite eateries, serving dishes like seafood platters and wood fired pizzas.
I’m lucky enough to have visited the Scottish Highlands countless times over the years, and most trips inevitably visit Fort William. The biggest town in the area, there’s heaps of places to eat and luckily you don’t need to venture to find the best Fort William restaurants.
With cosy cafes, seafood restaurants, excellent pub grub and wood fired pizzas - you’re bound to find the perfect place for you.
As I’ve sampled plenty of lunches and dinners around the town, I now have a shortlist of firm favourites. This guide covers the most delicious places to eat in Fort William, plus tips on getting around town.
Looking for a cocktail or whisky after dinner? Be sure to check out these pubs in Fort William.
Fort William Restaurants:
Here’s the 11 best Fort William restaurants, from classic Scottish menus to towering burgers and seafood platters!
1. Silly Goose at The Lime Tree
Best for: a special occasion / fine dining experience
Location: The Old Manse, Achintore Road, Fort William PH33 6RQ
The Silly Goose is, in my opinion, THE best Fort William restaurant.
It’s based inside the Lime Tree hotel, and whilst it’s a few minute’s from the high street, it’s worth the short walk. Run by David and Kylie Hickman, the Silly Goose focuses on fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced produce. And it definitely delivers.
They serve a classic Scottish menu with a French fine dining flair, and you’ll find dishes like pan seared duck with salted beetroot, local langoustines, and charred goat’s cheese with puy lentils. Fine dining at it’s finest!
2. Highland Cinema
Best for: woodfired pizza, nachos, and cocktails
Location: Cameron Square, Fort William PH33 6AJ
You’ll find this relaxed Fort William restaurant inside the Highland Cinema, on the high street. It serves a brilliant food menu throughout the day, with a selection of delicious woodfired pizzas, gourmet hot dogs, sharing plates, tasty sides, and salads. And don’t leave without trying the chilli nachos - delicious.
Inside, the decor is inspired by a highland bothy and is has a real cosy feel, with high stone walls and a log burning fire. Expect good food, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere - plus it’s especially welcoming to solo travellers. To drink, personally I love the selection of Scottish gins, beers, and cocktails.
3. The Geographer
Best for: delicious world food
Location: 88 High St, Fort William PH33 6AD
Located in the centre of town, The Geographer is easily one of the best Fort William restaurants. Tables are first-come-first-served and the frequent queues show just how popular it really is.
The extensive menu is inspired by the owners travels, and there’s plenty of choice with dishes like seabass with sweet potato and a big bowl of local mussels. Personally I recommend the Korean fried chicken burger with Cajun fries - utterly delicious.
4. Crannog at Garrison West
Best for: a special occasion / Scottish seafood
Location: 4 Cameron Square, Fort William PH33 6AJ
The Crannog is THE Fort William restaurant for seafood fans. The restaurant has recently moved to a new home, from its waterside position and into the town centre. And though the loch views are sadly gone (for now), the extensive seafood menu is still there.
Their menu features the freshest fish and seafood from the Scottish west coast, and their specials board always has the most incredible options. Expect dishes like Mallaig langoustines, Kinlochleven mussels, Loch Creran oysters, and Isle of Barra crab. The star of the show however is the grand sharing platter - consisting of Oban lobster, crab, langoustines, scallops, mussels, and oysters.
Not into seafood? They also have dishes like lamb, steak, and some vegetarian options on the menu. But this Fort William restaurant is very much seafood focussed and the menu most definitely reflects that.
5. Browns at Nevis Bank Inn
Best for: a classic menu
Location: Belford Rd, Fort William PH33 6PF
Slightly further out of town, Browns is one of the best Fort William restaurants for a varied menu. They have lots of crowd pleasing classics - choose from dishes like pan seared duck, cod fillet, lamb chop, and venison burger. The starters are tempting too, especially haggis bon bons and pesto waffles.
Whilst Brown’s is still on my list of places to eat in Fort William, their reviews are excellent and the food looks beautifully presented.
6. The Stables
Best for: steak and burgers
Location: Dudley Rd, Fort William PH33 6JB
The Stables is located just behind the high street, and it’s possibly the best Fort William restaurant to get your steak fix. This place is everything you’d expect from a grill, with an extensive steak menu, plus ribs and burgers, served on wooden boards also piled with fries and battered onion rings. Inside is rustic and the food delicious.
And if meat isn’t your thing, don’t worry - The Stables is also vegetarian friendly, with options like veggie fajitas and pea & spinach risotto.
7. Ben Nevis Inn
Best for: post-hike hearty meals
Location: Achintee Rd, Achintee, Fort William PH33 6TE
Located on the outskirts of town, at the foot of Ben Nevis, this eatery is something of a Fort William institution - and a must for hikers tackling the mountain.
Inside the 200-year-old converted barn you’ll find a cosy restaurant with decor that pays homage to its Highland locale. Ancient stone walls, communal tables, and a big picture window add to the atmosphere. - though in summer you’ll want to grab a table in the beer garden.
The Ben Nevis Inn serves an extensive lunch and dinner menu, with crowd pleasing favourites like ale-battered haddock & chips, burgers, and venison sausages. Order the parmesan fries - dangerously good! Plus, there’s a decent drinks menu for those seeking a post-summit celebratory pint.
Worth driving from town to visit.
8. The Wildcat
Best for: vegan options and coffee
Location: 21 High St, Fort William PH33 6DH
Located on the high street, The Wildcat is focussed on providing vegan friendly and gluten free options, with sustainably at its heart. There’s a brilliant selection of breakfast items, including an all-day big breakfast, avo toast, and muesli.
If you’re looking for lunch, this cosy cafe also serves toasties, soup, and wraps throughout the day. But it’s their coffee and cake that are especially delicious. Personally, I recommend the lemon drizzle cake.
And don’t be put off if you’re not vegan - this Fort William cafe offers delicious bites for breakfast and lunch that are sure to please.
9. Black Isle Bar
Best for: sharing boards and craft beer
Location: Gordon Square, Fort William PH33 6DY
Slightly off the main street, Black Isle is a blend of craft beer hangout and casual eatery. This is one of the best Fort William restaurants for a relaxed meal with friends.
The menu is small but perfectly formed, with a selection of utterly delicious pizzas and sharing bowls like olives, with plenty of vegan friendly options. I highly recommend both the classic pepperoni and the nduja & honey pizzas - very moreish!
For those of you who, like me, find craft beer menu’s a tad overwhelming, don’t worry. This is by far one of the friendliest bars in Scotland and the staff are always happy to chat you through the drinks options. Personally, I love the blonde, but you can try a sample of stouts, ales, and porters till you find a favourite.
You can’t book but there’s plenty communal tables to squeeze onto, it’s dog-friendly, plus there’s a very lively beer garden out front.
10. Sonas
Best for: fans of pulled pork sandwiches
Location: 147 High St, Fort William PH33 6DG
One of Fort William’s newest restaurants, we haven’t eaten here yet. However, reviews are excellent and we like their ethos of using local produce to make delicious food. Dishes on the menu include lots of seafood, like smoked salmon and crab. Plus some classics, like burgers, fish & chips, and steak. We’re particularly intrigued by the lamb kofta and spiced rice - we’ll keep you updated!
11. Fishy Fish
Best for: traditional fish & chips
Location: 15 High St, Fort William PH33 6DG
Located in the centre of town, Fishy Fish is a newcomer to the Fort William food scene. A casual chip shop / restaurant, it serves classic fish & chips to takeaway, plus a more extensive menu for those sitting in including grill langoustines and crab claws. Chips are crispy, fish fresh, and options varied.
Takeaway and eat on the nearby seafront. Or book a table upstairs.
Hopefully you find this guide to the best Fort William restaurants helpful! Let me know if you visit any of these places to eat in the comments below. And be sure to comment if your favourite Fort William restaurant is missing from my list.
