There’s something extra special about going out for dinner and not having to think about the journey home afterwards. Restaurants with rooms can offer a more intimate house guest feel than a hotel and many of our favourites are family-run, all making for a truly wonderful night away. Ailsa Sheldon picks a selection of the best
Inver, Argyll
An evening at Inver is an unforgettable experience: the tasting menu takes guests on a journey across Argyll, from ‘Kate’s garden’ leaves, to shellfish from Loch Fyne (which the restaurant overlooks) through the medium of chef Pam Brunton’s inventive dishes. Make a night of it with a stay in one of a handful of chic bothies or shepherd’s huts. The little dwellings, dotted around the woods beside the restaurant, are decked out with contemporary birch interiors and cosy textiles, and all enjoy views of the loch. A picnic breakfast will be delivered in the morning packed with pastries, sourdough, cereals, cheese and potted fish.
inverrestaurant.co.uk
The Witchery, Edinburgh
For a night of Gothic opulence you can’t beat the sensory overload that is a night at the Witchery. Steps off the Royal Mile but worlds apart from the maelstrom, The Witchery is unlike anywhere else. Dine decadently in the secret garden room: think Bloody Mary Cumbrae oysters, Tarbert crab benedict, beef fillet with chanterelles and truffle butter, and halibut with smoked eel. The three suites are equally flamboyant with plush luxury wallpapers and fabrics, and grand four poster beds. Champagne breakfast in bed anyone?
thewitchery.com
The Three Chimneys and The House Over-by, Skye
It’s well worth the drive to this famous red-roofed restaurant and you certainly won’t want to leave this beautiful spot in a hurry. In winter watch the sunset over Loch Dunvegan then coorie into the restaurant for the best local seafood and game. The chef’s favourite local ingredients include double-dived Sconser scallops from Loch Sligachan, Loch Dunvegan Langoustines and Vatten Croft Beef. In the House Over-By next door there are six lovely bedrooms designed for relaxation with little living room areas and daily baked treats in your room. The gorgeous guest lounge is the perfect spot for coffee or a nightcap.
threechimneys.co.uk
Mingary Castle, Kilchoan
It’s a long and winding, mostly single-track, road to Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula so you’ll be glad not to drive home after dinner at Mingary Castle. This Thirteenth Century monument is the real deal, ramparts and all, with stunning views over the Sound of Mull. Chef and co-owner Colin Nicholson prepares either five or eight-course tasting menus in the intimate dining room. The menu is playful, with local ingredients a proud focus, including vegetables from the community garden. Afterwards, sleep like royalty in one of four grand suites, all named after local clans.
mingarycastle.co.uk
Killiecrankie House
A country house in the woods at Killiecrankie might not be the most obvious setting for an experimental fine dining restaurant but, once inside, the deep and moody decor sets the scene for a culinary adventure. The tasting menu is served Wednesday to Sunday, with a shorter menu available on Friday and Saturday lunchtimes. Pairings veer from the traditional, often including beer, cider and sake alongside wine, lead by inventive sommelier Matilda Tsappis, matching chef Tom Tsappis’ creations. Guests can stay in five gorgeous rooms upstairs, and enjoy access to a guest lounge with a record player, and a gourmet breakfast in the morning.
killiecrankiehouse.com
Boath House, near Nairn
Edinbane Lodge, Isle of Skye
Calum Montgomery, the chef-owner of Edinbane Lodge, has helped keep the Isle of Skye firmly on the culinary map. Sourcing is hyper-local so the best of the island’s produce will likely appear on your plate, as part of a 10-course tasting menu. Tempting dishes might include barbecued mussels with hazelnut, and hake with smoked dulse and cucumber. Dinner at this renovated Sixteenth-Century hunting lodge needs to be booked well in advance, as do the handful of award-winning rooms. Two new riverside suites opened this year to help meet demand, with private patios on the River Coishletter.
edinbanelodge.com
The Meikleour Arms, near Blairgowrie
The Meikleour Arms is surrounded by farms, forests, lochs and rivers and a wealth of incredible local produce is celebrated in the restaurant’s table-to-plate philosophy. The estate has its own butchery with a specialism in venison and game, charcuterie and 28-day aged beef. The Meikleour Arms has a long established Franco-Scottish heritage, so expect a Gallic twist to the hearty fare – coq au vin is a popular choice, as is the steak, ale and mushroom pie. The rooms have a French manoir feel, some with toile wallpapers and four poster beds. Pretty cottages in the grounds are perfect for a longer stay.
meikleourarms.co.uk
Celentano’s, Glasgow
Popular neighbourhood restaurant Celentano’s brings a new vibrancy to Italian cuisine. Vegetables from the kitchen garden frequently feature alongside delicious homemade pasta and barbecued meat and fish dishes. New for this autumn are rooms upstairs in Cathedral House, previously run by a different company. The eight rooms are spread over two floors above the restaurant. All have a relaxed and elegant feel making this the ideal Glasgow getaway. Dinner, bed and breakfast includes a five-course feasting menu at Celentano’s. Breakfast in the morning includes fresh sourdough, baked treats, granola and fruit, and can be delivered direct to your room for a relaxing start to the day.
celentanosglasgow.com
Lyla and 21212, Edinburgh
Within one historic building on Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace are two separate but complementary businesses. One will serve you a stiff samphire martini followed by an exceptional meal, the other will provide a soft landing afterwards and a fine continental breakfast the following morning. Dinner at Lyla is a real treat: an unforgettable multi-course experience by chef Stuart Ralston and team. Expect to spend all evening at the table and be dazzled by each creative dish. On the upper two floors 21212 has four spacious bedrooms, with expansive views over the rooftops and calm decor: the perfect restful retreat.
lylaedinburgh.co.uk
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