Search the Good Food Guide - Site Settings site

Location

Establishment Type

Cuisine

Price

Clear
  VIEW PHOTO
  /1
X

River House

Highlands & Islands, Inverness - Seafood - Restaurant - £££

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Very Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

On the (mostly) picture-postcard riverfront by the town's 19th-century 'Bouncy Bridge', this popular Inverness fish restaurant, run by Cornish chef Allan 'Alfie' Little, is a popular local fixture – as much for its 'oyster happy hour' as its lengthy menu of Scottish seafood. Inside, heavy green-striped velvet drapes open to reveal a small L-shaped dining room with blowsy salmon-pink walls and an olive-green ceiling, plus giant circular cream lampshades lending a contemporary vibe; the whole place buzzes, with Alfie (in chef's whites) bouncing between the tiny open kitchen and the packed tables. There's a full oyster menu featuring bivalves grown and harvested by Patrick and Lucy Blow off Cape Wrath, while a separate Shetland mussel menu offers the choice of marinière, Venetian or Islay-style (with cream and a splash of whisky). From the main repertoire, a sizzling starter of Calvados-spiked Orkney crab thermidor topped with crispy panko and apple was rich and mor...

On the (mostly) picture-postcard riverfront by the town's 19th-century 'Bouncy Bridge', this popular Inverness fish restaurant, run by Cornish chef Allan 'Alfie' Little, is a popular local fixture – as much for its 'oyster happy hour' as its lengthy menu of Scottish seafood. Inside, heavy green-striped velvet drapes open to reveal a small L-shaped dining room with blowsy salmon-pink walls and an olive-green ceiling, plus giant circular cream lampshades lending a contemporary vibe; the whole place buzzes, with Alfie (in chef's whites) bouncing between the tiny open kitchen and the packed tables. There's a full oyster menu featuring bivalves grown and harvested by Patrick and Lucy Blow off Cape Wrath, while a separate Shetland mussel menu offers the choice of marinière, Venetian or Islay-style (with cream and a splash of whisky). From the main repertoire, a sizzling starter of Calvados-spiked Orkney crab thermidor topped with crispy panko and apple was rich and moreish, though the pecorino cheese overpowered the subtler crustacean. Mains might bring delicate, creamy Peterhead plaice topped with prawns in coriander and parsley butter with summer vegetable confit and crispy potato gnocchi or a punchier, more powerful plate of Scottish hake fillet and octopus tentacle, teetering atop a mound of chorizo, baby potatoes and caperberries tossed in a rich Rioja and tomato sauce. The dessert menu doesn't get beyond cheesecake, panna cotta and 'my better half's pavlova', but if you're a fan of old-school that probably won't matter. Seafood pairings and provenance are key factors on the drinks list, from a Shetland Reel G&T infused with foraged seaweed, pink grapefruit and mint to the flinty, fresh stone fruit of a Spanish Albariño.

Read full reviewSee less

VENUE DETAILS

1 Greig Street
Inverness
Highlands & Islands
IV3 5PTGB

01463 222033

View opening times

Make a reservation

OTHER INFORMATION

Private dining room

More like this

    •  

       

       

    •  

       

       

    •  

       

       

    Latest articles