Crown & Anchor in Moray

Travelling back from Aberdeen and not wanting to finish our first time away without our now adult children, we decided to take the West Coast route home, weather was delightful and the views splendid. Getting tired and hungry we found ourselves in Findhorn a beautiful place nect to the sea. We decided to drop into the Crown and Anchor to see if there was room at the Inn. Luckily there was so after unpacking we went down to the bar for a warm by the fire and a drink. The selection of beers and other refreshments was amazing. After a drinks we took a look at the menu and again not disappointed. We ordered and our meal came promptly. Two empty plates later we had a nightcap from the whisky selection then off the bed for a sound night sleep. The staff are excellent and friendly as are the locals. I highly recommend a visit, we will definitely be back. Thanks Sean an Ruth

We booked this place for dinner as we preferred the menu. We had a table booked for 6.30pm however the Cullen Skink was sold out all ready. We had the burger, chilli & scampi. The burger was tasteless and scampi was ok. The price is ok for what it is but will not be choosing this place again for food. Nice enough staff and very friendly.

I was there with family for lunch. My sister and I went for the leek soup, wish I had chosen something else. It was absolutely tasteless. We then had the prawn salad, much the same experience. There was probably a desert spoon of the tiniest dry prawns, the rest was made up of lettuce leaves, another tasteless dish. I doubt very much if we will return to this venue.

What a transformation, well done to the team. Great atmosphere, friendly and helpful staff, yummy food. Lovely menu, the lamb shank & scallops were delicious. Dog friendly.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch here of seafood salad and scampi and chips. Everything was so fresh and tasty, we got to sit out in the sun and were made to feel very welcome, along with our 2 dogs. Will look forward to visiting again.

We are regular Eaters at the Crown and Anchor. Food is good as is the atmosphere, but menu has been the same for over a year now and the specials are the same weekly. Need a change guys. A special should be a special. I have had everything on the menu.

A great place for an overnight or a few nights away from it all. The staff were professional and went out of their way to help us store and charge our ebikes overnight. Dinner and breakfast were great.

Went in for an evening meal and was greeted by a friendly Barmaid who found a table for us on a busy night. We had the steak and sticky chicken which were delicious. The staff were friendly and efficient. Would definitely recommend for a meal, would advise to book as we were lucky to get a table.

Wow what has happened here!! What a difference, the place has atmosphere, the staff are smiling and happy to help you. Food is amazing and great choices. Lovely wine selection. The atmosphere is amazing - everyone complementing the food, the bar, the staff …. Absolutely fabulous!! Can’t wait to come back. Well done!

We visiting here while staying in our Motorhome. The welcome received from the lady behind the bar was lovely and a credit to the establishment. I had scampi and my partner had the sticky chicken both were absolutely delicious. The service was fantastic too, meals were piping hot and well presented.

This is also an Inn, don't let TA tell you it's just food. They have several nicely renovated rooms above the restaurant. The location can't be beat and the staff are welcoming and jump when you ask for something. Any member of the staff will address any question - there is no "go see so-and-so, that's not my job" here. The whole staff works as a team to serve. The food was outstanding! We had eaten there under the previous management and the quality and presentation are incredible. The food is a combination of traditional and gourmet touches. The rooms are nicely appointed and comfortable. The local town is filled with kind, friendly people (just the like Crown and Anchor) and the quiet coastal setting was a great way for us to relax. We are already looking forward to our next visit.

Spent 3 nights here with friends and it was a marvellous stay, great and varied food, staff excellent and a setting like none other. The staff were always on hand and very helpful and had a good sense of humour, Simon and Katrina (landlord and lady) can give advice on where to go and where to visit. Try the Cullen Skink

Fantastic lunch. Service amazing, very friendly staff. All food was amazing, fresh, tasty, well cooked and presented. Cajun chicken burger was the best I have had!

Had an excellent meal at the hotel.Staff friendly , good , well stocked bar , lots of choices on menu.We both had the fish and chips which was one of the best meals I have had , crispy batter and just perfect .Would definitely visit again if in area.

Terrific bar with great welcoming atmosphere. Very busy bar with great friendly service. Good food and large portions. The difference in the crown and Anchor under new ownership is stratospheric.

The restaurant feels very comfortable and cosy. Service is very smooth. Nothing feels rushed. The quality of the food is excellent, 10/10 Find an excuse to order the peppersauce, you won't regret it This is definitely one of our new local hot spots for a meal out

Excellent! Very welcoming, food & service superb. New owners have turned the place around in a short space of time. Now the place has plenty of atmosphere. Would definitely recommend a visit, you won't be disappointed🙂

What a difference in the Crown & Anchor, such a welcome from the new owners and staff, big difference from previous years. Stayed four nights in September had lunch in the bar and lovely evening meals in the restaurant area, staff very pleasant, we did not book the first night but they managed to accommodate us by rearranging tables nothing was a problem. Great choice of food, highly recommend the Cullen & Skink soup, fish & chips excellent. The atmosphere is friendly a place you want to return to and stay all night. Been going to Findhorn for many years used to avoid this pub but NOT ANYMORE. Would definitely recommend this venue when visiting the lovely Findhorn Bay.

Having visited Findhorn in the previous two years on holiday , we were looking forward to having dinner a few times as usual. the place is under new management but has not improved in any area , indeed the food was not as good as before which was disappointing. The new set up uses a larger are for dining but the tables appear to be squeezed in to maximise covers rather than customer comfort. There is no table service for drinks or food and the lighting which was spotlights was quite bright and uncomfortable , indeed another customer actually adjusted the light which was shining into his eyes whilst eating. Food disappointing and overpriced for the quality on offer .

The Crown & Anchor offers a spacious setting, but it's worth noting that it could become quite loud if the place were full. The comfortable chairs were a plus, although we wondered about the accessibility for individuals in wheelchairs. One aspect that could be improved is the ordering process – having to order from the bar felt a bit less convenient for a place that presents itself more like a restaurant than just a pub. Additionally, parking was a bit tight, making it a bit challenging to navigate when the lot is more than half full. The culinary journey had its ups and downs. The mussels in white wine, garlic, and cream sauce, while generous in portion size, left us craving more flavour. On the other hand, the Breaded Brie Wedges, while delicious, had a disproportionately thick layer of coating compared to the brie itself. The accompanying sauce was a delightful touch. The Chili Con Carne was undoubtedly a star of the evening, receiving rave reviews from everyone at our table. It was remarkably flavourful and well-seasoned. The Wholetail Scampi, while decent, didn't stand out in any particular way. The Steak and Ale pie, however, was a comforting delight – not only was it nicely prepared, but it also came with a generous serving of vegetables. Considering the restaurant's location in Scotland, we expected a more extensive whisky selection, especially given the prominent display at the front. While the whisky options were okay, we were hoping for a wider range and a dedicated whisky menu, given the focus on whisky on the website and in the display. Additionally, it would be a great enhancement if the staff were trained by professionals in whisky tasting and knowledge, which is something we would have expected given the restaurant's emphasis on whisky. The Crown & Anchor in Findhorn offers a pleasant dining experience with some room for improvement. The food had its highlights, particularly the Chili Con Carne and Steak and Ale pie, but also some misses, like the mussels and overly coated Brie Wedges. With a more extensive whisky selection and staff training, the bar could elevate the overall experience. The restaurant's ambience is comfortable, but attention to accessibility and ordering convenience would be appreciated.

Arrived just before 11 am, parked the car where we intended going for a walk on the beach prior to lunch. A male stood at the entrance glowering at us, whilst i was getting the kids out of the car. He then said “are you coming for lunch”, to which i replied yes. He continued glowering at us, was extremely unfriendly, and seemed to be annoyed at our car being parked there, so we about turned and drove elsewhere for our lunch. So unwelcoming.

I really enjoy eating here, the food is great and the service and setting are wonderful. I would like to see some more salad on the menu during the summer months and the sticky chicken is more sweet and sour than sticky.overall a great place for food and drink.

Awsome place , Staff excellent, Highly recommended 👌 will be back again soon , lovely sunset on bay.

We visited the restaurant twice during our stay in the area. The Crown & Anchor was under new management and they certainly are doing a fantastic job so far! Lovely staff and cosy atmosphere! The food was absolutely superb both nights (would highly recommend the cullen skink).

Took a group of 8 bikers here on Saturday 26th . What a great spot. Food very good, staff friendly.

My stay at the Crown and Anchor hotel was very pleasant. I loved the 1739 building just steps from the sea and adored the pub and the daily crowd. My room was bright and cosy and even though it was July, it was chilly outside,...

We haven’t eaten here for years - can’t believe how lovely the food is. There is so much variety and also choices for vegetarians/ vegans! My daughter and husband loved the Cajun chicken burger . We ate here twice on our stay in findhorn. As...

We recently visited Findhorn and the find for sure was The Crown and Anchor!! We are a family of 3 adults and 3 children, we all had different dishes and every single dish was amazing! I had the mussels from the starter/small plate as a...

We popped in on spec for a lunchtime drink and a quick look at the menu meant that we ate here too! Both my husband and I chose from the “small plates” section- his the soup of the day and mine the Cullen Skink, which...

A comfortable atmosphere; we were lucky to be seated in a small conservatory with an excellent view of Findhorn Bay; prompt attention at all times from very friendly staff. My wife had the battered haddock, a standard dish for the area obviously and it did...

We stayed for two nights in July and ate dinner in the restaurant one evening. The Crown represents value for money. Our room was small and basic but clean. We like to travel light so the limited hanging space wasn't a problem. We didn't need...

I spent 2 nights with 2 friends and my dog at the Crown and Anchor. Rooms very clean and beds comfortable. Shower pressure great and hot water plentiful. We ate in the early evening on both days and enjoyed the food. Staff were lovely, and...

Visited several times for lunch and dinner - excellent food and service. We tried lots of dishes and everything was high quality and the grandkids were well looked after too

Great staff friendly helpful food v good atmosphere good food drinks reasonable and food hot and well presented

Twelve months ago, I would have walked on by, but something has changed. From the outside, it is still the crown and anchor as it has always been, but walking inside you can immediately feel the difference. Same interior same place, but what a welcoming...

There was a girl named Maze attending the bar that was extremely thoghtful. She went out of her way to help a pregnant woman in our group and was really nice to all.

The location is fabulous, a stones throw from the river. Peaceful and the views of the sunset beyond excellent. The bar and restaurant is full of character and old Scottish charm. The food in the evening was very good at a reasonable price. A varied...

We had a lovely dinner at the crown and anchor during our stay at Findhorn. We opted to sit in the wee eat ooterie for our meal as we had our dog and wanted to eat outside but to shelter from the sun. We were...

What a transformation! Friendly staff and great food. We went to C&A after hearing that it is now under new management. I do hope the new management will continue as they have started. Our server could not have been more helpful, especially as one of...

Had the best seafood platter I’ve ever had. Nothing fried. Cold plate of scrimp, herring, smoked mackerel, smoked salmon and lox. This place was great, cozy pub atmosphere.

Very good meal. Fish, salmon and steak and ale pie excellent. Good selection of dishes on the menu. Dog friendly. Will definitely return.

Visited the Crown and Anchor for dinner on Friday evening. There were 12 of us and I must say what a lovely meal we had. The service was excellent, as was the food, so much so, we returned on the Sunday. Look forward to returning...

We booked the Crown and Anchor using their online system during the week for a meal last night. We were greeted by an extremely harassed crew member who showed us to our seats which were in the middle of a small busy corridor between the...

Our family family ate here 2 night out of 3 during our trip to Forres because the food was so good and the chicken curry was the best I have ever had, Well done everyone youve got a great place there. hopefully we will be...

A great location with an atmosphere to match. What a transformation from last year. The new owners have turned this place around. The place was buzzing and tables full, which was a surprise for a midweek night at low season. Thankfully we had booked a...

I booked a table on the phone, turned up and was told we have to vacate the table in 1 1/2 hours … food was ordered but took a time to arrive, thinking time is ticking to vacate this table in a time frame… we...

Under new management. What a difference! Such a friendly place. Great food, great service and busy with locals and tourists.

Lovely little inn right on Findhorn Bay and steps from the sea. I especially liked the local specialty of Cullen skink, a milk-based fish soup similar to New England clam chowder. Will definitely go back!

The atmosphere in the pub is lovely. There is a fire and it’s a friendly place to go and have a drink or eat. However, some aspects of the food let it down. The mussels I had for a starter did not taste fresh. They...

Since new management has taken over this place is now a friendly place to eat, drink and stay. Had dinner and stayed the night and couldn’t fault anything at all. Quiz was on and had a really entertaining night.

UnBELIVABLE change of management: atmosphere: ace / food: sooooo good/ staff incredibly nice. Busy- family friendly/ dog friendly! Thank you Simon for taking it over! Best pub in Findhorn!

We stopped here as the signs outside advertised lots of lovely types of fish which appeared to be local and fresh. Inside was a little crammed but appeared ok. We ordered food and what a disappointment. The mackerel starter - this was cold and may...

Last minute decision to go away for New Year noticed they had availability but may need to change rooms 3 times for our stay thought I would call and check this was okay and not an inconvenience to be told of course not and booked...

Myself and 2 kids had the best experience. The staff were so friendly and helpful and the food was amazing. The attention to detail on the food platters was excellent and the 2 kids loved the xmas activity sheets. Santa was great with the kids,...

What a differnce myself and daughter had when we visited the crown and anchor in findhorn today... The last time i was here i had a rather unhappy disagreement with the barman at the time and he basically told me i was barred. His madcap...

Up at Kinloss for a long weekend with friends and we were looking for somewhere for food and a couple of sociable drinks! It was decided to head to Findhorn. Unfortunately every taxi firm we tried were fully booked. Our plans were in jeopardy! So...

Wow amazing 🤩 what a transformation. Now Simon and Katrina are the new tenants it’s a friendly, welcoming great pub. What a difference. We went for a meal since we heard of the new tenants and we couldn’t rave enough about the change in great...

I can’t stress what an amazing transformation Simon and Catrina have done with this place! The food was outstanding and reasonable priced, the staff were all very friendly and welcoming and a special mention to our waitress roze who was very good and attentive! The...

Returning after 20yrs - new everything! The food was superb, the room as expected. Warm, comfortable and clean. Best bit the food!

Great hosts, looked after 8 of us on the nc500 trip,,lovely quaint country pub with great food, rooms and a huge selection of drinks, would certainly stay again :)

The Crown and Anchor is a place where I've stayed and eaten on several occasions whilst in the Findhorn and Forres area visiting friends and exploring the region, and I can always count on a great meal, refreshing beverages, and a peaceful sleep in their...

We had our wedding reception on Saturday at the Crown and Anchor, the food and service was first class, the tables looked amazing. We would like to say a big thank you to Findlay, Mandy and all the staff, we had an amazing day.

I’ve been coming here regularly now for four years, and have really enjoyed the welcome from staff and their helpfulness in always trying to accommodate us when we book meals or a room. This is a family run business and the hours of business are...

Arrived to a grumpy greeting, whilst waiting for room was given drink but told to wait outside for a hour. was informed last orders was 8 pm. WHOOPPEE DOO !!! Landlord (Finn ) messed up bill massive put another tables food on our bill and...

Thurday evening approx 6.30 asked if there were tables for food but Finlay advised he was fully booked - i questioned why when place was near empty but he he was fully booked - we passed approx 9pm to find full pub closed and locked...

Good food, good cider, the guy was accommodating and fitted us in for dinner when he was busy. We hadn’t booked so that was nice of him. I also liked the airy feel of the pub especially in these covid times : )

Sorry to say, we tried to ignore all the negative reviews beforehand as my husband lived in Findhorn between 1958 and 1970 and wanted a trip down memory lane BUT Finn you really do need to improve your peoples’ skills. Looking rushed off your feet...

We were served really nice haddock and chips in a beautiful pub, we would highly recommend eating or drinking there. Nice view of Findhorn bay from the outside seating area.

Absolutely outstanding lunch at the crown and anchor. Perfect food, large selection of drinks and the sun was shining. Sat outside staff was beyond helpful and made our day extra nice. Definitely be back!

Attractive pub with great food — including outstanding fish & chips and Buckie crab. Super selection of beers and whiskys. Beautiful setting overlooking the Findhorn River. Knowledgeable and very pleasant staff.

Loved the atmosphere of this restaurant, however we decided to sit outside and enjoy the sun. The food was lovely and very fresh. Lovely views and friendly staff. Will most certainly be back.

Love the steak pie. We often go to crown and anchor for a nice relaxed meal. We come through from Elgin. Husband love the sticky chicken and can't beat the sticky toffee pudding. So if your after good cooked food highly recommend here. Best booking...

Cant fault anything about our night out at The Crown and Anchor, the food we had was excellent, the staff were all very friendly and made us feel very welcome, one of the best places to eat in Findhorn. Will definitely be back very soon....

Despite some of the less than positive reviews on TA we thought, having eaten at this establishment some time ago and enjoyed the food, we would give it another try. We booked a table in advance for 6.30pm that evening but upon arrival the owner...

Never disappointed with the food. Drink and the welcome that Findlay and his hard working team give us. All local fresh fish on the menu, with also Scottish specials. Such a lovely homely friendly atmosphere, a must if visiting Findhorn.

The food was good...the welcome was not! Maybe the landlord was having a bad day but we won't return.

Menu was good, food was good, wine was good. Service so-so but place was busy and we know the staffing is currently in crises in the UK hospitality sector, maybe down to this.

We had a marvellous meal and the service was excellent. The staff were very friendly and efficient. Both the steak and the salmon were lovely and there was a great choice behind the bar. Will be back.

Visited this pub on 21st May, certainly didn’t receive a warm friendly welcome. The landlord was rude telling us he was closing in 30 minutes. Had unpleasant manner when asking about his whiskeys. He shouted at us for picking table he wanted for evening reservation...

We stayed in Findhorn for a week in June 22 and ate at The Crown and Anchor three times. The food was simply outstanding Seafood Platter, Mussels, Dressed Crab, Steak Pie and Chicken Curry. Oh and the cheesecake was incredible. The bar has an amazing...

What a superb meal we had tonight. Locally sourced fresh fish which was really good, followed by the best homemade strawberry cheesecake. The bar has a good variety if gins, beers and whiskies and and so much more! We certainly recommend a trip to this...

I stopped by here on a holiday weekend when Findhorn was busy with people enjoying the most fabulous weather. Half a pint. The man behind the bar was a total misery. Maybe he was short-staffed. Maybe he was having a bad day. If so, why...

Sat outside on a sunny but chilly breezey kinda day. Served quickly and effectively food was good and ample car parking space in a tight village. Can't fault it no thrills experience. 🙃

We arrived with hungry children however we were not allowed to have a high chair outside so thought we would eat in . However children weren't allowed in !!!!! As we were walking away ( to a lovely family friendly pub with great food called...

The pub and restaurant are quite attractive as a very old building. A very full and varied menu. We had basic lasagne and a steak pie. Quite satisfactory. The room was very small and toilet/shower amazingly squeezed in. However our disappointment was that we had...

Went to the bar to check in. The landlord was pleasant enough to us. There were a load of passive aggressive notes around the place which were actually quite amusing and tied in with the previous reviews. So up the narrow stairway we went to...

We popped in for some lunch with our 2 children today. We sat outside at it was lovely sunny weather. Service for quick, food was lovely. Perfect size portions for adults and children. Would definitely go back again.

What a lovely pub this is. Had our evening meal of Cullen skink to start and then fish & chips and lamb shank. Service was great, the landlord is very attentive and the food was fantastic. The fish was the best I’ve had for a...

Great pub with well kept beer & a fine selection of whiskeys, the food is out of this world. Brie wedges are to die for, fantastic fillet steak that was cooked to perfection and a very generous plate of food worth every penny. Bacon cheese...

Delicious dressed crab followed by Shetland scallops, black pudding and mushroom risotto with a creamy dill sauce. Fantastic value and great atmosphere.

Fantastic food whole family loved it. What a great selection of gin and whisky. 5/5 for service and location

Popped into this lovely pub on spec. Two lovely pints of OSSIE beer and an evening meal of haddock and scallops. Fantastic way to end a one night stay on the Moray. Friendly service and charming warm atmosphere.

Visited the Crown & Anchor on Saturday evening with the family - the food was fantastic and the service was very friendly and welcoming, will definitely be returning

Six of us ate at the lovely Crown and Anchor in the village of Findhorn this week. Good choices on the menu to suit varied tastes, well prepared and in a cosy setting with a roaring fire on a cold evening. Also enjoyed the well...

The Crown & Anchor is one of our favourite places to visit . Findhorn is such a lovely place. The food is good & the fish & chips are amazing.

Had a very nice 2 course meal will definitely be back to try there evening menu and there selection of many gins.

The best scallop dish I’ve ever eaten was served to me tonight in this lovely pub with a log-burning stove for additional comfort. The Shetland scallops were cleverly combined with local black pudding and a subtle lemon risotto. Really unusually tasty dish. This pub is...

Excellent food in a cozy setting. Wood burning stove was on which made the place very cozy. Staff were very pleasant. Food was delicious. We would definitely recommend to others.

Great food in a fantastic old pub with the winter fire burning away. What more can you ask for in a pub.

Unlike one reviewer against the crown. I have always found that the COVID rules have been followed and have been asked each time to sign in with the App.