Inver Cottage Restaurant in Argyll & Bute

Visited to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The setting on the shore of Loch Fyne overlooking the ruin of Castle Lachlan is stunning and we were able to enjoy a bottle of fizz outside our shepherds huts where we would be spending the night. After a late afternoon stroll to the castle ruins we were ready for our dinner. The tasting menu served in the evening is locally sourced and is probably the best I have ever tasted. We chose the wine pairing which was excellent and presented beautifully. After a great nights sleep breakfast is delivered to your accommodation and this is another delight. Cannot fault this place

Absolutely phenomenal - from the moment we walked into the clean, fresh and airy space we were welcomed and looked after by the front of house team. The hyper-localism of the food and drink shines through the menu - with house shrubs and kombuchas stealing the non-alcoholic show. Delicious seasonal cocktails and a creative wine list to boot. The food was next level - matching the aesthetic perfectly, I haven’t eaten such seasonally nuanced food in a long time. Local produce, perfectly served meant every plate was a joy. Rather than have separate courses we asked for three dishes to all come out at once + sides as sharing plates, rather than suffer from food envy. This was happily accommodated and we were even moved to a larger table to ensure we weren’t cramped for space. Dessert was just as marvellous - the fig leaf custard tart was so delicious, and the coffee in lovely stoneware mugs finished everything off perfectly. I couldn’t be more complimentary- 5/5 all day long. Wonderful location with a great walk to the castle and beyond to a quiet beach made it one of the best afternoons of our trip out west this autumn. Can’t wait to come back!!

Love seafood so decided to take my husband here for our anniversary only to discover that if staying just one night, you are only offered the tasting menu which is seriously NOT GOOD and difficult to even know what you're actually eating and left us still hungry at the end of the night. I did ask if we could have the other menu but was told NO. When I was still hungry I asked if the kitchen could serve us something else on the side. Again, I was told NO. We were subjected to an array of very odd dishes, all of which were of a green colour, some quite unrecognisable and all very unremarkable. Everything was served in chipped crockery but when you point this out to your waiter, you are informed that this is an eco friendly restaurant, which is a very poor excuse for using old crockery that could pose a hygiene risk. All servers wore an odd smock which looked like hospital scrubs and most needed a good a wash ( or is this also eco friendly ) You spend £300 for B&B to stay overnight in a large shed where breakfast is delivered to your room and resembles a packed lunch. If staying one night there is no choice of menu, you must have the tasting menu, £540 (inc wine) on dinner, which is hugely over rated, served on chipped crockery by waiters in dirty smocks and you're still hungry. Seriously, this place is using its eco friendly status to save itself money, cutting corners on crockery, service, breakfast, and the food of course. It's a joke! Almost £900 for the most disappointing night ever. I can only say that the good reviews are from people who just don't have a clue.

We had the most amazing lunch at Inver on Saturday, we opted to sit outside as it was a rare sunny day the view was breathtaking. For us, we really appreciated the slower service to enjoy our food and experience. It was relaxed and the Inver team made it so welcoming. We have a 4 year old with a great palate and she tried and loved everything opting to share our seafood over the kids menu. Everything we ordered was exceptional, the highlight being the crab and the chicken liver parfait special with fruit toast! Thank you for a wonderful day we really can’t wait to come back!

We booked a stay at Inver for my wife's birthday, opting for one of the charming huts overlooking Loch Fyne and a nearby derelict castle. The in-room breakfast featuring a delightful hamper with homemade bread, trout pâté, granola, compost, and beverages was a highlight. Our evening began in the cozy bar, greeted warmly by the staff. The initial canapés—oyster, tart, salmon parcel, and langoustine toast—were promising and tasty. However, the dining experience in the restaurant was mixed. The first course of garden leaves was underwhelming and poorly executed, with some leaves hosting larvae and others lacking in flavor. The trout and tomato broth was initially delightful but marred by an excessive peppery finish. Subsequent dishes, including a beef tomato in filo pastry and halibut, were enjoyable. The main disappointment came with the chicken course, which was undercooked despite assurances from the staff, leading to a discount on our bill. Desserts and the non-alcoholic pairing were pleasant, highlighted by a chance to try Scottish Tea. Although the staff were friendly, service was notably slow. We began our meal at 7 PM and concluded around 10 PM, skipping some courses due to the prolonged gaps between servings. Overall, while the setting was idyllic and parts of the meal enjoyable, the pacing and execution of some dishes did not meet our expectations for a restaurant ranked in the UK's Top 25 for 2023 and priced at £105 per head. Simple improvements could significantly enhance the dining experience.

It was a wedding anniversary present from our children, delayed because of Covid. We were grateful to Inver for allowing us to defer the booking. The setting was wonderful and the walk to the old castle a good way to set the juices flowing.. The restaurant was busy but on a still day it was a bit too warm, like the white wine. Service was a slow but we were content on our first quality meal out since the lockdowns. After an hour and a half I had to ask the waitress whether the main course was imminent. Mistake, the owner served the mains in full Basil Fawlty mode, inferring that we could not possibly have waited that long, we had. The food was good but the discomfort from the tables that left no room for my legs and the hard chairs combined with the long wait meant the occasion had lost its magic. The manager had made us feel uncomfortable and it had cost £120. We left at 3:30pm, our outing along Loch Fyne to Tighnabraich for afternoon tea had to be curtailed. Inver has the setting and the ingredients, it just needs to be more customer focused.

Another fabulous lunch yesterday at Inver. Sitting outside in the sun enjoying superb high quality food with outstanding service from Suzanna ( in charge) and the whole team it was a quite excellent experience. Overall wunderbar!

Have seen some recent reviews slating this place so was apprehensive about returning after lockdown having had a great dining experience here pre-COVID. Have to say, I certainly did not experience any of the poor service or rudeness referred to in other reviews. We were made to feel welcome and important from the moment we walked through the door. We were a little early but were offered drinks on the terrace and a chance to peruse the menu and make our selections prior to taking our table.When we did sit down to eat, aside from the food being exquisite (as one would expect from a Michelin starred restaurant of this calibre), the staff were attentive and courteous without being over-bearing, throughout the meal. And, from what I could tell, all other customers were treated with similar respect.We will definitely be returning and I would definitely recommend seeing past the small number of poor reviews posted here and giving The Inver a try!

What a treat! Exquisite food, stunning location and delightful team. The atmosphere is laid back and food is divine. Can’t wait until o our next trip to Scotland to eat here again.

Phone manned by Mr Grumpy (presumably the owner) guarding his table bookings like he's doing you a favour. Lighten us you miserable sod, Covid is over!

As McLachlans we were keen to dine at a Restruant built by a past Clan Chief and reserved a table for lunch. Arriving on time, the gentleman at the door in front of me did not have a reservation but ‘Max’ agreed to wait 20 mins so a walk in was apparently ok.We were asked to wait in the bar area whilst our table was prepared and declined a drink preferring to wait for our meal. Our ‘neighbour’ was expressing her dismay at not being able to have a biscuit or scone with her coffee, coffee alone is not always good and they had only dropped in for one.The menu was presented by a member of staff wearing what I would describe as hospital scrubs and when we decided that there wasn’t anything on it to interest us, we respectfully told the staff we would leave it for today.What followed wouldn’t have been out of place as a ‘one flew over the cuckoos nest’ scene. Total disrespect- he could have given the table to someone else/ yup you take walk ins as I have witnessed and I’m sure Max will be pleased! His animosity directed out of the half closed door continued - verbal insults from staff in scrubs is right up my street! I have now cancelled my booking later this year for one of their lodges - best decision was to walk away. Thank you so much for your boorish behaviour, you saved me £400+

Inver was the first place we visited post-lockdown and it was as wonderful as we had hoped it would be. We stayed in bothy on a Monday night, and only bothy residents were eating in the restaurant. It felt extremely safe.We had the tasting menu and it was fantastic as always; to many highlights to list ere.We had a walk out to the castle on arrival, drinks in the bar before and after our meal, a lovely restful night and the usual imaginative, tasty breakfast delivered to our bothy.Highly recmmended!

Went for lunch. Had amazing crab, onion tart, mackerel and a beautiful plum tart and coffee ice cream. Also wonderful cocktails! Nice friendly staff and an incredible setting.

Fabulous and delicious , what a lovely welcoming atmosphere: the halibut was light and divine, creative and quirky, the plum and frangipane tart with coffee ice cream was wonderful and local cheese board a big hit all round. Definitely highly recommend to anyone visiting the area and wanting a special meal out.

This is a stunning experience. Fresh, local ingredients combined into genius flavours .... it’s truly art on the plate and a party in your mouth! We visited on a Thursday night and had the tasting menu with paired wines. It surpassed the amazing meals I had at both Kinloch Lodge and the Three Chimneys. The whole place - from decor to service to ingredients to flavours - is unique and utterly stunning. Am already figuring out how soon I can go back. Would 100% recommend and would give it 6 stars if I could. The waiters deserve a special mention as the service was attentive, personalised and warm. Book now!

Loved the food, but won’t be back because of the wait staff. There were only about 7 tables and four staff on the floor for Sunday lunch and they seemed way over their heads. They seemed to be taking it out on the customers.Called to ask to sit at the bar a few days ago for an early drink because a friend wanted to go. The bar staff rudely hung up on me. Done.

Great setting, great service, great food. Full stop. Imaginative food served in a spectacular setting with friendly engaging staff. Best in the region in my view

This place is a bit out the way but well worth the journey. We had booked to avoid disappointment and I’m glad we did as the place was full. The staff were all very welcoming and friendly even through the face coverings worn due to COVID. We had three courses from the a la carte menu and each dish was nothing short of outstanding. Yes, it’s a bit pricey but definitely worth every penny. This place is on par with the Three Chimneys in Skye and cost less! We plan to return but next time will look into staying in one of the luxury lodges.

We booked a table for two online a few days in advance and went for a lovely Sunday lunch. The tables are well spaced, the staff all wore masks and there is sanitiser and good COVID protocols in place. The staff were very friendly and knowledgable. We had the courgette soup and the Loch Fyne mackerel to start, which were both excellent - the soup in particular. For mains, we each had the aged beef that was very nicely cooked and portioned, and finished with the honey cake for sharing. The setting overlooking the loch and Old Castle Lachlan make the experience all the more enjoyable. Overall, an excellent meal and all round experience - just lovely.

It is kind of hard to think of the right adjective to capture the essence of Inver. Quirky, stylish, professional, friendly, beautiful: you get the drift.To be honest Inver has a bit of all of these. The setting on the side of Loch Fyne is stunning, the ambience of the inside convivial. The staff managed to exude friendliness and professionalism even through the mandatory face covering. You can hear them smile.The food is different but delightful. We shared half of the biggest plaice ever caught, cooked to perfection and served with potatoes cooked in a garlic sauce. The only (very) slight disappointment was the absence of greens, We were enticed to order Kate's Salad, grown by Kate and comprising, we were told, the most lovely array of herbs, salads and vegetables. Guess what? It was finished. None left. Come on Kate get your skates on. We will just have to return and maybe book the salad in advance.

We have just spent the most amazing time at the Inver pods,they were beautiful,luxurious and so comfy!Dinner at the restaurant was fabulous,we went for the taster menu,were treated to an amazing variety of dishes and hard pressed to pick a favourite!Staff were amazing,helpful and informative Thanks so much x

Inver is off the beaten track but well worth the effort to get there. It has a beautiful outlook over the north end of Loch Fyne. We went for Sunday lunch which was a la carte (there is a dinner tasting menu). We ordered two specials. The first was cuttlefish in a tomato broth which my wife had. I selected the heirloom tomatoes, which although good, were diminished in comparison to the cuttlefish which was outstanding. We then shared a whole plaice with french fries. Again it was very tasty and perfectly cooked. We finished by sharing the cherry clafoutis with ice cream. Would certainly recommend this restaurant.

We had a fantastic two nights in the bothies and had both the tasting menu and wine flight one night and the a la carte the second. Both were absolutely fabulous, Rob's wine knowledge was fascinating and we enjoyed the locally sourced and foraged food which took taste and style to an incredible level. The setting on Loch Fyne is stunning and the bothies were comfortable and chic.Breakfast delivered to our door in a basket was a special treat. We'd love to go back.

Found the restaurant in a review on casual dining, rated highly for its tasting menu. Suffice to say, the menu was excellent, would really recommend trying it with the associated drinks. The head-chef hand picks most herbs and fruit from the vicinity herself, and all the meat and seafood is local, ethically sourced, and beautifully offered, while still maintaining a casual and friendly atmosphere. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. Not to be missed!

Second time dining in the evening and again opted for tasting menu with the paired wines. As previously l, everything was delicious. The tasting menu did push us a little out if our usual comfort zone but that’s a good thing. Trying new flavours or ingredients knowing Pam will have prepared them to their optimum deliciousness is the point for us! Highlights were the ‘ham custard’, the pork dish, and the honey cake. The wine pairings were excellent. The atmosphere has not changed despite COVID. Staff wearing masks but as friendly, attentive and knowledgable as ever. Still relaxed drinks in the cosy bar area before moving through for the main dinner. The atmosphere is still relaxed, calm and welcoming.

The food was quite delicious. Starting with the most delicious fresh oysters then moving on to fabulously good sausage and sauerkraut. The location is really really good but way way way above all else the waiting and front of house staff were efficient, charming and super helpful without being ‘in your face’ - a skilful balance at the best of times but especially during COVID 19 social distancing etc. I can’t wait to find an excuse to come back again. The German waitress from Dortmund (I didn’t get her name) and the barman who made us the most delicious Bloody Marys were especially outstanding.

Fantastic meal. It’s usual high standards and attentive staff. Went for a la carte this time which was very good

Wonderful food and experience. Enjoyed every aspect of this visit. Beautiful scenery, lovely pre food drink of local beer, stunning service and delicious food. Looking forward to going back!

Terrible. Not welcomed one bit and made to feel on edge by the waitress and her attitude. An absolutely beautiful setting, used to be a place that we visited years ago and loved every minute of it, definitely has changed and definitely wont be back. Was meant to be a special occasion and just spoiled our trip.

A must visit. We enjoyed a one night stay for my wife’s birthday in December. The finest of cuisine with local ingredients. A fantastic tasting menu, amongst the best I’ve had around the world thus far. Matched wines complimented each dish superbly. It’s Dog friendly and we stayed in a purpose built cosy bothy next door. The cosy fire and pre dinner drinks in the bar made us feel so very welcome. Credit to Pam, Rob and all the staff for making us feel at home and relaxed throughout. Old castle Lachlan was the main backdrop of our bothy windows loch view and the breakfast basket delivered to our door in the morning was another standout highlight of our stay.

Spent two lovely days in December staying in the bothie and had the tasting menu with matching wine on the first evening. We’ve done tasting menu in most of the top restaurants or hotels in Scotland and this was the first one where the wine actually made the food taste amazing. Normally they compliment but to make each bite more intense and bring out different flavours was just amazing. We loved the laid back, non intrusive style of welcome and service. Never felt rushed, stood over or hard sold too. They were there if you needed but felt like they went at your pace to ensure you had a relaxed time. For us perfect style of service almost more private club style really. The food was exceptional, surprising, fun, beautifully presented and explained.Second night we went with the other menu and it was amazing too. I picked too big things but loved it and my husband was sensible and had smaller plates which he loved.Now the view. This is Argyle at its best. Dramatic, beautiful, one minute you can’t see the water and next the rain moves on and you see the whole loch. The walk nearby is amazing with outstanding views and lovely way to walk off the outstanding breakfast. To sit in your own bothie with the views and be brought an interesting, different breakfast, not like anywhere else was such a relaxed and enjoyable way to start your day.We would recommend to people who want to relax, enjoy amazing but different food, love to just be and not be rushed, over fussed around and not to be pushed to spend more money. It’s not a 5 star hotel with hundreds of staff, it’s not a place where your glass is so quickly filled to ensure you buy another bottle, you won’t be encouraged to pick the most expensive things on the menu, they are there if you want advice or if you’d rather decide on your own. The choice is yours. In this type of place it’s as much about your behaviour as the people who work there - if you respect people for what they do, are polite, listen and appreciate what they are trying to do then you will have a memorable time. Leave relaxed, full and be ready to book again.On the drive to Inver - it’s amazing but not sure it’s one I would pop out for dinner to do but for an overnight which made it even more relaxing or if your are out for the day. You certainly won’t just happen to pass but if you do, you are in for a warm, gentle but delicious surprise.

St Andrew’s Day in one of the most scenic and beautiful parts of Scotland. The drive from Glasgow took about 1hr 45mins and it was stunning. Mountains and Glens aplenty, much to be happy about. Arrived just after 4pm and shown to the room. A bothy on the shores of Loch Fyne overlooking the ruins of Old Castle Lachlan. The sun was setting on a cold winters day.What could go wrong?Quite simply the food. It was poor. Considering this place is set in one of the worlds best larders the food could not have been less Scottish. The tasting menuJerusalem Artichoke, Black garlic and Hazlenut - tasteless Potato puffs - no seasoning Pumpkin and sea buckthorn - bitterCrispy Beef and farm milk - blandFour appetisers that could not have been less appetising.Mushroom, chocolate and cheese - too salty and the odd addition of grapes and chestnuts added nothingPotato dumplings and onion - gnocchi with red onion and a duck egg - tasted okPheasant, celeriac and elderberry - very nice and the southern fried pheasant breast was delicious. Unfortunately there was a pheasant leg added that was completely raw at the bone end. Then the pudding.Quince and Meadow Hay - a slice of too soft quince with meadow hay ice cream (why) served in what looked like a coffin of pastry slices. Not nice.At the end of the meal the waitress asked if I enjoyed the meal and I said no it wasn’t for me. Ok she said. If the meal was bad the breakfast the next morning was worse. Quite easily the worse breakfast I have ever had. Cold boiled egg, vile heavy bacon fat rowie ( they described this as a Scottish croissant - aye right) tepid tea and coffee served in mini flasks - just bizarre. What’s wrong with a normal breakfast?I could not leave quick enough and I won’t be back.

Been to many restaurants that should be on par with the Inver and stayed an extra night to go here. Initially we were delighted with welcome atmosphere and inventive drinks. When the food arrived initially we still had high hopes but a few problems seemed to emerge. To many flavours seemed to clash after a while, not a place where the produce speaks for its self. Halibut head was special but chorizo crumb added nothing. Kale salad, very large leaves, seemed cloying with a fair bit of cheese. Chips, poor texture. Most dishes we started enjoying but ended up being disappointed. Clearly others continue to enjoy this style, others may not. A

We went to Inver for a night away to celebrate our anniversary and it surpassed our expectations. The accommodation is perfect. Ample space, well laid out and with a view you’ll struggle to beat. The restaurant is relaxed and calm and the bar area with the wood burner was warm and relaxing. The staff are a big reason for the laid back atmosphere. Everything is done in a professional yet understated manner which fits the look and feel of the place. The food on the tasting menu from start to finish was worth the trip from Glasgow alone. Would have perhaps liked a wine course with our selection of starters as part of the wine flight but that’s just me being picky. All in all a perfect place for a peaceful night away with great food and drink.

I've been visiting Inver for years and it's been a favourite because of the wonderful food, stunning location and great atmosphere. On our last visit we were welcomed in and told to sit "anywhere you like" by one member of staff. Another member of staff appeared as we were sitting down, asked if we were dining and we said that we weren't sure yet as we hadn't looked at the menu. He promptly told us to leave the restaurant before we'd decided if we wanted to order lunch (there were plenty of tables available) and literally escorted us out of the restaurant. I've spent many years working in the hospitality industry and could not believe the arrogant and rude attitude of the staff member. We ended up ordering a coffee at the bar (a coffee that was plonked in front of us without a word by the same member of staff who'd herded us out of the restaurant). The rest of the team were friendly and professional, but they were sadly let down by their colleague's attitude.

Over the past 4+ years we have eaten many times at Inver and it never fails to impress and delight. The atmosphere is so cosy, the setting so dramatic, and the food, drinks and service are always impeccable. This visit featured their own charcuterie (including amazing nduja), potato puffs, halibut and lamb, but really you could order anything and it would be wonderful.Probably the best restaurant in Scotland.

Tasting menu was an unbalanced combination of weird dishes. Can't deny work gone in to preparing the food but this just doesn't come off for me.

Inver is in a beautiful spot well off the beaten track - down a very narrow track in fact.

The tasting menu is an absolute joy; you'll try things you've never had before, and encounter favourites but all with a twist. Really funky decor, and very friendly, good natured service. One of the top restaurant experiences you can hope to enjoy.

Little doubting the beauty of the location, though there's no shortage of that on the West Coast, but we were left underwhelmed by what was a poor experience for the money.

Having read Diana Henry's account of a meal here in 2018 I have wanted to eat here ever since. We booked lunch for six to celebrate my husband's birthday. We wren fortunate to visit on a beautiful suny day so we could really appreciate the stunning location.

Located on the shores of Loch Fyne opposite an ancient castle. Views and surrounding area beautiful. This little gem hidden away and off the beaten track was a wonderful surprise. The staff were attentive and gentle explaining their menu, which is updated daily according to the fresh catch, with herbs from the grounds were super fresh. Their food is prepared with care and delicious, even changing the ingredients to fit our needs. If you are not in a "take-away" style speed, sitting in the charming bar and drinking a cocktail or beer while waiting for the orders to be prepared is just pure enjoyment. Time to talk and chill-out. We enjoyed it so much we returned for the same experience a day later. Thank you team - I wish you great success.

GREAT PLACE GREAT FOOD GREAT STAFF/PEOPLE GREAT VIEW BUT BOILING IN THE HUT, UNUSUALY BLASTING HOT WEATHER SO THEY ARE OFF THE HOOK VERY SEA LOCH JUST NICE AND THE IPA BEER IS DELICIOUS!!!!! DAVID AND MAUREEN

After eating at over hundreds of Michelin’s star restaurants all over the world. This restaurant is at the bottom of the list! Your restaurant don’t deserve a Michelin Star. With a restaurant of this standing you expect a level of service and creativity that is absolutely second to none. The food should take you on a journey from course to course that provides both excitement and exhilaration that sets it apart from other competitors. It didn’t even come close. It was utterly disappointing. The Choices on the menu was so limited n regrettably was told it’s unavailable, 3 different fish dishes which we had hope to try was told it was sold out, one after another . So only choice left was Ray, grilled served with a anchovy’s sauce which was rather Un-enticing bland and uneventful…There was nothing new here. meals are uninspiring and there is no passion or exiting experience in them. The taste is average and certainly not exquisite or wow. There is no delightful colour, no surprising creativity, no classic mastery or passion. The cooking style here n choices are unfortunately disappointing. Please do not bother to reply instead take the time n use it for better management n enhance some culinary skills.

We came across this lovely little place on the way back from our holiday in Inveraray, fabulous! The atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed and the staff were all very chatty and helpful. It was a lovely day so we sat outside in the sun overlooking the Loch and the castle, glorious! The meal was just right with most of us getting the mackerel and chips, delish. Then the oldies sat with coffee watching the kids walk to the castle. Lovely - will be back x

Don't be put off by the journey required to get to Inver - worth every mile and more. This place is a world class restaurant with outstanding food and brilliant service. The team could not be more helpful or knowledgeable - amazing pro-activity. The best salad I gave eaten anywhere on Earth - just shows how awful most are ! The food was really outstanding from start to finish - inspired ideas and cooking. And with an amazing view over Loch Fyne and Castle Lachlan. The new accommodation units have what must be one of the best outlooks anywhere. Do not hesitate - make the trip to this faultless place.

Having tripped over this little eatery we were so pleased at everything from the food quality, menu design to the views from the banks of the Loch.

I had booked a bothy as well as the tasting dinner - which I was very pleasantly surprised they would do for 1 as many restaurants restrict it to minimum of 2 people. From start to finish it was superb. The staff were friendly and helpful at every stage from booking, arriving to check in, through dinner and next morning at breakfast and check-out. Personally I would prefer to have an opening window in the bothy other than the bathroom one, as I like fresh air at night and the bothy is very well insulated. That's a very tiny complaint for a wonderful stay.

My husband and I had the Taster Menu last Saturday evening .We were blown away by the consistency, outstanding quality and presentation of each course . The staff were so welcoming, professional and helpful. The whole experience was one we will never forget and possibly is the best eating out experience we have ever had. Thankyou to you all at Inver Restaurant because it comes across how much you care and the diner has a 5 star experience.

Just wow - combining food, service and location that is second to none. I can't wait to go back. It's off the beaten track but well worth the trip.

Having read in the times about this location for open water swimming / camping /eating. We pitched up and were not disappointed. What a great location for an overnight stay. Left the teenage kids in the motor home whilst we went for an amazing evening dinner.

We had an excellent night away here, staying in one of the bothys. We had a great welcome and were surprised at how roomy the bothys are with an absolutely lovely view (despite the rain) of old castle Lachlan. The rain stopped for 30 mins to allow as a lovely walk to the castle and back. We relaxed in the bothy listening to the record player and then time for dinner. Dinner was absolutely stunning and the service was top notch. They really have a great team of people here. My favourite course was the ray and the bobotie was fantastic too! The next morning we had a lovely unique picnic basket delivered to us for breakfast and the sun had come out too. We not hesitate to recommend and would love to return again.

Ate at the Inver with family. One of the best dining experiences ever. The food is exquisite: so packed full of flavours and elegantly balanced with a focus on local produce. The service is attentive and the location beautiful. If you love eating and value excellent service you will be in your element here!

The food we had was generally really lovely, well presented and lovely flavours. However there was so little of it we had to come home and raid the fridge. So accordingly a very expensive snack. We also had the wine flight, which again nice but at an average of £10 per glass and not a particularly large one. Hence I wouldn’t recommend it- just have a bottle of wine. The setting is beautiful but in certain seats you don’t get a view. The evening was very warm and there wasn’t air conditioning, so a little uncomfortable. The staff were very pleasant. With a few tweaks this place could be amazing

On the banks of Loch Fyne on the ancestral grounds of Clan Lachlan, in spectacular Scottish sunshine we had another special lunch to remember.

A bit off the beaten track (well, for us Londoners), Inver is well worth the drive if you are in the Argyll area. We went for lunch to Inver, in its fabulous setting on the shores of Loch Fyne.

My husband and I booked a night in the bothy and the tasting menu to mark our anniversary, having heard wonderful reviews about the resatuarant from our friends. The bothy was fabulous both in terms of the location and the facilities. The meal however was a real disappointment. Whilst some of the food was very tasty there wasn't enough of it. The real low point however for us was the total lack of customer service and rude attitude we encountered from staff. We barely touched one of our dishes of ceviche fish with shavings of raw cauliflower. On collecting the plates the manager asked if there was a problem and I tried to politely explain the dish was possibly a little too "outre" for our tastes (the menu did not specify the fish was raw). The response to this was to be advised that perhaps we should have gone somewhere else. This is simply not an acceptable way to speak to paying customers and this general dismissive/laissez faire attitude really detracted from our overall enjoyment of the experience.

Remote, breathtakingly beautiful location on a single track road on the quieter side of Loch Fyne. They have wifi but no mobile phone reception or tv. The luxury 'bothies' with stunning views of the loch, mountains and castle, have everything you need for a relaxing, comfortable stay, including king size beds & vinyl lps - good taste in my opinion - Nina Simone, Coltrane, Neil Young, The Kills etc & in the restaurant, even Aidan Moffat. Breakfast, continental in style but on a grand scale, was delivered when requested to the bothy in a lovely basket. Everything home made & for the most part, locally sourced. Dinner. As you will see from my profile, we have been foodies for a very long time & will go far in search of good food, even driving 40 odd miles for a decent fish supper. I don't really rely on michelin but have eaten in 2 star establishments that are nowhere near as good as this place. Service was welcoming, relaxed & informal. Some of the dishes were mindblowing & as good as we've eaten anywhere. The halibut dish was incredible, with a side of a croquette made from the skirt, served with a dulse mayo. An apetiser of cockles, sealed with a smoked mussel juice gel, looked and tasted amazing. All dishes perfectly executed, seasoned & presented with a high level of foraged & local produce & little waste with use of parts normally thrown away like heads, skirt etc. It may not be everyones cup of tea but we loved it & the whole experience made it one of the best days/nights we've ever had anywhere. It's remote but if I lived locally, I'd be a regular. Fabulous.

Beautiful setting overlooking Clachan Castle on Loch Fyne. We enjoyed the tasting menu. We found all courses to be varied and flavoursome. We were served by a very friendly and attentive Irish girl who is an asset to this restaurant. Thank you!

We stayed here for my birthday as we had read a lot about the restaurant bothies and we were not disappointed.

As birthday present my partner got me a stay for two in a bothy with dinner. After booking and having some travel itinerary complications we decided to cancel the booking in which Inver refused to give us our money back. According to their booking policy if you cancel 28 days before stay they will give you a full refund and so we did, we asked for a cancellation on the 27th of June for a stay on the 26th of August. They took all of our holiday money and even if you go by the book and cancel as the policy states you would not get your money back. Absolute joke. More to question Rob Latimer has not being useful on getting down on an agreement for a refund and it most cases all the communication about it was very hostile.

This is a wonderful restaurant. The decor is elegant and contemporary, with a scandi-feel (lots of natural wood and all about the light). It has a beautiful view of the Loch with seats outside. We ate freshly caught grilled mackerel from that day which was more delicious and mackrelly than anything I've had before. We had a cauliflower dish which was summery and light but also complex and unusual. And we had crab which was huge and meaty. The pudding was a take on a malteaser and was wonderful. The cocktails were also superb.

Extraordinarily late(thank you for resurfacing roads and leaving 10 miles of loose gravel between ferry and restaurant...) the reception was warm and unfazed. Seafood and the summer bean special were superb. Excellent.

I had been following Inver on Instagram for a while (thanks to Diana Henry) and knew if I was in Scotland I wanted to make the effort to get there. It did not disappoint. Service was impeccable, the delicious foods made with local and foraged produce were lovely, my camomile, nettle, mint and gin cocktail was amazing. Enjoyed oysters, langoustines and a local sausage dish. Had to get the chips and they were yummy. I loved the rustic-modern minimal aesthetic which was so comfortable. Flower display in the bathroom much appreciated! For me, this was a win. My dietary restrictions were also taken on ably. The local taxi service is highly recommended to get you there and back if you're not staying at Inver but are staying locally as the roads are single track. Gorgeous views of the loch.

It takes some time to travel here, wherever you are staying, but it is worth it! When you park your car, and see the old small castle ruin across the water, you know you are in the right place! The restaurant itself nothing special, tables are small, seats are not that comfortable, but boy is the food good! We started with Squid and Oysters, and had Halibut and Pork Chops as mains. We even had space for desserts, an Almond sorbet and cheese. The only disappointment was the bill. It contained 2 bottles of wine, where we had only one, and we had to discover that ourselves. They should have known 75 pounds was not what we had... The bill was corrected, but no sorry or anything.

We all read ‘Tripadvisor’....we hope to gain insight....we don't want to make a mistake....

We're lucky enough that our family have a little place down the road from Inver so we get to visit a lot. Such a fantastic little restaurant. Incredible food time after time with perfect wine pairings. Pre dinner cocktails in front of the fire, or outside overlooking the stunning views of the Loch depending on the season. Staff and owners have always been so friendly to us whenever we've been in. Also brilliant accommodating food allergy's. If you're in the area you must come, and if you're not, travel to eat here!

The location is great and coming across this restaurant appeared to be a treat, the Michelin sicker suggested something special- need to make sure the staff understand what that means. We were the only people there and a more uninterested welcome could not have been given. The menu looked great and we would have returned but the second member of staff was even more disengaged than the first. Too long to go into BUT decided after a coffee we were not going to give our money regardless of how good the food might have been to an establishment that had a very laissez faire attitude to customer service.

Visited Inver Restaurant for lunch. Restaurant is located in a beautiful location seemingly miles from anywhere. Lovely view across Loch Fyne with a ruined castle across the way.

Great location with wonderful views but lacking in atmosphere inside and the standoffish staff were a little underwhelming. The dining room chairs were uncomfortable and two hours later, they were definitely uncomfortable! The dishes were all well described but then there was a wait, a long wait before the mains (no starters ordered) arrived. The halibut off the days “special” menu was delicious as was the pork and lamb dishes but the latter two were served tepid as were the chips. The lamb, beautifully cooked, was served with a nettle sauce and a side dish of shoulder of lamb with ewe cheese which was really lovely. The pork, served pink, was also delicious and beautifully presented and served with a miniature port pie which I enjoyed. The shame was that they were served cold, like they had been sitting waiting in the kitchen for the halibut to cook. No-one asked how are mains were until after we had finished and at that point I mentioned the cold food. This was accepted without comment and the server departed the table. It was not mentioned again until after I had paid the bill, including a 10% gratuity made at my volition, when one of the staff said that he had meant to make a 50% reduction in the cost of our mains which he subsequently did as a refund to my card. He said that I should have commented at the time when the food arrived but I said I didn’t want to disrupt the meal that we had waited for by returning two mains to the kitchen for reheating of recooking. I was then made to feel the villain of the piece for exercising my choice not to disrupt our lunch which I did not appreciate. The rebate was correct in the circumstances and accepted though it had not been looked for, but to argue the point with a customer was un-necessary. The cooking was fantastic, the presentation beautiful, the use of locally foraged botanicals interesting and some of the flavours over powering like the mint in the mint ice cream. When I don’t read in reviews about staff attitude, slow service and cold food, we will be back.

My wife & I popped into Inver for a snack lunch. The setting looking out over Loch Fyne and Castle Lachlan is stunning. We only wanted something light so ordered nettle soup. When it arrived I must say my immediate reaction was to think that the presentation was pretentious- a bowl containing strips of crispy potato, sliced baby new potatoes, a poached pheasant egg & a scattering of edible flowers plus a a handless jug contains the soup accompanied by excellent freshly baked sourdough bread. However, the reason for not simply producing a bowl “pre-mixed” became apparent: After adding the soup to the bowl, the crispy potato strips subtly changed consistency as you ate the soup. The result was the best bowl of soup I have ever had. The rest of their lunch and evening menus looked interesting and if the soup is any indication would be outstanding. Certainly intend to give it a try when next on Cowal Peninsula.

We loved our 2 nights here. We stayed in one of the bothys. #1 has the best views over Loch Fyne. The food is astonishingly good. The ethos is local, high quality ingredients cooked perfectly. Dining is casual and really relaxed. We loved wandering along Loch Fyne, visiting the ruined castle and just watching the tide cone and go. Staff are lovely and friendly. Currently sitting in our bothy watching the sun set over the Loch having had a lovely meal - doesn’t get much better than this

The views are fabulous and the service was very efficient and friendly which created a very relaxed atmosphere. We ate from the a la carte menu and thought the choice quite limited - 3 starters and 3 mains with a couple of specials. The starters were fabulous and sadly the mains didn't reach that level which was disappointing given the hype around this restaurant. Not sure I'd make the effort to go back.

A poor cold welcome from disinterested staff. Catalogue of issues: Pot of tea, but no tea bag or tea leaves in it (just lukewarm brown water). Lunch booked for 1.15 pm, eventually taken to table and 1 hour 15 minutes later still waiting for first course. Eventual explanation was chef had burnt the starter "pasties", had to start again. Subsequently personally delivered by chef with her joking we could get better at Greggs! Main course uninspiring. Every dish (and I mean everything) covered in small edible purple flowers. Main course cooked but served tepid (Pork), other guest dishes more interesting. Felt ignored by staff unless heavily prompted, although quicker when bringing the bill. The replacement pasties were FOC as were some nibbles to fill the 1.5 hour wait (thank you for that). Toilet a disgrace; gents seat had "waste" on it, no towels to dry hands, all a bit shabby. Front patio entrance area frankly dangerous, broken and unsecure slabs. Long way to travel for sad experience, with national challenges in the casual dining arena perhaps operating on a shoe string (if the shoe string had been served it would have been covered in small edible purple flowers). Never again.

A little gem set in wonderful scenic countryside.

manager was very rude to a member of my family. The location of this restaurant is beautiful however the disgusting attitude from the manager in particular will ensure I, my family and friends never return to this restaurant again. Would rather starve that sit in the same vicinity as such a vulgar miserable person, it’s shocking he is in a position to manage staff when he has no customer service or communication skills.

Could anything be more wonderful than to dine at Inver Restaurant, to eat fresh, delicious, beautifully prepared food while outside the stars rise over Loch Fyne and old Castle Lachlan? It is a place of magic, and I love it.

I’d been keen to try Inver and finally visited with a friend as its the kind of dining we both love - interesting dishes that you couldn’t cook or conjure up yourself with a seasonal, local and foraged influence - I was not disappointed!

We came across this restaurant by accident on Sunday and decided to stay for lunch - I had the brown crab and my wife the langoustines; both dishes were very good and whetted our appetite for a return visit for dinner this evening.

We went to Inver for lunch on a Wed afternoon. There were not many other guests there, but we had at least a 10 minute wait to get a drink. Then had to ask for menus. The wait staff seemed a bit unfriendly. The menu was small and odd. I had lamb sausages which were good, however they came with wild onions only... no mash or veg. Meal was over priced for what it was. Only saving grace is the great location and views.

We had the most delicious dinner in the restaurant, all locally grown and fresh, really inventive menu and wine was delicious. If you like fresh fish this is the place for you! Bothies are tastefully decorated and breakfast is delivered to your door in the morning for you to enjoy whilst looking out onto the incredible view. Cannot fault this place and will definitely be back!!

We took a 60 mile round trip by taxi on a recommendation and were really disappointed. We tried to chat to the owner and waiting staff and got really condescending replies. We really didn't feel comfortable there.

We stopped here to get our bearing and discovered a gem of a restaurant.The food was superb as was the staff

We booked dinner on our final night staying at Castle Lachlan, a 10 minute walk away. Menu was discussed and emailed ahead of time so we could sort out special requirements. Nettle soup to start was outstanding and will take some beating as my favourite soup. Main was roast lamb, cooked to perfection though not all the accompanying dishes were to everyone's tastes, the quality of cooking was excellent. Pre-dinner drinks and wine were from a good selection and reasonable compared to most city restaurants. Service was friendly and engaging and we all left very happy with our experience. Thanks to Rob and the team.

At Inver we ate some amazing food - excellent ingredients cooked expertly.

Was recommended to try Inver and was not disappointed. First class food, beautiful location and a splendid atmosphere. We also stayed in one of the four "bothys" which simply reinforced the great experience. Dinner was high end dining and what could have been a little pretentious was in fact great food put together in an imaginative way. staff were knowledgeable and helpful and there is a quirky line in background music.

Had dinner last night. All a bit pretentious but can’t fault the food. Said they could squeeze us in yet there were empty tables! Friendly staff but meal took 2 hours for three courses but nice atmosphere so it wasn’t a problem . Lovely wine selection and exceptional location. Not cheap in comparison to the other restaurants we have visited on this holiday but overall worth it.

Fantastic experience, great food, great service and great fun. Breakfast is unique and a great way to start your day.

We went just before Hogmanay as a treat to end the year on. Unfortunately, despite promising early reviews, it seems like Inver's reputation is already a little out-of-date.

Having previously eaten lunch at the Inver, we were really looking forward to our overnight stay in one of the four bothies recently completed. We certainly were not disappointed.

We both ate here and stayed in one of the bothies and were hugely impressed by both the food and the accommodation.

Stayed overnight in the accessible bothy. Very comfortable and amazing views. Lovely meal using local produce in the restaurant, and fantastic breakfast next morning delivered to the bothy. Highly recommended

My sister very kindly gave me a voucher to visit the Inver restaurant and its "Pod" like "Scandy" rooms located just on the other side of the burn from the restaurant. I was a bit skeptical about the whole thing as I had read some rather derogatory reviews saying the service was poor and the welcome a bit on the cool side. When I arrived some of this was confirmed as the gentleman I spoke to seemed a little cool. However I realised pretty quickly that it was because I had not read the arrival timings correctly and arrived at two on a day the restaurant was closed and the rooms not available till 4pm. He had every right to be quizzical! We returned at half past four to be welcomed and taken to our little pod which was warm and comfortable with a view onto Loch Fyne, a river, ducks and Castle Lachlan, even at night we had the twinkling lights from the other side of the loch and the light from a small lighthouse on a rock in the middle of the loch. Breakfast was served in the Pod, something others should learn from. I much prefer being able to slob about in the morning rather than having the formality of the "breakfast room" and the possibility of desultory conversation at a time when I just want food. The breakfast comes in a basket and you put your order in the night before. OK it is not full English/Scottish but there are some interesting choices, fresh bread, granola, cheese etc. you will find something to tempt your taste buds, all delivered in a basket to your door. The room also has tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary blackcurrant vodka Mmmm! Not much of that was left.

Much less than the sum of it’s parts. Fish did not taste fresh and the portions where small. The hospitality was sadly lacking. Not in my Argyle top 3.

We went to the Inver for a special occasion. We were really looking forward to it having read the press reviews. Now here is where tripadvisor is actually useful. We were initially perplexed about why the owner had taken an instant dislike to us. Anti-English comments, to ignoring and avoiding our table. We were told off when we asked for the paired wine, as we’d already ordered wine. Which we wanted. Similarly when we asked for a fork as it had not been set out for one of the places we were also told off. The list goes on culminating in some of us hearing an extremely loud sigh and the owner making rude comments he was glad when we left, thinking we were out of earshot. We had wondered what we had done to deserve this, but reading the reviews here it appears this is the normal attitude of the owner. Rude, surly and a mood hoover. Clearly the business model of the inver is working well and they don’t need anymore customers. We would have spent more on drinks, cocktails and probably come back had we been made to feel welcome. Otherwise the food was good in parts and needed improvement in others, for a meat course one pork rib between two, to share, on a shared plate has to be exceptional for such a small portion! It wasn’t. The setting and the restaurant space are lovely. The food a work in progress. However the most important thing about a restaurant, feeling welcome, good service and an enthusiasm about the food are severely lacking. But it isn’t personal reading the rest of these reviews. Only go if you like paying over the odds for someone to be rude to you, repeatedly, unrelentingly and undeservingly. Hopefully they will eventually read some of these reviews and improve front of house. It is too great a location to waste, and the female chef seemed so nice.

We have been in the area for more than 25 years and have seen the place lie empty and forlorn. It was great to see it come back to life and we were frequent visitors as the cottage is lovely and is cosy when fire is lit. In summer the garden area is glorious. The view across the loch is stunning. The previous folk ran it so much better and the food was actually tasty! Now sadly, front of house staff are a bit unfriendly and could be more welcoming. For us they just try too hard to be different and when you get down to it their food has no substance is pretentious .....and choice is somewhat limited. The sourdough bread is delicious I will give them that, if a bit pricey. It was so much better when the previous chef was there, proper recognisable ingredients, good Scottish food which is what most folks are after. The chef comes out now and then to serve a dish to some lucky table (!) when she realised she was serving one lady in our party who has Downs Syndrome she couldn't cope and put the plate down and ran off back to the kitchen, disappointing! A lovely place gone to pot! Better off at Botanica in Tighnabruaich where the food is to die for!

First things first.. superb food, delicious and well executed - beautifully presented, stunning. We are really happy we made the drive out to Inver today (from Luss). As some folk have mentioned before, the front of house team were a little on the surly side, could have done with a smile or two :) but over all well worth a visit - be prepared to wait a while (if you are with children, take a card game or books (we forgot!), the food is lovingly prepared and it takes time.

We came to see old castle lachlan and stumbled upon this restaurant. We just had a coffee but we will definitely be back. The staff were really friendly and helpful, the decor was cool, interesting and homely and the setting was just amazing. Highly recommended.

The positives were the food, the decor, the music and the drinks. The partridge terrine was fabulous with damson chutney/ jam. The halibut was beautiful with mussels and a smoky mussel sauce. I enjoyed the samphire but the “sea spaghetti” ( seaweed) was tough and hard to chew. We had the cheese to finish which was huge and I’m glad we decided to share this. The disappointing part was the service, the staff could have been more welcoming. I didn’t feel they were that pleased to have us. We will go back and give them another go though.

I visited this in October with my 2 sisters and the food lived up to its reputation. It was creative, used local produce and had truly delicious flavours delivered by a very talented chef. The front of house was hugely knowledgable and I liked the way he talked you through each dish when they were placed on the table. The restaurant was simple and had a slight Nordic feel which was nice. And the location and views.....well you just have to visit to see for yourself.