The Captain's Galley in Highland

Fabulous building - really interesting features and atmospheric . Food was fantastic (late lunch/early dinner) - small menu but plenty to tempt. Starters and mains beautifully presented and tasted every bit as good as they looked. Definitely will go back on next trip. Staff gave lovely warm and friendly welcome.

If there’s a better evening to be had, I haven’t found it. From the moment you step inside, the place hums with quiet confidence – warm, inviting, and just indulgent enough. The service is faultless, present but never overbearing, like they know exactly what you need before you do. The food? A revelation. Each bite feels like a small triumph, the kind that makes you pause and nod in quiet appreciation. The ambiance wraps around you, soft and decadent, as if the room itself is encouraging dessert. If you’re nearby, don’t hesitate. If you’re not, make the trip. It’s worth it.

The most amazing food. A great selection of seafood and meat. Fresh, fantastic flavour, generous portion sizes, I literally can’t find anything wrong. Highly recommended.

Very attractive inside( we were in the barrel vaulted room).Scallop starter was gorgeous, Mackerel Caesar Salad excellent too.DH’s Oysters were top notch (second only to those from Port Askaig on Islay , his standard against which all are judged.) Bavette steak was nicely done.Chips were a bit odd…coin sized slices of potato, some a bit overly crunchy.Disappointing. Sticky toffee pudding was nice but tasted more of chocolate rather than toffee. Menu - could have been a bit more extensive re shellfish.I didn’t like some of the combos…not sure a fish as good as monkfish should be served in a curry; couscous as a side always puts me off too.A bit more traditional, simple accompaniments to fish would have appealed to me more.eg creamy mash or quality chips or dauphinoise.

Absolutely bloody delicious. Whole Lobster, Cod Green curry, beef fillet all amazing and so well priced. Don't waste your time eating anywhere else in the area

You must visit this restaurant, the food is exceptional, good size portions, quality ingredients and excellent value. The staff are helpful and attentive, what more could you ask for.

This place is amazing welcoming to everyone I have been away from for a while tonight we went to THE CAPTAIN GALLEY and they were playing a local South African song and it is not the first time I went there and heard South African song the service is aboveboard they cook for your soul the atmosphere is everything not to forget the lovely stuff who goes beyond it all thank you for a lovely evening

Went here while in the area for work, lovely setting for a meals, staff were lovely and welcoming, the food was top notch, would highly recommend a visit if it the area,

Its unassuming exterior belies an incredible experience within - excellent service and incredibly taste full food. The marinated beef starter was just mouth watering as was the halibut. Very much value for money - and on my return list

We started badly by arriving 20 minutes late but they were fine about it. Nicely decorated restaurant in the heart of the ferry port. We skipped starters and went straight to the main, with haddock in a sauce for my wife and duck breast for myself. Both were excellent as was the reasonably priced bottle of rose wine. We finished with two affogatos which were great. Not cheap but overall and excellent meal.

Would not return as they charge big city prices for small portions and although the Scallops and Hake were good the chips were few and far between and were crispy like overcooked frozen crisps. We paid cash and the staff had no change!!!! The outside of the property needs a good tidy up too hence only 3 stars here.

Ad oggi è stata la cena migliore della nostra vacanza in Scozia. Il punto di forza è il pesce, fresco e di qualità, cucinato in vari modi e con risultati eccellenti. Consideriamo che non siamo in una località di mare italiana ma nell'estremo nord della Scozia! I tempi di attesa sono stati un po' lunghi ma ci sembra di aver capito che questa sia una costante nei ristoranti scozzesi. Costi proporzionati alla qualità delle materie prime

Strange setting in the harbour as it all sounds quite twee and romantic until you see the harbour. But forget that and get inside for some really good food, drink and service. This restaurant was recommended to us by our hosts at a local B&B and we were certainly not disappointed. From the overall ambience, welcome and service was excellent to a great table and then treated to some of the best fish around. I am not a great fish eater but decided to embrace my choices for the evening. Great decision as I had hake and cleaned my plate. All four of us had a great meal and evening and would highly recommend to all if in the area.

Monkfish katsu curry was amazing, followed by crème brûlée lovely. Lovely staff and chef. If we’re ever here again we’ll definitely be back, thanks

My husband is from Thurso and we made a trip up north together for the first time in many years. We used to visit an established nearby restaurant but looking at the menu online and hearing other's experiences we decided to try The Captain's Galley instead. What a treat! We were early as had wrongly assumed there was a bar, however we were accommodated with a smile and had a drink in another area. Once in the restaurant we were very impressed by the setting and atmosphere. A really beautiful room. Every bite of our meal was delicious and the service was friendly and efficient. We will certainly be booking on any return trips to Caithness.

A little pricey but the food served up was of good taste and quality. Service was ok but not any more than that. A little slow and some attention to detail lacking but I’m sure could be improved with training.

Thanks to them, first, for fitting me, when they were fully booked. That being said, that's no surprise as the area offers such a limited choice of restaurants. Even this place is not really Thurso, it's Scabster - which, while it calls itself Thurso, is a long 40 min walk outside Thurso and public transport is all but non-existent - particularly on a weekend. If you live here, you probably have a car but, as a tourist, well, you're screwed. Ok, that's more comment on Thurso but, perhaps, helpful if you plan on visiting Thurso - don't. To the restaurant, EXPENSIVE - and I'm from London. The food was good but it they are far from justifying the prices in this area. I'm from London, so I think I can comment fairly accurately. The oyster starter - 3 oysters and nothing special, at all, with the 'sauce'. The main - I had the redfish - I'll give credit here. A decent portion and the taste and sauce were good and the fish was cooked well. I'd actually say, quite a decent dish - the price, though, in this area and considering how hard it is for a tourist to get to - they are ripping of the locals something fierce and must have Swiss bank accounts. I can see zero justification for London prices in this area - but there's such little choice in this area - and they obviously know it. I got a lift from a [very kind] fellow patron, back into 'central' Thurso - there's no taxis. Boy am I glad, I probably would have slept in the gutter rather than face the 40+min uphill walk back. Choices of restaurant in central Thurso - EXTREMELY limited, same with pubs. Sorry, I'm just most disappointed with my trip here and wish that someone had said what I'm saying before I booked. If you visit Thurso (please don't make my mistake and stay here) then this is a decent seafood restaurant but far from anything exceptional, though you will simply have no choice but to (somehow) get there and pay London prices.

Perfect food. I had the steak, my wife had the seafood taster. Friendly service. Interesting place - the old ice room. Recommend.

My wife and I had been trying to have dinner here for about 4 yrs, and finally managed to get there on a gorgeous sunny spring evening. We couldn't get here because of rhe extended waiting lists and covid, also our trips north were often last minute things. Simply, the waiting was well worth it. The menu isn't extensive in comparison with more commercial venues, however the quality of the food served was exceptional. My hake.main course was divine. Predominantly seafood, however there were Sunday roasts available. Portion sizes were really good and service wasn't hurried. Waiting staff were very friendly and accommodated my wife's gluten intolerance with ease. Pricing was very competitive. We are both looking forward to our next visit.

We are travelling the NC500 and this was recommended. Great food and great quality. Portion sizes large so unexpected, would definitely recommend. Not what you expect from the outside. Parking nearby but too small for a motorhome, we parked at The Weigh Inn having visited there for lunch and walked down.

Last night of a short trip. A meal to celebrate, scallops and turbot were both delicious. Comfortably full and no need for a dessert. Staff very nice and helpful and the decor very subtle.

The restaurant is under new management and as good as ever. A restaurant in the most unassuming place but with the most wonderful food and absolutely excellent service. Highly recommended and worth a detour.

Arrived for lunch with ex colleagues expecting the regular menu, however the restaurant was offering a special Greek week menu ! Wow! What a fabulous lunch… we had several of the small sharing plates - which were absolutely delicious!! Great advice from the friendly waitress about how many portions would best suit us. We were too full for dessert but the chef accommodated our wish to finish with something sweet by offering us mini chocolate brownies with our coffee! So enjoyed by us all …. can’t wait to go back soon ! Thank you all at The Captain’s Galley!

I booked well in advance for 20 people for my 60th birthday …August 2023.I confirmed a couple of weeks before and advised not open that day but as booked in diary they would honour it.we all arrived at weekend I called and went down just to confirm exact numbers .place shut ..so 15 th august arrive in a bus at 1.15 for lunch not open..I cannot express my feelings ..20 people ..hired bus ..we were from the USA and England… Since that ruined day I have called ,written and left messages to speak to the owner but have had no response.I just need to clarify who took the booking and who a week before agreed to it as my 60 th was ruined..take the name and pay a deposit I would hate this to happen to someone else ….a long way to come for a birthday lunch . Poor customer service

We were in last night for a 50th birthday meal with friends , the food was magic , service was superb , the waitress was brilliant also

Excellent ! Nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir à manger dans ce restaurant au cadre original, la cuisine est raffinée, la cuisson et la qualité des produits sont excellents. Et, la mousse au chocolat TOP ! Merci beaucoup

Incredible, fresh, local seafood. Such a delight to find. I enjoyed a scallop appetizer and a crab claw special, with local beer and a berry-and-ice-cream dessert. Attentive but not obtrusive service and I felt very comfortable eating solo.

We visited twice during our recent trip to Thurso and although the food was very good, unfortunately the service was not of the same standard. There was no friendly welcome on arrival (the staff just stood and looked at us!), we were taken to our table and given the menus but no offer of drinks or water, no one asked if we had enjoyed our evening on paying the bill. Before being offered drinks, I was very abruptly told that I could not have the bread because of my nut allergy and they could cook me a gluten free roll but this would take a while. This made me feel that my allergy was a nuisance to the staff. However, the food was good, tasty and well cooked which is why we returned. The menu is fairly small and doesn’t appear to change regularly although we found there was sufficient choice. The scallops with tzatziki were delicious, a very interesting dish. We both loved the hake dish with panko breadcrumbs, leeks and cheese. Cocktails were excellent too. The restaurant is housed in a beautiful old building, we ate in the grain store which had a lovely atmosphere. This would be an excellent restaurant with the benefit of staff training.

Delicious food, good service and a great atmosphere. The Cod Loin followed by Hake on a bed of crushed potatoes and leeks was magic.

This is literally an oasis in the wilds of northern Scotland. We were warmly welcomed by friendly and accommodating staff before sitting down in the restored ice house to enjoy a superbly cooked dinner. The menu offered a selection conundrum such that we had to return the following evening! It is hardly surprising that this is a favourite haunt of Thurso locals. Highly recommended

What a wonderful dining experience. The food was just amazing and the service excellent. From starters to dessert we loved it all. Highly recommended. We had a great time - so will you!

Hebben ond verheugd op verse seafood, helaas blijkt de zaak gewoon gesloten. Volgens hen website en trip advisor zou de zaak gewoon open zijn vanag 1200

La location molto accogliente in un ex affumicatoio proprio sul porticciolo di Thurso, personale gentilissimo e piacevole. La cucina strizza un (troppo forse) l’occhio all’Italia e alla Spagna… chorizo nel pesce, melanzane e parmigiano, ecc… però nell’insieme la cucina è piacevole e le materie prime di buon livello. Particolare attenzione viene dedicata alla sostenibilità dei prodotti usati quindi meritano nell’insieme 4 stelle anche in considerazione della poverissima offerta gastronomica locale.

Situated in the Harbour at Scrabster and under new ownership this little gem offers a superb menu of freshly landed Scottish Seafood. Great background music, friendly staff and a fine selection of beverages. Food it top quality with great attention to detail in the presentation. Loved our lunch £80 for 4 of us and worth every penny. Highly recommended.

Went for dinner as a birthday treat from my brother and sister in law. Monkfish tails were perfect, followed by the most beautiful fillet steak. The panacotta was just the perfect ending to a fantastic if not the nicest dinner ever! Staff were fabulous and a visit to the table from the chef just showed how much he cared. Well done Jody and the team We will be back xxxxx

Excellent food, friendly and attentive staff and an atmospheric interior. A most enjoyable evening meal.

In the icehouse, spacious and clean and interesting ! The choices were great and the food quality was excellent ! Especially enjoyed the oysters as they were prepared exactly how they should be ! Service was excellent and the staff were very friendly. We had a brilliant meal and would not hesitate to go back ! Thank you very much !

This was the end of two week holiday of Orkney & Thurso. We wanted a special dinner to celebrate our holiday and saw the trip advisor recommendations. We had an excellent meal and experience. The intimate ambience of the restaurant, the friendly staff who could not be faulted in any way. The food was absolutely delicious and good value for money. It made our last night in the Highlands very special, a big thank you.

Found this restaurant by accident, what a gem. Dont let the outside appearance put you off. Housed in an 1800s ice house storage for the fish, simple but elegant. The food was fresh, delicious and very well presented. Staff very friendly and helpful. Good value for money.

My partner and I decided to visit Scrabster because the choice of eating places in Thurso is poor. We hadn’t booked but we’re offered a table immediately. The staff were attentive and polite. The food was sublime. We had Scallops for starter. My partner had...

We had a fantastic meal, perhaps the best meal out ever! The seafood was so fresh but for non fish lovers there are delicious alternatives. A hidden gem.

Went with visiting friends for Sunday lunch. We were all very impressed, lots of choice, we had starters of a delicious aubergine dish also tasty tender calamari, mains of sea bass and also monkfish curry. Proper homemade apple crumble to finish. All dishes were well...

Great meal after a very long and VERY cold day traveling by ferry to the Orkney island of Mainland. Service was very good: timely, not rushed. Food was wonderfully prepared and beautifully plated. This is a perfect place to catch a meal when you get...

Absolutely loved eating our way through the seven courses. Beautiful cooking and interesting uncommon fish. Good wine. Very welcoming

5 stars!! Amazing food with fantastic flavor you can taste the freshness in ever dish. Service was very good. This place needs a Michelin Star. Chef is creative and passionate about using locally sourced ingredients. FANTASTIC!!

What a brilliant find. We had booked in for an evening meal and especially asked for the seafood platter main. We were not disappointed. A bit pricier than indicated on website but what a fantastic meal. Great service too in a lovely setting. Our thanks...

We used to love coming here for its quirkiness and superb food …. Now the service is in the capable hands of delightful local youngsters and the food is still superb. We had the calamari which was tender and delicious. The turbot was just perfectly...

Don’t be put off by the unassuming exterior, a real pearl awaits inside. We blew in at lunchtime on a very blustery Friday and were given such a friendly welcome. We were given a table in ‘The Ice House’; what a fantastic room, a really...

Absolutly amazing ! We can highly recommand a stop at this faboulos restaurant. The food was delicous and service very friendly. The chef Jody Sinclair knows what he's doing. We definetly will be back. Thank you so much for a wonderful lunch.

If we keep going back to the same place each time we visit and this is it then it must be good, and it is. Great Harbour views, we have even caught a seal swimming round on one occasion, watched people fish and all the...

We an absolute delight this was, fully expected great things before going out for dinner and this did not fail to deliver, great service amazing food!

Traveling throughout Europe we can't stop but compare everything we eat as fish with what this Chef has offered us in November. It was not only the dishes with fresh fish and seashells but also the atmosphere and the kindness and the personal attention of...

Went for a family celebratory Sunday Lunch. Excellent menu choice with mains of roast beef and pork, fish dishes including monkfish and turbot and veggie option. All served with tasty vegetables. Everything our group had was enjoyed very much, and the service was also first...

This is the first time we have visited since the restaurant changed hands. I am very pleased to report that the food is just as brilliant as before. With the previous owners it was a limited choice 4 course menu that as we get a...

The food was beautiful, the staff were brilliant, excellent value, the setting is very nice and relaxing, we will definitely be returning.

Excellent food, fresh, nice atmosphere attentive chef, pleasant and friendly staff. Beautiful authentic location.

The Captain’s Galley is under new ownership. I visited a few years ago when it was owned and run by Jim. The food was very good then and when I booked this time I hadn’t realised he had retired recently. I’m very pleased to report...

Oh my. What a meal. Came with my parents, sister and brother. 2 had the Oysters and Mam had the figs as a starter. All were delicious-my sisters first time trying oysters. 4 of us then had the lobster and crab claw and one had...

Excellent seafood ! We shared the mussels, scallops and smoked salmon starter and they were amazing ! This restaurant is a hidden gem and well worth a visit ! Great service and staff were very friendly :)

Great food and great service Tough to criticise anything about our evening - the menu was spot on, the fish was obviously straight off the boats and the general service was very friendly

Wow! Got here just before 12 and managed a chat with the chef who was just finishing todays menu. Amazing location looking out across the port,inside the restaurant the decor gives you a hint of what you're about to eat, they've put plenty of effort...

This place is a hidden gem. The seafood is astonishingly good. Couldn't be more fresh - we had monkfish scampi - amazing.

Being a lover of seafood I had wanted to eat here for a long time & for my 60th birthday my brother gave me vouchers for The Captain's Galley. We booked in advance which is something I would recommend you do if you want to...

A little Gem, not only is it in a great place for a visit to the info centre it has great views, the food is fantastic, always fresh and tasty. The coffee is the best for miles and miles.

I haven’t reviewed anywhere for a long time, but this place thoroughly deserves a mention. Best meal for a long time. Excellent produce cooked excellently. Only one evening sitting at fairly early times. Make sure not to eat any lunch…

I booked this restaurant as a highlight of mine & my friend’s NC500 tour. I had read so many excellent reviews that I was sure we would be impressed. Not so and no reply yet from direct private review. The staff were nice young women...

A simply incredible culinary experience. The meal felt like a journey. Absolutely delicious - would thoroughly recommend.

What a fabulous meal. The best seafood you can imagine and a passionately knowledgeable chef. Easily the best meal we’ve eaten in Scotland

My wife and I are driving the NC500 and visiting my childhood home in Orkney, stopping at different hotels each night, and making this a gastronomic tour as well! For our stay in Thurso, we booked a table at this unique restaurant and we’re so...

On arrival we waited 10 minutes at the door of the restaurant to be welcomed. When shown to our table we were given bread but dietary restrictions were not catered for and no menu's were given at this point. Whilst waiting for menu's and a...

You're in for a treat if you can get a table here as Jim and his team cook stunning fish, so fresh it almost jumps off your plate! I agree the menu can be a bit confusing with 4/5/6 courses on offer but we just...

This restaurant had come highly recommended. Love their commitment to sustainability. The lobster bisque was divine, and the scallop dish was outstanding. Excellent service, lovely decor. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a wonderful evening!!! Fantastic ambience in the restaurant, fairy lights and the log fire. Lovely friendly staff, including the owner. The wine was delicious, and the food!!!! I can't stop thinking about it! Just tasted amazing, We will recommend this place to everyone we...

The location/setting is amazing and I love the sustainability aspect and ethos of this place, even the nice information about their sources in the menu. Unfortunately, the experience was tainted by miscommunication. We ordered a 4 course meal, under the impression we would get an,...

There’s something fishy going on! Any bad reviews relating to The Captains Gallery are unjust Don’t take our word for it Pitch up! We had a fantastic meal…

Visited in the middle of a wild storm. Easy to park right outside, greeted at the door and seated promptly at our reserved table. The service throughout the night was pleasant and prompt, friendly but not intrusive. The food was delicious, cannot fault it. The...

Best fish and chips in Caithness - maybe even the highlands. Crispy tasty batter, good chips and don't feel like you've down a pint of oil after. You're a fool if you go up town for a fish and chips.

This was our second visit to the Captains Galley—the first in 2016. We returned to the Thurso area primarily to dine here again. It is a small, simple, very elegant place on the busy Scrabster harbor in a converted ice house. The highly imaginative seafood...

Most of the actual fish we had here was amazing, and I cannot fault that, but the mussels were not cooked right - some overcooked, some under cooked and a lot of them did not open (bad mussels), the choice of menu was poor, as...

Return visit to outstanding local hotel where the food doesn't disappoint. We decided we would like to eat in a local restaurant based on the locality and the produce available. Scrabster was an obvious choice for seafood and after reading reviews and online reports, Captains...

This restaurant had been recommended to us. We had our meal in the conservatory area as the main restaurant was being refurbished. That did not diminish either the service or food quality which was quite excellent. We had a fish, recommended by the owner, which...

Took my reservation and then cancelled it (despite speaking to us several times) because we didn't give a credit card number in response to an email we never received. Completely unacceptable policy that nobody makes you aware of. A tiny bit of communication from them...

Had a fab meal here in the seafood bar. My husband had long wanted to visit and having planned a route around Scotland that took us this way I’m pleased to say we weren’t disappointed. The surroundings are quirky but very atmospheric and the small...

If you want fast food don't go here, it takes time to be this good, sustainability and a conscience costs a little more! I have been waiting to get back for 3 years and it was worth the wait and every penny, thanks to Jim...

Simple but outstanding! Quality food simply served but locally sourced so so fresh.Four well balanced courses with appropriate choices .Timing spot on …not rushed but enough time to enjoy and savour the meal ! I had the hake my wife the sole a neighbouring table...

We recently stayed in the area for 2weeks and ate at lot of local establishments and takeaways and had a great food and service most of the time. We decided to get fish and chips from the Seafood Restaurant on the penultimate night following a...

The website for this restaurant sold us the dream but the reality was very much underwhelming. We arrived to find a much smaller than expected space which admittedly upon closer inspection of the website is actually pretty clear that they are using the sister restaurant...

Oh dear - what a disappointment. We advised that we were not in main restaurant as they we following social distancing measures. Fair enough we thought. However the seating was not following the guidelines they were supposedly following. We were seated in an annexe, which...

When we often travel to coastal areas we always look for a seafood restaurant and we found a gem here. Every course was prepared and cooked to perfection. Not only that the chef/owner Jim could tell us not only which boat the fish came from...

Been meaning to try out this place for ages, finally did it., we were not disappointed. We had the prawn scampi and chips, lovely. The crumb on the scampi was light but crunchy, succulent inside. Will definitely go back. Service was spot on too. Thank...

Simple and sustainable If you are expecting fine dining, this place is about sustainable local fresh fish and seafood and with that there is a simplicity to it! We ate twice and both times we had good quality and simply handles fresh sustainable food. It’s...

Amazing food for a birthday celebration. Service was excellent and great choice to be had in these current times. The passion and commitment of the owners comes across in the experience we had, great evening. Not to be missed if in the area looking for...

On arrival I was asked if I wanted a drink. I asked for the wine list. I then asked for a menu so I could choose the wine. “I can’t give you a menu until the kitchen says I can” the waitress replied. 45 minutes...

While being on holiday in this part of Scotland wanted to try locally sourced sea food and this bistro came up as highly recommended. It might be different service for sitting in but for takeaway it was quite shocking experience. Very rarely I give such...

The food was very good, tasty local seafood. It was a little expensive for what it was. The staff were attentive. The style is almost aggressively shabby chic. The raised but setting looks out on the backend of the ferry port. Which has a sort...

As it was after the second lockdown, the opening hours limited and dining restricted to seafood bar. The food was well locally sourced and well prepared. The wine list was limited & very expensive for the quality. The menu was restricted to set 3 or...

Husband and wife team make the atmosphere special and his cooking, combined with super-fresh seafood make this a must-go-to restaurant.

We were advised that the restaurant was closed and were happy to visit the adjoining seafood bar. However we were limited to an expensive set menu, despite the website saying that the seafood bar offered more cost effective choices. The choice of drinks was terrible....

It may have been a shack but the food was 5*. The fish paella, fruite de mer & oven baked hake were excellent, waitress’s very attentive & a visit from Jim was a lovely touch, monkfish gougons were delicious. The whole experience was unique and...

The Captains Galley is closed for now but we were very happy to be booked into their adjoining Seafood Bar, having seen the tempting menu posted online and outside. The Good:- lovely staff and service- good scallops- good lemon posset and strawberries The Bad:- the expected Seafood Bar menu was not available - instead a rather expensive and limited choice of dishes more suited to the Captains Galley itself.- very draughty and cold. Something the staff did their best to ameliorate with extra heaters- none of that elusive “atmosphere” that makes a great evening out.- rather meaty and flavourless John Dorey and Hake.- nothing from the rather excellent looking takeaway menuSo overall £90 that could have been better spent at the nearby pub restaurant