The Captain's Galley in Highland

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

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!

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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

Ye ha back on top form, Excellent scampi and chips, well worth the drive, go get some. And the young lady who runs in and out serving to waiting cars is a missive credit to them.

Am I wrong, but do you think the chips are over done, I don't expect them to be so over done! I would not have been happy to serve these chips, but someone thought they were acceptable to go, probably knowing the customer had traveled a fair way and when they get home- to late. For us it is 44mile round trip. This was the third time we used them, all the food before last night was excellent quality, that's why we travel so far. So I hope the 'it'll do' 'send it out 'attitude is short lived and a one off. Will give them one more go.

We visited this little restaurant quite by chance. Situated near the ferry terminal, offering sit in or takeaway, we were delighted to sit in at just a moments notice.This quaint little restaurant was the perfect haven to taste the most beautiful fresh seafood we have ever had, with an incredible selection. I had Lemon Sole, while my partner had scallop scampi, and even enjoyed with a glass of wine with mymeal.The desserts were equally as delicious with a home-made sticky toffee pudding and a delicious lemon posset topped with fresh cream, all freshly made on the premises. Both the waitress and the chef chatted with us at our table and made us feel very welcome. We would highly recommend this little gem and will definately return to eat in the main restaurant when they finally get to reopen. Thank you for making our little break so memorableJulie and Ally

It's certainly not a resturant that will get passing trade as its situated right on the docks...a little online research will pay off here. Unfortunately the main restaurant is currently closed however the owner gave us a sneek look inside this fabulous looking old building (the perfect setting for a fish restaurant right by the port) and takes you back 100's of years...the little seafood shack next door seems the ideal stop gap and creates a real authentic seafood cafe right next to the boats bringing your fish in...it beats any roadside fosh and chips in the Country...really friendly owners who engage with the guests making for a genuinely fantastic experience all round.

Booked here from recommendation! Did not disappoint. Well organised. The waitresses were lovely amd attentive. Asked for recommendation for my fish and chips and she was able to recommend an amazing choice! I just cant remember the name! The chef/owner then came out to tell me it was the freshest fish!!! Highly recommend!

From reading other reviews we were excited to try this restsurant and booked well in advance. The menu looked good but the portions were not. Two tables comllained their paellas were very small portions. And they were. The half lobster was delicious but again very small. I was surprised all was served on polysterene plates. Why- when real glasses and knives and forks were provided. The waitresses were very nice but didnt know that white wine should be srrved very cold - and it was not. I had to ask for ice in my G &T. If i went again i would order the Fruits de Mer at £45 which would easily serve 2 people and it looked delicious. I would love to come back again to try the menu after being disappinted this time.

Booked a table within 24hrs. Girls were amazing, efficient and polite. Situated at end of harbour, has a car park, plenty of people waiting for take away orders. Everything fresh from that days catch, Langoustines were exquisite, rivalling the ones we had on Gigha. Just a fab evening considering the strange times we live in. Well worth a visit, definitely a highlight of our journey.

Excellent fresh seafood. Ordered the platters so managed to try a whole variety. Superb tastes and presentation.The owner went out of his way to find some mussles which were absolutely delicious.

Myself, wife and daughter came here to this atmospheric fantastic little restaurant .The Oysters were some of the best I have ever tasted. We found the service very good and even the chef came to our table to discuss the locally Caught fish and beautiful oysters.We found the COVID precautions to be very good and we felt very safe.We shall return again when we are back in the area next year.

It is in a shack but the sea food was excellent and the service friendly. We enjoyed oysters, langoustine, mussels and crab claws. All served on disposable plates. Quality of food wonderful and inexpensive!

We had booked in to the Seafood Bar which had opened up early, especially for us. My wife being vegetarian had not warned them in advance, however the chef came in and discussed this with her and came up with two beautiful dishes, a starter and mains. I selected the hake which was cooked to perfection. The staff were brilliant throughout, my wife was stung by a wasp whilst waiting and this was quickly dispatched by the waitress, there are no wasps on the menu.

Staying near thurso for two weeks had herd the food here was good. So inline with supporting local outlets and after being out for the day turned up on spec. No tables, which is fine but they then offered to do takeaway... Great. But in the three minutes to check the menu., and taking someone else's turn up order... Would not take ours. Was told an order would be a long time. Asked how long as was happy to go have a drink and return... Just told a very long time. All I can surmise is that they don't want non locals ( perhaps the aberdeen accent put them off) Plenty of other good places to try....I'll post some of their reviews. Would have been happy if other orders would not have been taken or told up front phone orders only... Do yourself a favour and go somewhere else

I was disappointed for a few reasons. The main restaurant was closed as they said it was hard to heat in winter so we ate in a summerhouse type building which was laid out nicely but we had to walk outside in the rain and wind to go to use the toilets in main building, which is not suited to this level of expense. The menu was very expensive and although we love fish and the fish was good, there wasn't much in way of vegetables or salad to balance flavour. No fruit on cheese board either. One waitress was very nice but very inexperienced/ poorly trained. We had to ask for bowls for our mussel shells and something to clean our hands. She didn't clear bread basket and didn't know what was in the food to explain menu.There was another chef/waitress who was very good, knew menu well and was very helpful The bill was not itemized at the end and it all added up to a slightly strange experience.I do not recommend going due to the cost not reflecting the experience given.

Small quaint restaurant. We stopped for an early dinner and were welcomed by a friendly staff. We were traveling during the end of the busy season and were the only 2 in the restaurant for the 1st half of our dinner so the staff had time to chat with us which we really enjoyed. Dinner was fantastic. Tasty oysters and the fish was so fresh. The paella was delicious.

The most delicious, fresh and fantastically presented seafood. Super friendly staff and every menu item looked great - you’ll have difficulty choosing. Don’t drive by this great spot. You can look out of the window to the harbour where the fish is landed.

Fantastic tasty Hake and chips in a unique setting looking out at the harbour. Totally quirky cafe/restaurant serving the most delicious fare. Don't miss it.

A hidden gem in scrabster harbour, not the usual place you’d expect to find a restaurant of real quality, there were 6 of us eating including a fussy pescatarian and a child, and we all found something that we would enjoy. The staff were very attentive, and knowledgeable, and all of our choices were very tasty!

Have just had the most wonderful evening at The Captain’s Galley. Right from the moment we walked through the door when we were greeted personally and made to feel both ‘at home’ and very well looked- after. This is not just a seafood restaurant, but a seafood experience where you can find out from the menu just where off the Scottish coast your dinner may have been caught, and indeed what local fishing vessel may have brought it ashore. Mary and Jim the proprietors and ‘front of house’ and ‘cook’ (his words, not mine) respectively, are a lovely friendly couple. They clearly run this place because they love what they do, and they do it brilliantly. Food was divine.

I really can't recommend this place enough, Mary the host is just fantastic, we felt like we had known her for years, so warm and welcoming, nothing was a problem.The food was so fresh and perfectly cooked, Jim the head chef speaks to every table which is a nice personal touch.They are clear about what they do, local fresh fish cooked well, don't go there if you don't like fish as there is nothing else on offer, when it's so tasty why would you want anything else ?Great to see so many persona; touches and passion, it really comes through, i wish it was closer to London as it would be the place i'd take my friends to.

This is a very small family run restaurant, very friendly staff and lovely fish,but beware there was nothing for a non fish loving partner to eat on the menu. Not cheap but the fish was very good and flavourful.

The food was tasty and the menu was interesting. I would recommend the market fish; the menu was personally a few pounds over what I would expect to pay.The problem: between the main course plates getting taken and our pre-desert being delivered was over 50 minutes. Even staffing issue but it was quite obviously a ridiculous wait. If you are paying the premium for the meal experience, which one is there, you should get the experience!Having apologised for the delay we were once again left waiting another 20 minutes for the bill (as they got deserts ready for a table that arrived around an hour after us). Nothing was offered to make up for the frustrating waste of time, a simple sorry is not enough when you have sat there for an unnecessary hour. We left grumpy which is not what a £70 per person meal should do.

We were warmly welcomed by owners Mary and Jim and crew. They quickly had a drink in our hands in the cozy lounge. The seafood is so fresh, Jim had just filleted the cod for my dinner - Pan roasted cod and scallops. We dined in their beautifully renovated ice house. Definitely a memorable experience on our Scotland adventure. By the time we left to walk to our B&B, we felt like family!

We had read the reviews before visiting but they don’t convey the hospitality you receive from Mary, Jim and their team, the ambiance nor the delicious food. Everything was delightful from the pre dinner drinks, lobster bisque amuse bouche, Ling entrée, saithe and scallops main and lemon posset to finish not forgetting the cheese board! All locally caught and sourced and made all the better with the passion Jim and Mary have. Definitely a place for a return visit!

Superb restaurant only using local products from right in the doorstep, highly recommended The service is superb, the food is award winning, Excellent