The oystercatcher in Highland

Our fourth visit over 10 years and never fails to impress as some of the best food we have eaten anywhere. Cracking atmosphere and every time you are felt to be very special by Susan. Just a delight to walk through the door in anticipation of a culinary delight with many surprises between courses. Sheer class and just understated excellence. The pinnacle of our eating experience!

Have being trying to get here for a couple of years. Will keep it simple, absolutely superb meal, really don’t need to add anything else.

Three return visitors and a Newby foodie from Glasgow. Excellent meal, service and value as expected.

You cannot get a more unique dining experience. The food is fabulous, the service is impeccable. In addition to ordering a one, two or three course meal, you are servedt a bread basket with special butters, three mini courses - we chose smoked salmon pate, soup in a tiny cup- mushroom or cullen skink, asparagus with hollandaise or oyster in a frozen bloody mary and a palate cleanser mid way. We had a view of the beach, Dornoch Firth, Northern Scotland beyond and passersby the window. Sounds of the sea were piped in with the occasional cry of a whale and the faint sound of rolling waves. The dining room is filled with bottles (of any kind of liquor you could imagine and nautical curiosities. Beautiful mermaids and sea animals painted on the walls. The food is beautifully presented and tasty. I had duck leg confit with walnut and my husband had smoked salmon starter and then seafood thermidor. We shared a side order of french fries with duck fat mayonnaise. For dessert I had a trifle with drambuie cream and fresh raspberries. To die for. We have visited Dornoch 5 times and every time we get a reservation at the Oystercatcher well before our visit. We wouldn't miss the experience. Very special.

A fantastic fine dining experience. Highlights included oyster in Bloody Mary, scallops and the lobster. Fantastic service also

Four of us went off chance to the Oyster Catcher and had the most memorable meal of Lobster and white wine finished with 6 of the marvellous selection of Whiskies Luckily the stairs to the bedrooms were not too steep and the beds were marvellously comfortable Breakfast of fried quails eggs I will never forget Great place Pity it is 750 miles from where we live on the South Coast of England

Amazing food. Cullen skink was extraordinary as were the duck fat chips. Lobster was gorgeous. Beautiful location, fab whisky selection

Unbelievably good food! Wonderful dining experience with so many delicious extra touches from a very imaginative and skilled chef. Homemade breads to die for and a mind blowing wine list. Tremendous value for money!

I have not had a better dining experience or meal in all of Europe. Everything about this place was better than expected. Fresh, exquisitely prepared food, wonderful (albeit miniature) tastings included with each meal, a whisky selection that could rival any place I’ve seen anywhere, and they were welcoming and accommodating to kids. Susan, the owner and wife of the chef, may seem pushy or uninterested, but I actually think she’s more kitschy than anything. She was wonderful! Go here…you’ll not be disappointed.

Probably the best stay in this ‘restaurant with rooms’ that is humanly possible!! Every small touch made this a very special place, from the ice machine by the bedroom to the nibbles at 7pm FOC, the meal itself was incredible - worthy of Michelin. The wine and whisky list is 106 pages!! Honestly, this place is astounding and we can’t wait to come back!

12 gents on a golf tour in the highlands and we booked this beautiful spot for dinner. 20mins drive from Tain, It was heaven. Susan arranged the menu prior to our group arriving mixture of tasters, 3 starters, 3 main courses and deserts. Firstly what a lovely warm welcome, the restaurant a small cottage overlooking the sea and we had a private room for the group. The room was like an aladins cave with items relating to the sea and surrounded by bottles of whiskey too many to count. The tasters, smoked salmon pate, oyster with bloody Mary, cullen skink and peach sorbet. Starters, Cullen skink, scallops with blackpudding and pate Choices of hot bread Mains Lobster, Shellfish Thermidor and Braised Vennison Shank Served with Crispy chips cooked in duck fat "yummy" Deserts Creme Brullees, white chocolate mouse & rasberries, ice cream drowned expresso & a liquer of choice. The selection of wines was excellent everything for everyones budget. The food was just first class, nothing was any trouble for Susan and we were made to feel so welcome. Susans husband is the chef and at our request he appeared for a rounding applause for cooking this very special meal. I cannot recommend this restaurant, Susan her team and the Chef but, you must book well in advance espcially if you are a group. The experience for everyone in our group is something that we will remember for a very long time.

Visited The Oyster catcher on Wednesday night. Fabulous food and service. The tasters offered in addition to the main menu gave yummy surprises. We will definitely be back when in the area.

Everything about this small establishment is unassuming. The service is fantastic and the food is out of this world. The have a really extensive wine and whiskey selection. If you are ever in this part of Scotland please make the detour to have a wonderful meal!

Fabulous meal - so pleased we made the effort to visit! This was one of two meals we booked way in advance of our visit to the Highlands. Amazing food, amazing views, wonderful service & an all-round brilliant meal. Only disappointment was that we were too full for dessert! Would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves seafood especially.

This was our third visit to this rather unique restaurant. Set on the sea front the cooking is old school cordon bleu. Service is fast and efficient and there is only a set menu with 4 or so choices for each course. Be prepared to be well fed, portions are generous and filling. \the quality was good and we enjoyed our meals. They have an amazing wine list and whisky section as well. The owners do the chef-ing and the service between them. You must book as they only take a limited number of diners. We will go back as we enjoy the food, the view and the whole experience.

Just ended holiday week with Dinner at The Oyster Catcher which was excellent fro start to finish. The hospitality was great and food excellent, best meal I have had for years. We had Oysters, Scallops, Lobster and Venison Stew - all were fantastic. Would highly recommend and look forward to coming back when they reopen in 2021.

A very warm welcome, the butters were very nice and home made, the tasters were gorgeous and refined followed by the delicious sea food, an absolute treat and would highly recommend. The range of wine available was impressive and the array of whiskies were vast.

Just had an amazing dinner here. The best scallops I’ve ever tasted and the lobster was cooked to perfection. The inside of the restaurant has that unique individuality you rarely find these days and the service was spot on! If you are ever near Portmahomack and looking for an excellent seafood experience then I highly recommend this restaurant! Great wine cellar too!

It was a very enjoyable experience , the food was amazing - not the two / three courses you order and pay for but about 7 including all the freebie extras . Great food, lovely touches - excellent service. Seven of us from two households enjoyed it tremendously - and it’s great value at 50 - 60 pp including our drinks thanks so much Chef and Catherine

This is a quirky little restaurant that would be quite at home in the 1970's. The starter is preceded by several little tasters - all delicious. The actual starters struggled to compete but we're still lovely. The sorbet to clean the pallet was fruity but not sweet - again delicious. The main courses were excellent, especially the walnut haggis.Very good quality food at a very reasonable price.

We found this restaurant by chance, fortunately were able to book a table and went without many expectations - it is in a small village on a tip of a peninsula. We were astonished by the quality of food. Every single thing was perfect. From the various tasters that included rhubarb sorbet made from rhubarb from their garden, hot-smoked salmon pate, two types of home-made butter, freshly baked buns... through fresh oysters for starters and then the mains - lobster stew and baked asparagus.Even the fries were perfect, dark, crispy- possibly the best I ever had.They have a jaw-dropping wine collection - I think it's about 800 wines? And single malt whiskeys.The lady who served us, maybe it was the owner, was lovely and she showed love for food.We can't wait to go back for this incredible experience. Oh, we also got 20 GBP off our order because of the EatOut scheme the government introduced;)

We just had the most fantastic meal at the Oystercatcher. Delicious seafood - a brilliant range of lobster, oysters and scallops in a range of dishes. Unbeatable wine and whiskey selection too. Even more enjoyable because our group of four got £40 off our meal due to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme! Additional features - dog friendly, excellent attention to covid-19 precautions, free little appetizers and palate cleansers between courses, practically everything was homemade including the bread, butter and rhubarb sorbet!

This is a little gem of a restaurant we went last April and have just booked to go again this April fabulous food and service highly recommended

Mio compleanno, per festeggiare degnamente veniamo in questo delizioso locale.La signora ci tratta malissimo dicendo che non ci sono tavoli.Peccato che siamo passati li davanti un paio di ore dopo ed era metà vuoto.E dire che non abbiamo la faccia da teppisti.Veramente peccato!!!

Had dinner with 4 friends and stayed overnight. Our room was very clean and comfortable, with some nice touches like home-made biscuits and a bowl of sweeties. Dinner was just fabulous - starting with a complimentary glass of very nice Chenin Blanc and plates of nibbles in the bar while we chose our meals. Portions are large, so don't over-order, but every meal was exceptionally good. Grapefruit Morangie was a treat and the Coquilles St Jacques were the best I have had. For main courses, Im was spoiled for choice, but settled on the Bouillabaisse and was not disappointed - rich tasting and full of delicious lobster. My wife had the Walnut Haggis, which she declared to be better than the vegetarian haggis at the Ubiquitous Chip - praise indeed! With all the other Amuses Bouche etc that came to the table, we had no room for dessert, which was a shame, but a superb meal all round. Above all, the welcome and service from Susan, front of house, and her husband as chef was exceptional and made this one of the best places we have eaten at, anywhere. It's a real shame that they are selling up and retiring, and I just wish that I had found this place years ago.

The Oyster Catcher as its name suggests is mainly a seafood restaurant.The menu is relatively small but the food is excellent the taster courses were great.In fact the only down side is that is is not open all the time and you need to book it is not currently open to walk-in customers.Well worth booking if you are planning a trip to the area

To describe this resturant is very easy: wonderful seafood and beyond wonderful experience! Susand and Gordon are worderful hosts in a very cozy location. Everything was impeccable! Best we have found in Scotland and not only!

The thought of this place ever going from Portmahomack is too distressing for words. This is, without doubt, the best place I have ever eaten and going back (possibly for the last time) was strange. Excitement of the highest level but tinged with a true sadness that it may well be the last time we get to enjoy the fantastic experience of eating here. Once again, the whole evening was a delight in every way and the food was (as we fully expected) of the very highest order. Susan, you are a great host and your Husband, well, he has prepared the finest meals my wife and I have ever eaten and for that, I offer our true thanks.

We had the most fabulous meal here - the freshest seafood, accompanied by may extra amuse bouches. The service was fantastic, friendly but not intrusive and the wines were perfect. The lovely couple who run this place are retiring next year so get there if you can.

Wow! Seriously one of the best meals we’ve ever eaten in a lovely restaurant with gorgeous views and amazing service.Several amuse bouches of superb quality. My husband had lobster and I had sole meunière- both top notch.The owners are looking to sell up so hurry along before it shuts!!

Portmahomack is a little of the beaten track, but the Oystercatcher is well worth the effort to visit. Delicious, off the boat fresh seafood, cooked to perfection and served by the owners. The menu is fantastic, and the wine list is extensive and for all budgets. This was my first visit but I would go the extra mile to visit again........simply fantastic experience with stunning setting.

My group and I were blown away by the quality and inventiveness of the dishes in our multi-course meal. We were a group of 12 sophisticated diners and travelers. It's small so they closed up except for us.From the seafish thermidore to the duck confit, and chips fried with duck fat, it was an amazing tour de force.I'd eat there again if the couple weren't retiring in 2020.Go while you still can!

Eher zufällig bei der Reiseplanung entdeckt und durch die bisherigen Bewertungen neugierig geworden, haben wir zwei Nächte hier verbracht.Den Tisch zum Abendessen haben wir gleich im Voraus mit gebucht.Die äußere Erscheinung ist eher schlicht, aber die Lage direkt am Meer und die Zimmer mit vielen kleinen Details, lassen die Erwartung steigen.Was wir als Abendessen erleben durften, war einzigartig!! Das Können des Hausherren in der Küche und die stilvolle Präsentation durch die Chefin ist ein Traum. Alles perfekt und einfach genial. Da wir gleich zweimal das Abendessen gebucht hatten, wurden extra für uns die festen Bestandteile des Menüs geändert, so dass wir nichts zweimal serviert bekamen.Als ob dies nicht schon genug wäre, hatten wir am nächsten Morgen zum Frühstück die Qual der Wahl aus einem Frühstücksmenü auszuwählen, welches wir auf unseren bisher drei Schottlandreisen, nirgendwo auch nur annähernd, so gesehen haben.Um es kurz zu machen, wenn es einen Grund gibt nach Portmahomack zu reisen, dann ist es der Oystercatcher. Unbedingte Empfehlung!

This is a find . Very unusual place but well worth the trip

Janie1969 (the previous review) is spot on. This place is, well, creepy. They present as a five-star restaurant — with a wine list few of those could muster (how about a $5,000 bottle of 1950 Petrus?). But our group of six were only the third table being served. The place smells . . . moldy? And Susan (who works hard) goes through the motions without really listening. You’re told to expect superb dining from the chef, her husband (never seen). But after an amuse-bouche of smoked salmon in a clever ice-cube cup, the food deteriorated. I’ve never had “mushy” lobster before. This place is in a time-warp. I couldn’t wait to leave. One of our friends described it as the worst restaurant he’s ever eaten in. And the price was . . . very high. Avoid.

I and my wife returned with much anticipation...….and WOW!. Personal service begins before we even arrived in the village. A phone call from Susan the morning of our visit alerted us to the fact that due to fishing conditions, Lobster would be limited this evening. First question was, would we like to change our booking to the following day? Answer, No thank you, we are happy to eat in the manner that everybody used to i.e., whatever is available is the way it should be. I love this level of attention, it would have been so easy (but not the Oyster Catchers style) to wait till we arrived and tell us at that point. Why do they do this? Because they care! They care about what they serve, the way it is served and the customer. To say that eating here is an experience is true in every sense of the word. You feel like you are the only people who matter in the entire world and that however good you think your experience was, they somehow wish they could have made it even better. I don't think it would be possible to improve the Oyster Catcher. It is the way that service used to be in high class establishments and for me, that is what makes it such a special part of our trips to this stunning part of Scotland. The wine list is extensive as to the seemingly endless choices of malt whiskey. When coupled with the truly wonderful food offering, one must conclude that a little gem has been uncovered. Every little detail is taken care of from the butter they serve with fresh baked bread to the 'farewell' on departure. A wonderful couple making sure we do not find true service and great food consigned to the history books.

What an experience this restaurant was!!! Absolutely 5 star plus the food is out of this world, if your up this way make sure you book a table, this place is not to be missed!!!!

We wanted to book for the Friday, but were told that it wasn’t possible as they open when it’s convenient for them ? So we booked for the sat evening. When we arrived, we were told that there were other diners. This place is the most difficult that I’ve reviewed. The entertainment value would be 5* but the food is definitely a 2 ! We have much better in Essex, for a fraction of the price. We really thought we were in a Victoria Wood stetch. We were given a wine list that looked like a novel? Too much choice for such a small place. We ordered 2 bottles of wine , 1 great but the other, you wouldn’t put of your chips ! Hubby had a mouthful but wasn’t drinkable. Later we discovered that we we charged £5 for the privilege?. The menu doesn’t seem to have changed in years as previous reviews share the same menu. We were given 3 amuse bouche before our 1st course ? A little strange. The soup was lovely, and the salmon was ok, but the tiny prawns that were supposed to be over smoked potato skins were pointless! The bread with flavoured butter was nice. The starters well one was ok , but the Bloody Mary oysters were horrible. 3 oysters in ice ! Almost frozen ? The lobster main wasn’t great , definitely had better and the 2 desserts were disappointing. The lady serving was like Mrs Overall ! Didn’t listen or took our issues on board. We were told by some locals that they don’t use this place, and we would see why, and we did ! Definitely won’t be returning, the bill was £200 ??? So expensive for what we had as the portions were big . We had 2, 2 courses and 1 , 3 course. We also had to pay a £25 deposit before they would accept our booking .

If I was to die today (which, hopefully I won't) I would do so knowing I had enjoyed the greatest seafood on offer in a pure, unmolested way. Having previously eaten at some of the so called best places in the World, I can honestly say this is the only one I would travel 9 hours again to visit. Quirky, welcoming, warm and slightly indulgent in a very relaxing environment. You can eat whilst listening to the ocean caressing the shoreline, the same ocean that has given up its fruits to fill your plate. If heaven has a seafood restaurant it is The Oystercatcher.

Haven’t been here for a couple of years sadly and booked for early Saturday dinner with friends it was amazing. Lovely homemade bread and a selection of amazing butters and olives. Lovely touches of Cullen Skink soup. Prawns cooked over hot potatoes, sorbet. Starters of scallops so tasty, oysters fab and venison pate. Mains of sole. Lobster, lamb just so tasty. Duck fat chips the best I have ever tasted. Desserts were to die for and lovely coffee and petit fours. Excellent service the host and chef must just love cooking and hosting as it was all amazing. Value for money?? You bet!!! Can’t wait to return

Had an awesome dinner with friends. Owners are very nice and the food is beyond words. Reasonable pricing for such service

Un’atmosfera particolare vi accompagnerà per tutta la cena con portate più o meno definite ( con una differenza di prezzo è possibile variare il menu base) La proprietaria vi illustrerà dettagliatamente tutte le portate e non potrete che rimanere a bocca aperta

A very intimate restaurant located in a small B&B; on the waterfront in Portmahomack. For dinner, reservations are a must. The service, food and atmosphere are truly exceptional. We always look forward to dining with Gordon and Susan and are never disappointed. It is worth the trek to this remote location.

Booked the restaurant only last weekend and the food was perfect the pre starters where excellent Cullen Skink followed by Shrimps smoked over potato skins and sprayed with Glenmorangie whisky the starters of oysters where amazing also the scallops and haggis

We live in Inverness and had great memories of a super lunch at The Oystercatcher a few years before. Went for overnight stay to celebrate husband"s BIG birthday and have a wee break. The food is better than outstanding, the attention to detail and presentation exceptional and the owners clearly want to share their passion and pleasure with you.

Viac než reštaurácia. Komplexný zážitok gurmánskeho jedla, ľudského prístupu, rozprávkového prostredia a hudby bethovena a zvukov čajok. Intímne tiché miesto na brehu mora, kuchár varil iba pre nás. Pre paťročnú dcérku uvarili bielu jemnú rybu a priniesli vedro hračiek. Dva chody sú v skutočnosti asi 5. Malé a chutné pozdravy z kuchyne a na záver bylinkový čajík a čokoláda.

Went back up north for a break years after lol same place and we remembered a fantastic seafood restaurant and it was amazing food was mesmerizing a dining experience never to forget fair play husband and wife team ten out of ten

I only stayed for Bed and Breakfast, but both exceeded my expectations. The bedroom was small, but beautifully decorated. The mattress was good and firm. The cups were bone china. Rather than horrible creamer, there was a jug of fresh milk in the minibar fridge. I did not use the minibar, but it was stocked with a really interesting selection. The bathroom was not en-suite, but there is a dedicated bathroom for each room, well stocked with more goodies than most hotels. My only minor complaint was that there was nowhere to put my suitcase.

We dined at The Oystercatcher on a cold evening in June and received a very warm welcome. The restaurant looks out over the sea and the tables are very comfortable. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and the delicious extra morsels that were served to us before our entree and main course. Each was a taste delight. The scallops and lobster were perfect and the wine selection varied and vast.

...what words can I use to describe the Oystercatcher and Portmahomack - odd is the first one that comes to mind, magnificent is another - quirky yes, friendly certainly, close to the sea, superb views, beautiful beaches. The couple who run the Oystercatcher have been here for 18 years, having previously ran a pub in Greenock. They came here to slow down/retire apparently - which is probably why the trading hours/bookings aren't what some people expect. We found it in the Rough Guide to the Scottish highlands and islands and booked several months ago. The room is one of 3 above the restaurant and quaint is the best way to describe it, quaint with the sea lapping up no more than 20 yards away, and the harbour pier about 100 yards further. You can watch people pier fish from bed if you wish!

Dinner here with friends proved to be a delightful and fun experience.

We stayed here for one night at the end of touring North Coast 500 and it was without question the best meal we had. As other reviewers have said it is a small and quaint place which meant it felt very relaxed. The couple who run it are very friendly and helpful and take great care to ensure you are comfortable.

Wonderful meal Very small place so reservations are a must Owned by a husband and wife team Mainly seafood but other choices for meat lovers and vegetarians Well worth the trip

The rooms were quaint and slightly old fashioned in appearance, although this was deceptive it have everything you could want including decent broadband. However, the restaurant was fantastic with a huge menu and the seafood was out-of-this-world! Even the breakfast was superb.

We stayed for the night and dined I the restaurant. The host could not have been more hospitable, and there was no detail overlooked - seriously, every amenity or forgotten essential was provided for I the rooms. The meal was divine, we had looked at the menu in advance, however we were pleasantly surprised with all the extra 'between courses' treats. Breakfast, what can I say, genuinely the best menu and breakfast I have had worldwide - first time visitors, but we will definitely return - very soon!

Strange place. The smell is not good for a start, like the place is old and abandoned. You are not allowed to order only 1 dish per person, only a set of dishes for each person. We explained we weren't so hungry and were allowed to order 1 dish, but the dish would cost 30 pounds each. Unfortunately we had to leave it without eating as we weren't ready to spend this money for light dinner.

I ate here about 10 years ago for Easter Sunday with friends and it was amazing. My daughter and partner ate there this Easter Sunday, opened for them as they had booked. They loved it too. They were the only guests, and found it amiable and great food. My daughter had the lamb and said it was the best ever and her partner had lobster. They loved all the little amuse bouche and enjoyed every minute. For them it was expensive but they wanted to do it and then it was worth every penny. Thank you for giving them that lovely experience of great food in Portmahomack.

Cosy, old house direct at the sea. Unique and charming decorations. We had the Walnut room with a separate shower and toilet on the other side of the corridor. The room was quite small but very clean, cute and comfortable with sea view. The breakfast menu is huge and you can order as much as you want. If you stay there for dinner they will serve you heaps of delicious little extras (seafood heaven :-)). The hosts, Susan and Graham (cook and husband), were very friendly and courteous. We recommend to book ahead (for overnight stay and restaurant) because they are planning to cut down their working days. Daniel and Tanja

Un posto meraviglioso. Un piccolo e incantevole paesino di pescatori di fronte a Dornoch. Il miglior salmone che abbia mai mangiato. E cosa dire dei frutti di mare? Eccezionali.

My husband, son and I stayed and ate at this stunning restaurant/Guesthouse last week. It was nothing short of amazing. We paid for 2 courses but experienced so many extra yummy bits and pieces during the meal too. The lobster was superb and absolutely huge. Next morning we had a breakfast extravaganza. My husband's breakfast of scallops, black pudding, back and leek was a revelation!

We have been trying to get to the Oystercatcher for dinner for about two years now - finally we had...

We stayed just up the road as usual but this was the first time we have visited the Oystercatcher. The...

Our good, and very wise friends, from Portmahomack made reservations for dinner at The Oystercatcher. We knew that it was...

In villaggio di una decina di case sul mare, questo ristorante ha pochi tavoli ma vale la pena andarci. Ottimi...

Booked this restaurant a week in advance of staying elsewhere in Portmahomack (booking in advance is pretty much essential I...

Dans le délicieux village du bout du monde de Portmahomack, ce restaurant vous accueille dans une maisonnette face à la...

Excelente cocina en un entorno confortable. Reserva esencial como es la popularidad de este restaurante. No te decepcionará.

Habíamos visitado el almuerzo pero nunca. Oystercatcher para cenar y qué sorpresa. Toques especiales en todas partes, desde casa mantecas hicieron 'intermissions de sopa, gambas y sorbete, esto es verdaderamente una experiencia. Excelente sole, mar deliciosa trucha, una lista de vinos y una profunda comedor...

A delicious meal, interspersed with various tasters and appetisers, which were all beautifully presented. A first class meal, with many highlights, a glorious outlook and attentive service. A great experience which we'd heartily recommend.

When my partner and I walked in we were greeted by the owner who knew who we were, which was a nice little quirk. We were taken into the restaurant which is decorated in a very 'under the sea' fashion. The entire meal was fantastic! We were not expecting to be given small appetisers, however they were fantastic. The Cullen skink was absolutely perfect! The selection of butters that is available with the bread rolls is lovely, as well as rapeseed oil from Cullisse. Throughout the whole meal the woman serving, who I believe was the owner was very attentive and provided what was ultimately a 5* dining experience. I was delighted with the meal and will certainly be returning soon.

My wife and I went to this restaurant for our anniversary. It is tiny, quirky and wonderful for seafood. There were several additional little courses the those ordered. We were too full for a desert. The chef's attention to detail and his cooking were great. Fine dining, glorious views. The only downside is that it is a long way there, ( middle of nowhere......my apologies to residents of Portmahomack )so TT for the driver as a taxi there and back ( from anywhere) would cost nearly as much as the meal.

We stayed one night B&B at The Oystercatcher at Portmahomack - a treat for my sister's birthday, and it was, from start to finish, an experience filled with delights - from the first sight of our pretty room with two windows overlooking the sea, through a sublime dinner served with utmost attentiveness to our pleasure, through dropping off to sleep to the sound of the waves, and awaking next morning to what can only be described as the most delicious breakfast of my entire life. For going above and beyond, thank you, Susan and Gordon

Nous sommes arrivés totalement par hasard à Portmahomac. Alléchés par la carte de ce restaurant atypique nous avons réservé pour le soir même (le restaurant n'est pas toujours ouvert et le téléphone ne décroche pas souvent alors n'hésitez pas à frapper à la porte).En road trip autour de l'écosse nous avions envie de déguster des produits de la mer et nous ne pouvions pas trouvé mieux ! La cuisine est FABULEUSE ! Saint-Jacques au haggis et crème de whisky absolument incroyables. Homard, tout droit sorti de la mer juste devant nous, DIVIN !! Plusieurs amuse bouche pour patienter tous délicieux.Le service est impeccable à la hauteur de la cuisine. Le couple qui tient cet établissement depuis déjà plusieurs années est passionné par son métier et tient à faire partager le meilleur à ses clients. Ils ont aussi une véritable passion pour le whisky et en propose plus de 200 différents. Vous pourrez les voir tout autour de la salle de restaurant, ainsi qu'une remarquable collection de madères. Le décor (un peu chargé à mon goût) est entièrement dédié à la mer, tout y est : phare, filets de pêche, casiers, fond sonore mixant musique classique et bruit des vagues ! C'est surprenant mais parfaitement raccord avec le lieu.Bref c'est un endroit magique à faire absolument quitte à faire un détour (même un grand) !

Despite there being only four diners in this by appointment restaurant we were obliged to delay our arrival by half an hour from that requested. It became clear why this had been done as we proceeded through a number of courses presented by our co-proprietor waitress (her husband being the chef). The food was good and the service excellent but this is clearly a "hobby" restaurant of the type more often seen overseas in Europe but increasingly less so as the owners retire. I am sure this will happen here as the team become less spry. There cannot be many bottles of Petrus in the area and it appears that at some thousands per bottle even fewer are drunk (terms are negotiable I gather). In all a very pleasant evening.

An amazing experience for lovers of seafood! Great service and great food - a culinary delight. The tasters between courses are a real treat too. We highly recommend this place.

Wir hatten im Oystercatcher Zimmer für zwei Nächte. Die Lage mit dem Blick aufs Meer ist spektakulär - wir hatten auch Glück mit dem Wetter.Das Essen ist ausgezeichnet und wird mit Liebe zum Detail serviert.Man muss sich einlassen auf einen Abend, der gar nicht zu den rahen Highlands passt. Viel liebenswertes Chichi und Schnickschnack, den man nicht erwartet.Die Qualität der Gerichte ist hervorragend und sehr vielfältig. Zum Abschluß sollte man sich einen Madeira aus seinem Geburtsjahrgang gönnen - auch was Nettes :-)Das Frühstück zählt zu den besten und auswhlreichsten, die ich je bekommen habe. Große Klasse!

Impossibile riassumere tutte le emozioni provate in questo posto in una recensione di questa dimensione. Il paesino è carino e il locale è situato in riva al mare in posizione strategica per godersi dei fantastici tramonti. L'accoglienza è guardinga e l'impatto con la casa non è dei migliori: odore di chiuso e camere molto piccole e vecchie, però pulite (ed è una di quelle che ricordiamo con maggior simpatia). Il bar e il ristorante sono invasi da una quantità di oggetti di ogni genere che creano un ambiente tra il kitsch, il naif ed il disordinato. Il ristorante è straordinario (pesce fantastico, soprattutto gli astici). La carta dei vini è quasi incredibile per la scelta e la qualità dei vini di ogni regione del mondo, con annate davvero notevoli (anche i prezzi, ovviamente, lo sono). Grandissima scelta di Xeres e Porto, e moltissimi Whisky. E hanno tutto davvero (abbiamo provato). Anche la colazione è un'esperienza fantastica. I gestori sono strani e ma simpatici. Niente è regalato ma tutto meritava il prezzo pagato. A questo è da aggiungere una colonna sonora davvero originale (provare per credere). Una tappa IMPERDIBILE.

We had dinner,bed and breakfast here so had the full Oystercatcher experience. A lovely welcome and comfortable room with views stretching across the Dornoch Firth awaited us. We then had an extremely tasty dinner which was supplemented by all the little extras from home made bread and home made butter to an egg cup full of tasty cullen skink. Breakfast the next morning was equally tasty. I selected a variation on eggs benedict which had hot smoked salmon and asparagus from one of the largest and most interesting breakfast menus I have seen. Would highly recommend travelling off the beaten track to the Oystercatcher.

Visited this wee gem on the recommendation of a friend and boy, we weren't disappointed.Stayed in the hotel, great room, very comfortable bed and had a great nights sleep. Lovely views looking over the seafront.We came for the food and the whisky selection and both were outstanding.From pre dinner nibbles to wonderful little surprise tastings throughout the meal, the food was to die for! Fantastic seafood selection and every dish was perfect.Being more a meat eater, I had the venison parfait and the the lamb. Husband had grilled oysters with blue cheese gratin and the seafood Thermidor.Brilliant wine menu and the whisky selection was outstanding. For the quality and service , I think it was excellent value.Breakfast menu was unbelievable : scallops, fried seaweed, samphire and flat drawer porridge and the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs were mouth-wateringly divine. I want spoil the surprise by telling all the delightful extras but just go and try for yourself and you will not be disappointed. Good old fashioned hospitality at its best? thank you so much, we will be back !!!!

Eaten here about a dozen times, never disappointed, if you like lobster or want to eat a good one, this is the place for you, for the size of the crustacean you'll struggle to get better value anywhere. Grilled lobster with garlic butter, hand made duck fat chips, the most wholesome of foodie foods. Whilst there's more on the menu, I had this every time. The only thing to better it was enormous prawns (langoustine) they once had on as a specials starter, there were 12 of them. Not sure if that was the norm or they just gave me an extra few, beautifully sweet and perfectly cooked. The couple who run the place (I think) are aiming to reduce their opening days / hours I think, so it's important to book in advance; this place is as artisan & far removed from chain style restaurants as it gets. There are a couple of rooms should you wish to stay, perfectly comfy and homely (guest house feel), much like the decor of the restaurant they're quirky and follow a marine theme. One word of advice, prepare yourself for the breakfast; whatever you fancy on the menu will be made on demand and the portions could sink the boat used to catch last nights dinner!

A fabulous restaurant and antique shop overlooking the Dornoch Firth on the Tarbat Peninsula. We ate perfectly cooked scallops and oysters, deep fried kale, a hot smoked salmon hash, scrumptious homemade bread rolls and luscious deserts with a wonderful view of the setting sun from our table in the window. We were very lucky to get a table for a late Sunday lunch on the last day of the season. This restaurant is very popular so you must check opening times and book in advance, but it is so worth it!

The food was excellent - impressing that you get this quality at such a small place - if you choos the set menu - you must add an extra 7.50 pound - so you can have their lobster as maincourse its extremely fresh and the size - don't miss this place if you are around - remember to reserve a table in advance

This is a quirky restaurant which serves up enormous quantities of very good food. It's in an incredible spot and you get a friendly welcome. The food was fantastic - huge portions - one crab would have been ample but two arrived - and that was apparently the small serving. Delicious duck fat chips to go with it, we couldn't manage pudding but were still served up some delicious sweet treats with our coffees. There's a very large wine list as well.The atmosphere is quiet, with diners speaking in hushed tones in the two rooms, and the decor is a bit old school, but that adds to the experience. I would definitely recommend this place if you find yourself anywhere near - it's worth a visit.

Man weiß gar nicht wo man anfangen soll. Sicherlich die ausgefallenste Speisekarte in Schottland. Liebevoll komponierte Gerichte aus lokalen und regionalen Zutaten, sowie vielfältigen selbst produziertem Gemüse, und Geflügel, Gefrorene Bloody Mary mit frischen Austern, Schottische Bouillabaise, Seezunge mit Hummerscherenfleisch, selbtgemachte Entenleberpastete,etc..Jedes Gericht ein Highlight und dazu einer der umfangreichsten Weinkeller der Highlands.

Ended up staying in Portmahomack just to eat at this restaurant and was not disappointed! Service is impeccable. Small tastes between courses are a nice touch and delicious. Had the local oysters and scallop appetizer as an entree. My boyfriend had the Sole Meuniere. Dessert is not be missed and highly recommend to end the meal with a glass of scotch. There is an extensive scotch selection. The table was ours for the whole evening so we were able to relax and really enjoy the meal and spirits. Definitely recommend and would reserve table in advance to avoid disappointment.

Phenomenal food, so glad I was recommended to go. It's quite an experience, only 3 tables and lots of mini courses in between the mains, so so good

The meal was not the best we had but not the worst my wife had the duck which was over seasond and far to strong I had the seafood which was ok

We stumbled upon this restaurant while exploring this beautiful nook of Scotland. We weren't disappointed by the great staff and amazing array of options in front of us. While the menu is set up to be a 2 or 3 course menu, some of the more memorable flavors can come in the form of the tween small plates that are part of the experience. Incredible dram menu and strong cellar list made this a very memorable experience. Not to mention the stunning views of the firth from the restaurant patio. Recommend making reservations as the intimate setting means limited seating. I recommend this restaurant for intimate settings or small group (4-) dining.

Went here whilst on a golf tour. It's a bit out on a limb but a lovely location. We did not stay but had dinner. Overall this was good with several innovative touches like the floral tea. The one thing that is truly outstanding is the wine list which outshines many Michelin starred restaurants. Well worth the journey.

Enjoyed 2 fabulous nights here. The most beautiful food at dinner and breakfast, and a stunning view across the bay towards Sutherland. Such a warm and friendly welcome from Susan and Gordon. The dining room is decorated with an amazing sea theme. Has to be seen. Cannot wait to return. Thank you.

There are only 5 tables so booking is essential in this small venue. The decor is rustic but pleasing and the welcome was sincere. The menue is slanted to fresh seafood but there are alternatives the fish choices were excellent, nicely presented and just delicious. to our surprise there were many unexpected extras such as different fresh rolls, oatcakes, crackers etc with 3 different fresh butters and an oil alternative with quails eggy, chunks of hot smoked salmon, passion fruit sorbet with the option of slivers of scallop on top and jasmine tea The lobster was to die for and seved with baked oysters, We were too full for desert but they sounded so tempting. There were innumerable whiskies and other spirits ranged around the room on high shelves as well as lots of wine options too. This was an all round wonderful experience so thankyou.

Il paraît que cet établissement est une institution dans la région et un des meilleurs restos de poissons qui soit...on veut bien le croire ! Tenu par le même couple depuis un certain nombre d'années, dès que l'on rentre la déco maritime, très recherchée, et partout du sol au plafond (oui, oui) donne le ton : ici, le poisson est à l'honneur et le cuisiner est un art ! La sole était exquise et assaisonnée à la perfection. Quant au saumon, c'est tout simplement un des meilleurs que nous n'ayons jamais goûté ! Menu entrée/plat à 29€, tout à fait raisonnable au vu des 5 (!) entremets servis tout au long du repas et tout aussi délicieux les uns que les autres ! Non vous n'aurez plus de place pour un dessert ;-) On déguste les mets sur fond de musique classique avec bruits de vagues, mouettes et baleines. Un enchantement.

The customer service is next to none, very friendly and welcoming. Booking is advised, you're not likely to get a table if you don't (these people giving bad reviews because they couldn't get tables are ridiculous) especially when on the website and outside the establishment it says to book. We sat down to lovely appetisers, quail eggs and homemade bread, we actually got a few added extras which was a lovely surprise. The shellfish Thermidor is delicious and so is the sole, would highly recommend them.We couldn't fault any of our food, it was presented lovely and was to a very high standard.Would have loved to manage a dessert but you get so much food for your money it was just not possible

Booked prior to coming up,to Scotland for Sunday lunch and later in the week.. A lovely small restaurant with great service and a welcoming attitude from staff. Cullen skink really enjoyable a as was the sole and lobster. Easy relaxed and great food well worth the visit.. Som much so we are going back later in the week. Make sure to book before hand

This is a fine dining establishment, everything cooked to order and never a disappointment. Reservations for dinner are a must. The dining room, overlooking the harbor and firth, has maybe 5 tables, but, to avoid over-taxing the kitchen, they won't fill them all at the same setting. Service is impeccable, the cooking creative, the presentation artistic, and the food fresh and delicious. The wine list is amazing and the inventory of single malts is impressive. While best known for oyster and lobster dishes, their menu offerings are broad in scope. The duck fat chips are not to be missed. No visit by my colleagues and me to Dornoch is complete without dinner at The Oystercatcher.

We visited as a birthday treat for one of my daughter's. We all tried different seafood dishes as mains and combined with the extra mini treats like Cullen skink and Smoked Salmon, and then lovely Creme Brulee we had a fabulous meal. The view from our table overlooked the sea towards Dornoch so all in all we enjoyed a fantastic evening in this lovely restaurant.

Magnifique lieu découvert grâce au Routard. Nous avons vécu un véritable orgasme culinaire! Service très sympathique et joviale. On voit que les propriétaires ont envie de nous faire goûter les produits locaux de la meilleure manière possible. L'hôtel à plein de charme et est magnifiquement situé en bord de mer... Très calme. Un petit coin de paradis. Il est conseillé de réserver car très prisé.

The Oyster Catcher is definitely worth a visit. We ordered starters and mains and they were all very tasty and presented beautifully. We had an array of different meals from salmon hash, salmon fillet, scallops, seafood platter (which was incredible) and it was all so tasty and very filling.There are two choices - hearty or ample. We all had ample and were stuffed. I can imagine that hearty is for someone with a big appetite - they would not be disappointed. The service we received was brilliant.. All staff were very knowledgable about the food on the menu and very efficient. Book in advance!Thankyou for a lovely meal

We were taken by a local who has visited many times. Firstly I was impressed by the homemade butters, quails eggs with celery salt and a selection of home made breads on the table. Between us we ordered langoustines and a pate, followed by seafood thermadour and a whole lobster. Our meal was accompanied by a reasonably priced Sauvignon Blanc and a bottle of sparkling water. We had two coffees at the end. Before each course was an amuse bouche-to start a mini Cullen skunk- perfectly cooked NOT surrounded by cream and a small cube of hot roasted smoked salmon which had an optional spray of Glenmorangie - a previous reviewer said this did not add anything but I thought it was a good touch. Between the langoustine and lobster I had the most amazing mint and lemon sorbet which was a perfect palate cleanser. The seafood was tender and perfect, not at all rubbery. My father said it was the best thermadour he had ever tasted- and he has very high standards. We could not manage a pudding but our coffees were served with some small home made tarts. Our bill divided by three and including a good tip was £50 each. To me, the ingredients and standard made this exceptional value. The place is run by a husband and wife team,she is not the chattiest of hosts it would be true to say but we had a lovely lovely evening and I for one salute this gem of a find. I simply cannot praise it higher.

We had a superb meal here and will definitely return . The food is imaginative, beautifully cooked and presented in a quirky interesting restaurant. It specialises in seafood , though there are non seafood alternatives. The price was good for the quality provided. You will need to book as it is small , and was full. Well done to the husband and wife team that run it . Lots of extra courses arrive as amuse bouche, palate cleanser , and tasters.