The Forbes Arms Hotel

Nice to go somewhere with lovely, friendly but with total professionalism. Great service with nice food and a lovely location. Go there! (we're definitely going back soon)

We live close by and have been a couple times with family, friends and just out for a meal as a couple. Food is excellent, staff are friendly and service is great!

I have had the pleasure of dining at the Forbes a number of times, both in the restaurantand bar. I would say it is my favourite restaurant just now. The decor is lovely and it is exceptionally clean. The staff are very welcoming and look after you and your four legged friends in the bar. Food is exceptional. I have never had a bad meal and no one in any of my parties have been disappointed. The food is freshly made using local suppliers. It means you might need to wait an extra 10 minutes but well worth it. There is no way your food has come out of a freezer or been anywhere near a microwave. Prices I feel are pretty average and portion sizes are good. So overall good value for money. If I was to make a suggestion. It would be just serve my food on a plate. The food speaks for itself and really doesn't need to be served up on "fancy" dishes. Looking forward to my next visit.

Our family went for Sunday lunch. What a fabulous experience. We were offered playing cards and uno to entertain our 9 and 11 year olds. Nothing was too much trouble and dietary needs are well catered for. The food was delicious and plentiful. Thank you for a lovely dining experience

Definitely recommend. Great menu and food. Good value for money. The bar was spotless and the staff very good indeed.

Had a lovely meal with the family at the hotel, so much so they have asked to return for their Christmas present. Great menu, beautiful setting and friendly staff. Lower rating on the rooms purely because cannot comment due to not staying here.

We had a fantastic family meal which was served by very professional friendly staff. Highly recommended, thank you.

Visited for a family get together and Sunday lunch. Whole process of booking for a large party (Lynn) was easy. We were given a warm welcome by Theresa and Millie who served us was efficient and helpful. Food was good and all of the party said they would visit again if we’re in the area.

Food was exceptional, staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly. Short rib was just brilliant.

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a Sunday lunch at the Forbes Arms Hotel in Alford, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. From the moment we walked in, the staff were warm, welcoming, and attentive, ensuring we felt right at home. The service was prompt and friendly, making the whole visit feel incredibly enjoyable. The food was simply beautiful—cooked to perfection, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavour. Every dish was a treat for the senses, and it was clear that only the best ingredients were used. It’s rare to find a place where both the service and the food come together so harmoniously. I highly recommend the Forbes Arms for anyone looking for a fantastic meal in a charming and friendly atmosphere. I can’t wait to return!

Stopped by today and enjoyed a lovely impromptu lunch in the bar. Food and service were excellent. Our host was welcoming and attentive. Looking forward to returning soon. Can’t comment on the rooms as we didn’t stay over, but the decor and ambiance in the bar was first class.

Beautiful setting, welcoming staff and above all great food.

Lovely restaurant and cracking menu. Service was excellent

Haven't stayed for the night, but have eaten there. The food is fantastic, and the staff are lovely! Walked to the hotel to enjoy a pint or two a few times now. A 20-minute stroll is worth it. Great ales and cider on tap. Lovely huge smooth tarmacked carpark really finishes the air of quality that this establishment gives.

Very friendly, nice choice of drinks, the bar menu is great.

Popped in with my partner for a cheeky pint on a weekday afternoon; first time I've been since it re-opened. Really well done refurbishment, and of course a beautiful location, with friendly and efficient staff. Looking forward to visiting again.

Absolutely outstanding. Quiet, well-managed, and freshly updated. Terrific stay!

Had lunch here today..2 of us and 3 dogs..lunch was lovely Our dogs were made so welcome and even given treats. We walked there and back from village which was great.

Super place for Sunday lunch 10/10

Had an excellent meal with family. Staff were very friendly and pleasant. Would definitely go again for a meal.

We had a lovely meal with friends. The staff were very nice and friendly. Will definitely be back.

First time visiting since the reopening in June 2023, fantastic food & service. Definitely recommend, nice to have a great local restaurant!

Went for dinner on opening night after a long refurbishment, food was excellent and the decor new fresh and in keeping with the building. Rooms weren't open yet but keep an eye out for when they are.

Great staff, lovely food excellent coffee handy for local distilleries. Will be back!

Had an overnight stay recently. Spotlessly clean and very nicely appointed. Only had breakfast, which again was excellent 👌

Fantastic Sunday roast dinner and great service in beautiful surroundings,

Our waiter Joseph was excellent, food great, deserts great. Well worth the trip. Thank you.

Went here for lunch with a group of 15. The staff were great and the food was excellent. Will certainly be back!

We went for a family meal to the restaurant and had an amazing evening

Lovely food, beautiful decor

The interior of the Forbes arms hotel has the wow factor, it's beautifully finished off, it truly is a lovely venue, and as we had previously visited it before its transformation many years ago, we were amazed at the difference. We came for lunch, and chose from the bar menu, the haggis burger was delicious, as was the pie, fish and chips and chicke/bacon salad, the others of our party had. The only slight downside was the gluten free options were limited, due to running out of g/f bread, but it wasn't a big issue, also limited g/f dessert. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed it, and would return soon. Update: A new seating area outside has been added, we made use of these, it was a beautiful day. Great service as usual, even outside and what beautiful views overlooking the river.

Great food and drinks. Elegant interior and helpful staff. We enjoyed our dining experience.

Quiet bar and hotel on a beautiful river bank. The bar has a pool table and dart board. Have never eaten or stayed there but it looks very nice. Outside seating area looking onto the river.

Food here is nice with a good choice. Family friendly dining can be held in the conservatory. Meals come with a good service and arrive piping hot.

Great to see this place open first visited a very long time ago. Only thing I missed was being able to see the river lower the hedge and it would be idyllic when sitting on the front.

Service was good, restaurant was beautiful bar also. Food was excellent. Make a reservation.

Pleasant and friendly local pub. Deserves more customers. Looks very nice since the re-fit

Was there for Christmas work meal. Didn't get Xmas crackers on table. Only got if you took set menu for 10 or more people but they charge extra tax for that!! A bit stingy we thought. Acoustics not great. Very noisy. Food was okay.

This is not a review of the hotel. I have not stayed as I am local. It is a review of the restaurant which I have avoided posting since it reopened after a restoration. I wanted to give it a chance to find its footing and improve. Sadly that has not happened. The exterior is beautiful and inviting. Once inside you feel as if you are in a cheap airport hotel. The restaurant is a budget cafeteria however service is friendly but sadly the food reflects the interior ranging from ordinary to inedible. The bar can’t make the simplest of cocktails and the food is probably heated in a microwave from frozen. I have sadly given up on trying and what was a hopeful addition to our local cuisine is no longer an option.

We went for a meal in the bar and found it to be a very confusing experience!! Whilst the bar is well decorated and the staff very welcoming we decided to have a bite to eat. We were found a table and the staff placed our cutlery wearing white gloves so imagine our disappointment when our food arrived in tin trays that wouldn't look out of place in a surgical theatre! Our food was overcooked and quite frankly overpriced for what we received. Hope the restaurant customers fair better but I wouldn't recommend the bar food!!!

Went for supper in the bar tonight. The welcome went badly wrong when the waitress annouced us as 3 adults and a child. Said child is 23 demonstrated serious lack of observation and common sense. Food was good. Some eejit female bar maid who kept telling everyone she shouldn't be there and couldn't serve drinks but was behind the bar throughout our visit totally spoiled our visit. We ordered a second drink with the barman and it did'nt arrive. So we decided to leave without the second drink only to be handed the bill by said eejit barmaid which included the invisible second drink. She is an embarrassment to your establishment and should never set foot in the place again.

Sirloin Roast Beef dinner off their Hogmanay menu. Two slices and more that 50% of the two slices were just fat. Slices not very thick . Complained I was disappointed about beef to the waiter. Sorry about that was the only comment. Not what I expected for about a £20 main course. Afraid we won’t be back.