Fig & Thistle Bistro

One of the best restaurants in Inverness. Amazing food and the manager took the time to come out and ask how everything is going. He took the time to tell where the salmon came from and recommend a dessert that was to die for. The restaurant is small so reservations are recommended. 🍽️🍷 #InvernessEats #FoodieAdventures

Food and services are both excellent. My favorite is the Haggis Bon Bons, it’s crunchy and tastes really good.

My husband and I ended up here for lunch on our visit to Inverness as I saw good reviews online. We were welcomed very warmly by the owner, and staff seated us upstairs at a table by the window with no wait. The restaurant was cozy and quirky with nice character. My starter was red bean soup which was incredibly good and was a flavor explosion despite its seemingly plain name and appearance. My husband loved the goat cheese tartlet and was emphatic about the flavors and the quality of the tart crust. We both had pasta. Mine was the seafood linguini and his was the chicken broccoli penne. We raved about the freshness, flavor, perfectly cooked pasta, and well balanced sauces that weren't too heavy or rich. Given the successful appetizers and mains we felt compelled to have dessert. We split a sticky toffee pudding, which was delightful. The sauce was creamy without being too rich, the cake was moist and full of flavor, and the ice cream was smooth and creamy. Our server was kind and attentive but I think may have been new as she seemed a bit uncertain at times. We waited a while for our bill for example, but it didn't detract from the overall experience and I think she has great potential. Overall very happy and would recommend!

This cosy restaurant serves very nice food. The goat cheese tartlet, linguine, coleslaw and crème brûlée were all delicious. Service excellent and staff lovely. Great atmosphere and attractive decor. Highly recommend this place 👍👍👍

+2

We had a great time at this place - food, service and ambience all good. The entrees (Haggis, King Prawns) were enjoyable, and the mains (Duck, Salmon, Linguine) were excellent. The manager was very warm and friendly too. A memorable finish to our stay at Inverness.

Such a lovely experience. Truly amazing food. Felt like I was being hosted by the company not just another customer. Drinks were top notch and creative. I had the ribeye with whiskey cream sauce, veggies and chips. Highly recommend. We even received a complimentary limoncello shot prior to desert. Would travel from the States to Inverness just to dine here again. 👏 😍

Everything was very tasty. From the salmon skewers we ordered as a starter to the chicken curry and the kafta skewers we had as mains. The fries were also crispy and nice!

Amazing restaurant in the heart of Inverness. Goat cheese app, salmon, squash risotto, and the mushroom/chicken pasta were all delicious. The star of the night was the sticky toffee and biscoff cheesecake. Service was excellent. Would definitely go back.

Busy and popular. We went there on a Saturday for a date night. Perfect! Salmon dish recommended. We also had Sticky Toffee Pudding. Two dishes, 1 dessert & a beer cost £60.

Two couples traveling from the US. Greeted By a friendly and attentive staff. Had great drinks (Gin Martini for me). Enjoyed the wild mushroom pasta with chicken. One of the best meals so far on the trip. The manager and staff and especially Mya were great!

Such a lovely place. Food is excellent, all servers we had were lovely to chat to and were just genuinely really nice people. The ground floor has been particularly well designed so it wouldn’t matter if it was full or you were the only table in, it’s equally intimate but feels homey. The 2 course lunch deal was just icing on the cake. A real 10/10 gem here, already planning our next visit and what we can try next!

Fantastic experience at this place last night. Between our group we had the mushroom linguine, crispy chicken and the baked salmon. All of us couldn’t talk highly enough about or meal. For our deserts we had the Sticky Toffee Pudding (GF), Churros and the locally sourced cheese board, all just as impressive as our mains. On top of that the Gluten free knowledge of our lovely waiter was impressive. We spoke out our pregnancy news which prompted the waiter to go and make us a mocktail on the house as a congratulatory gift. If you visit Inverness then this venue is a must visit!!

The food was truly delicious, and Paul was incredibly kind and helpful. Thank you so much, and wishing you the best of luck!

Lovely restaurant. Great menu, plenty of options. Vegetarian and gluten free options available. Generous portion sizes and reasonably priced. Staff were very polite and accomodating.

Great cocktail, delicious meals, fantastic dessert and wonderful service. We would highly recommend Fig & Thistle after searching it out upon a recommendation from our friends who had visited previously. High quality food and presentation, significantly less expensive than what we would find in the US. Amount of food was just enough that you wished for slightly more, but happy that you didn’t overeat so you had room for dessert. I don’t normally do vegetarian, but had the phenomenal vegetarian goat cheese tartlet and was very pleased. The variety of flavors mixed very well (can you tell I am not a professional critic as I don’t have anything too flowery to say, haha). Tempura prawns looked good, but I didn’t get to share. Husband and I were “sticky toffee pudding virgins” and thoroughly enjoyed our first experience with it! Not too sweet and a few bites of fruit and ice cream helped end the evening on a high note. I would definitely recommend reservations as there did not seem to be much seating (may have been more in back that we didn’t see). I enjoyed the fact that it was quiet enough to have a conversation at normal volume.

The food is SO GOOD! We had Haggis bon bons, Grilled goat cheese tartlet, and a Venison burger. Highly recommend!

Came here for dinner last night for my partners birthday. Atmosphere was brilliant, staff couldn't have been more friendly and even though it was busy it still felt very personal and cosy. Food and drinks were delicious, can't wait to go back and try more off the menu. Thanks!

We were served by the most handsome man, looked like a blond james bond, think he was a Leeds fan. Also spoke to the chef who i must say was an Egyptian god! Any way cocktails were fresh staff were hot and omg the food was incredible its a must visit.

Really great find. Very accommodating for my husband as a wheelchair user. Very attentive, friendly staff. Food was delicious. Haggis Bon Bons, Smoked haddock starters followed by Cheese and Bacon steak burger and Mushroom linguine. We were so full, we couldn't manage a pudding. Would happily revisit this lovely restaurant. Chair users - the front door ramp is a fraction steep for an independent person but the staff were more than happy to hold open the door whilst I was behind to assist if needed. Wider powerchair users may need double check door width. My husband's manual chair is 65cm wide and fitted ok if that helps.

We had dinner and throughly enjoyed the meal. The starter was outstanding. We had seen reviews about the goat cheese salad and it was truly amazing. For mains the venison haggis burger was a unique offering and very tasty if you like both. The cheesecake was of the right texture and flavour and I must say the food stood out for me in terms of taste. The service was very warm and the place has a quiet and welcoming feel. Strongly recommended if you want to try something out of the ordinary.

We ate the cauliflower risotto here, it was delicious! The service was really good (by Vicky) and everyone was super friendly.

Absolutely beautiful, my review is a bit late, sorry, the food was outstanding. I had the goats cheese soufflé ti start which was phenomenal. The rich chocolate dessert was also divine. Service was 5 star a lovely young man looked after out table and couldn't have been more attentive. Will definitely be back, thank you.

Very cute spot. Friendly service, and delicious food. Portions were quite large. The salmon with curry was delicious. The mushroom linguine was great too, though the chicken in it was under seasoned. Overall would recommend!

Absolutely loved our meal at Fig & Thistle. The Malaysian curry salmon had so much flavour and the mushroom linguine was so delicious. The desserts were perfect. The service was also outstanding!

Amazing spot for lunch! Probably an amazing spot for dinner also, but I went for lunch. The food is delicious. The staff is friendly and efficient. I would go here again if I was in town for more than a couple hours. The Highland Burger is very delicious.

Lovely place to dine! The staff are excellent - perfect service, and the food !! Beautifully prepared from masterfully selected ingredients. Everything was so fresh, bright, succulent and balanced. I had Orkney salmon in Orkney (where it was overdone) then had the Orkney salmon here - it was utter perfection. The coffee was amount the best I've had in the UK. It's clean, comfortable and contemporary. Great wine selection too. Would go back!

Booked in early on a Saturday evening. Covid-19 protocol in place and a very cordial welcome. Waiting staff were friendly and helpful and engaged in conversation. As a vegetarian the menu was limited, but that is what we come to expect. Nonetheless the food was outstanding, and the was also an excellent choice of wines. When leaving the staff were as engagand delightful as they were when we went in. Best dining out experience I have had in a long time. Superb!

Nestled in a quiet corner of the neighborhood, this cozy restaurant is a true hidden gem that combines delicious food with extraordinary service. From the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for a special evening. Parking in the area can be a bit tricky, but our experience started on a high note when Philip, one of the staff members, went above and beyond by stepping out of the restaurant to personally guide us to a nearby parking lot. This level of attentiveness set the tone for the evening. The ambiance inside was warm and inviting, with a charming, intimate feel that made us feel right at home. The menu offered a variety of tempting options, but we decided to start with the Grilled Goat’s Cheese, Fig & Onion Tartlet, paired with a spiced pear and balsamic dressed salad. The tartlet was a delightful blend of rich, creamy goat's cheese perfectly balanced with the sweetness of figs and the tang of balsamic. The spiced pear added a refreshing touch, making this appetizer an absolute standout. For our main course, we opted for the locally sourced Pepper-Crusted Isle of Lewis Salmon Fillet, served with a fragrant Malaysian coconut curry, green beans, and basmati rice. The salmon was cooked to perfection, with a crispy pepper crust that complemented the tender, flavorful fish. The coconut curry was rich and aromatic, with just the right amount of spice, making each bite a burst of flavor. The green beans added a fresh crunch, and the basmati rice was the perfect accompaniment to soak up the delicious curry. Throughout the meal, the service remained impeccable. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our glasses were never empty and that we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. The genuine warmth and hospitality from Philip and the team made the evening even more memorable. Overall, this neighborhood restaurant offers a dining experience that is truly a cut above the rest. From the exceptional service to the thoughtfully prepared dishes, every detail is carefully considered, making it a place we will definitely return to. If you’re looking for a cozy spot with outstanding food and service that goes the extra mile, this is the place to be.

Absolute gem of a restaurant in Inverness. I’ve been here twice. The food is so flavourful, well plated and delicious. Definitely make a reservation. They are booked solid and I can understand why. I had the starter of king prawns. Delicious. Then I had the goat cheese tart (gluten free option) followed by the Lemon White Chocolate Panne Cotta. It was sublime. If I am ever in Inverness again I will definitely plan to eat there again.

Amazing cooking with amazing ingredients, we are so glad we stopped here for dinner at Inverness, totally blown away and will def return in the future :) Also love the venison and haggis burger, so good

Food is not just about eating, but it's also about the connections we develop. Fig and Thistle is one of the best places I have eaten at. Abdullah runs a great, gourmet restaurant and is a lovely person to chat with. We enjoyed the Penne Contadina- super fresh flavors, Lamb Kofte- my son thought it was the best lamb skewers he has had, Cauliflower and spicy squash risotto- curried flavor in a risotto was something I had not had before and relished it, Fish and Chips, Mango sorbet- perfectly sweet and creamy- don't ask me how it was creamy being a sorbet 😃 We ended our meal with great Cappuccino and Americano. Service was 5 stars 🌟

Lovely restaurant with excellent food and very friendly staff! The owners were serving us personally and they were lovely people. The dishes were on point with the taste and portion size. They also had homemade pasta which tasted amazing. Would definitely recommend!

We enjoyed a beautiful lunch to celebrate a family birthday. From walking in the door, to leaving, everything from the food to the service was fantastic. 10/10 from everyone, and infinite stars from Aiden, aged 8. He loved his churros for dessert the most.

A fantastic meal in this little cosy restaurant, staff were great, menu gave a very good choice and also tasted great It's a lovely place to visit and we'll be back the next time in Inverness

This was our 2nd visit to Fig & Thistle and it was just as good as we remembered. The food was excellent and the serving staff were very friendly and attentive. Ambience was very nice even, on a quiet Sunday evening. Thank you for giving us a lovely evening

Had a wonderful lunch here today. Food was excellent, lovely menu. Staff were great. Atmosphere relaxed, we did not feel rushed at all. My first time here, will definitely be returning. Has to be my favourite restaurant in Inverness

Quite busy, good service. Menu is a bit limited and steak is on the very well done side despite ordering medium rare, still tasty with good seasoning though.

+2

Great little place to eat in the heart of Inverness. We started our food journey with this great little restaurant & must report we weee very happy with it. Food quality was excellent, nicely presented. The venue was causal & cosy. It’s not fancy but the bill didn’t break the bank neither. Would highly recommend it.

+6

Diverse menu from burgers to Tagine. Seemed to be run by one really energetic guy and the bartender. My ribeye steak was tender and juicy with a zingy sauce, beautiful. Soggy, over fried, chips let it down a bit. My wife's lamb Tagine was superb, just the lamb chunks a tad dry. You need to book to guarantee a table. But he was doing his best to accommodate walk ins if they agreed to as little as a 45 minute turn around. Prices very reasonable for good food and drink.

Food was decent. Service was friendly. Hard to secure a table during peak hours without a reservation. Recommended

Went recently for a meal. Very friendly service and nice atmosphere. Starter, crispy chicken was tasty but cold. Pan seared duck breast was overdone, very few vegetables and the jus was pretty tasteless.

This place is over rated in my opinion, and also over priced. The food was decent, but not outstanding. The young staff members were unenthusiastic and overall didn’t really seem to care all that much about providing good service. The biggest thing I was put off by was the atmosphere/ ambiance. The decor was outdated and disorganized, and not maintained well. Although I booked a reservation weeks in advance, we were sat at a table in the very back corner of the restaurant by the washroom. Overall the food is fine but I think there’s definitely better places around that will provide better value for money.

I've been at Fig & Thistle for lunch. I was wearing training clothes and the attendants look me from top bottom when I arrived, making me feeling uncomfortable. I just stayed because it's a know restaurant in the town and I wanted to try. I had a goats cheese salad, a linguine gamberoni and chocolate & baileys marquise. The savory dishes were very bland, no flavour. The marquise was good, but the honey crumbles tasted burn. Honestly, a bit disappointing!

This restaurant is priced as very much an upmarket location and evening, however, it is overall very disappointing and very poor value. The food was pretty good but not remarkable and massively over-priced. Every dish should be roughly £10 cheaper given the quality of the food and also the cheapness of the décor and overall experience/ambience. The menus are in a super cheap plastic wallet that most likely cost under £1 each on Amazon, whereas menu pricing leads you to expect a quality leather binder, with crisp white card and seasonal menus. The bill was presented in a super cheap (must be under 50p each on Amazon) folder. All the table look like super cheap wood, with extremely poor finish and varnish and paper napkins are used. We had heard all the above from others who had been there in the last 3 months but felt it couldn't be 'that bad' but alas it is. Avoid this venue and go to one of the many other cheaper and better quality dining establishments in Inverness, as this one is most definitely not up to the standard implied by the pricing.

My daughter is coeliac and I’m GF so I did a bit of research before booking this restaurant. I called to check the burgers were definately GF and was assured they were. I also noted dietary requirements on the booking. We placed our order for 2 burgers only to be told that there were no GF buns. We decided to go ahead with the order as we had a theatre booking later that evening and it would have been awkward to find another restaurant. The waitress advised she would arrange for some “extra chips” with the burger. When the food arrived it was almost comical the tiny burger had been hidden between 2 bits of little gem lettuce it looked like it was hiding its embarrassment! The burger was dry and tasteless the chips were at least hot but if that was extra I’d hate to see a normal portion. When asked if everything was ok with our me I said no. No effort had been made to try and elevate the bun less burger. Maybe a bit tomato, onion, cucumber would have been a start. £17.00 for a dry burger a small bowl of chips and a handful of leaves was awful. We spoke to the manager who was unaware they had ran out of GF bread he offered a discounted price and a dessert. We felt he was lacking basic knowledge of what coeliac disease actually us as he offered vegan icecream having just ordered a burger we are not vegan ! I feel the chef and management need to review their food intolerance options. I fear the chips were also fried in the normal frier where gluten products are cooked as later that night my daughter had some mild side effects from having eaten gluten. A bit more education in the kitchen I think. In the end we were given 10% of the bill and our drinks free but it still felt very steep at £30.00 for an awful meal. Waiting staff were very nice and we felt sorry for them having to bring out such a pathetic plate of good.