Top 5 Aviemore Food & Drink: A Local’s Honest Review

So, if you are heading to Aviemore and thinking about what delightful food and drink experiences are in store, you’re in the right place, as a matter of fact! Aviemore, that is a spot practically bursting with outdoor fun, also has quite a lovely selection when you get peckish or need a nice drink after a hike, maybe even some skiing. Now, I will share my top five favorite places. These suggestions offer tasty food and charming atmospheres, I suppose you could say.

1. The Old Bridge Inn: Classic Pub Vibes

You will find The Old Bridge Inn right by the River Spey, and it is really hard to not fall in love with it, and actually it feels like stepping back in time, to be honest. This pub has got so much character with its stone walls and that cozy fireplace, and, as a matter of fact, it just smells delightfully of wood smoke, like your gran’s fireplace did.

It really is almost the perfect place to relax after exploring the Cairngorms, but honestly, that’s my experience, at the end of the day. The food could be considered great pub grub, but it comes in big portions, like you have got your money’s worth, you know. I can almost always vouch for their hearty burgers and also the classic fish and chips. The local ales on tap will provide you with refreshment too. The Old Bridge Inn, for example, is also very popular with locals, so, you can always expect a friendly and lively atmosphere. The traditional Scottish music nights usually amplify the fun and overall welcoming vibe, literally. The building seems so cozy, honestly.
Read our full review: Old Bridge Inn Aviemore Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Old Bridge Inn)

2. Cairngorm Hotel: A Taste of Elegance

Now, if you feel that you might want a little something a bit more classy, I guess the Cairngorm Hotel does not disappoint. Very stylish. With a long history it does have some grand architecture, very regal actually. In some respects, it has almost everything.

It features a couple of dining options, and yet the restaurant really stands out, usually. The dishes, you see, are made using local produce so you could always say it brings out truly Scottish flavors. Their menu changes to some degree, usually with seasonal stuff that is actually rather great. But keep an eye out too for the venison dishes, which are, like, delightful. The bar there is fairly nice and stocked. It serves a great selection of Scotch whiskies – you might find one you particularly like – and classy cocktails also. I do think it’s a splendid spot for a special dinner or that celebratory drink when you are on vacation. You can always expect a sophisticated touch, though.
Read our full review: Cairngorm Hotel Aviemore Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Cairngorm Hotel)

3. The Winking Owl: Casual Dining

So, if you’d like somewhere that you can just sit and hang out and enjoy some lovely comfort food, arguably The Winking Owl hits the spot, as a matter of fact. It’s pretty informal, relaxed too it’s almost like having your family dinners. This makes it the perfect place really, like when you want to have a casual meal with friends or that family dinner where you are enjoying each other’s company, that.

The food kind of covers all the bases – pizzas to pasta dishes to more traditional Scottish stuff – so that no one is struggling to choose, apparently. Their wood-fired pizzas do have a good name, and I would highly suggest trying one, honestly. They are just yummy, and yet they have got this wonderful smoky taste about them, honestly. The Winking Owl comes across as very accommodating to families. With its kid-friendly options that too create for the perfect low-key night when on holiday with the kids.
Read our full review: The Winking Owl Aviemore Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (The Winking Owl)

4. Route 7 Cafe: For a Quick Bite

Now, for those that need a quick snack while exploring or really just a very good caffeine boost, Route 7 Cafe should suit, I guess, basically. This cafe does stand out with it’s modern styling and, you know, how friendly it is to cyclists, so it often becomes the spot for outdoorsy folk looking for snacks, really.

This small menu is mainly great, very straightforward options, for instance freshly made sandwiches, cakes, and also pastries. But you can depend on that coffee to be excellent, as a matter of fact! A stop into Route 7 allows you to relax from your days of biking or hiking to grab a very quick lunch if time really is of the essence. The staff come across as rather helpful. It’s that spot to relax before moving onto the next event during the day, to be honest.
Read our full review: Route 7 Cafe Aviemore Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Route 7 Cafe)

5. The Happy Haggis Fish & Chip Shop

When it comes to a comforting and quick meal, The Happy Haggis Fish & Chip Shop usually comes out on top. It is not really anything fancy, but definitely worth it if you love what you’d expect from a good chip shop. You do have the option of eating in, however the majority takeaway to eat near to Loch Morlich or even back in your accommodation.

As you’d expect, it serves up fish and chips, haggis and chips (yes you can have haggis instead of fish!), sausages, pies and so on. The menu caters to almost all needs as you can order online from them if you can’t be bothered going out. One thing that some people are saying is it can be slightly pricer than a regular fish and chip shop, yet it’s worth the extra just for the novelty value, in my opinion anyway.
Read our full review: The Happy Haggis Aviemore Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (The Happy Haggis)