711 reviews
#2 of 11 Restaurants in Fort Augustus$$$$, Scottish, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options+44 1456 490000+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Tue
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Wed
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Thu
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Sat
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
MICHELIN
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Scottish, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
MICHELIN Guide's Point of View
Their tagline, ‘taste nature’s larder’, says it all at this restaurant housed inside The Lovat Hotel, a lovingly restored country house at the gateway ...
Read more on MICHELIN GuideDoes this restaurant offer free wifi?
Details
About
Open Tuesday - Saturday (Wednesday - Saturday in Winter), offering our 'Mór' tasting menu and our 3 course menu. ** Pre-booking essential and if wanting to stay at the hotel - check Restaurant availability first to avoid disappointment. **
PRICE RANGE
$164.00 – $262.00
CUISINES
Scottish
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
711 reviews
Excellent
520
Very good
123
Average
43
Poor
14
Terrible
11
Susanne R
Hertford37 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
Best New Year's Eve Ever!!! We were staying in nearby accommodation and wanted to celebrate Hogmanay in style. We were NOT disappointed! It was rather pricey at £120 per head, but the reviews were excellent and we thought we'd risk it. SO pleased we did! It was worth every single penny! It was a Hogmanay Special with a Peaky Blinders theme. From the moment we arrived at 6.30 p.m. we were welcomed with exquisite canapes and delicious cocktails. The fun started straight away with professionally run casino tables - the dealers were hilarious and it was great entertainment.
Then we were called through to the main dining area, where the large circular tables were beautifully decorated, and we were treated to a special themed gift basket. The service just got better and better, and the food was absolutely outstanding! We could not fault a single thing.
There was a traditional Ceilidh set up after dinner. The lovely guy in charge encouraged us all to have a go, and much hilarity ensued!! This got us all very relaxed, and we made lots of new friends throughout the evening. The atmosphere by midnight was electric, and it was indeed a perfect way to see in the New Decade! We were led outside for the fireworks soon after midnight, and I have to say, they were absolutely incredible!!! We were in a party of six, but if felt like we were celebrating with dozens of friends. It was an incredible night. I have no hesitation in highly recommending The Lovat, and we plan to return.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theflyingdoctor
Stockton-on-Tees789 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
My Wife and decided to treat ourselves to the tasting menu whilst staying in the hotel. This was to console ourselves given all foreign trips for 2020 had now been cancelled. We would not normally spend anything like £65 each with a £45 drink flight on top, even in London.
Did we get value for money? This was an unqualified yes for what followed must have come close to the best meal we have ever had.
In the drink package we were drinking out of the type of bottles generally seen on the drink shelves of others.
There was a fascinating selection of amuse bouches. Following this was a selection of wild mushrooms beautifully served and bursting with flavour.
The fish course was scallop. My wife is allergic to shellfish so mackerel was substituted. She felt this fish was a bit strong for her personally. This was the only very minor criticism of a meal that was otherwise beautifully presented and balanced.
The main course was grouse with beetroot and blackberries. Divine.
There were 3 desserts. These were labelled ‘lemons strawberries and rose’ then apples oats and barley. Others have waxed lyrical on TA about the latter in particular, the clear piece de resistance. Utterly stunning and fabulously tasty dessert. At the end was ‘Scottish green marble’ - ice cream in a mint shell.
The balance of the meal was first class. Fine dining restaurants can disappoint me in that I am still hungry at the end. Certainly not the case here.
The drinks package was thoughtful and different. Serving a craft ale with the mushrooms was not something I would have done but it worked well. An American Pinot Noir would nit have been my choice with grouse but again the pairing worked very well. My wife gets migraine with red wine so an excellent pecorino was willingly substituted.
One of the main criticisms of Michelin rosettes us that they are subjective assessments awarded through a totally opaque process. They seem to me to be disproportionately awarded in major cities or in small clusters eg near to me in North Yorkshire. I have had meals in such restaurants and on this evidence the failure to award Station Road 1 if not 2 stars is beyond my reasoning.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
onmyrounds
Billingham6 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
My husband and I decided to treat ourselves when staying in this hotel. This seemed a good way of palliating the pain of multiple cancelled holidays. We do not normally spend anything like £65 each for a meal, even in London, £45 for a drinks flight meant we were drinking out of bottles generally seen on the shelves of others.
Was it worth the extravagance? You bet, for what followed must come close to the best meal we have ever had.
There was a fascinating selection on amuse bouches, followed by a selection of wild mushrooms, beautifully served and bursting with flavour. The fish course was scallop, mine was mackerel as I’m allergic to shellfish, slightly strong in flavour but that was my only criticism of a meal that was otherwise beautifully balanced. The main course was grouse with beetroot and home grown brambles. Divine!
There were 3 desserts, labelled ‘lemon, strawberry and rose’ then ‘apples, oats, barley’. Others have waxed lyrical on TA about the latter in particular. Rightly so too as this dessert was simply stunning and fabulously tasty. At the end was ‘Scottish green marble’, ice cream in a minty shell.
The balance of the meal was first class. Fine dining restaurants often disappoint us in that we’re still hungry at the end, certainly not the case here.
The drinks package was thoughtful and different. Serving a craft pale ale with the mushrooms was not something we would have done but it worked well. An American Pinot Noir would not have been my husbands first choice with grouse but again the pairing worked well. Migraine is my reason for needing to substitute red wine but an excellent Pecorino was willingly substituted.
One of the main criticisms of Michelin Rosettes is that they are subjective assessments awarded through a totally opaque process. They seem to be disproportionately awarded in major cities or in clusters, eg near to us in North Yorkshire. We have had meals in such restaurants and, on this evidence, the failure to award Station Road 1; if not 2; rosettes is beyond our reasoning.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rohan G
77 contributions
May 2021 • family
We prebooked for two tasting menus and for a three course option for our son. We had a few phone calls initially saying this couldn’t be done but followed by an apology for misunderstanding. We have been fortunate to eat in many one and two star restaurants over the years. The Maitre D was courteous and we were looked after well.
Chef Patron Sean Kelly has clearly trained his team to deliver beautiful looking dishes with real imagination and variety. These dishes could have easily been presented at L’Enclume or the Manoir and not looked at all out of place. There were a few dishes which we thought were very good and a few which didn’t really work for us. The desserts in general were excellent. The precision involved was Michelin quality. The marmite butter with crispy chicken skin served with sourdough was divine. We were served a nice scallop course with asparagus and a crispy nettle. The nettle was very clever! Our favourite dish on the menu by far was a wonderful ox tongue dish with summer truffle. Superb!
We were served a crab donut as a starter. The texture was very dense and it didn’t really deliver on flavour for me. The beef cheek pancake was similar and masked the taste of the beef. My venison was overcooked and dry and several dishes were not well seasoned. The wine flight was ok, but to be honest nothing special. There was a nice beer and a elderflower based drink which were perfectly drinkable.
This is a very good restaurant with a very talented chef and some near Michelin standard dishes. It’s a shame that the restaurant looks out on a car park. The tasting menus were £80 each with additional £50 if I remember right for a wine flight of about four or five glasses (incl beer etc). If I had paid £65 for the menu; I would have left feeling I had eaten a great meal which was great value for money. I don’t think we had value for money, but this With a few minor tweaks this could have been a 10/10 experience. Maybe we were just unlucky. Thank you Sean and team for setting such a high standard in a relatively remote part of the highlands.
Written 9 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
44simon64
Gloucester32 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
We eat in the restaurant who, at the moment, are offering a 9 course taster menu or a 3 course set menu, we had the 3 course meal @ £47.50. The food was beautifully cooked and presented and the entire meal was excellent. The service was equally good, we were never rushed and asked as to when we would like the next course served. This restaurant service excellent food and has the staff to match.
Written 27 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theflyingdoctor
Stockton-on-Tees789 contributions
May 2021 • couples
The pandemic has meant that holidays in far away places have been substituted by those far closer to home.
My wife and I had the divine tasting menu when we stayed here last September. What better way to put away the blues of the last incredibly difficult months with another special treat to ourselves again?
The seven courses were all delicious in their own right. This is high quality fine dining which demands a visit from M Michelin. I have eaten in starred restaurants that are not a patch on this. Dishes are attractively and creatively presented. If you have dietary requirements then notice is. Needed but we found staff very accommodating. Service is friendly and attentive. The drinks flight consisted of a glass of sparkling, a craft beer, a glass of both organic red and white wine finished with an excellent alcoholic elderflower and apple cocktail to end. We were beautifully full at the end of this feast.
If I have a minor criticism I would like to have seen a bit more variation in the menu from our last stay. Yes seasonal changes were made such as venison being used instead of grouse. However my wife and I were delighted the amazing desserts were unchanged : they were every bit as wonderful as we had remembered.
The bill for two including a 10% service charge ( which we were told was fairly distributed amongst the team) was just under £300 so this is clearly a special occasion event. To those who consider this expensive, remember this is a work of art. What do you pay for a West End theatre seat?
At this price point I expect perfection. That was duly delivered and I can’t wait to be back.
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AGscotland
154 contributions
Jun 2021 • family
Due to Covid our last two summers have been spent exploring the beauty of the highlands where views are WOW and food is usually pub grub / Scottish. Then we chanced upon Station Road. I’d read the reviews and they all said much the same, stunning cooking, great service but too expensive. The service is indeed excellent from start to finish (a testament in these difficult times where staffing in seasonal areas can be tough), professional, calm and relaxed. The food - the chef and kitchen team clearly know flavours, I’m not a huge fan of trout but the dish tonight converted me hands down, I didn’t need my knife or fork for the beef cheek as a spoon was sufficient, again the sides were Savoy cabbage (I’m not a fan but this was a small parcel of stunning flavours), the sauces were phenomenal. Dessert - I had to google Echelfekin tart but should have just trusted the kitchen, the shortest pastry, the most morish filling and the ice cream WOW, my fellow diners had the strawberry masterpiece and were equally bowled over. The wine pairings were clever, rose with the fish, great organic Malbec with the beef, Drambuie with dessert(inspired). Go to a Michelin star restaurant and you will pay double the price, so sorry can’t agree with those who say it’s too expensive . Well done to the team behind this place, I just wish you could move 100 miles south !!
Written 6 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graeme C
Keith90 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
Coming towards the end of our Scottish staycations, my wife and I thought we would try this restaurant as a wee treat to go along with the stunning beauty that our country has to offer and boy were we not disappointed.
From the minute we walked in the door the hospitality and service was exceptional. We had pre dinner drinks in one of the lounges and our host lit the real fire for us and we relaxed before eating. The bar has a great selection of drinks and local draught beer (from Spean Bridge).
When our table was ready we were taken through and the Tasting Menu (7 courses) was explained to us and we started to get excited about what was to come.
My goodness - the menu is a real treat in fresh, local produce and the flavour combinations and the presentation is absolutely stunning. Each course was adequately explained by the server and we savoured each and every one. The appetisers were so well prepared and the detailed presentation was great - and the taste was divine. The scallop dish was amazing and the grouse main was unbelievable. Finishing with 3 varying desserts just topped off an experience we will not forget and ended our break on a real high.
The restaurant was busy and although they are running with a reduced staff - the team on hand were working their socks off to deliver such a high standard of dining and are a true credit to the hospitality sector during these times. Thank you all at The Lovat and a place I will be recommending to friends without a doubt.
Written 2 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MFC17
Durham376 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
We dined at the restaurant twice during our stay at The Lovat hotel. Both our meals were excellent and rivalled some of the Michelin star restaurants we have been to.
The first evening we had the three course menu which was lovely, especially the main course of ox cheeks with rumbledethumps.
On the second evening we had the tasting menu which was fabulous. An excellent selection of beautifully presented dishes served with an interesting drinks package. It is very difficult to say which was the best course but the scallop dish and the venison were both particularly good. The presentation of the apple dish was amazing and the green marble was a lovely and unusual end to the meal.
We would definitely recommend this restaurant and would certainly suggest eating here if staying at the hotel. As the menu does not change very frequently probably two meals in the restaurant was sufficient otherwise it would have become a bit repetitive.
Written 14 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danny L
2 contributions
Sept 2022 • couples
It’s hard to fully explain how much of a pleasure our meal was this evening. My wife and I have spent top dollar on meals in the past and this rivals anything we’ve ever experienced at about a third of the cost of the prime US restaurants. They seamlessly catered to my wife’s need for gluten free and there was no compromise in quality. The simplest way to sum this all up is to strongly urge anyone who is even remotely close to this area to make the drive and experience it for yourself. I can assure you that you’ll be glad you did and make the same recommendation to others. Also, do the full 8 course meal, you’ll love it!
Written 8 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patty
5 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
We were staying at the Lovat so are there twice - once for the sampling menu and the second time for the three course. Both were outstanding!! The sampling menu was very extensive - I ate way too much but couldn’t leave a bite or course on the table! Very well presented and the flavors were divine. Two nights later we came back for the 3 course dinner which while less food (thank goodness) was just as carefully prepared and every bit as sumptuous. Highly highly recommend this place whether you are staying the night or passing by. A special shout-out to the bar tender who was very attentive before, during and afterwards making great suggestions and delicious cocktails.
Written 24 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy B
128 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
This was by far the best meal of our summer holiday and is up there with one of the best tasting menus we have ever eaten.
We took our children on a Saturday evening and it was quieter than I was expecting. The service was fantastic.
Prior to arriving I had been asked to stipulate which menu all 4 diners would be eating from, something which I'm not used to having to supply as normally I like to see how I feel on the night (and also when dining with children it is often that my husband and I may eat from the tasting menu and the children will eat from the a la carte). After chatting it through with the kids (11 and 13), we opted for the tasting menu, and we are glad we did.
From start to finish every element was a delight, well seasoned, and beautifully presented. My 11 year old son had never had a tasting menu before and was open to trying everything, and he was glad he did as everything was delicious!
I have often found that the most amazing tasting menu can be slightly let down at the desert stage, however this was certainly not the case with Station Road. The deserts were quite simply exceptional and finished our meal off in such a lovely way.
It was so good that we did try to book in four days later before we left Fort Augustus but unfortunately the restaurant was fully booked. Greedy I know but when food is that good then it's hard to resist.
I can only imagine it won't be long before the Michelin Star arrives, it will certainly be well deserved.
Written 1 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda C
Clitheroe30 contributions
May 2021 • none
We had the pleasure of dining at Station Road, whilst staying at the Lovat on a recent trip to Scotland.
It is slightly confusing , as it is all part of the same hotel.
We had the three courses, which only had a choice of two dishes each and was somewhat daunting to start with , as some of the dishes were complex, but I guess that is what it’s about. A lot of work backstage to produce a beautiful result at the table.
Just go for it, the flavours are wonderful, even the nettles!
Congratulations to the wonderful staff in the restaurant, every one of them served us in a relaxed, yet totally professional manner, making our visit all the more enjoyable.
I can definitely recommend that you dine here, but be sure to book. It’s busy and don’t be put off by the slightly rigourous booking methods, it all helps to keep it running like clockwork.
Written 28 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matias Wanderbite
London435 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
It's been two years since I wanted to visit Station Road and finally managed to convince my partner and another couple of friends to join me on this experience. I've been to Loch Nees before and the sole reason for this trip was to visit The Lovat and stay at their hotel.
My expectations were as high as they could be at a restaurant, and I can't remember a time when I was more excited about visiting one.
Before I talk about the restaurant it's worth setting the context for where this delightful food experience takes place.
The hotel occupies an old family house which has been renovated to high standards while preserving its history.
The Lovat is in the heart of the Highlands, right beside Loch Ness and surrounded by all the natural beauty of Scotland, making it the perfect venue for a delightful stay and an even better dining experience.
The restaurant does not offer an a la carte menu and only two tasting menus (short and long), which can be made vegetarian upon request. Obviously, we selected the long version, called Mór, along with their wine flight.
The entire experience began with an exquisite glass of English bubbles and a selection of little starters - delicious. Followed by the most amazing bread with a choice of salted & herb infused butter, paired with a beer aged in a whiskey barrel.
The main dishes feature a variety of flavours: earthy from the forest, fresh from the lake and the sea, as well as meat.Their grand finale is a delightful venison dish with celeriac pastry and the most amazing jus.
For dessert you get a sample of different flavours, all balanced and nothing too sweet which I would recommend topping up with a selection of cheeses and a glass of whiskey.
Food was phenomenal, and service was attentive and welcoming. The prices were more than reasonable for the quality of the food and the overall dining experience.
Thank you so much for exceeding my expectations!
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David R
Toulouse1430 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
There's no getting away from it - this is not an inexpensive restaurant and some might question the cost at 60 pounds for the three course tasting menu and 85 pounds for the 5 course menu, but like most things in life you get what you pay for, well most of the time. The Station Rd restaurant delivers on pretty well every level. Starting with the staff, and I mean everyone of them went out of their way to deliver first class service, friendly and helpful, outstanding. We dined here on both nights sampling both menus and have to say the standard of quality & presentation of this innovative cuisine was absolutely first class and deserves a Michelin plate rating at the very least. Loved our visit and highly recommend the Station Rd.
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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