Greatest Vegetarian Spots On The North Coast 500

Let me introduce you to the greatest Vegetarian Spots On The North Coast 500. I discovered them when we travelled to the north of Scotland in our self-converted van last summer (August 2020).

If you’re planning to visit the North Coast 500 as a vegetarian, you might be a little bit worried about finding food on the route. However, there is no need to worry. I found plenty of vegetarian options on the north coast 500 that were incredible. I’m writing a complete guide to the North Coast 500, including all the things to see and do in the north of Scotland. However, I wanted to write a separate blog specifically for eating vegetarian on The North Coast 500.

I am no foodie, however I do enjoy trying local eateries when I travel. Travelling as a vegetarian can often bring additional anxiety. Wondering whether you will be able to find a good meal, or if dinner will consist of margarita pizzas, chips and supermarket sandwiches.

The North Coast 500 for vegetarians was better than I expected. Often remote areas can be more challenging. Particularly areas of the world that rely on farming or are by the sea (I don’t eat fish/ seafood). However, the vegetarian options on the North Coast 500 were plentiful.

Vegetarian North Coast 500 whaligoe steps

Read on for where I found great vegetarian food on the North Coast 500. They’re listed in order of the towns we stopped in. (We travelled the NC500 from East to West starting in Inverness and finishing in Fort William. I added in Glencoe, as this was our stop on the way home back to Edinburgh.)

At the time of writing, Scotland is still experiencing a lot of closures as a result of the ongoing pandemic. I have linked to the menus/websites of each business where possible. Please check ahead of your visit for the most up to date opening times.

Vegetarian Food Spots On The North Coast 500

Inverness – The Alley Cat

If you’re starting or ending your North Coast 500 journey in Inverness, be sure to check out the Alley Cat. It’s the first vegan restaurant in Inverness and did not disappoint! The menu is completely vegan, and offers a wide selection of hot meals, perfect for lunch or dinner. I tried the fish and chips (jackfruit), whilst Kirsten tried the veggie hot dog. Both were delicious. And with a completely vegan menu, there is no doubt that you are starting your North Coast 500 trip with a full stomach.

Check out the Alley Cat for vegetarian food in Inverness here.

the alleycat vegetarian cafe in inverness

Dornoch – The Courtroom

Dornoch was our first full official day on the North Coast 500. And I was so excited by the vegetarian option at the Courtroom Dornoch where we ate lunch. True to form for Scottish food and day one on our Scottish road trip… I had a Veggie Haggis Melt Ciabatta … and it was GLORIOUS. We sat outside in the beer garden, soaking up the rare Scottish sun and tucking into one of the best vegetarian sandwiches on the North Coast 500.

If you’re looking to eat dinner in Dornoch, the castle next door has some fine dining options. But sadly we didn’t have a chance to check them out.

Check out the Courtroom Dornoch for vegetarian food in Dornoch here.

Dunbeath – The Bay

Not to contradict what I said at the beginning of the blog (that eating vegetarian when travelling sometimes means a lot of Margherita Pizza and chips!) The Bay Dunbeath on the North Coast 500 is very worth a stop. Alongside wood fired pizzas they also offer gourmet burgers, fish and chips, platters great for sharing and have a fully licenced bar with a late licence. We met the owner during our visit, who shared that he recently bought & renovated the property just as Covid-19 hit. The bar is so cosy, and a perfect place to unwind with some drinks. Plus they have a stunning view of the sea too.

Check out The Bay Dunbeath for the best Vegetarian Pizza on the North Coast 500 here.

Durness – Cocoa Mountain

It’s not exactly vegetarian “food”. But an absolute must do on the NC500 is a stop at the famous Cocoa Mountain for “The World’s Best Hot Chocolate“. As a lover of hot drinks being burn-your-mouth-infernos, I would’ve preferred my cup of creamy chocolate goodness to be a little hotter and a little bigger. Cocoa Mountain also serves a range of delicious pastries and I absolutely LOVED the salted caramel croissant.

Check out The Best Hot Chocolate on the North Coast 500 here.

Kylesku – The Kylesku Hotel

A hidden gem and perhaps one of the Greatest Vegetarian Spots On The North Coast 500, with a fully dedicated vegetarian menu! The Kylesku Hotel is famous for its fish platters, but if this is what you’re after definitely book ahead! We didn’t and so when we arrived there were no tables available for us to eat in. However, the staff were incredibly friendly and were happy to order us a couple of meals to go. Which we sat and ate by the water watching the seals play on the rocks! The veggie haggis burger at the Kylesku Hotel is not to be missed!

Check out the full vegetarian menu at Kylesku Hotel here

Lochinver – The Lochinver Larder

Lochinver isn’t even officially on the NC500 route. But the pies at the Lochinver Larder have become so famous, the two are now synonymous with each other. Established over 30 years ago, they have evolved form a restaurant to also including a “pie shack”. And in 2020 they even expanding to sending pies in the post all across the country! There are a number of vegetarian options available in both savoury & sweet. We bought a savoury pie each… and then after walking them off around Lochinver, went back for a sweet rhubarb pie to share for dessert. No regrets!

Book your Click & Collect vegetarian North Coast 500 pies here.

Torridon – Bo & Muc Restaurant

We stopped at The Torridon a little bit coincidentally after some friends we met on our NC500 roadtrip had mentioned they would be there for lunch. The Torridon itself is stunning. But was certainly a little fancy for us in our converted campervan (and the accompanying muddy boots & outdoor clothes!)

But if you’re after a place for a special occasion, certainly book a table. We opted to sit in their more casual (but still gorgeous) bar restaurant, still within the grounds of the stunning hotel. Bo & Muc had a few veggie options. However, what really earns it a spot on the Greatest Vegetarian Spots On The North Coast 500 List, is the Scottish classic inspired Tunnock`s Tea Cake Ice Cream Sundae. It was out of this world!

Check out all the vegetarian friendly options at The Torridon here

Glencoe (bonus stop) – Glencoe Gathering

While not strictly part of our NC 500 route, we stopped in Glencoe for a night on our drive back to Edinburgh. And the food deserves a shout out. The Glencoe Gathering is a highly popular food option in Glencoe. So much so that we had to wait a while for a seat. But it was worth it. The Glencoe Gathering had a casual and cosy vibe, but still felt very polished and modern. While the vegetarian option in Glencoe weren’t vast, the vegetarian haggis supper that I had was a delight.

Check out the Glencoe Gathering menu & opening times here.

Vegetarian Spots On The North Coast 500 Glencoe Haggis

Top Tips For Vegetarian Spots On The North Coast 500

And there you have it! My greatest Vegetarian Spots On The North Coast 500. Of course everybody’s NC500 route will be a little different. Naturally, you may encounter some unexpected obstacles such as funky opening times, seating availability (or you know… a pandemic!)

But in my experience, eating vegetarian on the NC500 is fairly easy.

5 top tips / reassurance for anyone nervous about eating vegetarian on the North Coast 500:

Almost every town/ village has a Chinese Restaurant, Chip Shop or both. If you can eat chips & veggie chow mien – you’ll be ok.
Stock up at supermarkets; Inverness, Wick, Thurso and Ullapool have larger supermarkets. Take the opportunity to buy packets of nuts, crisps & fruit in case you have any issues getting a meal further down the road.
Take a mini stove / Jet Boil. Having the ability to boil water means you can cook packet mix couscous, chickpeas and plenty other “in a packet” type meals. Sure you wouldn’t want that daily – but its a hot meal to keep you going. I cannot recommend Jet Boil enough as a must-have camping accessory.
If there’s somewhere you’re set on eating, book ahead. Many of the best places to eat on the North Coast 500 are very popular and are reserved weeks or months in advance.