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About
An authentic highland inn, offering a rustic friendly ambiance to provide a genuine taste of highland hospitality. Our food is wholesome homemade cuisine using the best local, seasonal ingredients to create a gastro-pub style menu coupled with a relaxed and friendly standard of service.
PRICE RANGE
AU$17 - AU$33
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Brunch
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub, Scottish
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Reviews (448)
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419 results
Traveller rating
254
114
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10
7
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Traveller rating
254
114
34
10
7
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All reviews steak and ale pie sunday roast duck pudding haggis the pub lovely food gareth dogs grub book inverness wee
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Reviewed 4 weeks ago

We walked in to the Cairn and were greeted by friendly staff, they explained they were super busy as it was Saturday night and a table would be around an hours. We waited in the bar area enjoying the lively bar scene and some drinks...before being taken through to our table in the restaurant. The restaurant was pleasantly lit with a dim atmosphere and the menu was small but had a great selection of starters, mains and puddings. The food was exceptional and staff were friendly and attentive. I would highly recommend the Cairn for anyone looking to eat out in a nicer place although the price was slightly higher it was worth the price. The only thing is booking is unavailable so a wait is excepted for a table if in a rush I would not recommend or having an alternative back up arranged.More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 5 January 2024 via mobile

To start off, it's a pleasant old pub and the front of house staff were absolutely lovely. I stopped by because I read all the great reviews saying how amazing the food was, and sadly, I left extremely disappointed. I paid £16 for a steak...and ale pie that had clearly been cooked in a microwave - indeed, the fact that it was served less than five minutes after I ordered should have been a giveaway. The meat was dry and bland, the gravy watery and similarly flavourless, and the pastry was clearly store-bought and microwaved with the rest of the dish. The chips were also blatantly cheap store-bought fries. This surely reflects either an owner trying to cut costs or a chef who simply cannot be bothered. Unfortunately, I won't be eating here againMore

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 31 December 2023

Had a great dinner, freshly made food. Very tasty! Lots of great beers / drafts, friendly personnel.

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 25 September 2023 via mobile

Ate here as a party of 5, 4 adults and 1 child. All food was enjoyed, especially the steak pie. Cajun fries were a little on the hot side but all in all a good place.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 18 September 2023 via mobile

Stayed three nights in the hotel and had dinner in the pub area. Amazing service by the staff each night. All the food was of high quality and tasted fantastic! I would recommend the Haggis Lasagna!

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 14 September 2023 via mobile

We have passed this pub many times and always intended to visit sometime. This time we did, food was good, hot and well presented. BUT, the service let them down, long waits for someone to appear and then longer wait for food. After two hours...we decided to leave after main course plates not cleared after 15 mins. Did want a pud, but we were fed up of waiting.....but then couldn't ask anyone for our bill, as the solitary person serving had disappeared! It was explained that they only had one chef that night.....but chefs don't clear tables. We'll not go againMore

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 13 August 2023 via mobile

Flying visit up into the highlands and we booked in for a night. We had a great room “Dulnain” spacious, clean, lovely comfortable bed, pillows and duvet. Although it was on the roadside, there was no traffic after 10pm so it was t a problem....Food was very good, I went for the chicken shawarma which was tasty. Good busy barMore

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 11 August 2023

A lovely meal out, great atmosphere. The food was absolutely brilliant I personally recommend the Haggis Lasagna which was scrumptious. Staff were lovely and welcoming

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 30 July 2023 via mobile

Love this place. Have been twice and both times have been excellent. It is a proper local bar serving great value fresh food. The beers are well kept, supporting local breweries. The thing that really stands out are the friendly, efficient staff. Hard to imagine...better service anywhere.More

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 26 July 2023

Had a very enjoyable Birthday meal served with friendly and helpful staff. There was a very warm atmosphere about the place and the food was excellent

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 3 July 2023 via mobile

Excellent fresh food with great prices across the board for food and drink. Staff very friendly and the atmosphere vibe was lovely.

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 23 June 2023 via mobile

We’ve been here for a drink a couple of times & thought we’d try eating here as it gets good reviews Called to book and was told that wasn’t necessary and not a problem as we would get a table even if busy it would...be a short wait, they only take bookings for tables of 6 or more Travelled up there tonight …. Heaving ! No chance of a table & no idea how long we’d have to wait …ok we’ll leave ….. she called after us maybe 45 minutes but no guarantees, we decided to wait & went to sit at a recently vacated table outside only to be told we couldn’t as there was a queue of people waiting! So the suggestion was we had to stand on the pavement outside, on the main road for 45 minutes? I don’t think so !! Very poor show Cairn Hotel & we certainly won’t be back & friends we’re awaiting out our feedback … that’s simple …. To be avoidedMore

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 29 May 2023

Lovely pub, very welcoming and attentive staff, good menu. We all picked something different off the menu and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals, I had to leave some of mine (Sunday roast) as I couldn't finish it. Everything is locally sourced where they can...and bread is homemade for the Focaccia starter, (can't comment on other breads). The pub itself is lovely with a log burner and logs stacked on the side, would be lovely and cosy in winter, there are plenty tables outside but we opted for eating inside. We will be back.More

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 4 April 2023

The food at the restaurant is fantastic. I haven't had such a lovely meal in quite a while. The restaurant was very busy but I'm not surprised as the standard of their food is really high. My whole family enjoyed every bite and the staff...were very attentive. Honestly some of the photos here make this place look average but it's not and is a hidden gem.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 25 March 2023

Great atmosphere, very friendly. Food was great mostly. Dog friendly which was a bonus. Catered well for our large group.

Date of visit: February 2023
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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Anne B
6 September 2020|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from CairnCarrbridge | Property representative |
Hi, thanks for getting in touch. Yes, we do offer a kids menu for under 12s. It features the usual favourites, but all homemade. Chicken or fish goujons, local butcher sausages and mash, gourmet hot dogs, soup, or mac and... More
0
Votes
SAS1207
29 January 2019|
Answer
Response from Maria T | Reviewed this property |
The Cairn has a private room for a limited number of persons. Call direct for details, they are very accommodating people.
1
Vote
bUbBlEgUm91919
25 June 2017|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from Bigman2012 | Reviewed this property |
I'm fairly certain that they have local steak and if not there is a steak house in the village
1
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THE CAIRN HOTEL RESTAURANT, Carrbridge - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Cairn Hotel Restaurant

The Cairn Hotel Restaurant is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4.5