Speyside is well-known as a foodie destination, and the Moray coast is famed for its seafood. The combination is tantalising, and food is a huge part of why we love this region so much!
One of our favourite places to eat is 57 restaurant at the Dowans Hotel in Aberlour, with a fabulous menu based around local and seasonal produce. For those looking for a full fine dining experience, try the four-course tasting menu on offer in the sister restaurant, Spé.
The Copper Dog pub at the Craigellachie Hotel also focuses on fresh local produce in a relaxed environment - wherever possible, all ingredients are sourced from within a 50-mile radius of the pub. Just down the road, the Highlander Inn also receives rave reviews for its home-cooked fare.
Whilst you might think visiting distilleries is only good for fans of whisky (or possibly gin), some of the nicest places to eat in the Speyside region can, in fact, be found at or close to the main whisky hotspots. The Seven Stills in Dufftown (close to the whisky shop and the huge number of distilleries in and near the town) is a great example, as is the Mash Tun, just around the corner from Aberlour distillery.
For a quick bite or a leisurely lunch, there are several excellent cafes, including the one at Gordon Castle serving seasonal Scottish dishes using ingredients from the walled garden. Toot's Cafe and Bistro in Rothes is also a great place for lunch, especially well-located if you're keen to play golf. We also really enjoyed Le Petit Gourmand cafe and coffee shop in Aberlour.
Up on the Moray coast, the Bothy Bistro in Burghead is an informal and friendly place for a bite to eat. The restaurant at the Cluny Bank Hotel in Fochabers is great if you'd like something a bit more formal, as is the Knockomie Inn in Forres.
The small village of Cullen on the Moray coast is the original home of the speciality soup, Cullen skink, a creamy and hearty dish made with haddock, potatoes and onions. The dish can still be eaten 'in situ' in one of the seaside cafes - we love Rockpool cafe in particular.
For something a bit different, you can eat a light lunch in an old railway carriage at Dufftown rail station - check out The Sidings.
If you're looking for a pick-me-up in the form of a sweet snack to eat 'on the go', look no further than the fabulous Fochabers Ice Cream Parlour.
As well as having excellent restaurants and cafes, Aberlour in Speyside has been the home of the headquarters of the famous Walker's shortbread for over a century. The enormous factory stretches out from the outskirts of this pretty Speyside town, and visitors can browse the shop on the site to get hold of some samples for themselves.
If you're a foodie looking to visit Speyside, key dates to keep an eye on are the Spirit of Speyside festival, which brings together the very best of the region's food and drink, and the Cawdor Castle food festival - Living Food - which runs over a two-day period each year and focuses on organic and local produce from throughout the Highlands.