The Coach House Bar And Restaurant

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#8 of 17 Restaurants in Dornoch££ - £££, Bar, British, Vegetarian friendly

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

3.5

326 reviews

#8 of 17 Restaurants in Dornoch

There aren't enough food, service, value or atmosphere ratings for The Coach House Bar And Restaurant yet. Be one of the first to write a review!

Write a Review

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

Learn More

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Scottish

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

features

Location and contact

Church Street, Dornoch Scotland

+44 1862 810376

Improve this listing

Does this restaurant have live music

Yes

Unsure

Details

Manage this business?

About

Formerly the Dornoch Inn, the Coach House Bar and Restaurant in the centre of Dornoch provides waiter service and buffet food in the restaurant and snack meals from soups, burgers and pies from the long ground floor bar. All food is prepared fresh from locally sourced ingredients and, with the town's butcher as his father, owner and Chef Kenny Mackay is well placed to secure the best cuts!

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub, Scottish

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service, Live Music

Contribute

Write a review

Upload a photo

Ask a question

We perform checks on reviews.

Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews

Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.

When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.

Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.

Learn more about our review moderation.

3.5

326 reviews

Excellent

115

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

doddsers

Kintore31 contributions

Mixed Reviews

Jul 2021 • family

Out of 5 meals we ordered, 3 were very tasty, these being a meat pizza, Enchiladas and a chicken burger. Unfortunately the other pizza was slightly undercooked in the middle. The one meal that certainly didn’t hit the spot was the lamb noisette. We were told there was no potato dauphinois so took new potatoes instead. When it arrived, the lamb was like 2 very small chops lying together bearing no resemblance to a noisette dish. Along with the potatoes, there was a small portion of broccoli and the 2 smallest, thinnest carrots we’ve ever seen. On questioning the waitress, she went away and returned with the excuse that there was a lamb shortage and it was very expensive. It looked like the Head Chef was having a break and his assistant was cooking. After removing the fat, 4 small mouthfuls were left. So if anyone wants to order this, please ensure you ask first what to expect.

Written 26 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.

Hill-run_bisom

Aberdeenshire195 contributions

Ok but room for improvement

Jun 2022 • none

Having emailed to book a table and always receiving prompt replies were looking forward to our visit. We were met by very friendly front of house staff and had our orders taken promptly. We then had to wait nearly three quarters of an hour for our main course despite most other guests having been served before we got there. The two FOH ladies were rushed off their feed and could definitely do with more help. When we eventually received our long awaited main courses they were ok but we had also ordered a side of chips and a sauce. They both arrived after pretty much the whole meal was already eaten and the chips had to go back as they very undercooked and inedible. Came away very disappointed by the whole experience which was only made slightly better by the two ladies who were being very let down by the kitchen and the management. Sadly won’t be back

Written 7 June 2022

Connor

Preston408 contributions

Confusing place but good food

Sept 2021 • family

Came here recently (we didn’t book as didn’t think we’d need too) on our NC500 road trip. We asked for a table for 2 but we got turned away as they weren’t taking anymore bookings due to chef shortages. We ended up seeing that there was a couple of people eating pizzas outside at the downstairs pub, so we decided to try the pub for a meal. We asked the friendly barman, who I assume is the landlord for a table for two and he said that shouldn’t be an issue if we can wait 20 minutes… 20 minutes later he told us our table is ready now and to head upstairs!! We ended up back where we got turned away from earlier, not realising it’s the same business. Upstairs is a modern restaurant and downstairs is an old fashioned coach house (hence the name obviously) The waiter clearly wasn’t impressed to see us back and we had to wait an age for our order to be taken. In the end the young polite waitress took our order and not long after our food arrived. The food was excellent so all turned out well in the end.

Written 27 September 2021

THESAVAGETRUTH

3 contributions

AVOID THIS PLACE

Aug 2020 • family

Having booked a table for 7.45pm we arrived to be told our table had been given away to walk ins and so we would have to wait until a table was free. We sat on the sofas in the waiting area. We waved down a waiter and ordered drinks as we wernt offered any while we waited. The drinks arrived half an hour later and we were asked if we would like to order food (although we hadn’t been seated yet). We agreed and made our orders. After an HOUR since we arrived we finally got seated and another half an hour we were served our meals. The beef stroganoff (£14.95) had a whole 3 pieces of beef in it ! It was bland and the one piece of garlic bread (£3) was smaller than the palm of my hand. Then for desert I ordered the chocolate brownie, the brownie itself was really good but the chef obviously didn’t realise your supposed to microwave the brownie before you put the ice cream on the plate So the ice cream was mainly just cream 🤦‍♂️ All in all we were there for around 3 hours when we should have been about 1.

Written 7 August 2020

IslaGame

Grantown-on-Spey94 contributions

Not sure where all the good reviews are coming from?

Jul 2020 • family

We arrived as a group of four adults and one 3 year old child, having booked for a 5.30 dinner. After ordering fish and chips and one steak we waited an hour for our food to arrive. We couldn't get the attention of the waiting staff, who seemed keen to ignore us. We finally got someone's attention and asked when our dinner would be ready. It finally arrived. No apology given. Steak was fine, fish and chips was a mixed bag. The chips were over cooked, the batter had black bits on it, indicating old oil being used. The batter was flabby. The actual fish itself was nice, minus the batter. Really though, not worth waiting over an hour for in an almost empty restaurant. Coffee was watery, sticky toffee pudding was hard and crispy around the edges, the cheesecake was so hard you needed a rock hammer to get into it. We were given free drinks because if the wait, only because we asked for some compensation. This was not offered willingly or readily. We left via the one way system, giving us a glimpse into the dirtiest, grease ridden kitchen I have witnessed. A window being held open by dirty, dusty and greasy table mats that looked ancient. I would recommend they clean a bit more and get their kitchen in order. Toilets had no soap to wash your hands, I did mention this, but it wasn't rectified after an hour and a half, so doubt anything was done that evening. I would not recommend. Four fish and chips, a steak and four deserts cost £80. Bit of a rip off really.

Written 29 July 2020

Lisa H

Kentallen105 contributions

Fantastic service !

Jul 2020 • family

Visited here this week whilst on holiday. We were looking for lunch. Just out of lockdown many places are still closed in this area so with a dog & 2 hungry kids it is challenging! Went upstairs first to ask if they would serve food outside on the benches, was directed downstairs where the barman said to just bring the dog in, it wasn't a problem. I explained the dog was only a puppy & got excited easily & then barked. The barman wasn't phased so we decided to give it a go . Ordered the food & after a bowl of water ,some treats & lots of fuss arriving for the dog (!) , he soon settled allowing us to eat. Thank you for great service.

Written 24 July 2020

Ticky28

56 contributions

Need more staff to provide a better service

Jul 2022 • couples

Was really looking forward to eating here as had called in earlier & booked & the restaurant - looked really nice & tables not too close. The staff were really nice but there was not enough staff for the number of people eating and this let the place down badly. We were in the restaurant for over 1 and half hours & only got a main & one drink. My partner said his chicken dish was nice apart from some of his mushrooms were rubbery. My fish in parma ham was over cooked, - it was as though it was left in the oven until ordered as it was also on the dry side. We did get chance to order a second drink which never arrived & dessert but we got so fed up of waiting for the slice of cold dessert straight from the cold display. We asked for the bill & was surprised as this arrived before we'd even got our coats on. Again, the meal would have been better if there had been more staff as the poor staff were being run ragged.

Written 2 July 2022

Cheryl mcdermid

12 contributions

The coach house

Oct 2020 • family

First class service, the food was cooked and presented beautifully, very generous portions all freshly cooked. Staff were welcoming and friendly. Such a cosy environment also. Definitely recommend here. We felt very safe with the precautions in place due to COVID-19.

Written 24 October 2020

Claudia V

London15 contributions

Nice

Jan 2020 • couples

We found this place as the only one open on new year's Day. They opened the first floor for us and offered the dinner menu because we liked it more than the lunch one. The food was very tasty and beautiful to see and the staff nice and welcoming

Written 4 January 2020

Sandra R

Fraserburgh4 contributions

Disappointing

Oct 2021 • family

Staff were pleasant and polite however our customer experience was not good. We had to wait quite some time for our food. From ordering to serving it took 3 hours to serve 3 simple starters to mains. My 5 year old granddaughter wanted icecream but we didn't order it as we were afraid of how much longer we would have been kept waiting. Please take the curry off the menu it was dreadful, I would have said on the night but my daughter was too embarrassed. A shame really as the resteraunt looks so nice in terms of decor etc..

Written 27 October 2021

Linda

5 contributions

Poor service and inedible food

May 2021 • friends

We waited over 40 minutes for our lunch to arrive, with no information or explanation. When I asked what had happened I was advised there were lots of orders. But 2 other tables upstairs had already been served and finished, and when we looked downstairs it wasn’t busy. When our food finally arrived, (by which time we’d finished our wine) the bacon in the club sandwich was almost raw, inedible, and we sent it back . The panini were undercooked and only warm but just about edible. The girl who originally served us never came back, another girl brought the bill. No apology and no offer of discount.

Written 14 June 2021

Marina M

Edinburgh8 contributions

So disappointed

Sept 2021 • family

We looked forward to a lovely family get together meal out. Very sad to report our disappointment with the food. One dish had to be returned and all of us were served undercooked soggy chips. The salad was good. The waitress staff were lovely and very efficient and the restaurant environment is comfortable which is why I gave two stars. Sadly we will not be back - Dornoch deserves better.

Written 7 September 2021

Mike_Skidmore

Northampton207 contributions

Thoroughly underwhelming

May 2022 • couples

Visited on our NC500 tour. Whilst received and seated promptly with the order quickly taken, we had a modest wait for our staters, minestrone soup & Haggis stack, although both were very nice. We then waited about 45 minutes for our mains, mushroom risotto and Monkfish wrapped in Parma ham with fondant potato and Mediterranean roast vegetables. The risotto was a generous portion & well cooked but the Monkfish was thoroughly underwhelming. Whilst the fish was just ok, the Parker ham was charred, the fondant potato had a crust that almost needed heavy plant to crack & the Mediterranean vegetables consisted of more potatoes with a few onion & red pepper pieces. Note sure which “Med” the chef had taken inspiration from but definitely not the same one that I’ve had med veg in. The waitress Fed back my views to the chef, whose response was that he’d try better next time!

Written 10 May 2022

victoriacox_wall

Newport259 contributions

Ok for holiday pub food.

Oct 2021 • friends

We booked a table and were seated promptly, the room was spacious but cold (I understand windows must be open for Covid-19). Eating with a coat on is not fun. Several items on the menu were not available (steak/lamb/stuffed crust pizza) but we ordered non stuffed crust pizza, a steak pie, chicken burger, pasta and meatballs. My friend checked the meatballs were suitable for a customer with a nut allergy and was assured yes, after it being checked. The menu stated that allergy concerns should be raised with staff and yet they seemed vague. There should be written information available on every dish. The pizza was piping hot, a little bland. The other dishes were ok. The dessert choice was basic - no hot pudding and custard dishes, the ice cream was comically served with the phallic appearance of a chocolate straw! Again my friend checked re the allergens in the dessert, she was told “don’t know” again and then the staff member confirmed they were labelled “May contain traces of nut” so no dessert for her. Shortly after we had left, my friend had a medium to serious anaphylactic reaction, requiring medication, (she had only had the meatballs and pasta to eat) which is why printed allergen information should be available for every dish. She has a nut allergy but also shellfish, it could have been contamination in cooking and restaurants/pubs must be more aware of their very serious responsibilities re food safety. Probably wouldn’t recommend.

Written 30 October 2021

dave

1 contribution

Ghastly restuarant

Apr 2023 • couples

Ghastly mel. Arrived at 7 pm frst plate came out at nearly 745 rest came out at 8 20 fish was so samll it waslike a couple of fish fingers.2 kids meals loked asiftheycame out of a frozenpacket greasy and horrible,the lamd was raw sent back think they blowtorched it and it was really not a good bit of lamb,pretty tasteless. The best part was the water it had ice cubes in ti but the rest was a dreary overblown petic menu that lookand and tasted like nothing resembling what it said. talk about the Kings new clothes this was a terrible terrible meal. 2 Other tables complaned and the 3rd one looked at their meal as we were leaving and seemed amazed at what they had in a bad way.There were 3 chefs on but the time taken to produce 4 meals see,ed beyond them and a gap of over 25 mins between one meal and the other 3 so one was finished and then the other 3 arrived.Really avoid this place like the plauge it is the worst ever,the quality was below par with motorway cafes at their worst,and the pices were asronomical. Solution go to the COOP and get a frozen meal and take it home.Total cost for this visit over £90 and really the worst ever.

Written 4 April 2023