Breakfast in Inverness is more than a quick stop — it’s the first bit of Highland hospitality you’ll meet all day. Get it right and you’re set up for city centre wanders, a drive out to Loch Ness, or a full afternoon on the trails of Glen Affric. Get it wrong and, well, you’ll still be thinking about it by lunchtime.
Why a proper Inverness breakfast sets up a full day in the Highlands
Most people arrive in Inverness with a plan. Maybe it’s a walk along the River Ness and up towards the castle, a browse round the Victorian Market, or setting off on the iconic North Coast 500 (NC500). All of it asks the same thing of you: a solid breakfast and a good coffee before you go.
River Ness from Ness Bridge - less than 1 minute walk from XOKO.
Highland days can be long, and the weather can turn on a sixpence, so the morning meal is where locals stock up. A freshly baked pastry, a proper coffee, and somewhere warm to sit — that’s the difference between a slow start and a brilliant day out. That’s exactly why we put this guide together: led by the bake we know best, followed by our favourite food spots across the Highlands when you hit the road.
Our pick: XOKO Bakehouse and Coffee Shop
If we’re choosing one Inverness breakfast to build a day around, it’s XOKO (we are also open the earliest at 7am, 7 days a week). We’re an independent Inverness bakehouse and coffee shop where everything is made by hand — from the pastries to the sourdough — and the welcome is as warm as the oven. Locals pop in for their morning caffeine fix, visitors settle in for a proper brunch, and almost everyone leaves with a bag of flaky deliciousness they didn’t plan on buying.
The baking happens right here in our bakery right underneath Inverness Castle, so everything is as fresh as the Highland air. That small-batch, made-this-morning approach is what makes XOKO worth the walk into town.
What to order at XOKO
Head to our counter for the full daily spread, but here’s where we’d start:
You’ve not lived until you’ve tried a XOKO Cinnamon Roll - The Sunday Post
Cinnamon Roll — The bakehouse signature. Soft, pillowy swirled dough packed with spiced cinnamon filling and topped with caramel. As The Sunday Post put it: "You’ve not lived until you’ve tried a XOKO cinnamon roll."
Cherry Bakewell Croissant — A gold-medal winner at the Scottish Bread Championships. A crisp yet chewy, twice-baked croissant loaded with rich frangipane, tart cherry, and toasted flaked almonds for the ultimate nostalgic British flavour.
Aberdeenshire Smoked Bacon & Egg Croissant — Quality bacon and free-range scrambled eggs from Nairn folded inside a warm, flaky croissant with a generous drizzle of maple syrup. The ultimate sweet-and-salty balance (and Tristan’s absolute favourite, though strictly kept as a once-a-week Sunday treat).
Sage & Caramelised Onion Sausage Roll — A proper double-barrelled beast encased in house-laminated golden pastry. We honestly don’t think you’ve ever seen one quite as large as this (ooh matron!). Substantial, deeply savoury, and built to fuel a full morning in the hills.
Pain au Chocolat — Pure French butter and crisp artisan lamination, baked fresh every morning.
Avocado on XOKO Sourdough — Topped with fresh, vibrant house-made pico de gallo on our signature toasted sourdough.
XOKO Sourdough Loaf — British-milled organic flour and Scottish organic rye, slow-fermented for over 24 hours to take home to your accommodation.
Speciality Coffee & Seasonal Drinks — Everything from silky flat whites, cortados, and long blacks to dirty chai, matcha, turmeric, and our vibrant purple Ube lattes. Don’t miss out on our cult favourite Banana Bread Latte.
Grab-and-go tips for early starts
Sage & Onion Pork Sausage Roll - It’s double-barrelled!
If you’re catching an early train, joining an excursion, or hitting the road early for the first leg of the NC500, XOKO is built for speed without cutting corners. Grab a takeaway brew and a warm pastry, and you’ll be out the door in minutes.
(And for the food lovers further afield, our traditional sourdough panettone can be pre-ordered and delivered UK-wide, so you can bring a taste of the Inverness bakehouse home.)
Heading Out of Inverness: Tristan & Fernando’s Favourite Highland Stops
Once you’ve had your morning fix at XOKO and pointed the car away from the city, the Highland food journey is just getting started. When we get a rare day off to escape the ovens, these are our absolute favourite spots to visit across the Highlands:
1. IV10 (Fortrose)
Whenever we get some time away, IV10 in Fortrose is Tristan and Fernando's favourite place to visit. Emma is a truly fantastic host, the atmosphere is always wonderful, and the kitchen serves up incredible, flavour-packed sharing plates alongside brilliant local and international produce. Whether you're stopping by after dolphin-spotting at Chanonry Point or making a dedicated trip across the Black Isle, it never disappoints.
2. Wild Gorse Kitchen (Balladrum)
Wild Gorse Kitchen at Balladrum is a fantastic place to visit in a wonderful location. They serve really good artisan food and coffee, and the beautiful Wild Gorse shop next door makes it an ideal place to visit and spend a relaxed morning.
3. Café Biagiotti (Beauly)
If you’re heading out towards Beauly or passing through before making your way up Glen Affric, Café Biagiotti is a really good stop for top-quality coffee and pastries to keep you fuelled.
4. Luigi’s (Dornoch)
Heading north up the east coast or navigating the eastern leg of the NC500? Make sure you plan a lunch or dinner stop at Luigi in Dornoch. It’s a great spot with fantastic food and a brilliant atmosphere. When you pop in, make sure to say hi to Chris for us!
Breakfast in Inverness: Practical Tips
A few handy things to keep in mind before setting your alarm:
Beat the rush: We get pretty lively at weekends — it’s a busy little place! Arrive earlier in the morning if you like a quieter start, but rest assured you’ll always get a seat and you’ll never have to wait too long to get settled.
Stock up before you hit the road: Good coffee and artisan food stops become fewer and further between once you leave the city and main routes — grab your travel snacks before you set off. A couple of pain au chocolat or a slice of our banana bread make ideal, delicious snacks to tuck into your bag for when you're out and about on the road or trails.
Loaf lovers: If you're after a fresh loaf of sourdough for a self-catering trip or picnic, pick it up in the morning before the shelves sell out. You can also pre-order through our online shop so you never miss out.
Make a morning of it
The best breakfast isn’t just fuel — it’s part of the day. Start slow with a cinnamon roll and a flat white, then take that energy out along the river, up to the castle, or westward across the Highlands. And if you’re really lucky, you may meet Victor at one of our community tables — our semi-resident Inverness tour guide — or one of the many other friendly locals who pop in for breakfast and coffee, always up for a chat and keen to recommend their favourite spots to see. (Victor likes an extra hot latte, just in case you're asking!)
At XOKO Bakehouse and Coffee Shop, we’ll have the coffee hot and the trays full. Come and say hello, grab something for the road, and let’s get your Highland day off to a proper start.
