The Clunie Dining Room

Visited the week before Christmas for afternoon tea for my partners birthday. I did inform them of this on arrival and thought they might stick some candles in the cake or something but they did nothing which was dissapointing. Would have preferred a more 50/50 split between the savouries and sweet. Felt like it was 30% savoury (sandwiches etc) and 70% desserts. I thought it was £55 for x2 people, not £55 each which could have been better described on the website and menus. Ambiance was great, we had our dog so sat in the lobby but with all the Christmas decorations we thought it was nicer than the Clunie rooms.

Stepping from our room at The Fife Arms into the Clunie felt like swapping hallways for Highlands theatre: cubist-patterned walls, chandeliers that glow like embers, and a stag presiding over the open wood-fire grill. Our server, Cameron, suggested the fire-licked Invercauld venison loin—charred edges, rosy center, while Mom’s North Sea trout arrived, paired with sautéed greens. Smoke-forward yet precise: lobster claw over birch-ember leeks, and each plate shouts Scottish provenance without fuss. Michelin is right, the kitchen lets prime local produce and that blazing hearth do the talking. Staff balance warmth with razor-sharp timing; glasses refilled before you notice, menus walked through like a fireside story. The separate vegan/vegetarian list means everyone’s covered, and tables can be angled away from the taxidermy if that’s your preference.  Mains run £40-£48, but when the last forkful disappears you grasp the premium: provenance, fire, and hospitality flowing seamlessly. After a day of Highland air and Swiss lager in the Flying Stag, this was the restorative supper I needed and the leisurely two-minute wobble back upstairs sure beats a cold taxi queue.

Absolutely the perfect place to have afternoon tea and our anniversary dinner this year! Gorgeous surroundings, delicious and well-curated food selections, and the most outstanding service. We couldn’t help but feel a bit like royalty during our afternoon tea in the living room and during our anniversary dinner the next evening in the dining room. The staff is so welcoming and elevates the experience to world class levels. And can we talk about the wine list? Beyond excellent! We capped off our dinner meal with a few fabulous cocktails from Elsa’s and enjoyed them by the fire with the piano adding more beauty to the ambience. Memories were created that will keep us thankful and smiling until the next time we make it to Braemar and The Fife Arms. Thank you to all the staff at The Clunie and Elsa’s Bar

My boyfriend and I loved our meal here. The vibe was warm, chic but also not stuffy. We had spent all day hiking around the area and really wanted to treat ourselves. The sommelier was so approachable and her recommendation was spot on for us and our Beef Wellington! We enjoyed the food, presentation, the staff and the dessert. Overall a lovely evening!

"I have always loved Duck so when I see it on the menu I invariably order it. The duck was for 2 people and came up with the breast beautifully carved with a Duck fritter made from the legs and accompanied by Rosti chips. It wasn’t good…….it was sensational. By far the best duck we have ever tasted and that is saying something! The fritters were moist and delicious and the Rosti chips gave the crunch the dish needed. The starters and desserts were delicious as well but this meal will live long in our food memories. RN

Went for afternoon tea with my wife and mother-in-law, we all thoroughly enjoyed the food, tea and service. The hotel itself has a great country ambience about it.

We really enjoyed our honeymoon stay! The Inn is stunning and was perfect for our road trip through Scotland. The sauna right in the room was great for a day full of hiking. Dinner and Breakfast were incredible and the staff was incredibly friendly. The views!!! The Inn is kind of all on its own surrounded by nothing but beautiful scenery. The road is pretty close, but at night there are not many drivers on the road.

Wonderful food, service, ambiance