The Sun Dancer in Nairn has been awarded the title Restaurant of the Year at a prestigious business dinner.

The seafront restaurant was given the accolade at the Inverness Business Awards after beating off stiff competition from other restaurants from across the Highlands.

The business specialises in seafood and has already been recognised for its creative dishes and stunning location which offers panoramic views over the Moray Firth.

It was awarded the title of Scotland’s Hidden Gem in the Scotsman Food & Drink Awards in September 2018 and was also awarded Best Seafood Restaurant 2018 – Highlands and Islands in the Lux Life Food & Drink Awards.

Lee Jack, owner of the restaurant which opened just over three years ago said he was delighted to be the region’s Restaurant of the Year. “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award and what makes it even more special for us is that we were in a category with other very well-known and respected restaurants. To be honest we were just thrilled to be nominated and be up there with some of the best places to eat.

Lee added: “I am very lucky to be able to say that I have a very loyal staff which is one of the reasons we are doing so well. The whole team is passionate about the Sun Dancer and the experience that we offer to our customers, so I thank them for that. I also must give special mention to head chef Peter Sealey who is continually improving on our menus and coming up with new and innovative ways to deliver the great local produce that we use at the Sun Dancer.

The Sun Dancer was also nominated in the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards but was beaten by Muckrach Country House Hotel, however, Lee said: “What has been so tremendous being at both of these award ceremonies in recent weeks is that Nairnshire was heavily represented by award finalists. It was great to see such a huge contingency from our wee patch of Scotland excelling in the food and drink industry.”

The Sun Dancer opened in August 2016 on the site of a former games arcade and ice cream shop. The development of the modern building has helped to transform the area and the restaurant which also comprises and takeaway and café is now popular with locals and tourists alike.

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