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The Forbes Arms Hotel, Alford, Aberdeenshire

The Forbes Arms Hotel

4.7
4.7
310 Reviews
£26 to £40
Scottish

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2 people
19:00
Booked 3 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
The Forbes Arms boasts a new dining experience, riverside restaurant and outdoor patio area overlooking the River Don and William Minto’s segmental granite arched bridge built in 1811. The original Public Bar retains the historic character while the Lounge Bar and the Snug offer a more relaxing place to eat and drink with luxurious furnishings throughout.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Scottish, Vegetarian / Vegan, Pub
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00–13:15 Dinner Wed–Sun 17:00–19:15
  • Phone number
    01975 562800
  • Website
    https://www.theforbesarmshotel.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Location
    Bridge of Alford, Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8QJ
  • Area
    Alford
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 310 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Best Overall

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Best Food

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Best Service

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Best Ambience

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Best Value

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Good for business meals

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Good for groups

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Forbes Arms Hotel offers a charming dining experience with "fantastic food," "friendly staff," and a "beautiful setting" by the River Don. Guests appreciate the "excellent service" and "delicious meals" with "varied menu options." While some found noise levels challenging, many highlight the restaurant as a "local gem."

310 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Inverness

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Enjoyed a lovely meal with friends on a cosy, comfortable restaurant

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  2. Alisha

    Aberdeen

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely brilliant meal. Servers were attentive and helpful as well as being fun and cheery.

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  3. William

    Aberdeen

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Beautiful surroundings with good service and friendly staff.

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Edinburgh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 3 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely Sunday lunch!! Definitely recommend to anyone, will be back

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  5. Martin

    Aberdeen

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Enjoyable evening out. Staff very helpful and friendly. Food was a touch disappointing though. Ordered the lamb and specifically asked if it would be cooked rare/pink. Was assured so. Unfortunately as feared, the lamb was overcooked by a country mile! Had I known I wouldn’t have ordered - that’s why I asked.

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  6. Alison

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 31 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a superb meal at the newly refurbished Forbes Arms. We got a very friendly welcome from the lovely lady on reception and our waiters looked after us so well in the restaurant. They were very attentive. The kids menu was perfect for our little one and portion size was just right. There is plenty of space in the restaurant and you don’t feel too close to anyone. We had the burger, duck, lamb and beef cheek followed by ice cream, sticky toffee pudding and pavlova. Our meals were beautifully presented and so tasty! Very fresh ingredients. The drinks menu is extensive and for the drivers it’s always nice to have some great non-alcoholic choices. We loved the decor and the vibe. Looking forward to returning soon!

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  7. barry

    Aberdeen

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food with friendly staff. Will definitely be back

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  8. Steve

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 20 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A very nice restaurant, slightly spoiled by the food not being as good as other times we have been. We had the Sunday roast , I thought the Yorkshire puddings were a bit dry and the broccoli was not cooked. But other wise was ok. The menu is a bit limited on a Sunday. Service was excellent, ambience great. I wish you would allow tips to be put on the bill and could give them by card .

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  9. Kath

    Aberdeen

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 13 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    A fabulous local venue which is ideal for Sunday lunch. Great food and attentive service, what’s not to like!

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  10. Bronwyn

    Inverness

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 6 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had one of the best meals in a long time today. It’s hard to find something in Aberdeenshire, that’s of good quality, price and decent portions. I booked yesterday for my birthday, with my folks, and we haven’t stopped saying how fantastic it was. From the moment we arrived, the staff were friendly, the decor was gorgeous, and the food was unreal. Thank you so much - I will be recommending The Forbes Arms to so many people

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Forbes Arms Hotel is rated 4.7 stars by 310 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 3 times today
Google Map for The Forbes Arms Hotel

Bridge of Alford, Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8QJ

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Area
    Alford
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00–13:15 Dinner Wed–Sun 17:00–19:15
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Scottish, Vegetarian / Vegan, Pub
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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