Caffè Nero

You'll find yourself on Inverness's main drag at this Caffè Nero, surrounded by shoppers and office workers who've made it their caffeine checkpoint. The setup is straightforward—counter service, a few tables crammed near the window where you can people-watch, and the reliable hum of the espresso machine. It's not trying to be precious about coffee, but they do it competently: decent flat whites, proper cappuccinos, and the kind of pastries that don't disappoint when you're in a rush. This is where you pop in before heading to the castle or grabbing a mid-shopping pick-me-up. Nothing fancy, but that's precisely why it works.