A much-loved but recently troubled restaurant venue in Inverness is set for a rebirth.
The Castle restaurant in Castle Street enjoyed more than half a century of success as a local institution run by one family after first opening in 1959.
Painters at work outside the currently closed The Castle restaurant where La Le Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant is to be relocated. Picture: Will Clark.
But since 2015, the highly-popular haven for lovers of lavish steak pie and crinkly-cut chips portions has changed hands three times – twice since 2023 – after periods of closure.
Now we can reveal that the husband and wife team behind city success stories including the Cinnamon Indian restaurant and The Phoenix Ale House Bar are taking charge.
Funda Gocuk and Jad Hussain are set to relocate the award-winning La Le Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant from Academy Street to The Castle premises.
No firm date is set, but it is hoped the new venture in Castle Street can open as early as next month.
But the couple also plan to open a new restaurant where La Le previously operated, within the same building as the characterful and popular pub.
La Le, voted Scotland’s Best Turkish Restaurant of the Year in early 2024 at the Scottish Asian Food Awards, is already well-established and has built a strong reputation for quality home cooking.
Funda, who took over the Phoenix in November 2020 and opened La Le 10 days before lockdown, is determined to be true to The Castle’s ethos and history while reviving within it La Le’s own renowned warmth of welcome.
Funda Gocuk, owner of La Le Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant and the Phoenix Bar. Picture: James Mackenzie.
She said: “We can confirm that we have taken on the Castle Restaurant premises and that La Le will be relocating to Castle Street.
“We know that the Castle Restaurant has been a much-loved part of the town for over 50 years, and we approach this move with real respect and care.
“For us, it’s a privilege to carry forward the warmth and hospitality that people have long enjoyed here.
“La Le will bring its community spirit, support for local suppliers, and welcoming atmosphere to Castle Street, and we hope locals will see it as a positive next chapter for this much-loved space.”
Funda is vowing to keep locals informed on plans and developments as they progress.
New owners of The Phoenix,Academy Street..Jad and Funda Hussain with Abdul Fotik..Picture: Gary Anthony..
She added: “We don’t currently have a confirmed opening date, but we’re aiming for end of February and will let you know as soon as it’s finalized.
“Regarding the old La Le space, it will be used for new restaurant and The Phoenix will continue as it is.”
Regarded as an Inverness institution, The Castle restaurant has been serving locals and visitors since it first opened in 1959.
In 2015, there was a question mark over its future when long-time owner Brian Lipton – whose grandmother and uncle had originally started the business – retired and put the business up for sale.
The Castle was then acquired by the operators of the Jammy Piece which has a café at Muirtown by the Caledonian Canal.
It closed during the coronavirus pandemic but returned from lockdown with a new look, including new seating and a revised menu.
But in February 2023, the venue closed again “due to circumstances beyond [the owner’s] control”.
It reopened in July 2024 under the new ownership of Shabaro Ali, who owns two other nearby city centre restaurants the Shapla Indian restaurant and the River Grill.
Painters at work outside the currently closed The Castle restaurant where La Le Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant is to be relocated. Picture: Will Clark.
During that time, the Castle Restaurant signage outside was changed to Castle Tandoori.
It closed again in November last year, with the front windows papered over.
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Dining and Cooking