So, you’re visiting the Isle of Skye (or maybe you’re already here!) and want to know where you can find the best food, well look no further. Im TravellingLizzie, your honest travel guide, and I’m here to tell you all I’ve learned about the best eateries on this beautiful island from living here the past 3 years. The cafés in this list are all of my absolute favourites. Every single one in this list is a guaranteed good experience, so scroll on and enjoy!
Contents
My Top Picks
Baking: Bog Myrtle & Birch
Coffee: Summer
Food: Birch, Summer, Bog Myrtle, & Café Cuil
Views: Café Arriba & Dunvegan Community Café
Atmosphere: Bog Myrtle
Bog Myrtle
📍Struan
Being honest, this is probably my favourite café in Skye. The atmosphere in this place is just wonderful, with the most beautiful and elegant decor. They have bookshelves full of books for you to peruse and read while you enjoy your coffee. There is also a selection of games (such as chess) as well as some kids books too.
BUT, the best thing about Bog Myrtle is the baking.
Oh my word. I have never tasted anything in my entire life that even comes close to how good their brownies are. I would happily eat this brownie everyday for the rest of my life.
Brownies are not their only incredible baked goods. My second favourite is the chocolate chip cookies with sea salt. Closely followed by their Cheese Scone, and then everything else from Lemon and Olive Oil Loafs, Carrot Cake, Cardamon Buns, Basque Cheesecake, to Cinnamon Rolls. Everything is exquisite.
In terms of mealtime foods, they have some pretty amazing menu choices. Their menu does change from time to time, so everything I’ve tried might be somewhat different when you grab a seat at this café.
One thing they know how to do right, is soup. Their daily soups are always 10/10, for example they make a killer roasted butternut squash, orange, and pumpkin soup topped with toasted almonds (photo below on the left). They do often rotate the same soup flavours, which totally makes sense as they have got these recipes nailed.
Other menu items of note include their Toasties (10/10!!!) Turkish Eggs, Waffles, and whatever special they have devised. The specials are always wonderful and creative.
They also have some picnic benches outside so if the weather permits, you can ask to sit out there too!
Birch
📍Portree
When you think of cafés in Skye, Birch always comes to mind. From their modern interior design to their INCREDIBLE food and bakes.
Eating at Birch, feels like having brunch at a Michelin restaurant; their chef is creative and inspired and it shines through in their food. Even simple dishes like eggs on toast are always made to such an elevated level with incredible flavour profiles and combinations.
They do offer select menu items for takeaway, which is wonderful as the café itself is very small, and during summer months is pretty consistently full.
They have recently been named number 50 of the top 100 coffee shops worldwide, so you know they know what they are doing.
Being in the centre of Portree, alongside their accolades, and incredible products, it is understandable that their prices are a little higher. Overall, I would still say it is perfectly reasonably priced for what you are getting, as their food and bakes really are wonderful.
Of course, they have a selection of coffee and non-coffee drinks on offer. In summer, they often offer homemade iced tea/herbal juices.
I don’t mean this in the traditional Lipton Ice Tea sense though; one drink I particularly recall was a herbal strawberry cold tea (see photo) – and let me tell you, this was the best drink to have ever touched my lips. Their coffee is incredibly popular too. I’ve never been to Australia, but I feel like I could be in an Australian café when drinking coffee here. The baristas are all very talented and clearly know what they are talking about.
The coffee itself, isn’t my favourite, but that’s personal preference. It’s a little more bitter than your usual, but you can tell it is high quality.
While their food absolutely shines, their bakes are just as popular. I never been disappointed by anything from their cakes and bakes. As you can see, they clearly have a very talented team of bakers and patisserie chefs who work long and hard to provide us customers with some of the best on Skye.
Further, they often have bakes that you wouldn’t find elsewhere such as Rye Brownies, amog other delicious combinations the average bakery might not stock.
Summer
📍Portree
Summer is a fairly new addition to the Isle of Skye, but is a very welcome one. Their coffee is delicious (and large!), the staff are wonderful, and their sandwiches are the best I’ve ever had. Also, everything is homemade from focaccia to cookies.
I haven’t had a chance yet to sample their baked goods but I’ve been told by others that they are just as exquisite.
This honestly, might be my now go-to place in Portree. I cannot express enough how delicious and fresh the focaccia sandwiches are. Not only is the focaccia itself light, fluffy, and tasty but the fillings they come up with are unique and work so so so well. They also stuff the sandwiches generously, so trust me, it is a good lunch.
Some examples:
- Roast ham, Szechuan pineapple, Mustard mayo, Dressed leaves
- Frankfurters, Pickled cabbage, Crispy onions, House made curried ketchup
- Isle of Skye marag dhubh, Sumac pickled onions, Chippy chips, Okonomi mayo
- Roast tenderstem broccoli, Tomato aioli, Pangrattato, Buffalo mozzarella, Parmesan
- Coronation chickpea, Carrot salad, Aubergine pickle, Poppadoms
- Whipped garlic butter beans, Romesco sauce, Zingy slaw, Soy glazed sunflower seeds
Among many other marvellous focaccia related creations.
These lovely folks are located on the hill toward the Portree harbour. They have a few tables for sitting in as well as offering takeaway. It is the perfect spot to grab a sandwich to takeaway with you on a delightful walk down and around the harbour.
Cafe Cuil
📍Carbost
This café is pretty famous on the island. Similarly to the other spots I’ve mentioned to far, their food is on another level. Have a scroll this instagram post to see the new additions to their menu for Spring 2026. I believe dishes like the Beef Brisket Toastie & Rarebit, and Cùil Beans tend to stay on their menus regularly due to their popularity and deliciousness.
They also offer excellent coffees and bakes for those of us who love a sweet treat. And, they’ve recently published their very own cookbook which is available online or in all the local bookshops in Skye. If you love their food and want to get your hands on it, then head to the Portree Bookstore, Waystone Books in Dunvegan, or Café Cùil itself, among other locations.
One of the great things about Café Cùil is their location is so convenient for those visiting the island and seeing the main spots. You’ll pass this iconic red roofed cafe on your way to Talisker Distillery, the Fairy Pools, and Carbost. They also have their own parking lot so you don’t need to stress about parking like you do in places like Portree.
Similarly to Bog Myrtle, they have a couple picnic benches outside that you can sit at if you can snag one when the sun is shining.
Dunvegan Community Cafe
📍Dunvegan
This little hidden gem is just that – a gem. It’s probably that way as it is a community café ran by the church across the road. The magic of this place is unlike anything else. The views out of their panoramic window are jaw-dropping, and the staff are the kindest you will meet.
Now, this place isn’t open often, and they do hold community centric days which are days for just the local community to enjoy the café.
They also hold charity days, where you go in as usual but instead of paying for your coffee and/or food, you donate what you can do the charity they are raising money for.
If you are in Dunvegan, please pop in for a delicious coffee, cake, soup, or light bite. Take in the views and befriend the locals from the community!
The Hungry Gull
📍Staffin
This little place is a wonderful café, that feels like a real hub for locals and visitors alike. They serve locally sourced, Scottish, hearty, and delicious meals with options for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans.
They also have a range of home-baked goods to choose from. Now, I haven’t been to this café in a little while, so I’m somewhat out of touch with what they have on offer. My lack of attendance is purely due to geographical location from my usual hangouts and nothing on the café. In fact, writing this blog has reminded me that I must take a trip up to Staffin to pay the Hungry Gull another visit.
The location of this café is perfect for those doing the north-western loop on Skye. Situated just along the road from An Corran Beach (dino footprint beach!!), it makes a great half-way point stop for a brunch or lunch stop.
Café Arriba
📍Portree
This little café in the centre of Portree has a such a colourful feel to it. Up a small winding staircase lies this little gem providing breath-taking views over the water and feel-good food.
Also, they are dog friendly, so you and your furry friend can enjoy a nice place to rest in between the hectic travel schedules and long hikes.
Their menu options include comfort favourites like Mac n Cheese or Nachos, while also offering perfect lunches like Sandwiches, Soups, or Wraps with sides of salad/coleslaw/crisps/bread.
Lean To
📍Broadford
This place is really interesting. Now, I have only even gotten take-away from here, but they do have a really interesting ‘sit in’ option. While the café does operate like a take-away only, once you have secured your caffeinated and deliciously hand-baked goods, you can choose to take a seat in the ruins of an old building. See their instagram post here to see what I mean:
This place has beautiful baked goods, T-shirts, and other locally made bits and bobs like hot sauce for sale. Their coffee is really excellent and their business as a whole is just so cool.
Most people when visiting Skye will try to stay as close to Portree as possible, if this is the case then Lean To makes a wonderful pit stop when you first enter Skye, or a lovely goodbye when you’re leaving. Located near Breakish, in Broadford, I highly recommend popping your heads in.
Manuela’s Wee Bakery
Now, I haven’t been here in years – but oh my god, I remember how good their baking was. I haven’t been here in so long as it’s fairly far from where we live now, and we don’t pass it often except when we have no time to stop!
It’s on the other side of the Skye Bridge, located near Eilean Donan Castle. I had a peach danish with a streusel topping, and I have dreamt about it everyday since.
Not only do they have an array of delicious goodies for sale, but they also operate out of and around these fairy-esque magical looking huts.
Have a look at below:
Honourable Mentions
Dunvegan Hotel Coffee Shop, Dunvegan
- A great selection of homemade sweet treats, sandwiches, and a little shop filled with local delights. A perfect stop before taking a stroll around Dunvegan. Their coffee cups are edible too! (only the hot coffee cups; the iced coffee cups are definitely not.)
The Highland Cow Shop, Portree
- This is my go to for a quick coffee, light bite, or delicious sweet treat. They have a great selection of things like speciality syrups if you’re craving that sort of fix. (I love the cinnamon roll one)
Yurtea and Coffee, Waternish
- A coffee shop in a Yurt! What a cool place. Re-usable cups only, an array of sweet treats, and a little shop, it makes the perfect stopping point when you’re visiting Waternish.
Dunvegan Castle Café, Dunvegan
- Perfect after a long day exploring Dunvegan Castle & Gardens.
Atholl House, Dunvegan
- A peaceful place with hot drinks, sweet treats, and comfy seats.
Chocolates of Glenshiel (Not in Skye, but a must-go)
Literally the best hot chocolates/mochas/chocolate based drinks EVER. You’ll pass it on your way to Skye and it makes a wonderful pit stop to refuel and grab some (tasty) souvenirs. Staff are also wonderful; and look at this view!
These are honourable mentions as it wouldn’t really be my guide if I mentioned every place ever on Skye. I’m giving you this guide based on where I’ve tried and where I’ve liked. I wouldn’t mention them at all if I didn’t like them though, but I had to narrow down the list somewhere. Please also remember, I have not tried every place on Skye and I’m sure there’s many wonderful places for me still to discover. So, please, take my recommendations, but also explore!
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