The Best Cafes in Skye

The Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides, an island of mountains, wind-swept cliffs and tranquil lochs with a rich Gaelic heritage. Each year, thousands of visitors are drawn to explore it.

Amid all this natural beauty, a day of exploring usually calls for a cosy spot to sit down with a hot drink and something good to eat. Whether you're returning from a strenuous hike up the Cuillin or a day at Loch Coruisk, a welcoming café is a good place to refuel.

Here are our favourite cafes across the Isle of Skye, each chosen for its food and drink and for the way it brings local flavours to the table.

Birch is a speciality deli, coffee house and eatery found in the beautiful town of Portree. Established in 2020, the café was inspired by the coffee culture of Melbourne, aiming to bring the artisanal vibe of Australia to the Scottish Highlands.

A family-run café in Glendale, Café Lephin is just on the main road to Neist Point. Serving fresh home baking, light meals and even local ales, the café is a big supporter of the local community and local business, and is often at the heart of the island’s charity fundraising.

Bog Myrtle Skye isn’t just a family-run café – they’re also an independent bookshop and a gift emporium. Halfway between the Dunvegan Castle and the Talisker Distillery on the West Coast, you’ll find handmade gifts, speciality tea and coffee and Bundaberg drinks.

Café Cùil blossomed from its East London roots into a local culinary landmark. Opened by Clare Coghill, this barn-style venue with a bright red roof pairs a rustic ambience with innovative dishes. Renowned for its brunch, Café Cùil delights with Hebridean produce: think Cuil kimchi toasties and Scottish smoked mackerel on sourdough. Signature dishes like the beef brisket rarebit and a Highland-twist shakshouka with vegetarian haggis exemplify its creative flair. The seating is airy, with cosy sofas by the stove, and the house Cuil-Aid is a homemade rhubarb and rose lemonade.

Lean To Coffee in Ashaig, Isle of Skye, offers a unique coffee experience that marries rustic charm with passionate craftsmanship. Operating from a converted shipping container on a family croft, the café features makeshift seating within a ruined crofter’s cottage, some areas covered by Perspex roofs. This spot is perfect for enjoying locally roasted Birch coffee from Portree or alternative beverages like honey-soaked chai, matcha lattes, and rich hot chocolate. Their menu delights with homemade granola, sticky cinnamon buns, and creative sourdough toasties such as the 'Noserider' filled with Strathdon blue cheese, pear, and candied walnut. Focused on quality, Lean To Coffee uses organic flour and fair-trade ingredients for their baking, and consistently provides vegan and gluten-reduced options.

The Coffee Bothy, in Broadford on the Isle of Skye, provides panoramic views of Broadford Bay and the distant Applecross Peninsula. Since its opening in March 2022, owners Rich and his partner have transformed this charming spot into a local staple known for its warm welcomes and exceptional customer service. The Coffee Bothy offers a robust brunch and light lunch menu with ample options for vegans and those with gluten intolerance, ensuring all patrons find something to enjoy. Additionally, the café has a stunning array of homemade cakes that are as delicious as they are visually appealing. Visitors can also browse a selection of gifts crafted by local artists, making The Coffee Bothy well worth a stop for both residents and tourists seeking a genuine taste of Skye's community and culinary delights.

Amy's Place in Torrin, renowned for its homemade cakes and cosy atmosphere, is well worth a stop on the road to Elgol. This charming tea room with a distinctive purple facade and tin roof offers a delightful array of cakes, including traditional Victoria sponge, lemon and elderflower, and chocolate, alongside daily soup and homemade cheese scones. Enjoy your treats with a pot of Tiree tea or a selection of coffees and cordials. With gluten-free and vegan options available, plus a deli section and local crafts for sale, Amy's Place offers a slice of local culture and culinary excellence.

Deli Gasta, set in a picturesque stone cottage in Broadford, epitomises simple, good food. This busy deli and café is known for its excellent coffee and a commitment to local produce. Signature sandwiches like ‘The Monarch’, featuring Great Glen venison salami, plum and apple chutney, and Scottish cheddar, and ‘The Dunvegan’ with roast butternut squash and vegan feta, highlight their menu. Coffee lovers will appreciate the ethically sourced beans from Dear Green Coffee Roasters in Glasgow. For added convenience, customers can pre-order their sandwiches the night before for quick, fresh pick-up the next morning. Deli Gasta is a perfect stop for quality, quick bites on Skye.

Inside Café Sia, amidst the scenic backdrop of the Red Cuillin Hills in Broadford, you can witness the art of coffee roasting firsthand. If timing aligns, you might catch the masterful Craig Steele at the roaster, enhancing the aromatic experience as you tuck into one of their renowned wood-fired pizzas. For those seeking a taste of the sea, the 'Over the Sia to Skye' pizza is a culinary voyage, generously topped with sesame seaweed, silverskin anchovies, Hebridean hot smoked salmon, capers, prawns, mussels, and tomatoes. For those on the go, Siaway offers a swift takeaway service, and the brand has expanded with an outlet in Portree, aptly named Pizzaway, further spreading their delightful offerings across Skye.

Café Arriba brings a splash of colour and creativity to Portree with its hippy chic vibe and eclectic décor. Located on Quay Brae, this dog-friendly café offers a picturesque view of the harbour, making it a prime spot to enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee. Open from 8 am to 4 pm, Wednesday through Sunday, Café Arriba serves a dynamic menu that changes daily, featuring everything from classic café staples to unique offerings like chilli scones and spicy roast tomatoes. There is plenty for vegetarians and vegans, with a mix of local ingredients and international flavours. Follow the stairway to this lively meeting place, where locals and visitors alike come to relish the view and the food.

The Hungry Gull, a cherished dining spot, serves up a creative twist on classic dishes, making it well worth a visit. On the specials board, innovative offerings like Pork Belly Benedict with poached eggs on sourdough, topped with a unique gochujang hollandaise and sesame, invite a fusion of flavours. The counter tempts with decadent white chocolate chai sticky buns and cookies stuffed with biscoff, perfect for a sweet treat. As evening falls, The Hungry Gull transforms into a takeaway haven, featuring the classic fish and chips or the standout Gull Burger, lavishly topped with Orkney cheddar, smoked bacon, and caramelised onions alongside handcut chips, creating a culinary delight that's hard to pass up.

Dunvegan Bakery, reputedly the oldest bakery on Skye, has been delighting patrons since around 1870 with its array of old-school, gooey cakes. In the village of Dunvegan, this cherished spot serves up retro treats like apple turnovers, sugary doughnuts, and iced slices in flavours like lemon and blackcurrant. Complement your sweet treat with an oat milk latte for the perfect morning or afternoon indulgence.

YURTea&Coffee, hosted by SkyeSkyns on the scenic Waternish Peninsula, offers a unique pop-up tea tent experience throughout the summer. This cosy retreat, warmed by a woodburner on cooler days, features luxurious sheepskin-strewn seating inside and sunny picnic tables outside. Whether you're in the mood for artisan coffee, exotic leaf teas, or homemade delights like soup, quiche, and cakes (perhaps a slice of rhubarb and custard sponge), the Yurt provides a perfect setting. Enjoy wide views across Waternish while savouring Skye's finest baking in a welcoming atmosphere. The Skyeskyns showroom and tannery next door sells handmade sheepskin rugs and accessories.

Caora Dhubh, meaning "Black Sheep" in Gaelic, is a lively, compact coffee shack and roastery located opposite the Talisker Distillery, with picturesque views over Loch Harport in Carbost. Jamie Fletcher has masterfully crafted a hip, wood and tin-roofed establishment that, despite its small size, makes a significant impact through its commitment to local community, ethical trading, and sustainability. This busy takeaway spot is also known for its funky merchandise.

An Crùbh, Gaelic for 'the hub', is a bright, contemporary café, shop, and events space thoughtfully constructed by the local community. This inviting venue features a cosy inglenook and a wood-burning stove, perfect for those dreich (gloomy) days, as well as outdoor seating to enjoy when the weather is brighter. Vast picture windows provide sweeping views of the spectacular mountain scenery, framing the natural beauty of the area. Whether you're seeking a warm place to unwind or a scenic spot to enjoy a sunny day, An Crùbh offers a welcoming atmosphere where both locals and visitors can gather, relax, and engage with the community.

A social enterprise café on Skye operated by charity Columba 1400, this café is in the north of the island. A central hub for the local community, it is also a library, meeting place and space for internet use, and serves delicious, hearty meals throughout the day.

Located conveniently next to the ferry terminal in Sconser, The Noost is a delightful takeaway spot serving from a window hatch. This charming destination serves a variety of cakes, drinks, and Mr. Whippy ice creams, perfect for enjoying by the loch side. The area has picturesque views and a quaint seating area outside, where you can relish treats like carrot cake and caramel flapjack. Ideal for grabbing a quick bite before catching the ferry, The Noost also offers easy access with designated disabled parking and a gently sloping path leading down from the jetty, enhancing accessibility for all visitors.