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A low stone-and-timber building signed The Cairngorm Cafe and The CAS Bar and Shop stands beneath a tall chimney, two people at the entrance and a gravel car park in front.
Cairngorms

Cairngorm Café

The café at the foot of Cairngorm Mountain, with wood-burning fires, a terrace over the hills and hot food after a day on the hill.

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Welcome

The Cairngorm Café stands at the foot of Cairngorm Mountain, at the ski area at the top of the road above Glenmore, and it is the natural place for a bite before or after a day on the hill.

With its wood-burning fires, it has a warm and cosy feel on a cold day, and its big windows and outdoor terrace look out over the hills.

The café serves hot food, cakes and coffee, and a hot chocolate piled high with cream is a favourite after a walk or a day's skiing. It is part of Cairngorm Mountain, alongside the Mountain Railway, the Mountain Shop and the adventure play park, which makes it an easy stop for families too. The café opens every day from half past nine until half past four, with hot food until half past three. The mountain can close in severe weather, particularly in winter, so check ahead before travelling.

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Before you go

The café opens daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm, with hot food until 3.30pm.

Cairngorm Mountain opens every day except Christmas Day but may close in severe weather.

Hours
Daily 09:30 to 16:30; hot food until 15:30.
Where
Cairngorm ski area, PH22 1RB.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
9.30am–5.30pm
Tuesday
9.30am–5.30pm
Wednesday
9.30am–5.30pm
Thursday
9.30am–5.30pm
Friday
9.30am–5.30pm
Saturday
9.30am–5.30pm
Sunday
9.30am–5.30pm

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Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Cairngorms

At the top of the road above Glenmore, by the base of the mountain railway, the Cairngorm Café is where everyone warms up. Wood-burning fires make it cosy on a raw day, and big windows and a terrace look out over the hills. There is hot food, cake and coffee, and a hot chocolate piled high with cream is the favourite after a walk or a day's skiing. With the play park and the Mountain Shop next door, it suits families well. The mountain can close in bad weather, so check before you set off.

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What is on

What is new across Cairngorms, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on in Cairngorms
01 / 02
Where it is

Cairngorm Mountain ski area, above Glenmore.

Close byOn the mountain.
  1. The funicular climbing the mountainside above Glenmore.Cairngorm MountainScotland's only mountain railway, climbing to the Ptarmigan Top Station at 1,097 metres.Under a mile as the crow flies
  2. A walker resting on granite boulders above the corries.BraeriachBritain's third highest mountain, 1,296 metres, in the western Cairngorms: a long day on exposed ground above the Lairig Ghru.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Skier in a green jacket jumps mid-air as another checks his phoneSkiing and Snowboarding in the CairngormsUnder a mile 2 min by road
  4. Cairngorm Reindeer CentreCairngorm Reindeer CentreBritain's only free-ranging reindeer, on the Cairngorm slopes above Glenmore, brought back in 1952, with guided Hill Trips most days.3 miles 7 min by road
  5. Reindeer with antlers walking along a wooden boardwalk through moorlandCairngorm Reindeer Centre3 miles 7 min by road
  6. Loch MorlichLoch MorlichThe highest beach in Britain, golden sand on a loch of the Glenmore pinewoods.4 miles 9 min by road
Directions
Inside the café, wooden tables down a long room.CafeAllt Mor Café3.3 miles
Aerial view of a dark blue lochan surrounded by pine trees and patchy snowAttractionsAn Lochan Uaine3.4 miles
Glenmore Lodge among the pines from above, the hills behind.AttractionsGlenmore Lodge3.9 miles
Ryvoan Bothy, Nethy BridgeAttractionsRyvoan Bothy3.9 miles
Sunlight slanting across the tables and wooden chairs in the Old Bridge Inn's dining room.BarsThe Old Bridge Inn6.9 miles
Floured hands shaping dough on a dark, flour-dusted worktopRestaurantsLa Taverna7.0 miles
The dining room at Delaneys', with dark tables laid by tall windows on Grampian Road.RestaurantsDelaneys'7.3 miles
The Rowan Tree Country Hotel, with its sign on the gable and a terrace of pot plants and tables in front.RestaurantsThe Rowan Tree Country Hotel7.5 miles
Coylumbridge Aviemore Hotel entrance lit up at dusk, surrounded by pine treesActivityThe Fun House at the Coylumbridge Hotel8.0 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the café, and when each is next free.

East Dell in spring sunshine, a low stone cottage with a red door and a mossy roof beside its garden and an old oak.East Dell
  • Sleeps 5
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 9 miles from the Cairngorm Café
Check datesDell Cottage's sitting room, a fire lit in the open hearth, with teal sofas and sheepskins on an oak parquet floor.Dell Cottage
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 9 miles from the Cairngorm Café
Check datesDell Lodge under snow, its pale stone front and dormers seen through red autumn leaves across the white lawn.Dell Lodge
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 9 miles from the Cairngorm Café
Check datesSouth Dell, a white cottage with a stone gable and a slate roof, its sunny lawn edged by big trees.South Dell
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Nethy Bridge
  • 9 miles from the Cairngorm Café
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the CairngormsAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .