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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.

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

Did you know

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
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Where it is

Cairngorm Mountain ski area, above Glenmore.

Close byOn the mountain.
  1. The Cairngorm BreweryThe Cairngorm BreweryAviemore's own brewery since 2001, home of Black Gold, Wildcat and Trade Winds, with a shop and a Tap Room by the tanks.Under a mile3 min by road
  2. Play golf in the CairngormsUnder a mile3 min by road
  3. Fruit scones fresh from the oven.Route 7 CaféA family café upstairs on the Dalfaber estate at the edge of Aviemore, with hearty food, lighter dishes and a welcome for dogs.Under a mile3 min by road
  4. Two guests by the wood-burning stove.Foxfire CoffeeA speciality coffee bar just outside Aviemore, with cinnamon buns baked in house and views towards the northern Cairngorms.2 miles7 min by road
  5. Loch MorlichLoch MorlichThe highest beach in Britain, golden sand on a loch of the Glenmore pinewoods.8 miles21 min by road
  6. The funicular climbing the mountainside above Glenmore.Cairngorm MountainScotland's only mountain railway, climbing to the Ptarmigan Top Station at 1,097 metres.12 miles29 min by road
Directions
A steam train at Boat of Garten.AttractionsStrathspey Railway2.8 miles
A climber crossing between platforms among autumn trees.AttractionsTreeZone Aviemore2.8 miles
The Barn at Rothiemurchus, a timber building under the pines.CafeThe Barn at Rothiemurchus2.9 miles
A handler in tweed raising a gloved hand as a golden eagle lands beside him, CairngormsShoppingRothiemurchus Farm Shop2.9 miles
Falconer in a field flying a bird of prey towards his gloved handAttractionsRothiemurchus Falconry3.0 miles
Pine trees line a rocky loch shore with an exposed root bankAttractionsRothiemurchus3.0 miles
Aerial view of a red-roofed cabin on a forested loch shoreAttractionsLoch Vaa3.4 miles
Coylumbridge Aviemore Hotel entrance lit up at dusk, surrounded by pine treesWalksFun House at Hilton Coylumbridge3.6 miles
Ruined castle on a small loch island beneath low mistAttractionsLoch an Eilein Castle4.8 miles
Stay nearby

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

A landscape view of Park Cottage in the snow, its windows lit, forest and a white hill behind.Park Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Kincraig
  • 5 miles from the Cairngorm Café
Free 23–25 OctA row of stone cottages with a slated roof and four chimneys sits behind a gravel courtyard, hills visible in the distance.Killiehuntly Bothy
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Cairngorms
  • 11 miles from the Cairngorm Café
Check datesA stone barn with a red door and a steep slate roof stands among trees turning gold in autumn.The Hayloft
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Cairngorms
  • 11 miles from the Cairngorm Café
Check datesStone farmhouse surrounded by autumn trees and hills in the Scottish countrysideKilliehuntly Farmhouse
  • To stay
  • In Cairngorms
  • 11 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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