The 20+ Best Cafes In Scotland
Looking for the best cafes and coffee shops in Scotland? We’ve got you covered. This list of cosy spots, speciality brews, and excellent small eateries is sure to satisfy, with cafes delivering coffee culture and crowd-pleasing plates.
As all foodies know, Scotland is packed with incredible eateries. But while our restaurants generally garner the most attention on the world stage, it’s the wide variety of independent and innovative coffee shops and cafes in Scotland we love most.
From our most northern reaches to the southern lowlands and everywhere in between, you’ll find wonderful small eateries boasting big foodie credentials and top-notch coffee - and a growing cafe culture that can easily rival any European destination.
In fact, we’d go as far as to say that Scotland is something of a cafe mecca.
Proudly independent, often sustainable, and champions of locally sourced ingredients, it’s Scotland’s small eateries that so often provide the most memorable foodie experiences.
No, they might not have Michelin kudos. But what they can do is deliver guaranteed comfort food and all manner of tasty treats, from classic dishes to innovative plates with an international twist. And it’s not just the high-quality food that’s so appealing - it’s the joy of soaking in a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere with a really great flat white.
So, whether you’re a dedicated foodie or searching for a barista-style coffee, this list of cafes in Scotland should provide inspiration for your next breakfast, brunch, lunch, or coffee stop.
Locations:
Isle of Skye
Perthshire & Trossachs
North: Highlands, Inverness & Black Isle
NC500: Caithness, Sutherland & Wester Ross
Central: Edinburgh & Glasgow
East Coast: Fife, Moray & Cairngorms
We’ve Scotland’s best cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries in a handy map. Want to access the map on the go? Download it here.
Handpicked Eateries
A few notes before we dive into the list.
Each is part of our handpicked list, which means we’ve personally visited and believe the menu, produce, setting and atmosphere are truly exceptional and well worth visiting.
We should point out that this list of Scottish cafes isn’t exhaustive, but we’ve tried to recommend a cafe from each of Scotland’s regions (though some are yet to be covered - get in touch if you’d like to feature).
In the interest of saving this post from getting so long it becomes unreadable, we’ve also tried our best to split this cafe guide from our bakeries guide. However, some crossover is inevitable, with most cafes below serving flawless sweet treats.
Finally, you’ll find even more incredible cafes in Scotland in our local area guides.
Scotland’s Best Cafes
In no particular order, but grouped (roughly) by location, these are Scotland’s best cafes.
Skye
Cafe Cuil, Isle of Skye
We struggled to pick a cafe on Skye because there are so many incredible foodie options on the island. However, Cafe Cuil, located on the road to Carbost, sums up everything excellent about eating on the Misty Isle.
The food, made with local produce and a lot of love, is exceptional. And the seasonal Hebridean menu reflects Cafe Cuil’s commitment to showcasing Skye’s bountiful larder.
Open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, Cafe Cuil’s menu is packed with flavoursome dishes such as slow-cooked beef brisket rarebit, Scotch pancakes, and poached eggs on sourdough with parma prosciutto, wild garlic pesto & rocket.
Or visit for a speciality coffee and sweet treat on your road trip around the island; the flat whites and homemade cakes are mouthwateringly delicious!
A sprawling barn-style cafe, Cafe Cuil is hard to miss; its glowing red roof is a welcoming sight amidst the surrounding barren landscapes. Inside, the decor is cosy, comfy, bright, and light. And a cute onsite shop offers Skye-inspired books, gifts, and crafts.
Cafe Cuil is seasonal and closes in winter, so check opening times before travelling.
Birch, Portree
If you want a barista-style coffee experience on Skye, head straight to Birch. A speciality roastery, the coffee here is excellent. Inside, Birch is a Scandi-inspired, minimalist, aesthetically pleasing spot with few seats but lots of atmosphere. Besides coffee, a carefully curated menu offers gorgeous cakes, sandwiches, and other small plates.
A mini-chain, you’ll also find Birch in Inverness and various cafes around Scotland serving their excellent coffee.
Lean To Coffee, Broadford
A former crofting cottage reimaged as a chic yet rustic coffee stop, Lean To Coffee near Broadford is a must. Inside, there’s makeshift seating in pared-back, perspex-covered rooms, while the cafe is inside a converted shipping container. On the menu, chai lattes and classic flat whites mingle with flaky pastries, sticky buns, and epic sourdough sandwiches.
Caora Dhubh Coffee Company
A coffee shop with a view. Tucked away in the village of Carbost, the modern and very cool Caora Dhubh offers great coffee with even better views. Overlooking Loch Harport and the Cuillin Mountains, it’s a spectacular spot to soak in Skye’s rugged scenery.
A boutique, small-batch roastery, Caora Dhubh’s focus is seasonal, freshly roasted coffee - but this hip cafe is equally big on sustainability, community, and ethical trading. Clad in wood with a distinctive black tin roof, the inside is small but sleek. And though it's primarily a takeaway spot, there’s a small outdoor seating area to enjoy lattes, flat whites, chai lattes, speciality teas, and sweet treats from their cabinet.
Read next: Best Restaurants and Cafes on the Isle of Skye
PERTHSHIRE & Trossachs
Cow and Parrot, Aberfeldy
Head to Perthshire for the best pastrami sandwiches, flaky pastries, and perfectly roasted coffee in the gorgeously cosy Cow and Parrot.
Located in the quaint town of Aberfeldy, this little cafe is run by the phenomenal team of Nicola and James (and cafe dog Cooper). With its unique collection of mountain-inspired memorabilia and wood-panelled walls, the cafe has a cosy, warm atmosphere that pairs well with the delicious, comforting food on offer.
Grab a loungy sofa, order a fantastic coffee, delicious pastrami sandwich (worth travelling for), drool-inducing cinnamon roll, and refuel after a walk in the local forests and hills.
Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters, Aberfeldy
Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters provides a unique coffee experience at their iconic roastery and cafe in the quaint Perthshire town of Aberfeldy. The wooden-clad, Canadian lodge-style roastery is tucked away near the banks of the River Tay but is well worth seeking out; an outdoor terrace, cool cafe, and roaring fire complement the aroma of freshly roasting coffee.
At the heart of the community, Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters are proudly B-Corp and committed to ethical and sustainable coffee sourcing.
Mhor 84, Balquhidder
This unique cafe-with-rooms is located on the iconic A84 Highlands road and is most often visited on an extended road trip to Glencoe and beyond.
Inside, Mhor 84 has a chic yet cosy atmosphere, combining paired back Scot/Scandi-style decor with wood-burning fires and big windows that let the surrounding Trossachs landscape inside. It’s sleek yet comfy, welcoming all sorts of muddy boots, dogs, walkers, cyclists, and road trippers into the bright, light, conservatory-style cafe and adjoining restaurant.
Food is served daily using local Scottish produce, often with innovative twists, and is resoundingly delicious.
Our favourite menu is served around brunch/lunch. It includes mouthwatering options like smoked mackerel with potato salad, capers, lemon, chives and the spectacular Mhor rarebit, a posh cheese on toast with buttered leeks, garden leaves, and rosemary ham, and the cheese and kimchi toastie - bonus points for the truffle parmesan fries.
Open daily, there’s a great selection of cakes too, good coffee, and drinks.
Ben Ledi Coffee Co, Callander
There’s no shortage of cafes in Callander, but Ben Ledi Coffee Co is undoubtedly the best. Inside, the atmosphere is cosy, the staff super friendly, the coffee excellent, and the food delicious.
All the dishes are made in-house, from breakfast to lunch (we especially love the avocado toast with pomegranate seeds and bagel sandwiches), but the absolute star of the show is their speciality drinks and sweet treats; think cardamom lattes, matcha tea, maple spiced coffee, carrot cakes, and flaky pastries.
Stop by on your way to a swim or paddle nearby Loch Lubnaig, a Trossachs getaway, or a Highlands road trip from Edinburgh.
St Mocha, Balmaha
Head to the shores of Loch Lomond at Balmaha, and you’ll find St Mocha, the perfect place for a bite or refreshment. With its speciality roast coffee, cakes, homemade ice cream, and light bites, it’s great for refuelling on the West Highland Way or after hiking Conic Hill.
The cute cafe has a few seats inside, but picnic benches outside and takeaway are also available. Visit after a day outdoors or on a Loch Lomond road trip.
North: Highlands, Inverness & Black Isle
Larder Cafe, Fort William
Located on the outskirts of Fort William, Larder Cafe is part of the Highland Soap Company. An open-plan, bright, light cafe with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, this is a popular spot for locals, road trippers, walkers, and cyclists alike.
Stop here after a Ben Nevis hike or as you walk or bike the Great Glen Way; the latter passes by the cafe, making Larder Cafe a perfect refuel stop.
Larder Cafe specialises in natural and home-cooked food, and you’ll find a menu centred on local produce and ingredients grown in the cafe garden. Don’t miss the cinnamon buns, hot honey halloumi french toast on brioche, and the delicious sweet potato buddha bowl.
The Wildcat, Fort William
A buzzing cafe on Fort William High Street, The Wildcat is a speciality vegan cafe, so you’ll find both great coffee and a variety of vegan-friendly alternatives. A popular spot for travellers exploring the Highlands - also serving breakfast, brunch, and small plates - even if you’re not vegetarian or vegan, you’ll love their selection of dishes, sustainable ethos, and great coffee.
Hinba, Oban
Describing themselves as ‘pure air, pure taste, pure Hebridean’, Hinba Coffee Roasters roast their single origin beans on the remote Isle of Seil, creating speciality coffee “free from all pollutants”. A mini-chain, you’ll find most of their coffee shops in Glasgow, though their Oban location is our favourite. Pared-back, minimal, and modern, serving artisan brews, this one is for the coffee connoisseurs.
IV10, Fortrose
Situated on the High Street in the quaint village of Fortrose, IV10 is renowned for some of the best food on the Black Isle. This hidden gem is worth travelling for and their food, served all day, is exceptional.
Casual and relaxed, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome by the friendly team who’ll talk you through the seasonally changing menu of shared plates, deli-style bites, and specials. We especially loved the slaw salad and giant Scotch egg. Still, there’s a lot to be tempted by in the sweet and savoury deli counters, including specially selected European cheeses, olives, and charcuterie. Oh, and a cracking cocktail menu.
Alongside its delicious menu, IV10 also has a curated foodie store where you can pick up local beers, coffee beans, and other delicacies in their deli. Book a table indoors or sit in the cosy outdoor seating area.
IV10 is open Wednesday to Saturday.
Slaughterhouse Coffee, Cromarty
An independent coffee shop in the heart of Cromarty, at the very top of the Black Isle. Slaugherhouse Coffee gets their beans from local roasters Van Dyke, brewed to perfection in their excellent barista-style coffees. On the menu are all the favourites - flat whites, lattes, and cappuccinos, plus filter and pour-overs. There are baked goods and treats, too, from Black Isle Bakery.
Inside this rustic coffee house is a scattering of makeshift tables and seats, a roaring fire on cold days, outdoor seating and a friendly welcome. Especially popular with locals, cyclists, and walkers, this coffee shop - overlooking the Cromarty Firth - is worth a day trip from Inverness.
XOKO, Inverness
Head into Inverness city centre, and you’ll find XOKO, a bustling open-plan cafe and bakehouse passionate about serving delicious plates of crowd-pleasing comfort food.
Visit for breakfast, brunch, or lunch and devour plates from the extensive menu that includes dishes like avo on sourdough with Pico de Gallo, huevos con chorizo (chorizo scrambled eggs), grilled bacon and Monterey Jack croissants, and the excellent frijoles rancheros (a traditional Mexican stew).
Chefs and owners Fernando Basaldua Bazaldua and Tristan Aitchison run the show, the former being responsible for the Mexican twist on popular dishes. Everything is made in-house, using the freshest ingredients, and their passion for really good food shows in every bite.
The same can be said for their love of coffee and sweet treats; the speciality coffee in XOKO is the best in town, while the heaving cake cabinet offers tantalising sugary treats perfect for elevenses. Grab a seat at the shared tables or prop the espresso bar.
The Milk Bar, Inverness
An independent coffee shop in the heart of Inverness, The Milk Bar has a reputation amongst locals and travellers alike for their excellent barista-style coffee.
Using the best quality ingredients and partnering with local suppliers from around the Highlands, including Inverness Coffee Roasting Co and Black Isle Dairy, their coffees are complemented by an assortment of baked treats, ice creams, and milkshakes.
There are two Milk Bars to choose from; the small and quaint Victorian Market location and the original, larger, sleek location overlooking the River Ness.
North: NC500, Sutherland & Caithness
Milk & Honey, Dornoch
Based in the idyllic coastal town of Dornoch, Milk & Honey is a thriving community cafe. Tucked away behind Dornoch Cathedral, it’s easily missed, yet it’s one of the best cafes in the area.
Serving speciality coffee (provided by Inverness Coffee Company), homemade cakes, and light bites for brunch and lunch, Milk & Honey offers a relaxing atmosphere and a place to catch up with friends over sweet treats.
Open Monday to Saturday, this is another excellent eatery on the East Coast. Visit on your road trip around the NC500 or a weekend escape in Dornoch.
River Bothy, Berriedale
Enjoy delicious cakes and small plates at River Bothy, one of the NC500’s top places to eat. This gorgeous little tearoom prides itself on being “a little pocket of happiness,” and that’s exactly what it provides.
River Bothy is a charming tearoom occupying an old stone cottage in the tiny hamlet of Berriedale on the East Coast. Inside is quaint and cosy, while outdoors, picnic tables provide glorious views of the river and forest.
The menu is deceptively simple: cooked breakfasts, freshly made sandwiches, quiches, and baked potatoes are all made from scratch, with love, care, and passion baked into every plate.
The highlights, though, are the sweet treats that cover the heaving countertop, all homemade and utterly delicious. And the exceptionally lovely staff who direct you to a secret beach if you ask nicely…
The Store Cafe, Bettyhill
Few cafes are as remote as The Store. Located in Sutherland, in the far north of Scotland, The Store is a thriving community-focused cafe equally popular with NC500 road trippers.
The Store has a decades-long history and was once stocked by the Gardiners of Orkney, who would ship goods to them. Nowadays, its rustic charm wins over locals and travellers alike, with Highland hospitality and a wide selection of fresh food for breakfast, lunch, elevenses, and dinner.
Sit inside and soak up the atmosphere. Or nab a seat in the sun outside, where you can peak downhill to breathtaking Farr Bay and its spectacular white sandy beaches.
Cereal Cafe, Tongue
You wouldn’t expect to find Scandi-inspired cafe culture in the very far north of Scotland, but Cereal Bakery & Cafe in Tongue brings chic and sleek vibes to this rugged part of Scotland.
Tucked away inside a historic building, Cereal was set up by Wing Mon & Niall, a couple from Bath seeking to restore the landmark old shop - and return it to its once important role as a community hub. Now evolving into a speciality bakery/community cafe, Cereal prides itself on using sustainable and organic ingredients sourced from local producers, creating everything on its menu in-house.
Whether it's a sweet treat or a light bite such as cheese and onion pies or kale, celeriac & carrot soup, this cafe is quite literally a hidden gem on the iconic NC500.
Cereal Cafe is open Friday to Sunday in summer; check opening times before travelling, especially in winter.
Cult Cafe, ULlapool
Head a few streets back from the main drag in Ullapool, and you’ll find Cult Cafe, a very cool and contemporary eatery with pretty aesthetics and even better vibes.
Cult Cafe brings New Zealand-inspired café culture to the heart of the Scottish Highlands, with a menu of speciality coffee and popular brunch dishes like shakshuka poached eggs and the mouthwatering pulled pork sandwiches with apple & fennel slaw, salsa verde, truffle aioli, and pork crackling on warm ciabatta.
There are tempting sweet treats on offer too, all homemade, with beauties like lemon & poppyseed cake with a citrus Swiss meringue buttercream (yum!)
Overlooking Ullapool Bay, it’s a gorgeous spot with indoor and outdoor seating that is perfect for taking a break on your NC500 road trip.
Central: Edinburgh to Glasgow
The Milkman, Edinburgh
An Edinburgh icon, The Milkman occupies two spots on Cockburn Street. The original Milkman is at the bottom of the hill, with the newest edition. Pastries, cakes, sticky buns, and sweet treats are the things to order here, alongside speciality coffee.
The atmosphere is lovely, with both cafes chock full of character and quirky corners. The best seats are those in the windows, where you can watch the world go by, but you’ll need to be early (or lucky) to grab one of these.
Bonnie Barista, Edinburgh
A relaxed, modern space perfect for enjoying excellent coffee, Bonnie Barista have multiple cafes in Edinburgh but we like their Castle Street location best. An intimate spot perfect for escaping the bustle of the city, there’s a variety of delicious focaccia sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and sticky buns to choose from too.
One of the best cafes in Edinburgh, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, its dog-friendly, and a great place to catch up with friends or have a quiet solo retreat.
La Barantine, Edinburgh
Bringing French-inspired bistro culture to Edinburgh, the La Barantine offers a small but perfectly curated menu of crowd-pleasing dishes. There are multiple locations around the city, but our favourite is colourful Victoria Street, overlooking the curving cobbled street.
Open daily, they’re most famous for their bread, baguettes, croissants, quiches, tarts, and spectacular French patisseries. All are made in-house with classic French flair.
Grab in a seat in this cosy cafe, nestled within an old stone building, or takeaway and enjoy while exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Edinburgh Larder, Edinburgh
Famous across the city for their brunch, Edinburgh Larder’s multiple locations are each relaxed and cosy spaces serving good food made with locally sourced ingredients. While in the city, you should drop in for breakfast, brunch, or lunch – their Eggs Benedict and fully loaded breakfasts are legendary.
Find Edinburgh Larder near the Royal Mile (Blackfriars Street) and Morningside. Our top tip? Book a table in advance; this popular Edinburgh cafe (open daily) is often packed, especially on weekends.
The Garden Kitchen, West Lothian
A leafy cafe tucked away inside a garden centre, The Garden Kitchen in West Lothian is an idyllic spot for a lazy brunch or lunch on the sunny outdoor terrace or cosy interior.
The café sells a variety of delicious freshly made toasted bloomer sandwiches, soups, and cakes. But it is the bigger plates locals rave about - straight from the BBQ, slow-smoked beef on fully loaded ciabatta, baked rooster potato with Stornoway black pudding, and smoked Scottish pulled pork are mouthwateringly delicious.
With lovely views across the garden centre and greenhouses, The Garden Kitchen is a popular spot, so be sure to book a table in advance.
East Coast: Fife, Cairngorms, and Moray
Nethy House, Nethy Bridge
One of the highlights of the quaint and forested community of Nethy Bridge, Cairngorms, Nethy House Cafe sits in the heart of the village. Overlooking the ancient bridge and tucked inside an old stone cottage, this charming cafe serves some of the best food in the Cairngorms.
Delicious loaded salads, quiches, soups, flaky pork & haggis sausage rolls, and more are hand-crafted. While the extensive cake cabinet is full of tempting treats.
You’ll find Nethy Bridge village amongst some of the Cairngorm’s most popular walking trails, including nearby forest trails, the Speyside Way, and cycle paths; this cafe, with its roaring fire and quiet garden terrace, is the perfect spot to refuel and relax.
Ryvoan Cafe, Aviemore
Bringing much-needed modern vibes and contemporary cafe culture to Aviemore, Ryvoan Cafe offers a seasonally changing menu of delicious dishes - all made onsite with locally sourced ingredients.
With decor inspired by the surrounding wild landscape, it’s the perfect backdrop for Lunch (think salads, focaccia sandwiches, and savoury croissants), a cup of speciality coffee, or one of their popular brunches and breakfast options.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, you’ll find Ryvoan Cafe tucked away in Myrtlefield Business Park, a short walk from the town centre..
Coastal Cuppie, Pennan
This quirky coastal hut is one of our absolute favourite places to visit on the Moray Coast.
Sitting literally on the harbour edge in the charming village of Pennan, Coastal Cuppie offers a range of homemade cakes and treats, tea, and coffee for visitors exploring this lesser-visited coast.
We highly recommend the blueberry lemon and lime yoghurt cake and scones with clotted cream and jam.
Owner Shona is a welcoming and friendly local who’ll happily share her recommendations and places to visit. And, if you’re very lucky, you may meet resident dogs Oscar and Charlie (be prepared to throw a frisbee for the former).
Check opening times before travelling.
North Point Cafe, St Andrews
Tucked away near the Castle and Cathedral, North Point Cafe is an inviting spot that blends a relaxed vibe with old-town charm, and there’s often a queue for tables.
The menu is extensive and packed with favourites, like fully loaded bagels, burritos, pancake stacks, and all-day breakfasts. We’re partial to the graduate bagel with sliced banana, peanut butter, honey, and Greek yoghurt. But the American brunch with bacon, eggs, pancakes, and maple syrup is also a winner.
This is comfort food, but it's done really, really well, and for that, it’s a must-visit eatery in St Andrews.
Harbour Tearoom, Crail
The Harbour Tearoom sits a few steps away from the historic harbour in the picturesque fishing village of Crail. A unique cafe with views over the Firth, all the food here is made onsite, from toasties to sweet treats.
A welcoming, tranquil spot to refuel, especially for those exploring the Fife Coastal Path or day-tripping the East Neuk, the Harbour Tearoom is tucked away inside the cellars of an ancient fishing cottage.
Inside has been carefully restored, and exposed beams and flagstone walls are a testament to the history of the building, While the small but perfectly formed outdoor terrace is a gorgeous spot to enjoy refreshing drinks on a sunny day.
Best of Scotland…
While we’ve visited many of Scotland’s excellent cafes and coffee shops, we certainly haven’t visited them all. So, if you’re an independent cafe or small eatery looking for a spot on our list - or a cafe lover with a missing favourite spot - get in touch and let us know why your choice deserves a feature!
