The best places to eat in Argyll and Bute

Argyll and Bute’s breathtaking landscape features a backdrop of striking mountains and open water – perfect for outdoor adventurers. But it’s not just adventure that makes this place worth visiting. Foodies will love the array of excellent eateries across the region, made with Scottish ingredients sourced from land and sea. 

Whether you’re seeking fresh seafood beside a loch, a coffee and cake pitstop, famous whisky to sample, or a slap-up pub meal, there are ample spots to choose from! If you need some culinary inspiration, read on to discover some of our favourite places to eat in Oban and across Argyll and Bute.

The Pierhouse Hotel, Port Appin

Best for: seafood with a view

If you’re seeking quality locally-caught seafood in a stunning setting, head to the 2 AA Rosette restaurant at The Pierhouse Hotel, situated in the peaceful village of Port Appin on the shores of Loch Linnhe. You’ll find traditional Scottish delicacies and fresh local seafood on the menu, with firm favourites including the langoustine, mussels and lobsters harvested from the nearby lochs. Enjoy your meal in the relaxed dining room or, if the weather allows, out on the waterfront terrace. Either way, you can savour your shellfish with a crisp glass of wine and jaw-dropping views to the island of Mull, the mountains of Morven and the Ardnamurchan peninsula. 

Cuan Mor, Oban

Best for: a hearty breakfast

In Oban’s main street you’ll find Cuan Mor, a bustling and welcoming restaurant with wonderful views across the bay. Expect home-cooked food, hearty portions and a relaxing atmosphere – with interiors made using only natural and reclaimed Scottish materials. If you’re after a decent meal to fuel a day of exploring, on the breakfast menu you’ll find classics like eggs Benedict and buttermilk pancakes, as well as the Big Scottish Breakfast with optional haggis! And if you’re not around at breakfast time, Cuan Mor serves delicious lunches and dinners, as well as ales brewed in their very own brewery. 

Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Cairndow

Best for: oysters 

Right at the top of Loch Fyne, where the mountains meet the sea, you’ll find Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. Founded in the 70s, this restaurant and deli specialises in seafood farmed on the loch and in the in-house smokery – and, of course, freshly shucked oysters are the star of the show.  Sit in the bright and airy restaurant for a leisurely lunch chosen from the daily-changing menu (a sharing platter, perhaps?). Or if the sun’s shining, pick up a takeaway to enjoy your seafood alfresco in the Loch Lyne Garden, just a stone’s throw from the shore. 

The Port Charlotte Hotel, Islay

Best for: dinner with whisky

The Isle of Islay is especially famed for its whisky, particularly peaty and smoky single malts. There are plenty of distilleries you can visit – but if you fancy an evening where you can sample an array of whiskies from multiple distillers, The Port Charlotte Hotel is a great choice.  As well as elegant dishes like pan-seared John Dory or venison fillet with truffle mash, the bar is stocked with an impressive selection of whiskies – and has previously been a winner of the National Whisky Pub of the year. Ask the knowledgeable staff if you’re not sure what to order. On cooler evenings, it’s the perfect spot to settle by the fire with a dram in hand, while live music often adds to the atmosphere.

The Kilberry Inn, Tarbet

Best for: a cosy evening out 

The Kilberry Inn is a remote roadside inn near Tarbet, accessible via a 30-mile single-track coastal road. It’s worth the journey for its welcoming hospitality, traditional interiors with stone walls and wooden beam ceilings, and reputation for excellent food – the perfect combination for a cosy (elevated) pub lunch. Choose from the seasonal set menu, made with local produce like beef, lamb, garden vegetables or fresh seafood. Menus change regularly to reflect what’s freshest, but everything is always cooked with care and creativity. Wash it all down with a thirst-quenching pint of beer or something delectable from the wine menu. If you’re lucky you might even spot deer outside the window during your visit. 

Five West Coffee, Tighnabruaich

Best for: coffee and cake 

Five West is a bustling café and community space, right near the water in the seaside village of Tighnabruaich on the Cowal Peninsula. Order a speciality coffee made using their own Five West Roast blend and choose a chunk of cake or a buttery croissant to enjoy on the side, before finding a cosy corner to relax into amongst the rustic coastal interiors – or outside on the waterfront when the weather’s good. If you’ve got little ones in tow, there are plenty of puzzles and colouring materials to keep them occupied, plus there’s a child-friendly menu full of tasty goodies.

Ee-Usk, Oban

Best for: sharing seafood

Ee-Usk is a world-renowned seafood restaurant on Oban’s North Pier, suitably located overlooking the town’s busy harbour and bay. On the large menu you’ll find all the seafood you could wish for, showcasing the freshest catches from the surrounding waters. If you’re visiting as a couple, why not try a selection with the Grand Platter for two? This luxurious dish is served with oysters, half a lobster, dressed crab, king scallops, langoustines, Thai fishcakes, smoked salmon, mussels, fresh salmon, crab claws – a true feast for seafood lovers! Take your time savouring each bite in the light and airy setting whilst you share a bottle of something cold on the side. 

Piazza, Oban 

Best for: Italian

Pizza and pasta fans should head to Piazza, sister restaurant to Ee-Usk, also on North Pier. This popular Italian eatery has an extensive menu, brimming with delicious dishes. Choose from comforting classics like spaghetti a la carbonara or margherita pizza, or more speciality options like the linguine speciali with chicken, fresh chilli, pepper, basil and parmesan, or the bolognese pizza, topped with mozzarella, tomato and their finest steak bolognese sauce. The floor-to-ceiling windows are a bonus, offering fantastic views across the bay and towards the islands of Kerrera, Lismore and Mull.

Mount Stuart, Bute

Best for: a historic setting

If you like your lunch with a side of history, visit Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute. This grand Victorian Gothic Mansion was home to the Marquesses of Bute and is set in 300 acres of serene gardens overlooking the River Clyde. Once you’ve explored the spectacular interiors and picturesque grounds, make your way to the mansion’s Courtyard Café for a light lunch. Choose from an assortment of sandwiches, salads, and soups, or indulge in a cream tea made with their famously irresistible scones. There’s also a good selection of takeaway food if you fancy a picnic in the gardens.

The Oystercatcher, Otter Ferry

Best for: Waterside pub grub

Set on the easterly side of Loch Fyne at Otter Ferry at the end of a long and winding shore road, The Oystercatcher is a small, family-run bar and restaurant serving great food with a focus on local ingredients. You’ll find all sorts of refined pub grub on the menu, from beer-battered fish & chips, to hearty burgers, to butternut squash risotto. The Oystercatcher really comes into its own when the sun shines, when you can tuck into your meal on the outdoor picnic tables in the tranquil setting beside the loch. It’s even more magical if you can time your visit with sunset. 

Inver, Strathlachan

Best for: sustainable fine dining 

Inver is a modern restaurant in a former crofter’s cottage, set in a remote spot on the edge of Loch Fyne. Since opening in 2015, the restaurant has quickly established itself for its exceptional food and sustainability practices, picking up a well-earned Michelin Green Star in recognition. The fine dining dishes feature the best wild and farmed ingredients, from fresh shellfish to local meat and game. They bake their own sourdough, churn their own butter and do butchery and charcuterie, ferments, ice cream and more in-house. Go for the Tasting Menu if you’re keen to try a selection, with complementary wines from the carefully curated list.

Lodge on Loch Lomond, Luss

Best for: afternoon tea

With panoramic views of the loch from the huge windows, Colquan’s Restaurant in Lodge on Loch Lomond offers a breathtaking waterside setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner – and makes an extra special destination for an indulgent afternoon tea. Choose from ‘the savoury selection’ with sandwiches and savoury bites, or ‘the sweet selection’ with a tempting array of cakes, tarts, macarons and freshly baked scones. For a boozy upgrade, why not add a glass of champagne? Gin-lovers can also opt for the Ben Lomond gin afternoon tea for a unique twist!

The Glass Barn, Mull

Best for: cheese 

The Glass Barn is a beautiful café & farm shop that’s home to Isle of Mull cheese. This family-run dairy farm sustainably produces its traditional Scottish farmhouse cheeses, and you can sample the goods at The Glass Barn. Try a rich and melty cheese toastie, creamy mac & cheese, or a loaded cheeseboard, all packed with flavour. If you’re keen to learn more about the art of cheesemaking, you can also book a tour during your visit. It’s a chance to discover their unique whey-based vodkas and gins that are distilled right on-site too. Cheese and gin tasting, anyone? 

Bute Yard, Rothesay

Best for: contemporary artisan goods

Bute Yard is a modern food and drink hub in the Isle of Bute, showcasing the best artisan produce from the island, with the aim of regenerating its foodie scene. There are regular food markets and popular pop-ups here where you can try hand-cured smoked salmon and trout from the Isle of Bute smokehouse, gin from the Isle of Bute Distillery, craft lagers and ales from Bute Brew Co, and more. With both indoor and outdoor spaces and plenty of seating, it’s a great spot to hang out and sample local goods, come rain or shine.  

Mishnish, Tobermory

Best for: a lively atmosphere

If you’re looking for a traditional Scottish bar offering live music, sport, a pool table, a cosy fire, friendly staff, a well-stocked bar and home-cooked food, Mishnish is just the place! You can’t miss this iconic bright yellow pub on the waterfront at Tobermory, Isle of Mull, that first opened its doors back in 1869. Visit for dinner – choose from the likes of haddock and chips, sirloin steak or veggie chilli – and stay until late with your tipple of choice, when the lights are dimmed and music gets turned up! 

Loch Lomond Arms, Luss

Best for: traditional Scottish fare

Loch Lomond Arms is a gorgeous 17th-century coaching house in Luss at the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, with the self-proclaimed ‘finest address in Loch Lomond’. A 2012 renovation saw the coaching house restored to its former opulent glory, making it a wonderful setting for a Scottish lunch or dinner. The menu is packed with hearty, comforting dishes from delicious pies to  meat and seafood options – but for the ultimate traditional experience and taste of Scotland, opt for the haggis with neeps & tatties and a whisky sauce. There’s a vegetarian option too. 

Stay in Argyll and Bute

For a special base in the heart of the foodie action, explore our hideaways in Argyll and Bute. Take a look at Na Mara Bothy, a handpicked hideaway near Oban. Meaning ‘of the sea’, this cosy bothy is a slice of paradise, with its own private beach, woodfired outdoor bath, and mountain backdrop.