Places to eat and drink in Portree, Sleat, and Plockton
Most of these places to eat are on Skye, with a handful in Lochalsh and on the Applecross peninsula. Many of the menus centre on local seafood and seasonal produce. Loch Bay Seafood Restaurant in Stein is small and chef-led, while The Three Chimneys and The House Over-by sits on Colbost with views across the coast. In Portree, Scorrybreac Restaurant builds its dishes around local, seasonal produce. For a lighter stop, Gasta - Broadford serves coffee, fresh cakes, and short lunches, and An Crùbh in Sleat draws locals as well as visitors. Near Kyle of Lochalsh, The Croft Cafe pairs homemade cakes with a Highland cow experience on the adjoining croft. Plockton Hotel has a lively pub on the waterfront. Several dining rooms are small. Book ahead for evening meals.
Loch Bay Seafood Restaurant
Image / Lochbay Restaurant
Seafood shaped by Skye's seasons.
Good for
What to expect
A short, carefully composed menu that highlights shellfish and fish from nearby waters. Portions are thoughtful rather than large. The dining room is compact, so service feels attentive and the pace is deliberate. Expect flavours that reflect local seasonality and simple, precise presentations.
Plan your visit
Book in advance when possible. Tell the team about dietary needs before you arrive. Dress in layers for the changeable coastal weather and allow time to enjoy the view or a short walk around the harbour before or after your meal.
Scorrybreac Restaurant
Image / Scorrybreac
Fine dining that focuses on Skye’s seasonal flavours
Good for
What to expect
Expect carefully composed plates that highlight seafood and island produce, served in a calm, low-key setting. Service is attentive and knowledgeable, with staff ready to explain ingredients and sourcing. Menus change with the season, so dishes reflect what’s fresh from Skye and nearby waters.
Plan your visit
Book in advance, especially for evening meals and weekend dates. Mention dietary requirements when you reserve. Dress smart-casual. Allow extra travel time if you are coming from other parts of the island, and plan a taxi or parking spot in Portree if you need one.
The Three Chimneys and The House Over-by
Image / The Three Chimneys
A quiet coastal table where local sea and land set the menu.
Good for
What to expect
An intimate, unrushed meal focused on seasonality and place. Menus change with the catch and farm produce. Dining rooms are small and quietly dressed, service is informed and personal, and the pace is relaxed. The House Over-by offers a simple, comfortable overnight option if you want to stretch the visit into a short stay.
Plan your visit
Reserve ahead, especially for an evening sitting. Tell the team about dietary needs when you book. If you want a fuller stay, check availability at The House Over-by and plan to arrive in daylight so you can take a short coastal walk before dinner. Pair the visit with other local sights on the same side of the island to avoid extra driving at night.
Gasta - Broadford
Good coffee and simple food, a calm stop in Broadford.
Good for
What to expect
Counter service with a mostly casual seating layout. The menu focuses on coffee, baked goods and easy savoury dishes. Staff tend to be practical and friendly. The space is informal and family- and dog-friendly, with options that work for a quick takeaway or a relaxed sit-down.
Plan your visit
Combine a visit with a walk along the coast or a stop while driving the island. If you need a table for a family group or a place for a dog, aim for quieter off-peak times. Takeaway is handy if you are on a tight schedule. Wear layers, as Skye weather can change quickly.
The Croft Cafe
Tea, home baking and a close-up with Highland cows.
Good for
What to expect
A small, informal café serving salads, soups, burgers and afternoon tea made from local produce. The space is cosy and decorated with cow-themed touches. Staff are welcoming and ready to tell you about the croft. Many visitors add a short, supervised meet-and-greet with the herd to their visit.
Plan your visit
Book the cow tour in advance, especially in summer. Allow time to eat and then stroll to the viewing area; the cattle guard is a popular photo spot. Wear outdoor footwear and a light jacket for the croft. The café suits families and small groups, but seating can be limited at peak times, so arrive before the busiest period if you can.
Applecross Inn
Image / applecrossinn.co.uk
Sea-view pub with fresh seafood and a cosy fire
Good for
What to expect
An informal, traditional pub vibe where locals and visitors mix. Menus lean on seafood and simple Highland breakfasts, with scallops and smoked haddock often singled out. A compact whisky bar and a few well kept cask ales sit alongside hearty, home-style cooking. The interior is small and cosy, with firelit evenings and some waterside rooms available.
Plan your visit
Book for dinner in advance, particularly during the summer and at weekends. Allow extra time for the drive, as approaches are slow and narrow. Ask for a window table to catch the water views or the lounge table by the fire for a quieter evening. Bring warm layers even in summer and expect parking close to the pub. Dogs appear to be welcome in public areas, but check ahead if travelling with a pet.
Kinloch Lodge Hotel
Image / Kinloch Lodge Hotel
A coastal country house for quiet dinners and sea views
Good for
What to expect
Rooms feel like a country-house stay rather than a modern chain hotel. Expect an intimate dining room where menus highlight local seafood and seasonal produce. The setting is rural and coastal, so evenings are calm and outdoor time centres on short walks, shoreline viewpoints and wildlife watching.
Plan your visit
Book dinner in advance if you want the hotel restaurant. Tell the team about any dietary needs when you reserve. Pack sturdy shoes and a waterproof layer for coastal walks. If you need transfers, contact the hotel before arrival so they can advise local options.
Plockton Hotel
Image / The Plockton Hotel
Harbour views, simple comforts, genuine Highland welcome
Good for
What to expect
Modest, well-kept rooms, several with sea views and a first-floor outlook over the harbour. The on-site pub and restaurant serve local seafood and seasonal dishes, often using ingredients from nearby producers. Staff are hands-on and helpful, from a station pick-up to managing tricky weather. The house style is old‑country hotel rather than modern boutique, with practical touches such as a good tea and coffee selection and Scottish toiletries in bathrooms.
Plan your visit
Book a sea-view room if you want harbour scenes from your window, and call ahead about a station pick-up or local taxi. Reserve a table for dinner, especially at weekend. Pack layered clothing and waterproofs for shoreline walks. Ask reception about nearby boat trips and the best local walking routes, and bring a compact camera for evening light over the water.
An Crùbh
Image / An Crùbh
Tea, coffee and local bakes with island views
Good for
What to expect
A casual café offering coffee, simple lunches and fresh baking. Seating is informal, with a mix of indoor tables and a few spots that catch views of the surrounding farmland. Service is friendly and unpretentious, the kind of place for a slow drink or a light midday bite.
Plan your visit
Combine a stop here with a drive around Sleat or a short walk nearby. If you want a window seat or a quieter table, aim for mornings on weekdays. Wear layers, the weather can change quickly, and bring a reusable cup if you prefer takeaway.
West Pier Restaurant - Skeabost House Hotel
Image / Skeabost House Hotel
Waterside dining with a clear Skye focus
Good for
What to expect
A relaxed, hotel-restaurant atmosphere with attentive table service. Dishes lean on fresh seafood, shellfish and Highlands produce, with options for meat eaters and lighter plates. The room feels bright by day and cozier in the evening, with staff used to hosting a mix of hotel guests and local diners.
Plan your visit
Book a table in advance and ask for a window seat if views matter to you. Dress smart-casual. If you have allergies or dietary requirements, contact the restaurant ahead of time. Combine the meal with a short walk around the hotel grounds to make the most of the setting.
Bar Am Praban
Image / Bar Am Praban — venue website
A low-key coastal bar with a local feel
Good for
What to expect
A compact, informal interior and a small outdoor area with sea views. Drinks focus on local beers, spirits and simple accompaniments rather than elaborate meals. Service is unhurried and friendly. The mood is calm rather than lively, making it a good stop for couples, solo travellers and small groups.
Plan your visit
Combine a visit with a short harbour walk or a coastal drive around Sleat. Check opening times before you set out and consider calling ahead for larger groups. Bring a warm layer and a waterproof, the weather can change quickly. If you rely on public transport, allow extra time for connections.
Edinbane Inn
Image / Web
A friendly country inn where a simple meal meets Skye scenery
Good for
What to expect
Expect a cosy, informal setting rather than fine dining. The focus is on straightforward, locally influenced food and a well-stocked bar. Seating is a mix of pub-style tables and quieter corners, with a warm indoor atmosphere that works well for families, couples and solo travellers.
Plan your visit
If you are travelling from Portree, plan a short drive across rural roads. Weekends and summer evenings are busiest, so book ahead if you are in a group or want a table at peak times. Combine your visit with a short walk nearby or a drive to other northern Skye sights. Dress in layers , the weather can change quickly and the inn is more comfortable when you can move between inside and outside seating.
The Misty
Image / Web
A small, welcoming spot for a relaxed meal after exploring Skye.
Good for
What to expect
Informal seating and a no-fuss menu geared to breakfast and lunch visitors. Portions are hearty rather than fancy, and service focuses on getting you fed and back to your plans. The atmosphere is relaxed and suitable for families or a low-key meal with friends.
Plan your visit
Aim to visit after a morning walk or before a late lunch to avoid the busiest times. If you are part of a larger group, check in advance whether they can accommodate you. Wear a warm layer: weather on Skye changes quickly and you may spend time outdoors before or after your meal.
Edinbane Lodge
Image / Edinbane Lodge - Isle of Skye
Simple, seasonal plates with island views.
Good for
What to expect
A short, seasonally driven menu with familiar dishes made from local ingredients. Expect hearty starters, mains that highlight seafood and local meat when available, and simple desserts. Service is practical and friendly. The room is cosy rather than formal, with a mix of tables for couples and small groups.
Plan your visit
Book ahead at busier times, especially on weekends and in summer. If you have dietary requirements, mention them when you book so the kitchen can advise. Combine a visit with nearby walks or sightseeing to make an afternoon of it. Wear layers if you plan to wait outside or step out for views.
The Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
Simple, well-located stay in the heart of Dunvegan
Good for
What to expect
Modest, comfortable rooms with a homely feel. Hosts typically provide a cooked or continental breakfast and local tips for walks and wildlife spotting. Public spaces are informal, focused on rest and planning rather than frills. Expect a quiet, village atmosphere and easy access to nearby coastal paths.
Plan your visit
Book ahead in summer and on holiday weekends to secure a room. Tell the host if you plan to arrive late or need local advice. Pack waterproof footwear for nearby shoreline paths and a warm layer for evenings. Use the B&B as a base for short drives or walks rather than expecting on-site leisure facilities.