There are so many places to eat out in and around the Cairngorms. It wasn’t until I started to make this list that I realised how lucky we are in this area. We have so many excellent cafes that you really are spoilt for choice when you’re out and about and want a bite to eat. They all cater for outdoor enthusiasts too so you don’t need to worry about your hiking boots or cycling gear.
These are all personal recommendations – there are others around and about but we can vouch for the quality of the food at all of these venues.
IN THE VILLAGE
Osprey Cafe – based here in Boat of Garten and run by Tanja and Andreas Perch. This is a community centred cafe. Very friendly and happy to cater to cyclists and skiers. They currently only offer a soup offering for lunch, but it is always a hearty soup served with fresh bread or a scone plus you have a choice from many freshly baked sweet offerings.
The Osprey Cafe is also home to BOG Bakes – our wee sourdough bakery here in the village. Bread is usually ready for pick up on a Friday. If you’re coming to the area on a weekend, let us know and perhaps we can put an order in for you – though we do mostly bake our own bread and also make our own bagels and cakes etc.
The View – the cafe associated with the Boat of Garten Golf and Tennis club. To be honest, we haven’t tried the View yet but we will pop in and update here when we have.
The Boat Hotel – also provides high tea
AVIEMORE AND GLENMORE
Ryvoan Cafe – an excellent choice of cafe in Aviemore
The Barn – Rothiemurchus’ contribution to the lunch choice which proliferates around us. They do excellent cakes and burgers with offerings to suit all dietary requirements
The Old Bridge Inn – along time favourite in the area. There are always some exquisite and unusual offerings on the menu
Glenmore Cafe – recently transferred to community ownership the cafe is rebuilding it’s choice of offerings with great success now they have secured their own chef
The Pine Marten – more well known as a pub but also a perfect spot for a lunch time break.
NETHYBRIDGE, CARRBRIDGE AND GRANTOWN ON SPEY
Nethy House – definitely a highlight which you should try to include at some point during your stay. They use the best of local ingredients (including meat from the Balliefurth Farm Shop next door). They offer a select number of savoury options for lunch including soup, sandwiches and quiche. Nethy House also run the cafe at the Glenlivet mountain biking trails which is superb.
Carrbridge Kitchen – really excellent cafe with the most amazing selection of cakes
The Bothy Bakery – Grantown on Spey run by Kirsten Gilmour (who used to be behind the Mountain Cafe in Aviemore). They don’t have any inside seating but there is an outdoor covered seating area which can be used even in winter. Honestly, the choice you have here has to be seen to be believed. The sausage rolls are phenomenal and the sandwiches are made on their own bread.
FURTHER AFIELD
If you’re on a longer trip out, roadbiking, on an ebike or a road trip, we’ve also included a few of the surrounding cafes a wee bit further away. Some of these are recommendations from other keen cyclists and walkers.
Laggan cafe – recommended by Aviemore bikes
Dalwhinnie Coffee Stop – recommended by Aviemore bikes
Logie Steading – excellent choice for a relaxing lunch. You could also pop into the shops there too. The second hand bookshop is a great choice.
The Kimberley Inn – fantastic chowder and fish and chips right on the shore at Findhorn
The Spey Inn, Craigellachie – the public bar, part of the Craigellachie Inn. Fabulous food.
House of Bruar – we always try to make a stop here if we’re passing north or south on the A9, even if it’s just to go to the food hall. If we can though, we do make time to eat. There’s always a good choice of both hot and cold food and it’s very popular. There’s also a wee walk here to the Falls of Bruar to build your appetite or to help digest your lunch afterwards. They’re also very well set up for dogs.
The Bothy at Braemar – it;s been a while, but we have enjoyed visiting here. The cakes are good but we haven’t tried lunch here. It’s popular with cyclists.
The Old Firestation, Tomintoul – a bit more of a greasy spoon cafe but definitely a welcome site as there’s quite a gap between cafes on the Snow Road.
Xoko (Inverness) – if you get the chance to try their bread or croissants grab it with both hands. You’ll struggle to get a space to eat in though as it’s often packed out at popular meal times.
As you can see, with so many excellent choices of eateries around and about it’s hardly surprising that the majority of our guests make minimal use of the self-catering kitchen! Especially when they also have the option of eating in while we shoulder the burden of preparing the meal.
We look forward to seeing you in and around the Cairngorms. If you’re coming to stay at the Lodge, do let us know if you find any other lunchtime treasures when you’re exploring roung the area.