Foodies
Arran’s Larder
You can create your own gourmet picnic from a wide range of local produce that can be bought direct from the makers and in the independent village stores.
Discover artisan cheeses including Arran Blue, Arran Camembert, Arran Mist and Crowdie (Mmm Garlic Crowdie on oaties!) and speciality flavoured cheddars from The Island Cheese Shop at Duchess Court just outside Brodick.
And to go with the cheese, Wooley’s bake the famous Arran Oatcakes and Arran Oaties in a traditional oven in the heart of Brodick. The bakery also sells a range of breads, pizza slices, cakes and pastries, soup and hot rolls.
Visit the island micro-brewery, the Arran Brewery for a tour and tasting of some of the award winning ales, including Arran Red Squirrel, Arran Milestone, Hofbrau Original, Arran Clyde Puffer, Arran Fireside, Arran Sunset and Arran Blonde.
The Old Pier Cafe in Lamlash offer a take-away service for their range of delicious home-baking, including cheese scones, sandwiches, cakes ‘to die for’, tiffin, brownies and Italian coffee. You won’t be disappointed!
The award-winning Isle of Arran Distillery in Lochranza is one of Scotland’s few remaining independent distilleries and produces a impressive range of whiskies and the Arran Gold cream liqueur (also available with ice cream!). Join one of the tours of the distillery with knowledgeable guides and sample a dram or two in the bar. There is also a well-stocked shop and ‘Casks’ cafe.
The recently opened Lagg Distillery on the south end of the island will impress with it’s beautiful contemporary new building complete with a cafe and restaurant offering stunning views towards Ailsa Craig. Guided tours available or just visit for a bite to eat and soak up the atmosphere.
The Arran Gin Company has an idyllic location at Cladach, just north of Brodick. A visitor centre is currently being developed and you can visit for regular tasting sessions.
Look out for locally produced meat from the Arran Butcher, available from the butcher’s shop in Lochanza, in independent grocery stores and on the menu in many of the island restaurants. Door to door delivery service also available on Arran. You can also pick up some sustainably produced charcoal for the BBQ from the National Trust at Brodick Castle at £6 / sack.
Robin Gray produces organic vegetables and herbs on his farm by the sea in Whiting Bay. His produce can be found in Bay Kitchen & Stores in Whiting Bay, in other independent grocery stores and on the menu in many of the island restaurants.
James’s Chocolates produces the finest quality hand-made chocolates and indulgent fudge in a tempting range of flavours, all hand-made on the premises.
Arran Tablet is made from an old Scottish recipe and available in local shops (including Bay Kitchen & Stores). Melt in the mouth flavours include Vanilla, White Chocolate, Arran Gold, Edinburgh Gin & Raspberry …. a sweet treat to take home with you.
Arran Dairies produces superb Italian-style dairy ice cream with a range of flavours including Cranachan with Raspberries and Wooley’s Oatcakes, Scottish Tablet, Arran Gold, Raspberry Ripple, Spiced Plum, Strawberry and Black Pepper, Chocolate and Mint. Available in many shops and restaurants around the island and also from ‘The Parlour’ in Brodick.
Blackwater Bakehouse is an artisan bakery with a range of fragrant loaves, the best sourdough bread in the country (!), flapjacks, almond tarts, cinnamon buns, brownies, granola. Available from the ‘bread store’ in Blackwaterfoot located to the rear of the Kinloch Hotel. Also available at the Bay Kitchen & Stores in Whiting Bay (Wed / Sat) and The Old Pier Cafe in Lamlash.
Creelers is an artisan smokehouse and summer fish restaurant located in Skipness, a short ferry trip from Lochranza. It is a pleasant level walk or cycle along the shore to Skipness where you can try a fresh fish lunch in a beautiful setting next to Skipness Castle. You will find a wide variety of their produce in local shops including homemade fish pates and fish pies and on the menus in Arran cafes, pubs and restaurants: smoked salmon and hot smoked salmon, Loch Fyne kippers, smoked duck, smoked venison and smoked fish pate.
Cafés & Tearooms
Some of our favourites…
Whiting Bay
The Bay Kitchen & Stores, Whiting Bay. A food store with the the best coffee to take out or there is seating inside and in the delightful garden overlooking the sea. Useful for foodie essentials and some treats including freshly baked sourdough bread, excellent fruit & veg, an off licence and a good selection of local produce – Arran Dairies ice cream, salad vegetables and herbs, cheese, savoury pies and a selection of fresh and frozen meat. Weekly deliveries of fresh fish from Pieroni’s available to order. Bay Stores also offers a selection of essential produce for your pantry on a zero-waste basis. Bring your containers and fill up with rice, pasta, flour, nuts, cereals. You can also fill up a 1-litre bottle with local milk from a vending machine.
The Shore in Whiting Bay is open all day offering breakfast, lunch, drinks and cakes and in the evening on selected dates. Check out their new lunch menu and their twice monthly BYOB pop up evening menu.
The Coffee Pot, Whiting Bay. A wee traditional cafe with outdoor seating overlooking the bay and serving excellent home-baking and lunches.
Felicity’s at Eden Lodge, Whiting Bay. Open daily for coffees, teas, snacks and homemade cakes, lunches and evening meals. Licenced bar. There is also a separate underground bar with pool table and TV with sports channels.
Brodick
Little Rock in Brodick have created a friendly, lively cafe/bistro with a great reputation for home bakes and a changing menu of seasonal specials.
The Parlour is located in the centre of Brodick and offers freshly made pizza and home-made ice cream. Take-away with some seating to dine in.
The Heritage Museum Café in Brodick is a small tearoom offering lunches, snacks, cakes and drinks with large garden with picnic tables by the Rosa Burn in the main season.
Janie’s at Home Farm, Cladach, Brodick offers renowned homebaking and lunches. T. 01770 302874. Open 7 days from 10am-5pm.
Brodick Castle (The National Trust for Scotland) offers a cafe with home baking, homemade soups, sandwiches and salads in the day time. Entry via the castle shop (entry fee payable or free to members).
Corrie
Corrie Tearooms by the golf course offers home baking and lunches. Take-away fish & chips on a Friday (5-7pm).
Mara Fish Bar & Deli offers a take-away style dining experience overlooking the sea. Freshly prepared locally sourced fish and shellfish in a tapas style. Great coffee. A breakfast menu is also available. No need to book.
Shiskine / Blackwaterfoot / Machrie
The Best Western Kinloch Hotel is open all day for drinks, snacks, lunches and evening meals. 10% discount for early diners.
Café Thyme on the west coast is an intriguing mix of Turkish/Scottish cuisine using the finest of local produce.
Machrie Bay Tearooms serves the “best buns on the island”.
Takeaways
Whiting Bay
As above The Shore is located in the centre of the village.
The Bay Kitchen & Stores is a food store with coffee to take out and also pies, cakes & pastries.
The Burlington, Whiting Bay offers a weekend take-away menu. More info on their Facebook page.
Lamlash
The Old Pier Café, Lamlash – homemade sausage rolls, cheese scones, cakes and coffee/tea.
Brodick
The Parlour for freshly made pizza and homemade ice cream. There is some seating for casual dining.
Shanghai Chinese Takeaway Brodick 01770 303777
Wooley’s Bakery in Lamlash (opposite the school) and in Brodick for filled rolls, pizza slices, pies, cakes and bread.
Lochranza
The Sandwich Station is open in the main season (Easter-Oct) from Mon-Sat from 9am-5pm. You will find it opposite the ferry slipway at the north end of the village. Specialising in homemade food featuring Arran produce with freshly baked bread and rolls, organic leaves, healthy homemade soup, cakes and buns.
Pop-up Takeaways
The French Fox – a ‘reheat at home’ french style menu for collection / delivery around the island. Check out their Facebook page for available dates and menus. Order in advance.
Arran Simply Thai visits a different village each week offering traditional Thai food for collection from their food trailer. The menu changes weekly and more information can be found on their Facebook page. Order in advance.