Dining Out on Islay

Places to eat on Islay, and you can expect to be well-fed and well-watered, with a fabulous choice of places to dine. All you need to do is decide where you want to visit. Dine in a distillery, enjoy top pizza from our island pizzeria, sample seafood, enjoy some great pub grub and more. Below is a guide to some of our recommendations of where you can go for some good food and drink so you can stay fuelled up while on holiday. And if you would prefer a takeaway? Bridgend Hotel, Ellen’s Wok in Port Ellen, the Taj Mahal, and The Golden Dragon, in Bowmore, all offer takeaway options.

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The Islay Hotel, Port Ellen

The Islay Hotel is a half hour drive from Persabus, in the village of Port Ellen.

Enjoy dining out in true Islay style at this fantastic harbour side hotel. Situated in Port Ellen, Open from 7.30am to 11pm. Breakfast 7.30-11.30am; Lunch 12 – 2pm;Dinner 5.30-9pm . Do make reservations for the restaurant.  Enjoy bar suppers, and alfresco dining in the garden. Tea & Coffee & Cakes served all day until 5pm. Alcohol permitted indoors and outdoors from 11am-close. 

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Ballygrant Inn a fabulous dining experience close to Persabus

Ballygrant Inn is just five minutes by car from Persabus, or on a lovely summer’s evening why not build up an appetite by walking? It is about 45 minutes to Ballygrant Inn on foot, and you can walk on the path beside the main road. For a taxi, contact Attic Cabs,  (07944873323) situated handily in the village of Bowmore.

This is a great place to eat, and is  close to Persabus? Enjoy David’s delicious home made curries, seafood, steaks and pies. Enjoy dining out at one of Islay’s best whisky bars, with a huge selection of malts to accompany your dinner.

Ballygrant Inn & Restaurant | Family run Inn on the Isle of Islay (ballygrant-inn.com) Serving delicious home baking and coffees. Bar food and restaurant menu.

Ardbeg  

(45 min drive from Persabus) Old Kiln Café Monday to Friday 10:00am to 3:00pm Tel 01496 302244 for any further information and to book a table

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Craigard Kitchen, Ballygrant

(5 mins by car from Persabus, or a 45 min walk) Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm

Enjoy delicious light lunches, fabulous home baking, and afternoon teas. This incredibly popular coffee shop offers a warm and friendly welcome and absolute delicious treats.  For more info Craigard Kitchen

Order delicious Charcuterie and Cheese Graze Boxes to take away (order 24 hours in advance). These are fabulous sharing platters to enjoy with a dram or glass of wine, a great option if you fancy a night in on the farm, or take them on your island adventures to the beaches and beyond.

The Oyster Shed, Killinallan

(45 mins by car from Persabus)

Islay’s exciting new seafood restaurant recently opened at Craigens Farm, Loch Gruinart. Enjoy choosing from a delicious menu of oysters, grown and farmed just down on the shore below, crab, pulled beef, lamb. Homemade breads and soups, and delicious home baking.

The Oyster Shed is Open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11am to 3pm Serving Lunches, Teas, Coffees and Home Baking! Do consider booking your table in advance to avoid disappointment For more information call 01496 850256 or visit The Oyster Shed

Jura Hotel, Craighhouse, Jura

Head across on the Jura Ferry and enjoy some delicious food. It is always worth booking in advance and just checking the Hotel will be open and serving food, before heading off. Bar and beer garden open to non residents for coffees, lunches and evening meals. Please call to book on 01496 820243. Please check the website for current opening times www.jurahotel.co.uk

The Antlers Ice Cream Cafe, Craighouse, Jura

Open 8am to 6pm – lunches, snacks, drinks, ice creams. Please book by calling 01496 305317

Port Askaig Hotel 

(5min drive from Persabus) Bars open for drinks including freshly brewed coffees and speciality teas daily from 11am until 11pm inside. Beer garden till late. We will be open for lunches in both bars and beer garden – with fab views  – from 12 – 2.30 last orders. Evening Meals  6 – 8.30PM last orders. Tables should, where possible, be booked in advance. 01496840245 or email [email protected]

The Blue Letterbox, Port Ellen

Post office and shop. Sells delicious Isle of Arran Dairies ice cream, take away only, open Mon – Sat  9am – 5.30, no booking necessary, contactless payment available.

Bowmore Hotel

Bowmore Hotel is a 20 minute drive from Persabus.

Restaurant and Bar. For more information visit www.bowmorehotel.co.uk Email [email protected] or call 01496 810416

Bridgend Hotel and Restaurant

Bridgend Hotel serves delicious food and is handily only a 10 to 15 minute drive from Persabus.

After a beautiful refurbishment, Bridgend Hotel is open once again serving lunches and evening meals. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the cocktail bar, or a warm welcome in Katie’s Bar, a popular place with the locals. The Bridgend Hotel – Isle of Islay (bridgend-hotel.com)

Celtic House, Shore Street, Bowmore:

The Celtic House (Roys) are open Monday-Saturday, 10am-4:30pm, serving a range of coffees, teas, milkshakes, smoothies and more, as well as a selection of cakes. There are gluten/dairy free options as well as some vegan options. Open on a first come first served basis, there is no need to phone and book ahead. +44 (0)1496 810304 www.theceltichouse.co.uk

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Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen

(30 min drive from Persabus) Open evenings Tues – Sunday 6pm – 8.30pm, lunches 12 – 2pm Friday – Sunday Closed Mondays. Bookings are advisable, call 01496 850000 to make a reservation.

Islay Studio

The studio and gallery in Islay square also serves hot drinks, coffees, teas and hot chocolate and selected cakes is open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, but the opening hours are likely to be extended as we get closer to the summer. https://islaystudios.co.uk

Kilchoman Distillery 

(40 min drive from Persabus)Café open 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.  For more details or to book go online Islay Distillery Tours | Whisky Distillery Tours at Kilchoman | Visiting Us (kilchomandistillery.com)

Email [email protected] or telephone 01496  850011.

Labels, Shore Street, Bowmore 

(20 min drive from Persabus) Open 9-5 Monday to Saturday and Sunday 11-4pm, for coffee, food, scones, cakes and gifts to sit in or take away.

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The Loch Indaal Hotel, Port Charlotte 

(40 minute drive from Persabus) Bar and food served. Lunches 12.30 – 3pm and evening meals 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Booking advised. Please pre-order seafood 24 hours in advance.

Machrie Hotel 

(30 min drive from Persabus) 18- Restaurant and Bar, The Machrie Hotel Open daily for breakfast (7am to 10am); lunch (noon – 2.30pm) dinner (6pm to 9.30pm) Soup and Sweet Treats. For reservations call 01496302310 or email [email protected]

Peatzeria 

(20min drive from Persabus)

Sharon and Paul and their team will look after you at Peatzeria. An excellent restaurant with consistently high reviews, delicious home made Italian food, this is not a restaurant to be missed! Definitely book well in advance it is a very popular choice among locals and visitors. If you can’t get a booking, order one of their delicious takeaways and head to the beach.

Peatzeria , open Tuesday 5pm – 9.30pm, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 12pm to 3.00pm, 5.00pm to 9.30pm, closed on Sundays and Mondays. Call to book a table or order takeaway 01496 810810.  www.peatzeria.com

Port Charlotte Hotel: 

(40 min drive from Persabus) Bar and restaurant open 7 days a week. All day for coffee and cakes and drinks. Lunch: 12-2pm. Evening meals: 5.30pm to 9pm (last order).Takeaway Friday and Saturday nights available to pick up between 5.30pm and 7pm. One menu throughout the hotel (Bar, dining room, conservatory) There is an outside terrace overlooking the bay and seating at the front of the hotel. Outside tables on the terrace can be booked for meals. Booking advisable. Please phone 01496 850360 to book a table or order takeaway. Menus on the website www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk

Port Mor Café, Port Charlotte 

(45min drive from Persabus) Licensed Community cafe adjacent to campsite. Open 8.30am – 8.30pm for food and 11am to 10pm bar. Breakfasts, lunch and dinner served – regular menus plus specials including daily curry. Takeaway also available. Booking is recommended so please call 01496 850121 or email [email protected] to make a reservation.  Port Mor Community Cafe | Restaurant in Port Charlotte Islay (port-mor-community-cafe.co.uk)

Sea Salt Bistro and Takeaway, Port Ellen 

(40 min drive from Persabus) Open 7 days a week. Breakfast/coffees 10 – 11.30am; lunch 12 – 2.30. Evening meals 5 – 8.45pm Booking essential. Takeaway available during opening hours. Call 01496 300300

Taj Mahal, Bowmore 

(20 min drive from Persabus) Enjoy fantastic Indian cuisine. The Taj Mahal is open 7 days a week and offers dine-in or takeaway options. If you like Indian food we recommend you try the Taj Mahal. 01496 810033. Taj Mahal, Bowmore, Islay | Facebook

Islay Sea Adventures

Now offer (bookable) seafood specials on their boat trips and tours. Enjoy tucking into a tasty seafood platter as you cruise around the islands. Seafood Special Trip – Islay Sea Adventures (islay-sea-adventures.co.uk)

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Accommodation

Explore our delightful Islay accommodation where we have a fabulous choice of country accommodation on this beautiful island.

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Things to Do

There is so much to see and do on the beautiful island of Islay and we have a section to help you decide what to do when you visit here.

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Testimonials

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