Michele's List of Places to Eat on Lewis & Harris
Restaurants on the island have variable seasonal opening times and menus. Please check before your go.
Eating In
‘- Alasdair the Fisherman’ (07887 891072)
Alasdair has sole use of the pier below the house. He catches langoustine, lobsters, crabs and sometimes even squat lobsters and will deliver them fresh to Tigh Chailein’s door the day they are caught. Straight from Loch Maraig and Loch Seaforth to you. Alasdair also has advice on how to prepare and cook the shellfish.
- The Hebridean Chef - Private Chef Service (07449 174492)
Amanda offers a huge range of services. From afternoon teas and prepared meals delivered to Tigh Chailein’s door, to full catering for a celebration feast or a group lunch. She specialises in bringing the flavours of the Hebrides straight to your table.
She also offers custom 7-day meal plans for groups and families made without additives, stabilisers, or ultra processed foods. Each plan customised to your likes, dislikes, allergies, time and budget. Free delivery!
HARRIS
A small hotel and restaurant overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in southwest Harris, open to non residents. Around £84/head for a 3 course meal which includes canapés, tea/coffee and petits fours. It’s a set menu but if you have any special dietary requirements they are happy to accommodate.
Absolutely delicious, using fresh local ingredients wherever possible. Featured in Alasdair Sawday’s ‘Eat Slow Britain’. My favourite place to have a special dinner, always a treat. Open April to October. Booking is essential.
-Lunch and dinner. Light meals or full menu. Hotel bar or restaurant dining. The afternoon tea is exceptional. Harris Hotel shortbread and scones are always available, but if you want the full ’works’ they ask for 48 hours notice. I can only say it’s worth it! The hotel bar is really cosy, with the largest selection of malts in the Outer Hebrides and of course, our local gin. Families welcome.
The separate Tigh mo Sheanar (TMS) next door is more casual and does great pizzas to eat in or take away. Live music in the season.
Lunch & Diner. The Pierhouse Restaurant or the more informal ‘Sitting Room’, which I believe serves great cocktails. Chirsty and Angus are wonderful hosts. Their FaceBook site is usually up to date with current opening times and menus.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Our newest restaurant locatedin the old Waterside Cafe. Opposite the main carpark in Tarbert. Run by the lovely couple who previously owned the well loved ‘Lorna’s Larder’ food van. Fresh seafood is the speciality. The owner hand dives scallops which are served in the restaurant (and sometimes for sale to be cooked at home). Small but lovely menu, and really nice cosy bistro atmosphere. They also do great breakfasts. Eat in or takeaway. Check opening times on FaceBook (search ‘Lorna’s Larder’) or give them a call to book.
Dinner. ‘Interactive dining experience’ with award winning chef, Chris. In all honesty the only place on the island I have never eaten. Its a taster menu and very expensive, but everyone says it’s wonderful.
Takeaway (Hebridean Style!). Soups, pizzas, butteries and pasties great for lunch while out on the beach. Seafood dishes to enjoy at home for dinner. Open daytime only.Slightly random as to what's available. Everything is freshly made on site each day and when it's gone, it's gone. But it is also absolutely delicious and worth taking a look. Cash only.
More that just a brewery! Deli, bottleshop and restaurant. Serves light lunches and dinner in the season. Nice food. Excellent beer. I'm told the 'best fish and chips on the island'. Check opening times.
Excellent bistro food overlooking the harbour in Scalpay. A hidden gem. The drive to Scalpay as the sun sets in the evening can also be glorious! Really delicious seafood (with non seafood options available) made by George. Dinner service starts at 5pm. Booking via FaceBook messenger gets the best response.
LEWIS
Cafe/Bar. Nice food. Salads, burgers etc. Part of The Royal Hotel
Restaurant. Dinner. More expensive dining at The Royal Hotel. Very good.
Cafe/ Brunch/Lunch. One of the few ‘non hotel’ places open on Sundays. Great coffee. Love the avocado and poached eggs on toast for brunch.
Opens at 4pm for dinner and takeaway. Really good Thai food. Doesn’t have an alcohol licence, but you can bring your own. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
Really nice chippy. Unsurprisingly, given the location, really nice fish.
Great cafe. Coffee & cake overlooking Stornoway Harbour. Just off the main central carpark. (With a great little scandi interiors/gift shop to browse also)
Gaelic Community Cafe. Though English is also spoken. Great coffee and baking by the lovely Irene!