Bute Dining Options
Here are a selection of restaurants, cafés and bistros with distances from Highlander House provided, links to menus where available and the type of fare offered.
Rothesay
Glenburn Hotel - (0.2 miles east of us) Avoid the 82 steps by taking the side road). Chef Colin Masson has transformed dining at the Glenburn. New menu can be viewed here (Menu) There's also a separate menu of daily specials created by Chef Colin according to local, seasonal produce and whim. You can make your table reservations online by clicking on this Reservation Link or phone 01700-502500
Kettledrum (0.2 miles towards town) Open until 8pm (6pm Sunday & closed Tuesday). Casual dining - fish & chips, scampi, burgers and home-made pies...and frequently during summer, a yummy battered, seafood platter. Owner Kate creates a warm, homely, bistro atmosphere. BYO welcomed £3 corkage. 01700-502342 (menu)
The Waterfront (0.2 miles towards town) open between the months of June - September offers something refreshingly different. Polish treats, superb pizzas, and extraordinary burgers plus an ever-changing menu of daily specials. But, Gabriel, the front-of-shop host will put the cherry on your fun and memorable dining experience. Menu
Gather Deli (0.2 miles towards town). Exquisitely decorated venue. Concentration on high quality local products in filled rolls and bagels at lunchtime and superb cheese platters at dinner time. Frequent weekend offerings of set-menus with quality dishes at a great price. Licensed for wine...and the wine offered is superb (Open until 5:00pm Mon-Wed, until 11:00pm Thurs-Sun)
Ambience Café - 0.4 miles in town opposite the Discovery Centre. No frills café dining. The steak pie (with proper pastry base, Ayrshire potatoes and vegetables) is a favourite.
The Jam Jar (up the Serpentine at Roseland Lodge Park). One of our personal favourites with a varied and interesting selection of options from Ilsa, Colin and Ianis. Lovely décor. Delightful owners and staff. 01700 507135 (Closed Tuesdays). Menu
Jade Garden - (0.5 miles, in town, Gallowgate). Popular Chinese restaurant. Large portions. (menu)
Bute Yard - (0.5 miles, in town, past the Castle, opposite the Police Station). The site of Rothesay's monthly Sunday market. Generally only a weekend dinner option. Regular Friday pop-up pizza nights. Various visiting chefs with differing cuisines tantalise visitors with their pop-up kitchens during the tourist season. Click the link provided to see what's on.
Further afield:
Caledonian Bistro - For something a little different. An eclectic menu including Moroccan tagines, Green Thai curry (chicken or veg), Japanese curry, fishcakes and tapas. Click the link above to visit the Facebook page to see table availability and make a reservation. Perhaps call ahead if something interests you on the menu because certain dishes are often unavailable Ph:07503 549966 Open Thurs-Sun in June, everyday except Monday in July/August.
Kingarth Hotel - (7 miles south) delivers consistently good dining. 01700-831662. Currently the best choice on the island for seafood with a fabulous seafood platter (offered on weekends) featuring langoustines, prawns, mussels, oyster, scallop etc and the seabass and other fish dishes are always very, very good.
Colintraive Hotel - (9 miles north to Rhubodach ferry). Excellent dining. Cosy atmosphere. Catch the bus to the ferry and bus (check timetable)/cab back or leave your car at the ferry parking. Take the wee ferry. The hotel is a couple hundred yards. Closed Mondays. Advisable to book: 01700-841207 (menu)
Other Notables:
Ettrick Bay Café - New owners continue to wow with an exceptional offering of superb pastries, desserts and other baked delights. Perfect for an afternoon treat.
Wee Zoe's for an outstanding ice-cream treat made with love and care the Italian way.