Oban’s Best Cafes & Coffee Shops | Flat whites, Brunch & Brekkie
Explore Oban’s cosy cafés. A handpicked guide to the seaside town’s best spots for coffee, local flavours, and welcoming places - perfect pauses between ferry crossings, coastal walks, and time spent by the bay.
Flat whites from Hinba.
Oban’s café and coffee scene may be small, but it’s quietly confident and full of character. Along the waterfront and just beyond, a collection of relaxed, independent cafés has emerged in recent years — places that reflect the town’s easy rhythm and its close connection to the sea.
In Oban, a café stop is rarely just that. These are places to pause over good coffee and fresh bakes, often with ever-changing harbour views that encourage you to slow down and linger a little longer.
Much like the town’s best restaurants, the cafés here share a common ethos: local produce, seasonal ingredients, and a genuine respect for the quality of the West Coast larder.
This guide brings together the spots I return to time and again — places like Hinba, where you can settle in with a well-made flat white and watch the ferries roll in; Oban Chocolate Company, perfect for something comforting before a day trip to Mull; or Sorcha, the town’s most indulgent little bakery.
Each café offers something a little different, from excellent speciality coffee to hearty, satisfying plates, and all are well worth weaving into your Oban itinerary.
At A Glance: Oban’s Best Cafes
A short and sweet guide to our very favourite cafes and coffee shops in Oban:
Hinba Speciality Coffee
Oban Chocolate Company
Sorcha Bakery
Roxy’s Cafe
Argyll at the Pier
For full details, including menus, locations, and what to expect, check the comprehensive guide below.
The best cafes and coffee shops in Oban
Hinba
Hinba Specialty Coffee is not only our go-to café in Oban, but it’s also the place we’ll happily drive down from our home in Fort William for - because the coffee really is that good.
Although Hinba now has a string of coffee shops in Glasgow, the Oban branch feels every bit the flagship, reflecting their west-coast roots and the ethos behind their brews.
They roast their beans on the nearby Isle of Seil in what they describe as pure Hebridean air, selecting seasonal single-origin coffees and roasting in small batches to preserve clarity, flavour, and ethical sourcing at every step.
The result is some of the best speciality coffee on the west coast, with only a handful of cafés on Skye coming close.
Inside, expect a pared-back, modern space that keeps the focus firmly on the cup. Coffee is the star here: beautifully balanced flat whites, expressive single-origin espressos, and excellent filters that change with the seasons.
A few pastries round things out, and early opening hours make it an ideal pre-ferry or pre-adventure stop. If you’re serious about good coffee, Hinba deserves to be at the very top of your Oban shortlist.
Open daily, from 8am to 5pm.
Oban Chocolate Company
Oban Chocolate Company may be best known for its handmade chocolates, but it also happens to be one of the town’s loveliest waterfront cafés - a bright, modern space with big windows looking straight out over the bay.
Alongside the chocolates, you’ll find an extensive coffee menu, Scottish loose-leaf teas, milkshakes, and old-fashioned ice-cream floats, making it an easy stop for everything from a mid-morning caffeine fix to an indulgent afternoon treat.
On colder days, I usually go straight for their signature hot chocolate topped with fresh cream, or a slice of one of the brownies if I’m after something extra comforting. The daily bakes and fresh scones are equally tempting, and the choice changes often enough to make repeat visits worthwhile.
There are a handful of tables outside with uninterrupted bay views, plus a spacious breakfast bar indoors for wetter days. It’s also dog-friendly, which adds to its relaxed, welcoming feel, ideal for anyone exploring Oban with four-legged company.
Open daily, from 10am to 4.30pm.
Sorcha Bakery
Sorcha may be more of a micro-bakery than a classic café, but it absolutely deserves its place on this list.
The deep green interior gives the compact space a stylish, almost boutique feel, while the shelves are stacked with beautifully crafted sourdough, glossy pastries, and inventive seasonal traybakes.
There’s a small counter for takeaway coffees too, making it an easy stop before exploring the coast.
With opening hours limited to Friday and Saturday (and bakes that frequently sell out), it’s worth arriving early. My usual picks are the cinnamon swirls, fruity custard tarts, and creamy-filled buns (the espresso brioche bun below was *chef’s kiss*).
Add a simple flat white with beans from Argyll Coffee Roasters, and you have delicious fuel for a day of west coast adventures!
It’s also worth noting that Sorcha Bakery is entirely plant-based (so vegan and dairy free), though you’d never know from the flavour or texture alone.
Open Friday and Saturday (occasionally Sunday in summer), from 10am to 2.30pm.
Roxy’s Coffee & Tea House
Roxy’s is one of Oban’s cosiest little cafés, known for its warm welcome and homely, unfussy atmosphere. It’s the place we often head for brunch before a boat trip or a coastal walk, thanks to its reliable, classic all-day menu and relaxed feel.
You can expect hearty cooked breakfasts, generously filled rolls, soups, and a tempting line-up of cakes - all served with the kind of friendly ease that keeps locals and travellers alike returning.
They’re generally open from mid-morning until late afternoon and are dog-friendly, making it an ideal stop if you need something substantial before a day of exploring.
If you’re looking to fuel up properly, go for a big cooked breakfast or one of their loaded sandwiches, paired with a pot of loose-leaf tea. And if you’ve still got room, the countertop cabinet of cakes and bakes is difficult to resist…
Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9am to 4.30pm.
Food From Argyll at the Pier
Set right on the esplanade next to the ferry terminal, Food From Argyll At The Pier is ideal for anyone travelling in or out of Oban, or for anyone wanting a quick, flavourful lunch with a view.
The café champions local producers, from seafood to dairy, and the menu changes according to what’s in season. You can expect daytime opening hours that suit ferry departures, so it’s worth checking before you go.
I usually order their smoked fish chowder, a hot filled roll, or a simple filter coffee, enjoyed outdoors when the weather allows.
Open daily, from 8.45am to 3.30pm.
Final Thoughts: Oban’s Café Scene
Oban’s cafés are far more than convenient pit stops between ferries and day trips — they’re an integral part of the town’s rhythm. Whether you’re easing into the morning with a carefully made flat white, warming up after a coastal walk, or pausing to watch the boats come and go, these cafés offer a genuine sense of place.
Rooted in local produce and relaxed West Coast hospitality, they’re well worth slowing down for — and weaving deliberately into your Oban itinerary.
Oban Cafés: FAQs
What’s the best café in Oban for speciality coffee?
If great coffee is a priority, it’s worth seeking out Hinba; their excellent speciality coffee focuses on serving high-quality single-origin beans.
Are there good cafés near the ferry terminal in Oban?
Yes, though the town centre is so compact, nothing is particularly far from the terminal. There are a couple of excellent options right on the esplanade and close to the ferry terminal; the nearest being Food From Argyll at the Pier. Hinba is also en route if you’re walking along the promenade.
Which Oban cafés are best for breakfast or brunch?
For a breakfast in Oban that’ll set you up for a day of adventures, look for cafés offering cooked breakfasts, filled rolls, and generous brunch-style plates. Roxy’s is our top choice for brekkie or brunch, and their cooked full-Scottish breakfast is both substantial and delicious.
Are Oban cafés dog-friendly?
Several cafés in Oban welcome dogs, either indoors or at outdoor tables, making the town an easy stop if you’re travelling with a four-legged companion. We think Roxy’s, the Chocolate Company, and Hinba are the best dog-friendly options in the town.
Policies can vary, so it’s always worth checking on arrival, especially during busy periods.
Do Oban cafés get busy in peak season?
Yes — during summer and on ferry-heavy mornings, Obans cafés can fill up quickly. Arriving early is your best bet, particularly for smaller bakeries or popular waterfront spots where seating is limited, and bakes often sell out.
