Café Cùil
RECOMMENDED STOP
CAFE | ISLE OF SKYE
Seasonal brunch and lunch on the Isle of Skye
Café Cùil is one of the most reliable places on the Isle of Skye for a genuinely good brunch or lunch, especially if you’re exploring the west of the island. Set in a distinctive red-roofed barn just outside Carbost, it combines thoughtful, seasonal cooking with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere - the kind of place that works just as well for a slow morning as it does for a mid-route lunch stop.
This is a café we actively factor into west Skye itineraries, particularly for travellers visiting the Fairy Pools, Carbost, or nearby distilleries.
Café Cùil: At a glance
Location: Near Carbost, west Skye
Best for: Brunch, relaxed lunches, seasonal dishes, and local ingredients
Style: Calm, modern, produce-led
Good to know: Walk-ins only, seasonal opening
When to visit
Café Cùil works best as a late-morning or early-lunch stop, especially if you’re heading out early to beat the crowds at the Fairy Pools.
Midweek visits tend to be calmer.
Summer weekends can be busy, particularly late morning.
Arrive late-morning to beat the crowds.
Allow at least an hour if you’re not in a rush.
If Café Cùil is a must-do for you, it’s worth shaping your west Skye route around it rather than trying to squeeze it in at the end of the day.
What it’s known for
The menu changes with the seasons, but you can expect carefully balanced plates that showcase local ingredients without overcomplicating things.
Highlights include:
Seasonal brunch dishes and daily specials.
Beautifully made pastries.
House-made soft drinks — the rhubarb and rose Cùil-Aid is a favourite.
Portions are generous without being heavy, making this a great stop before or after a walk.
How it fits into your Skye Route
Café Cùil pairs particularly well with:
An early visit to the Fairy Pools.
Exploring Carbost village and the Minginish peninsula.
A stop at Talisker Distillery.
Driving on towards the west coast or back towards central Skye.
Practical details
Bookings: Not taken; walk-ins only.
Opening hours: Thursday to Monday, typically 10am–4pm.
Seasonality: Usually closed over winter; check ahead in the shoulder season.
Getting there: Best reached by car; rural location with limited public transport.
Why we recommend Café Cùil
Every time we’re on Skye, we make a point of stopping at Café Cùil. It’s run by Skye-born chef Clare Coghill, who originally opened Cùil in East London before bringing it back home to the island, and that combination of polish and warmth really shows.
The space itself is bright and calm, with large windows looking out across Skye’s landscape, and the cooking consistently feels thoughtful rather than showy. Dishes like Scottish smoked mackerel on sourdough, Scotch pancakes with Highland rhubarb and gorse mascarpone, or Lochalsh beef brisket rarebit topped with a perfectly poached egg are the kind of plates that linger in your memory long after you’ve left.
A total gem, and one we’ll never skip.
Getting Here
You’ll find Cafe Cùil tucked away in the community of Satran, near Carbost. The easiest way to get here is to drive yourself; this is a rural area, so you’ll want your own transport. It's a 40-minute drive from Portree and a 30-minute drive from Broadford.
What’s Nearby
If you’re planning to combine your visit with food or further exploring, these spots are all close by:
Fairy Pools: Famous cascades at the foot of the Cuillin mountains, around 25–30 minutes by car.
Talisker Distillery: Iconic, whitewashed coastal whisky distillery, tours, bar, and shop.
Caora Dhubh Coffee: A tiny but much-loved stop for speciality coffee, bakes, and loch-side views.
The Three Chimneys at Talisker: A Refined seafood bistro pairing local produce with creative dishes.
The Old Inn: Traditional Skye pub-come-restaurant serving hearty dishes.
Talisker Bay: Dramatic black sands, sea stacks, and a waterfall, a short drive away.