Coffee in the Cairngorms

No trip anywhere is complete without knowing where the best coffee shops are to be found. We have drawn up this list highlighting where you can find some of the best coffee in the Cairngorms!

1. KJ’s Bothy Bakery, Grantown on Spey

‘Kick ass coffee’ is a well loved phrase KJ’s Bothy Bakery, where great coffee and the most delicious sweet and savoury baked goods go hand in hand. KJ ran the popular Mountain Cafe in Aviemore and reinvented the business in 2020 as KJ’s Bothy Bakery. Open Wednesday – Saturday 8am to 3pm.

2. The Rothesay Rooms, Ballater

The Rothesay Rooms in the center of Ballater is one of Royal Deeside’s most revered cafes. Along with a great coffee, there is a menu of beautiful Scottish produce and delicious sweet treats. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.

3. Hazelnut Patisserie

The coffee here is just as it should be (fabulous!) and the patisserie is a wonderful surprise. Run by two great friends Ros and Mathilde, who’s combined talent has created one of the best patisseries in Scotland…and probably far beyond! Open April to October on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11am until 5pm…or when they sell out. 2025 is going to be their last season…run don’t walk!

4. Old Post Office Cafe Gallery, Kincraig

The Old Post Office Cafe in Kincraig is a fantastic wee cafe offering a great welcome, delicious food, beautiful artwork by owner Ann Vastano, and of course, wonderful coffee. Just off the Speyside Way this is a great cafe to visit by bike. Open Thursday to Monday 10am – 4pm (Sunday from 10.30am).

5. Bike Glenlivet Cafe

The Bike Glenlivet Cafe is a great place to refuel after hitting the trails or the zip lines. The coffee beans are from Glen Lyon Roastery and there are always delicious sweet and savoury treats on offer. Opening times vary but usually daily during holiday periods and 5 days a week outwith. Check their website and social media in advance.

6. Cairngorm Mountain

This is coffee with a view and in winter the largest wood burner we have seen! Keep cosy and enjoy your coffee whilst watching the skiing or biking from the cafe window. Or in summer enjoy the view down to Loch Morlich from the balcony. Open 7 days and you can catch the bus up here.

7. Laggan Wolftrax Cafe

The cafe at Laggan Wolftrax is geared up to mountain bikers but also welcomes passers by on the road to and from Fort William. Great coffee and cakes to eat in or take away. Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am-4pm.

9. Coffee at Dalraddy

This wee trailer serves delicious coffee. Brewed using beans roasted in the Highlands or Scotland, serving wonderful sandwiches & cakes and a pretty outside seating area, makes this the perfect refuelling stop at Dalraddy Holiday Park. Keep an eye on social media channels for opening times.

9. Glenmore Visitor Centre

This community owned hub and cafe in Glenmore is a must. Glen Lyon coffee, great barista’s and fresh bakes make this the perfect refuel station. Open from 9am, seven days a week throughout the summer .

Coffee Roasters

10. Roaring Stag Coffee Makers

Roaring Stag Coffee Roasters are speciality coffee roasters based in Ballater. Ethically sourced and hand roasted Roaring Stag offer a vast selection of single origin and coffee blends which you can buy from their online shop and various stockists in Ballater. You can also catch them out in their horse box around Deeside serving up their cracking coffee.

11. Cairngorm Leaf & Bean

This small artisan roastery based in Grantown on Spey are very passionate about roasting, drinking and brewing their 100% Arabica beans. You can order via their online shop or at various local shops.

This is just a selection of some of the best places. Let us know your favourite places to go for coffee in the Cairngorms…….