Coffee in the Cairngorms

No trip anywhere is complete without knowing where the best coffee shops are to be found. If you are a coffee lover then a great coffee is very important, even more so on your holidays! We have drawn up this list highlighting where you can find the best coffee in the Cairngorms!

1. KJ’s Bothy Bakery, Grantown on Spey

Kick ass coffee as the saying goes at KJ’s Bothy Bakery, where not only can you get great coffee, but the most delicious sweet and savoury baked goods from their artisan bakery unit on the Achnagonalin Industrial Estate just outside Grantown on Spey. Kj ran the very popular Mountain Cafe in Aviemore and in 2020 they reinvented themselves, which is when the Bothy Bakery was born.
Open Wednesday – Saturday, 8.30am-3pm.

2. The Bothy, Braemar

The Bothy Braemar offers an idyllic setting with outside seating overlooking the River Clunie for sunny days. Great coffee, cakes, breakfasts and lunches are on offer and the cafe is dog friendly too!
Open 7 days, 9am-5.30pm.

3. Hazelnut Patisserie

The coffee here is just as it should be but is somewhat overshadowed by the amazing patisserie on offer! Hazelnut Patisserie is run by two great friends Ros and Mathilde, who combine their love of the great outdoors and food to bring you not just one of the best places to visit in the Cairngorms, but in Scotland and probably far beyond! Only open April until October, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 5pm or when they sell out which is often much earlier such is the demand. Plan your trip to take in a wonderful Braemar walk fuelled with a picnic from the Patisserie!

4. Old Post Office Cafe Gallery, Kincraig

The Old Post Office Cafe in Kincraig is a fanastic wee cafe offering a great welcome, delicious food, beautiful art work by owner Ann Vastano and of course wonderful coffee by Rebecca. 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 & Nethy House Cafe

The Bike Glenlivet Cafe is a great place to refuel after hitting the trails or taking to the brand new for 2024 zip lines! The coffee served is made with Glen Lyon Roastery beans and there are always some delicious sweet treats and savoury too on offer. Their sister cafe at Nethy House in Nethy Bridge is also a brilliant place to go for coffee.
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. They serve great coffee and cakes to eat in or take away.
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am-4pm.

Coffee Roasters

8. 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.

9. 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…….