Caithness has some of the best food and drink in The Highlands of Scotland. When you visit a café, bar or restaurant, you’ll find some of our fantastic local larder, whether that’s fish, meat, vegetables, sweet treats or alcohol. 

Every good day starts with breakfast, and a full Scottish certainly sets you up for the day! A proper Scottish breakfast should contain black pudding (a blood sausage traditionally made with pork or beef, fat and cereals like oats), haggis (a savoury pudding containing sheep offal, spices and onion), and lorne sausage, along with the traditional items of eggs, bacon, and a tattie (potato) scone. If that is too much for you, you could choose a breakfast roll with one or two of your favourite elements, or  a warm bowl of porridge made with salt or sweetened with sugar or honey. It’s truly Scottish when you stir it with a spurtle!  Try a local café or cook your own food made with local produce from the Castletown Butchers, in your well equipped Celtic Lodges kitchen.

During the day, the Scots like to enjoy a sweet treat, whether it’s a piece of shortbread, an empire biscuit or a scone with jam. Located only 2 miles further down the NC500 are The Tea Rooms at The Castle of Mey and they serve wonderful cream teas with home made scones. 

All year round we flock to enjoy Scottish ice cream in a cone or tub – it doesn’t have to be hot or sunny! There are plenty of bakeries and cafés in John O’Groats where you can pick up a sweet treat. 

In the evening, classic Scottish food and drink is on the menu, including steak pie, macaroni cheese, and fish and chips. Much of the fish served in restaurants across Caithness is locally landed at Scrabster Harbour. Mey Selections beef and lamb are quality meats farmed in the north Highlands, and served up with fresh vegetables. There are several places where you can also enjoy modern European fayre. To accompany your meal, you can try a local ale from John O’Groats Brewery, a G&T from one of our gin distilleries, or savour a post-meal dram from Old Pulteney or Wolfburn Distillery. Orkney also has some great places to eat and drink if you are planning a day trip. 

Our pick of local cafés and restaurants to enjoy local food and drink are: