Here are some of the best restaurants, inns and a very special supper club not to miss on a trip to the island.
(Corrie, Shore road, Isle of Arran KA27 8JB)
Mara Fish Bar and Deli is a fancy seafood takeaway that uses the best of Arran and Scotland's seafood from local suppliers to support sustainable fishing.
The stylish blue interiors are vibrant and welcoming.
They offer freshly made-to-order dishes in what they call 'a takeaway-style dining experience'.
With its stylish but understated interiors, The Douglas Hotel's Bistro is a decadent place to visit and has views over Brodick Harbour.
Chef Gregg Russell uses homegrown and locally-sourced ingredients from Arran and Ayrshire to create classic dishes with a twist, such as lamb with a root vegetable dauphinoise and Arran malt jus.
The Drift Inn has a friendly atmosphere and a good menu for hungry hikers.
This is the perfect place to end a long day of walking in Glen Rosa with its wildlife and majestic views.
Scottish mussels in homemade sweet chilli broth and three-way infused smoked salmon are top-notch.
Don't miss the Triple Chocolate Heaven on the aptly named 'Liquid Dessert Menu'.
This lovely restaurant at the award-winning Auchrannie Resort offers laid-back dining, and we mean literally, you can eat your dinner on a plush sofa.
Their menu offers a great selection of grilled meats and fresh seafood and they have ever-changing daily specials.
Check out the excellent homemade scones and tasty coffee too.
The Arran Supperclub was the talk of Arran and the first of its kind on this gastronomic island when it launched.
Offering affordable, banquet-style eating in an intimate setting (by which we mean communal tables), their past events include a Caribbean BBQ at The Bay Kitchen & Stores, which transforms itself into a pop-up eatery.
It’s great to see the supper club trend has infiltrated the Western Isles and it works very well in this setting. And of course, you can bring your own bottle.
(Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran KA27 8ET)
Visit this bakery, down a vennel beside the Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot and open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11am.
It’s owned by baker George Grassie, and currently operates a ‘bread shed’ just outside. Here you’ll find staples, like sourdough, baguettes and croissants, but also more experimental loaves, like green tea and raisin, as well as Eccles cakes, hazelnut and chocolate pound cakes and treacle tart with lemon and bergamot.
Their wares also appear at other island venues, like Mara, The French Fox, The Sandwich Station and in shops including The Bay Kitchen & Store.
(One Auchrannie Rd, Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8BZ)
This street food business started up pre-Covid, back in 2019, and serves Gallic bistro fare out of the side of their turquoise van.
Although they used to pop up all over the island, they’re currently stationed on Auchrannie Road, beside three or four al-fresco tables, until the end of October, from Friday to Sunday and Thursdays soon too.
Guy Gautier and his partner Emma-Jane Fox are the owners and cooks, and they whip up dishes including profiteroles, croque monsieur, steak au poivre and jarret de jambon - honey and mustard glazed ham hock, parmentier potatoes, crispy fried egg and spring onions.
(Various locations)
You’ll find this seafood trailer at various locations, including Brodick and Blackwaterfoot.
Check their social media, if you want to track them down.
Their menu varies but might include tempura squid, crab roll with lemon mayo and rocket; monkfish and king prawn coconut curry with basmati rice and naan bread, and their signature fish burger with tartare sauce.
(Kilmory, Isle of Arran KA27 8PG)
They built this brand new distillery - a sister to Arran Whisky in Lochranza - at a particularly beautiful spot in Kilmory.
As well as a shop, where you can taste various malts, and shop for souvenirs, they also have a Shieling Bistro and The Kilmory Cafe, which is a bit more casual.
In the relaxed downstairs space, alongside the burgers, sandwiches and toasties, there are a few interesting options, like the hotdogs, with varieties including the fried onion, French mustard and ketchup topped New Yorker.
(Lamlash, Isle of Arran KA27 8JN)
If you like your cakes in large slices, and available in copious varieties, this tearoom is a good bet.
Although they don’t have any indoor seating at the moment, you can still takeaway goods including cheese scones, cinnamon buns, rosemary and harissa focaccia; raspberry, almond and kirsch tartlets, Victoria sponge, brownies, cookies and all things stodgy and delicious.
(Shore Road, Isle of Arran KA27 8QL)
It’s not the most cutting edge venue, but this couthy place is in a lovely spot and very reliable when it comes to massive portions after you’ve tackled the Glenashdale Falls walk.
We especially love their icing-heavy cakes and “salads”, which are essentially a smorgasbord of goodies.
(Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8DE)
Good weather on the island isn’t guaranteed, but any showers might be more bearable if you’re drinking outdoor cocktails, which include the bright green Oceanside, at this place’s lovely beach bar.
They make their own Arran Gin from the island’s botanicals, and have more recently produced an Arran Cassis.
(Cladach, Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8DE)
Pop into the Isle of Arran brewery to pick up some local and Scottish beers and ciders or why not join them for a tour?
This small, independent brewery has been making Scottish beers for over 20 years.
Tour cost £15 and include an introduction to the brewery followed by a look at the production process before ending with a beer tasting at the bar.
(Home Farm, Isle of Arran KA27 8DD)
No trip to the island is complete without a few colourful wax-covered wheels of Arran Cheese, which comes in varieties including Arran Mustard, Whisky, Claret, Chilli, Chive and Smokey Garlic.
The shop, where you can watch the mongers at work, also sells locally made tablet, James Chocolates from Brodick, and Wooleys of Arran Oatcakes and other goodies.
