After a lovely breakfast at Barcaldine Castle, wandering and seeing the sights nearby can work up quite an appetite. When it isn’t time for afternoon tea at the castle, a nice meal out should do the trick … and if your adventures take you to the charming town of Oban, you’ll be spoilt for choice. From a variety of cuisines and a range of prices, we’ve selected 10 tasty places to eat in Oban, to help you find what you fancy.
If there’s one thing Oban does well, it’s fish. From 12:00pm till 7:00pm every day, Oban Fish and Chip Shop has plenty of choice, whether you’re eating in or having a simple chippy takeaway. This popular spot on George Street offers pies, burgers, seafood, vegetarian options, and of course some good old fish ‘n’ chips.
If you’re eating in, most mains on the menu are £8-13 each. Mussels are offered in various styles for £7-15, or you could share a fried seafood platter for two for £38.
This charming chippy has been described as “by far the BEST in town” on TripAdvisor, and we think it’s definitely worth a try.
Located further down George Street, this handsome restaurant and bar’s name is Gaelic for “big ocean”, which certainly matches its fantastic view of Oban Bay.
Open 12:00-10:00pm every day, Cuan Mór’s kitchen uses fresh and locally sourced produce – including, of course, seafood. It also offers gourmet burgers and steak, salads and low-calorie options, and a selection of other very popular dishes.
On the regular menu, most mains are £10-16, and sirloin steaks are £21.
There are also set menus (for functions only), a lunch menu, a gluten-free menu, and more. Cuan Mór also does a Gourmet Burger Night on Wednesdays, Fish & Chip Frydays, and Seafood Saturdays.
Cuan Mór has a well-stocked bar (open 11:00am-late every day) serving the finest local beers, real ales and whiskies, as well as other spirits, wine and cocktails. Meanwhile, their back bar boasts about a hundred single malt and special blend whiskies.
We recommend that you book in advance if you want to sample Cuan Mór’s “excellent food and service” (TripAdvisor), but please note that they only make reservations for parties of 5-8 – for any more than that, it’s best to email.
If you’re not in the mood for seafood and fancy something more exotic, Spice World has what you’re looking for. One TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Wonderful food! We ate here twice while we were away on holiday in Oban. The food was absolutely superb!”
Even further down George Street, this mix of Indian, Chinese, Thai and Bangladeshi cuisine is up on the first floor, where its view of Oban Bay is clear and uninterrupted – well worth booking a table by the window (but we recommend booking anyway, even if you can’t reserve a window spot).
Spice World is open 12:00-2:00pm, then 5:00-11:00pm, every day, offering its wide range of tasty and spicy dishes along with wine, beer and a full bar. Of its many, many, many main course options, most are £9-12, with rice being about £3.
Tucked away up an alley (John Street) from George Street, this café is described as a “vegan oasis”. It’s a hidden gem for those seeking vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose intolerant options.
Apart from catering to these specific diets for around £12.50-15.50 and offering a wide choice of teas, The Little Potting Shed Café is very allergy-aware, not to mention dog- and child-friendly, making this a safe and inviting place to eat.
Over on the Railway Pier, between the train station and ferry terminal, The Olive Garden is a great place to bring the kids. It offers seafood, risotto, burgers, pasta, pizza, and more.
Most mains come at a wide range of prices of £13-21. A seafood platter comes for £28 while prices vary for lobster specials. Their £7.50 children’s menu includes one of several popular mains with juice and ice cream.
Apart from its “lovely food and friendly service“, The Olive Garden has plenty to drink. It offers a range of European wines, gins and cocktails, as well as mocktails, non-alcoholic beer and cider, and the best coffee in town.
The Olive Garden is open every day: 12:00-2:00pm for lunch, and 5:00pm for dinner (without any rush to finish). There’s plenty of space (though we recommend booking in advance) but, if you prefer not to eat inside this summer, outdoor seating is available 11:00am-10:00pm. A takeaway service is also available for 10% off the menu price.
As one reviewer has said, “looks can be deceptive”. This green shack, located between The Olive Garden and the ferry terminal, is simple and truly about the food. Imagine all the fancy restaurant service stripped away until all that remains is excellent food for a good price.
Open 10:00am till 6:00pm every day, Oban Seafood Hut is popular for serving the freshest seafood, expertly prepared and delicious, in cheap but large portions. It has a range of prices, from a £3.50 prawn cocktail to a £29.95 grand platter for two (including lobster).
Another TripAdvisor reviewer said, “It’s your own fault if you miss this place.” This seafood hut is open 10:00am-6:00pm every day. There’s no booking – you just turn up, order your seafood, grab a spot at the table, and enjoy.
Named the phonetic Gaelic for “fish”, fish is what Ee-Usk, the Seafood Restaurant of the Year, does best. It serves fresh, locally caught fish and shellish, simply cooked to keep their naturally delicious taste. Meanwhile, its floor-to-ceiling windows give its guests a clear view over the bay from the North Pier.
Open 12:00-3:00pm and 5:30-8:00pm every day, Ee-Usk offers a lunch / early evening set menu (3 courses for £19) 12:00-1:00pm and 5:30-6:15pm. Its à-la-carte mains are normally £13-24, or a grand platter for two is £115, including lobster, crab, king scallops, fishcakes, and more.
Ee-Usk is normally so busy that we recommend booking in advance. Also please note that children under 12 are not allowed in the evening so, if you have little ones, be sure to go for lunch instead – it will be worth it.
Right beside Ee-Usk on the North Pier, this tasty Italian also offers an excellent view of the bay. It offers a selection of pasta and pizza 10:00am-3:00pm and 5:30-9:00pm.
Its Italian food and burgers are cooked to order with fine ingredients, with most mains priced at £8-13. “Lovely food, reasonably priced!” said one TripAdvisor reviewer.
As well as food, Piazza has a range of wines, by glass or by bottle. If you’re not stopping for a meal, it offers coffee and snacks from 10:00am. If you’re looking to dine, however, please don’t forget to book.
Right in the middle of George Street, in a pretty former bank building, Coast Restaurant is described as the “best restaurant in Oban”.
Apart from fish and shellfish, Coast serves meat and poultry, vegetables and herbs, all of which are locally sourced. Its mains are £17-21 (or a sirloin steak £24.50 / fillet steak £30), although its menu changes seasonally, so be sure to check it out.
Coast is open for lunch 12:00-3:00pm Monday-Saturday and for dinner 5:30-10:30pm every day. We recommend that you book in advance; please note that children under 10 aren’t allowed in after 7pm and must leave by 8pm.
Last but not least, we had to finish on one of Oban’s fishiest places. On the Railway Pier, between The Olive Garden and the ferry terminal, the Waterfront Fishouse Restaurant is up on the first floor. It has a wonderful view of the bay and lots of fish to match!
At 12:00-2:00pm and 5:30-9:00pm every day, Waterfront Fishouse Restaurant has plenty to choose from. It has a regular menu of fresh seafood and a non-seafood selection, as well as a gluten-free menu. The fishhouse’s Lunch and Early Evening Menu (12:00-2:00pm and 5:30-6:45pm) offers a starter and main for £16.99.
Its regular mains, on the other hand, are all £12-22, except for its £22.99 sirloin steak. However, its menu changes at least semi-annually, so please check it out on their website. It’s also best to book in advance and to email for parties larger than six, but we think it’s definitely worth it.
We hope something jumps out for you to try on your next trip to Oban. Wherever you end up eating, whether it be one of our 10 Tasty Places to Eat in Oban or not, be sure to let us know on our Facebook page!
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