Skye restaurants

Ask the clerk in your hotel for help

The really top notch places all have websites and take online bookings. Lochbay, Edinbane Lodge, Three Chimneys, Kinloch Lodge etc. For those places you need to be booking now for May.

Most other places I'd suggest at least a month in advance.

Some places also now take a credit card deposit on booking, because the incidence of 'no shows' has increased dramatically.

Accommodation providers won't (usually) make restaurant bookings for other establishments due to the requirement to give credit card details when booking.

Two years ago, I settled on one “nice” meal and chose the Old Schoolhouse (my choice had to do with scheduling rather than menu). I booked online. In Portree on a Sunday I got lucky for lunch with no reservation but for dinner it was the grocery store. And I traveled solo and often places would let me in because I could be faster.

Last year I made online dinner reservations for just about every restaurant we dined at. Several places turned away people who didn't have reservations. Or you have a very long wait. And we had to give our credit card info for several restaurants because of "no shows". The charge was typically 20 euros per person if you are a no show. I made most reservations about a month in advance.

Some restaurants we liked/loved on Skye:
The Rosedale in Portree - mixed feelings; delicious appetizers; main dishes were ok; very friendly bartender
Edinbane Inn in Edinbane - one of the best meals of our trip; 15-minute drive from Portree; non-residents can't make reservations until 2 weeks before.
Taste of India in Portree - we were able to get reservations the day before
The Old Inn on Loch Harport - lovely outdoor dining on the loch; delicious lunch
Fraser at Bracken Hide in Portree - One of our favorites; food is so tasty and so well prepared

We will be on Skye in May also, staying in a Holiday Cottage at Dunvegan Castle for 4 nights. I just looked up Old School House Restaurant on Google maps and made a reservation on their website. Thanks for asking this question! We will most likely be wanting lunch while visiting Portree. Do we need reservations for lunch also?

Dunvegan is the nearest village to where I live. The Old School in Dunvegan is good, as is The Dunvegan. Bla is a good cafe and Atholl House Guest House also do casual dining. Reservations for all would be needed. Lunch in Portree your best bet would either be Cafe Ariba or (my choice) Gasta which is at Skye Candle Visitor Centre. You wouldn't need a lunch reservation in Portree.

Hello, this is my first post/question on this awesome site.

My wife and I will stay on Skye two days in the middle of the last week in March. Will we need reservations for restaurants during that time?

Thank you.

I agree with the others about booking ahead. With some you have to wait. though. For example, Edinbane Inn (very good food, especially if you want meat instead of fish) only opens for reservations 2 weeks ahead of the date if you are a non-local. Make a note in your calendar so that you can make your reservation at the time, if you are interested. You could also visit Edinbane Pottery, which is nearby and has some very nice pieces.

Also, keep in mind that even for lunch, it's helpful to have reservations, although I don't know that you need them too far ahead of time. And you can always find food—you just might not be able to sit in a restaurant and eat it. 😊

My wife and I will stay on Skye two days in the middle of the last week in March. Will we need reservations for restaurants during that time?

48%, yes, you will. Read this thread for more details.

Will put a plug in for the Ferry Inn up at Uig
Small place, would also book ahead for that

From Ferry Inn website,

Our dinner tables are predominately residents only. Tables not taken first by residents of the Ferry Inn will be released for booking for non-residents. These are therefore limited tables and usually just for 2, on occasion tables of 3/4 can be accommodated. Bookings for non-residents are released 6 weeks in advance of the date and when they become available will be bookable online below (on the website).

The Ferry Inn is very good. Definitely worth snagging a table if you can. Approx 30 minute drive from Portree.