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Hours
Sun
10:00 - 17:00
Mon
10:00 - 17:00
Tue
10:00 - 17:00
Wed
10:00 - 17:00
Thu
10:00 - 17:00
Fri
10:00 - 17:00
Sat
10:00 - 17:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
£4.00 – £37.00
CUISINES
Cafe, Mediterranean, European, British, Scottish
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Is this restaurant good for breakfast?
Details
About
Newly built Cafe Thyme serving teas, coffees, homebaking, delicious lunches, homemade bread and pides (Turkish pizzas baked in the wood burning oven), wines, beers and a large selection of loose leaf teas. Hamza the chef built the wood burning oven himself so everything he bakes in it comes from his heart. We offer an exciting lunch menu catering for all tastes and everything is freshly made to order. Homegrown salad leaves and herbs are used widely. Currently open 7 days a week 10am to 5pm. Lunches are served between 12 and 3. Stunning views of the Druid standing stone, fields, sea and Mull of Kintyre beyond are replicated in the fabulous stained glass window. Family run business marrying Scottish and Turkish through a haggis and cheese pide!
PRICE RANGE
£4.00 – £37.00
CUISINES
Cafe, Mediterranean, European, British, Scottish
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Playgrounds, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
868 reviews
Excellent
637
Very good
164
Average
37
Poor
23
Terrible
7
walkmanFife
Cupar405 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
They had no tables available but said it should be too long and they gave us a buzzer to carry about that would alert us when a table was ready, while we looked at the shops. The wait was actually nearly an hour but forunately we were able to entertain the kids in the play area.
When we eventually did get a table service was speedy. Three of us had the soup and sandwich combo while he kids opted for the Turkish pizzas whose name I can't remember. When the soups came we were surprised that as well as the generous soup and well filled sandwich, it also came with salad and a small portion of chips. Pretty good, filling value at £6.50 or whatever it was. The pizza things were more expensive but weren't unreasonable given ths size and quality. The kids also had ice creams which again were massive portions (though they did manage to finish them!) and the adults had coffees, also good.
A nice touch (if you like cats) was the big tom that skulked around under the tables rubbing against people's legs and hoovering up any dropped items!
Overall, we thought they were providing a good and reasonable value food experience even with the long wait and would definitely go again, hopefully on a quieter day.
Written 29 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tj1Scotland
102 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Stopped here for lunch on a lovely sunny day. The food was delicious, service was extremely friendly and staff really helpful. Pides came with an amazingly fresh salad. Couldn't fault it. The only downside was that there could have been more vegan options ideally and the prices were a bit high for a lunch.
Written 16 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paradise00848717026
Perth4 contributions
Oct 2020 • family
Just had the most fabulous lunch at Cafe Thyme. The location is stunning. The staff are very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious. Can recommend the Cullen Skink which comes with delicious warm, homemade flatbread and the Machrie lamb pides. The cafe was spotlessly clean with excellent COVID safety measures. Can’t recommend highly enough.
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann S
Isle of Arran1 contribution
Jul 2021 • family
When you arrive be prepared to wait a fairly long time for a table as the tables outside are a free for all and they don’t take bookings. The staff don’t approach you on arrival and there seems to be no system in place; staff walking straight past you and avoiding eye contact. This really set the tone and you could tell it left multiple groups of people feeling frustrated and confused.
After waiting 40 minutes for a table we were eventually shown to a table inside where the waiting continued. We sat for at least 15 minutes with menus trying to catch the eye of staff to order some drinks. We could see the place was busy and most likely understaffed but the waiting became painful that we contemplated leaving, and to be honest we wish we did.
Our lunch took 50 minutes and the quality of food that was produced was extremely poor for such steep prices. The ‘Pides’ were overcooked and resembled crackers with a sprinkling of topping; which was mostly cheese. Far from what was expected for £15 each.
At the end of our lunch experience, which was dragged out for 2 and a half hours, we asked for the bill and it never arrived. The customer service and quality of food leave a lot to be desired. It’s safe to say we won’t be returning.
Written 13 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna M
Thank you for your review, I'm afraid that I can't apologise for the wait, with a high percentage of eateries closed on the island due to staff self isolating we have been overwhelmingly busy. I can assure you that we do have a pager system in place for inside tables which works well. We are also following all covid procedures with less tables for social distancing, sanitising tables and menus in between customers. This all takes valuable time and puts more pressure on staff.
We have a fantastic team who are all working their hardest and who deal with customers politely and in turn.
I'm sorry that you thought the pide was overcooked however nothing of poor quality leaves the kitchen.
As you can see from other reviews the majority of people have a good experience with us, both with food and service.
Written 14 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scottish-Hidden-Gems🏴💎
Ayrshire9192 contributions
Nov 2020 • family
We stopped here hoping to get some food, as it came highly recommended but unfortunately they weren't serving hot food until 12pm and finishing at 3pm.
Quite disappointing especially when practically everywhere else on the island was closed for business!
So we just had to have cake and tea which was lovely but we were hoping for something more filling.
Maybe get to try the food some other time?
Written 16 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
otimpson80
Paris15 contributions
Apr 2023 • none
Real effort made in this cafe and staff clearly take pride in their work, which is evident in the freshly prepared, high quality simple food on offer. Have been many times and this May when visiting the island we ate there seven times. They are consistent and reliable, which is key for returning customers. Their lemon cake recipe is simply excellent. Good portion sizes. The pides (flatbread) come with a huge ‘couldn’t be more fresh’ salad and fairly priced at around £14-£16. Hand cut chips are homemade and so delicious. The location is idyllic. Another positive is that they open every day. Would highly recommend. There’s plenty of places to eat on the island but only a handful that are truly worth going to and this is amongst the best places to eat.
Written 29 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna Mansfield
Thank you for your lovely review, we're delighted that you appreciate good freshly prepared food and that we are delivering good quality and service. Look forward to seeing you next time.
Written 21 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lornadempsey
Ayr525 contributions
May 2021 • family
There was loads on the menu which we fancied, especially the home cooked chips. What a lovely cafe. We ate outside today as it was very busy, it was a little breezy, but great to see my girl playing in the fabulous kids area which was 2.50 for however long. Staff were all lovely.
We then also visited the shops on site which were very expensive and items not for everyone.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin G
Glasgow38 contributions
May 2022 • couples
I love cafe Thyme. It’s in a beautiful location and offers food that is quite different to anywhere else on the Island. I’m a particular fan of their Pides a Turkish variation of Pizzas. So having made a special journey there today (it’s in a remote part of Arran) I was surprised and disappointed to find almost nothing on the menu other than soup sandwiches and salad.
There was nothing to advertise the reduced menu on the door and the sandwiches advertised as being on brown bloomer bread were bog standard supermarket sliced bread.
Very disappointing hope they return to their usual excellent standard soon.
Written 5 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna M
Dear coling236,
we apologise for pides not being on the menu on the particular day that you visited. My husband was away on a 5 day course, his only days off this year. We saw no point putting a notice on the door when you are here anyway and the reduced menu would be explained by the waiting staff.
Everything is back on the menu from today and we hope that you enjoy a pide on your next visit.
Written 7 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gary E
Northumberland43 contributions
Sept 2021 • none
We visited this café twice during our weeks stay on Arran and really enjoyed both meals. The Pides (Turkish pizza) were lovely - I had the haggis and cheese on the first occasion and spiced beef on the second. My wife had a Greek salad on the second visit and the same spiced beef pide on her first. We had a portion of chips on both occasions as we had been recommended to try them - oh my god they were the best chips ever. Crisp with a lovely soft texture in the middle. Simply divine.
Service on both occasions was great, very friendly and helpful. The cakes also were excellent. I would wholeheartedly recommend at least one visit if you are on Arran and then try and hold yourself back from more visits - we didn't manage this and didn't regret it at all. Super!!!!
Written 12 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JAF_Wales
Cardiff907 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
We enjoyed our lunch at this cafe which has a good range of food including Turkish pide which is a flat bread served with various toppings. There are also soups and salad etc. plus a nice display of cakes to choose from. You can't book at the moment so you need to be prepared to wait for a table as it gets busy but there is a large play aea for children and a couple of craft shops to look round.
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Relax62034511028
Many thanks for your review, we're glad that you enjoyed your visit and look forward to seeing you again.
Written 9 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robert G
Perth5 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
At least our fourth visit (or maybe fifth🤔) and as ever the food is amazing - why can you not get a pide elsewhere?! They are so tasty and with a lovely salad to go with it. The hot smoked salmon salad went down a treat - has anyone tried a hot smoked salmon pide...definitely think that’s one for the next menu review! Oh and the gluten free carrot cake was very tasty!
Written 5 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Micemurders
280 contributions
Sept 2021 • couples
Welcoming cafe on the west side of Arran, set a little off the main road ( sign on the road seems to be correct to indicate if open). Nice views. Easy parking. Couple of shops to browse. Visited twice, tea and lunch.,good homemade cake, tea in a pot. The Turkish pide we had for lunch was homemade and quite delicious, bit like a pizza, with various toppings. Clean and COVID sensible. Not at all worried by us dripping , it was raining hard when we arrived by bike, but they even made it stop, since it had cleared as we left!
Written 17 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna M
Hello,
Thank you for your lovely review, we're delighted that you enjoyed your time with us. So happy that we managed to stop the rain for you! Look forward to seeing you next time.
Written 3 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karl F
2 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
This was our first meal out on Arran and we were really impressed with the Turkish prides that came with a variety of options including several vegan and veggie. This came with a beautiful salad. Really good service and fantastic views. It was a great start to our wonderful week on the island
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LornaM419
Hi Karl,
We appreciate your review and are delighted that you enjoyed your experience with us. Hope to see you again.
Written 30 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
maxybel
Larkhall41 contributions
Oct 2020 • family
Had a lovely lunch here. The pides are spectacular, and everyone enjoyed their lunch, including the kids. The variety of food is great, the special teas give an extra dimension. Despite how busy they were with the covid restrictions in place, we didn't have to wait long at all and the service and staff were excellent. The salads to accompany the foods were so fresh, and particularly special.
Written 14 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meet dave
4 contributions
Jun 2023 • family
First visited 9 years ago with the old owners and loved it, revisited in 2021 with the new owners and while it has changed it has only got better.
The staff were all friendly and welcoming and the service was a good speed too.
The food, while quite expensive, is well and truly a case of "you get what you pay for", large portions of incredibly fresh food. The cost is completely justified in the quality and quantity served. - we even took what we couldn't finish back to where we were staying and it was just as good that evening for a supper.
The play area for children outside is also worth mentioning, there is a donation box (recommended £2-2.50) and after visiting over the years it is very clear they put the money donated into maintaining and improving the play area, my son loved it at 2 years old and still loves it at 11.
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna Mansfield
Hello, we are the same people, there have never been new owners since we opened the cafe in 2012! We're delighted that you appreciate our freshly prepared food and portion sizes, we aim to serve consistent top quality and service in the cafe, 2 shops and play area. As a family business we put our heart and soul into it. Many thanks for your review, it is much appreciated. We look forward to seeing you next time.
Written 21 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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