
Quick info
About Soundbites
Soundbites is a cafe and coffee shop in Arisaig, open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with seating upstairs that looks out over the harbour. The kitchen runs a 27-dish menu spanning burgers such as the 8oz Letterfinlay Burger, the Crispy Chicken Burger and the Sea Shanty Burger, alongside fish and chips, a soup of the day and Orkney cheesecake for dessert, with gluten-free options including soup and cakes. Loaded fries, in Sound Bites and Chilli varieties, round out the list. Food is brought to the table, and a resident dog is often around the room, with dogs welcome generally. High chairs suit visits with young children, and outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi are both available. Music plays at a level that still allows conversation. Reservations are recommended given the limited seating, and takeaway is on offer for those eating off site. Payment at Soundbites is cash only.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Plenty of parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available · Has kids' menu
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
27 dishes · mains £2–15- 8oz Letterfinlay Burger£15.00
- Crispy Chicken Burger£15.00
- Sea Shanty Burger£15.00
- 'Got No Beef' Burger£15.00
- Sound Bites Loaded Fries£11.00
- Chilli Loaded Fries£11.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee, fish and chips, cheesecake and soup of the day.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee, fish and chips, cheesecake and soup of the day.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips comes up again and again as the dish to get, with reviewers also singling out the soup of the day, the Orkney fudge cheesecake, and freshly made scones and French toast for its generous portions. Close behind, the harbour view from the upstairs seating and a varied, not-too-loud music selection (vintage Soul and R&B, an eclectic playlist) draw repeated mention, alongside genuine care for gluten free and coeliac diners. Staff are described consistently as friendly, funny, and welcoming, and the resident cafe dog gets called out by multiple visitors as a highlight. Coffee and tea are praised throughout, and takeaway theme nights are noted fondly by at least one visitor. Against this, two reviewers report letdowns: one found a beefburger dry and overpriced at fourteen pounds and noted a messy kitchen despite quiet service, while another said the potato waffles were "diabolical" even as they still recommended the cheesecake and coffee. One reviewer recalls staff offering food, hot water, and shelter for three days during a campervan breakdown.
Customer Review Summary
Fish and chips comes up again and again as the dish to get, with reviewers also singling out the soup of the day, the Orkney fudge cheesecake, and freshly made scones and French toast for its generous portions. Close behind, the harbour view from the upstairs seating and a varied, not-too-loud music selection (vintage Soul and R&B, an eclectic playlist) draw repeated mention, alongside genuine care for gluten free and coeliac diners. Staff are described consistently as friendly, funny, and welcoming, and the resident cafe dog gets called out by multiple visitors as a highlight. Coffee and tea are praised throughout, and takeaway theme nights are noted fondly by at least one visitor. Against this, two reviewers report letdowns: one found a beefburger dry and overpriced at fourteen pounds and noted a messy kitchen despite quiet service, while another said the potato waffles were "diabolical" even as they still recommended the cheesecake and coffee. One reviewer recalls staff offering food, hot water, and shelter for three days during a campervan breakdown.
Featured reviews
- Stephen Key
“Came here twice over my stay. Lovely food and friendly service. I had the Sea Shanty burger which was delicious and the fish was perfect, fresh and tasty. And Jet! Hands down my favourite member of staff 😄would visit again”
- Laura Noonan
“Amazing cafe with delicious gluten free soup, cakes, and more. Super friendly and welcoming staff made me feel like I've been coming here for years. The view from the op floor of the café can't be beat. This is a must visit location for anyone heading out west towards Arisaig or catching the ferry to Skye. You will keep coming back.”
- Brittany D
“Poor service - unfriendly lady. Drove from Mallaig to Soundbites due to a recommendation for a nice sit in …”
- alistair vale
“There’s nowhere like Soundbites. Great food, great craic, and the staff and owners are all excellent. Top marks for the most delicious steak and black pudding pie, the full highland breakfast, and Daz’s “special” cheesecake!”
- Craig Pinnegar
“The nicest people I have met for a long time. My pie was excellent with fresh veg and mash. The chefs were very funny as was everyone. Just be careful of a little pratical joke. highly recommended. Also there is a DOGO 🐕 11/10”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for popular for lunch
- Popular for good for solo dining
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed inside
Show more amenities
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- Offerings· 8
- Serves alcohol
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Quick bite
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs available
- Has kids' menu
- Service options· 1
- On-site services available
- Dining options· 6
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Highlights· 3
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Parking· 2
- Free parking lot
- Plenty of parking
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside