Where we think you will enjoy food on Lewis
We know that Mollans is only open for a meal twice a week. There is a reason for this which we would love to share. We really value a work/life balance and even though you may think we are only working 2 days a week, it couldn't be further from the truth. During the 5 days we are not open these things happen seamlessly in the background. We:
- Peel and cut between 75 and 100kg of top quality potatoes that are grown specifically for amazing chips.
- Precook the above quantity of chips so that we can deliver twice cooked chips for you.
- Cleaning down and setting up the chippy is another half a day.
- We go to Stornoway to pick up the fresh fish and other quality ingredients.
- We make the Vegan pasties and vegan burgers from scratch
- Using amazing quality steak mince from Charles Macleod Butchers and using fresh garden herbs we make your delicious burgers.
- Rolls are made in house here
- Your delicious chinese curry sauce, sweet and sour sauce and tartar sauce are all made here too
Plus making up of the food boxes, ordering, phone calls etc (plus breakfasts for Eilean Fraioch campers 6 days a week) all takes time and good food and a good service can't be rushed.
So..........
Where do we recommend for you to eat out on the days we are closed? We can only recommend places we have been as a couple/family with our daughter and would thoroughly recommend. This is a small list but we will be adding to it as we eat out other places this year.
In no particular order:
The Breakwater Cafe - situated down in Ness by the harbour where you can grab a coffee and a cake or a full meal. We have never had anything other than good quality, well cooked food and even catered well for one of our food intolerances.
The Dunan Hotel - located in Doune, Carloway this hotel has recently changed hands and the owers seem intent on making everything just right. I can't speak for the rooms in the hotel never having stayed there (although photos they post show some beautiful upgrades). We visited the restaurant very recently for our 19th wedding anniversary and we were not disappointed. The food was sublime and plenty of it. We can't wait to go again.
The Hub - Willowglen, Stornoway
Set up by a lovely couple Lida and Alistair this hybrid bike shop/cafe is amazing. There is a downstairs area for people like us who arrive with dogs. The cakes are beyond amazing and cater for so many people with dietary requirements. The hot meals are delicious and no cheap ingredients leave their kitchen.
If you are cycling the islands then you will also find everything you need from bikes to puncture repair kits and a wealth of advice from the staff.
Piotsa - mobile
Having set up their wood fired pizza business from a converted horse box Kim and Kris have a very successful mobile business. Setting up from various locations around the West side of the Island. If you check their facebook page you will be able to see where they are each week.
HS1 Cafe Bar - Stornoway
We have had many a good meal here - situated next door to The Boatshed restaurant which is all part of the Royal Hotel. There is a good selection of food and a change in the specials board regularly. Rachel would always recommend the steak pie. She often thinks "today I will try something different", then goes straight for the Steak pie!
The Boatshed - Stornoway
We have had a Birthday meal here for the whole family and it was delicious. The staff were really personable and really made the night for us. I can't remember what I ate but I think that is more to do with the delicious cocktails they make. A little more expensive than HS1 Cafe Bar adjoining it but is shown in the type of food they serve.
Uig Sands - Uig
The views, the food, the staff all make this a very special place to eat. I would suggest that booking is pretty much essential if you don't want to miss out. The food is fresh and local where it can be. We saw the lobster being landed in Carloway the same day it was to be used at the restaurant so it really doesn't get any fresher. The chef was really good at dealing with a dairy intolerance at our table too.
We try to eat here at the end of the season as our treat for serving food at Mollans to customers all season
Of course there are lots of wonderful places to eat on the island but we have only listed the places we have eaten at and really enjoyed. We hope you find this useful and I hope we can add more places as the year progresses but it is hard to go to new places when we know that we will always get great food at the places mentioned above.
The Country Hotel - Stornoway
We have a lovely lunch her a few times over the last couple of years and the fish and chips was delicious. Situated conveniently in the middle of Stornoway it is ideal for a quick lunch for an evening meal
Comunn Eachdraidh Nis (Ness)
Having popped in here for a coffee and piece of cake we were welcomed by the staff and the choice of cakes was lovely. There is even a museum which changes over time to fill up a little more time - just lovely