The Harbourview Grille at the Royal

Ardshiel

➤ Kilkerran Road, Campbeltown I-PA28 6JL, United Kingdom

Cafés • Seafood • European • Fast Food

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"Given that the Ardshiel is an institution in Campbeltown we were excited to stay but other than the whisky bar (incredible selection with very fair pricing) we were underwhelmed by the food, service and especially the rooms (renovated, but to the bare minimum standards with very uncomfortable beds). In the end if we'd gotten some cheer or a smile from at least one staff member that could have helped us to overlook the lackluster food and rooms, but everyone was so stiff and dour that we were relieved to only be staying one night. Summary: amazing whisky selection but recommended to eat and sleep elsewhere."

Lochside Inn

➤ 20 Shore Street, PA43 7LB, Argyll Bute, United Kingdom

Wine • Fish • Cafés • Steak

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"On our last day here, killing time before the ferry, decided to try luncheon here. No expectations either way. And we were TOTALLY wowed it was just excellent. Trying not to put too many superlatives in this review, but it was really, really ace. We had a lovely table by the window overlooking the harbour where you could see dog walkers, children in wellies, crabbing, and little boats coming and going. Classic Islay. Then I have to mention the food. Jeez, it was top notch, and huuuuuuuge portions. I don’t think we’ve ever had four such consistently generous and fulfilling portions before. We had the scallops (massive, juicy, plentiful , the Crofter’s Platter, which was cheeses, hams, sausage rolls, salad, bread, chutneys; the soup massive bowl, loadsa crispy sourdough bread, and the fish and chips which was so big it draped over the plate! All delicious. Our guy, Andrew, was superb, so attentive and smiley and always bringing us more things, spoons, drinks, more bread, spoons, he was great. And we had a lovely chat with the very friendly and nice proprietor. She was wonderful. Really seemed to care about the place and her team. She told us all about the hotel and stuff it was really cool. We will most certainly come back here next time. You can’t necessarily get the best table every time, but we won’t mind if we don’t! : Oh, also, lovely clean loos!"

Cafe Bluebell

➤ 6 Hall Street, Argyll Bute, United Kingdom

Cafe • Cafés • Seafood • Vegetarian

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"We were really looking forward to our visit to Cafe Bluebell after reading all the great reviews, but sadly came away very disappointed. One of the reasons we chose Cafe Bluebell was it claims to be Vegetarian Friendly, but as we found, not so for breakfast. When we arrived, we were given the menu and mentioned about being vegetarian, our very uninterested server informed us the only thing on the menu for vegetarians was the veggie burger…….not for breakfast I don’t think. We suggested to her perhaps we could have the All Day Breakfast, minus the sausage , bacon and black pudding, and she ‘thought’ this would be alright. I also asked her whether this would be reflected in the price, she again ‘thought’ it would be! So I ordered egg, potato cake and baked beans, my husband a toasted sandwich. The breakfast came with one egg, one potato cake and some beans, fair enough, and my husband enjoyed his toasted sandwich. However, when we came to pay we were still charged the £8.95 for a full breakfast, which had only 3 of the 7 items on offer, and even those were not doubled up to create a larger plate of food. The food we had was OK, but we came away feeling slightly aggrieved at the attitude. My suggestion would be, if you are a vegetarian, do not visit the Cafe Bluebell for breakfast."

Cafe Fish

➤ Main Street, Argyll Bute, United Kingdom

Fish • Soup • Cafés • Seafood

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"We booked this restaurant after reading the reviews while touring Scotland what a disappointment. When we arrived we were shown to a table straight behind the door and as it kept opening and shutting it blew a massive amount of cold air in. As both parents and staff allowed 2 young children to go in and out every few minutes it got a bit much. We were given the menu and told specials were on the board. No description or recommendation. Also they did not say the board also goes over the top of the fish on didplay. I had crab claws to start the mayonnaise was lovely and what I could get out of the claws was nice but I was given no instruments to get into the claws and they were not broken enough for them to just pull out. I ordered the turbut for main as did my husband it was a small fillet with the skin correctly removed but it was loaded with garlic butter sauce you couldn't taste the fish for the garlic. Also which was worse I don't know what they did to the top of it but it was yellow and like thin rubber. We had to peel it off it was not good. I didn't complain at the time because I am not used to having a fillet of turbut. When I have had it before my husband and I have shared a turbut presented whole at the table. I have only written this today after speaking to some friends who said i should put something on because there had to be something wrong for the top of the fish to be yellow and leathery. You might guess but I won't be going back."

Taj Mahal Tandoori

➤ 14-16 Hall Street, Campbeltown I-PA28 6BU, United Kingdom

Curry • Lunch • Indian • Drinks

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"An absolute honest review... When we arrived at 8.40 pm there was no one in the restaurant. As we entered the waiter could be heard complaining 'I hope that they know we shut at 10.30 '. After initially requesting drinks, it took 3 attempts before this was acknowledged. We asked for 14 poppadoms between 7 of us, and the chutney trays that they brought out were virtually empty. They served 2 of our group. Whilst still eating our chutneys the waiter started leaning over members of our party whilst still on appetisers. No 'excuse me ', no 'thank you '... Whilst eating mains the waiter kept asking 'are you done yet? '. I went to the toilet in the last 5 minutes of our visit... when I arrived back the waiter had taken my beer and disposed of it. Quite possibly the worst service from an Indian takeaway that I have ever experienced. Reading reviews it would appear that I 'm not the first to feel this... Time to boycott the place. They don 't appreciate the custom."