North Harbour Bistro & Tearoom in Eilean Siar

What a fantastic place, the sea food is superb, service second to none. We ate here twice during our stay on Harris and both times it was fabulous. Don’t be fooled by the outside you will not find better food in a Michelin stared restaurant, the chef is a very talented cook If you are on Harris this place is an absolute must.

Stunning little fish restaurant Superb cooked food we had the monkfish it was to die for. Atmosphere was nice, staff were super friendly portion sizes were good what more can I say. 5* from us.

I can only imagine how rewarding it must be to create beautiful dishes with fresh ingredients. This could be a great dining experience as long as you keep your head down and don’t annoy the chef!

Das war ein unerwarteter Genuss! Wenn man das kleine Bistro von außen sieht, kommt man im Leben nicht darauf, dass im Inneren ein Gourmetrestaurant steckt! Und trotzdem ist die Atmosphäre total angenehm und entspannt. Wir waren in einer größeren Gruppe hier und auf zwei Tische aufgeteilt, weil das in den Räumlichkeiten nicht anders geht. Das Menü war ganz große klasse, genau wie die Weine. Ein wirklich besonderes Erlebnis!

A magnificent meal from George, again, and a superb welcome from the team, again. I had the signature monkfish with curry sauce, both puddings were magnificent and all the vegetarian dishes for my vegetarian partner were stupendous. This is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten in. We will certainly be back.

Went here based on a recommendation…and how right they were! Based in an unassuming place in the harbour, you’re seated overlooking the water with a glimpse of the kitchen and a clearly experienced and passionate chef Service was perfect: friendly, chatty and genuinely interested despite being full and busy The food was delicious, well thought through and beautifully presented. We ate Cullen skink & seafood plate as starters,Venison and Halibut for mains….just perfect.

A very modest building perched on the harbour with the furnishings basic , clean and serviceable and the welcome from the staff is very warm and friendly. The chef came and explained any dishes that customers were unsure of, giving details of how he’d created the dish. The food served was of Michelin standard, outstanding with flavours and textures only a true master chef with a love and complete understanding of these principles could create. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

Thank you to the hard working staff for 2 wonderful evenings here, our favourite meals around Harris. First class food, presentation and ambience. Delicious and fun. We even had deserts which we rarely do :) The seafood was perfect and so beautifully presented, but also enjoyed the venison. I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you chef!

We came here with another couple for dinner. The food was terrific. There were a couple of things that soured us on the experience, though. Firstly, it was cash only. That was kind of surprising for a high-end restaurant, but no big deal. Fortunately, the couple we dined with knew and informed us in advance. The more annoying policy was the chef's starter/mains policy. I wasn't terribly hungry, so for my meal I wanted to order a bowl of their seafood chowder and the side of vegetables. The server went and checked, and the chef said, "No, starters are starters only and can't be ordered as the meal. WTF? My wife and I shared a bowl of the chowder and each ordered a main. All were wonderful, and the chowder and veg would have been perfect... We didn't go back during our stay.

This bistro has a very modest interior. The seats are cheap plastic, like the kind of Ikea -type chairs you would buy if you are a second-year student and barely able to afford shampoo. But the food!!! Oh my God!!! It is something you would expect at the highest-end restaurants in London. The quality of the produce, the design of the dishes, the preparation, the plating, it is all AMAZING!!! If you are visiting any part of the Western Isles you need to take a detour to this place to try the food!!! A must visit!!!

Had an amazing dinner. Fantastic food beautifully prepared & presented. Would highly recommend a visit.

Great place to eat. Good selection of menu and special dishes. Well cooked by craftsmen. Relaxed atmosphere with very friendly team and competitive prices

Wow! Amazing food. Just overwhemingly good. Worthy of a Michelin star for the amazing flavours and freshness. Recommend the puddings too.

Out of the way, unimpressive exterior, casual dining - but don’t be put off by all this. We had the most amazing meal here. The fish and seafood is straight out of the sea and the chef knows his stuff

Excellent meal prepared to an exceptional standard using locally sourced ingredients. Fully deserving of all the five star ratings. Service from the staff could not be faulted in a very busy restaurant. Also an excellent wine list at reasonable prices. Highly recommend.

Never judge a book by its cover! This is a superb restaurant specialising in locally caught sea food. Much better than most Michelin stared restaurants I have visited and well worth the money. Deceptive understated exterior lead to a pleasant interior with bespoke driftwood polished...

We ate here twice while staying on Scalpay. The food was wonderful both times, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Great little place.

Can drive past without any idea of exceptional dining experience going on inside. Great food beautifully presented. Would ever have thought to look in without reading other reviews on here. Not great for veggies or vegans but as long as you like fish or meat...

Lovely food -really friendly staff and delicious gin. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal . The scallops were particularly good . Would recommend.

Had a fantastic and memorable meal here. The food is fairly fancy, although the restaurant itself is not. It was busy when we visited, a Tuesday evening in June, and the poor staff were rushed off their feet, so service rather slow. The menu was...

The food is excellent and the waiting staff were generally friendly (and one in particular very helpful) albeit overstretched- we had to wait 40 minutes to place an order and then a couple of things were overlooked or forgotten. Lovely views over the harbour for...

This is a wonderful restaurant on the island of Harris. The food is so delicious. We enjoyed halibut, sea bream, scallops, monkfish , Stornoway black pudding all presented beautifully and the desserts are exquisite-pavlova, sticky toffee pudding. The menu also includes venison, steak and pork...

Really great food, especially the fish and seafood (not surprising, given the location). I had scallops served with Stornoway black pudding (again to be expected), followed by monkfish, both beautifully cooked. Reasonable prices, so very good value.

Mann kann es ja kaum glauben, dass es so bösartige Menschen gibt. Meine Frau hatte am 20. Mai Geburtstag und...

My Fiancé and I booked into the North Harbour Bistro, Scalpay, after a recommendation of colleagues. The whole experience was first class. Expectations were met and surpassed. Service was friendly, relaxed, the restaurant was comfortable, and relaxing, not stuffy or over formal. Excellent sunsetting views...

Hard to believe anyone could drive passed this amazing bistro and not know what lies beyond the door. Quality - outstanding! Service - second to none, Options - hard to pick one thing. We’ve eaten in many Michelin star restaurants and this beats them all....

Another fabulous meal, and a delightful experience, at the North Harbour Bistro. Would be a must visit in any cosmopolitan city centre, so a real ‘hidden’ gem in the Isle of Harris.

Best food in the islands by far - unpretentious place with food that is sublime Can’t recommend this place enough - well worth the drive over from Harris which in itself is beautiful- Scalpay is a lovely little island well worth visiting in itself

This restaurant was recommended by one of the staff at Harris Distillery and what a recommendation it turned out to be. Fantastic menu with something for everyone but particularly seafood lovers, given the restaurant looks out on to the harbour in Scalpay. I’m had the...

On Scalpay its THE place to eat, as there are not many places to choose from, book up as it gets very busy for its excellent, but slightly pricey food.

This is a smallish restaurant on the Island of Scalpay, a bit of a drive to get to, but well worth it (and driving from Tarbert, the views over the bay and the islands are amazing). It is a seafood specialist, with really wonderful cooking,...

We visited for dinner with family, every single course was outstanding. All 7 of us enjoyed every bite! The staff are extremely friendly and professional, if I could eat here every night I would!! highly recommend. In the words of my husband the meal was...

My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. It was both pleasing to the eye and wowed the tastebuds. The kind of food you savor. I ordered the fish on special and it was the BEST fish I have ever had (my father was a...

We ate here on one night and the food was lovely and the staff were all very friendly. Plenty of parking but you could walk if staying locally.

Wow super delicious food here with really great service. Lovely friendly gentleman served us. The vegetarian dish the chef created was amazing! There are many fish dishes here to chose from I had sea bass which was delicious! Deserts so many to chose from too!...

We had a lovely meal here. Very busy but service was smooth and friendly. Deliciously flavoured main courses. Meltingly tender belly pork, but the fish and scallops were a little overcooked. Tasted amazing though. The chef kindly catered for our vegetarian friend, even at short...

This meal was absolutely amazing. The best seafood restaurant we’ve ever come across up in Scotland!! Wonderful service with friendly staff, could not fault anything. Well done to the chefs on providing such excellent cuisine!! If we’re ever up this way again we will call...

We were advised by our B&B owner to book which was excellent advice ashore are few places to eat nearby, Not surprisingly it was very busy as the food is excellent with very fresh seafood expertly cooked. The service was friendly and good.

Outstanding food even with the restaurant being slightly short staffed. You also need to tackle a slightly scary bridge to get there from Harris but well worth it.

This restaurant should soon be making an appearance as a Michelin recommended restaurant. It is a fine example of what local produce, ambition and intelligent service and cooking can do if the northern part of the British Isles wants to show what they have to...

If you want vegetarian food phone in advance, as the chef was rude and temperamental when I asked about a vegetarian main!

Incredible food in this tiny wee tucked away bistro - recommended to us by several friends and so grateful - the food was exceptional as was the service (and sense of humour of the staff!) and a warm welcome for a four legged friend in...

We've visited Lewis and Harris three times now, and been lucky enough to visit North Harbour Bistro on two of those occasions. An entirely unassuming place, the food is Michelin star-worthy (the last time we visited (July 2022), I was served probably the best meal...

Wow what a surprise this was. Didn’t expect such fabulous quality hidden away. Superb cuisine, attentive staff and the chef came out to speak with customers. Photos are a true reflection of the high quality presentation. Highly recommend.

We visited the Isle of Harris in September and struggled to book a restaurant anywhere on the islands of Harris or Lewis. Thankfully, however, North Harbour Bistro had tables, and will be for a very long time I imagine the best restaurant experience we've had....

Our experience at Scalpay bistro was a highlight of our Hebridean trip. The food was the best of our holiday (and there was stiff competition). Starter of tempura squid and king prawn, and beetroot and goats cheese salad were divine, and the main courses were...

Excellent meal and atmosphere. The service was friendly and the food first class, these guys would be competing with the best on the mainland. Luckily for us we were on Harris and didn't need to book months in advance.

We stopped for a family lunch. The service was very friendly and courteous. We sat by the window with great views the bay and harbour We enjoyed some lovely wine and gin, beautiful seafood, venison and sticky toffee pudding for dessert. All super fresh and...

Excellent meal with great service… Seafood was all really good, had a mix of the specials and the normal menu and it was all very good. They were busy and understaffed but it never affect the service or quality, by far the best meal we...

From the wine to the 3 courses we had we had the best meal ever, it was a very special end to an amazing holiday, we would thoroughly recommend going, but would advise to book as it’s very busy, compliments to the chef and staff...

Lovely restaurant by a beautiful harbour. Wide range of really interesting dishes, brilliant service and a feel good atmosphere created by all the staff.

We ate at North Harbour Bistro one evening in April. The food was excellent and the service brilliant. The chef went round the tables to check everyone was happy. Highly recommend.

I really liked the atmosphere inside of the Bistro, though the chef's mood did seem to change like the proverbial yo-yo. At one moment making sure everything was ok, the next snapping at anyone near him. However, the food (predominantly seafood) was excellent and we...

Absolutely outstanding food! We had chowder then halibut and scallops and my partner had the monkfish with south Asian spices with scallops. This must be one of the very best seafood meals we have ever eaten. Staff were so friendly and it was great to...

The North Harbour Bistro is a gem of a restaurant. We first ate at the restaurant in 2018 when we were staying on the Isle of Scalpay and were wowed by the quality of the food so were keen to return when we got back...

We were staying on Scalpay but this small popular harbour front bistro is well worth taking time to drive to if you are not staying nearby. The drive to the island from Tarbert is very special. We were well looked after by the friendly cheerful...

Found via Facebook ahead of visiting Harris - this was top of the list to go to, also due to it being dog friendly. A normal looking cafe from the outside - it served up to us some of the best food I’ve had anywhere....

What’s not to like? We struggled to book a meal here as it was so busy during our stay on Harris. After contacting them via Messenger they got back to say they’d fit us in for lunch. That’s a point in their favour as several...

Just been for an evening meal(6 adults). Managed to book this morning and the service has been excellent. The choices were very good but when the food came we were all blown away. Not enough adjectives to describe all the meals. Brilliant. So good we...

We visited here twice and would definitely recommend it. Both days were sunny which gave lovely views of the sea and the harbour from the window. The service was friendly and welcoming- we were even allowed to bring our well behaved Labrador in which was...

We visited North Harbour Bistro for dinner and we absolutely loved it. There is a varied menu, a great selection of ‘specials’ and a good drinks menu. The food was absolutely delicious, full of flavour, incredibly fresh & beautifully presented. We had 3 courses and...

Visited here as a spur of the moment while in Tarbet and decided to visit Scalpay……. what can I say food was of very high quality and delicious. Service was very courteous and professional highly recommended

Food was beautifully cooked and presented. Portion sizes were quite small though and unfortunately two of our groups were tucking into some toast on our return to our cottage.

It took an hour - a lot of which was on single track punctuated by sheep- but it was worth every blind bend. Delicious seafood served with imagination and flair and a tempting dessert menu makes this certainly a destination restaurant.

We stayed just the other side of the bridge so was just a short trip to this great little restaurant. A friendly welcome and a great offering of local seafood and produce. We enjoyed the squid, scallops, John Dory, monkfish and halibut accompanied by some...

Fantastic find. Beautiful fresh produce prepared into terrific menu in magnificent location The seafood chowder was sublime as was the halibut main. Really pleasant staff and all at a reasonable price. If you like your seafood make sure you get booked in here - you...

A wee hidden gem on Scalpay. Thankfully this was recommended by our hosts otherwise we may have missed a chance to eat at this wonderful restaurant. The chef produced some faultless dishes. Both the cod and halibut were cooked to perfection. Our starters of goats...

We only booked NHB because another establishment had failed to confirm our reservation. We were so impressed that we booked again before we'd finished our mains! The selection of at least five starters, mains and desserts plus three "specials" meant everyone had a choice, particularly...

I was recommended to visit NHB during my trip to the Outer Hebrides and it was insanely good! Some of the best food I have ever had. It is worth making time to visit this treasure. Thank you for an amazing dinner and dessert.

A lovely restaurant run by a friendly team. The menu is superb - difficult to chose between the many options of locally caught fish and venison. We had a fantastic meal - thank you!

The food was amazing, simple as that. I'm quite particular when it comes to dining and this ticked my boxes. Wonderful presentation, great flavour balance and fresh ingredients. The portion sizes were just right and while not inexpensive, you get what you pay for. One...

Went with friends for lunch on Friday and had the “ Christmas menu choices” . I had the Sea Bass which was delicious and my husband had the Venison, excellent. The flavours were delicious and the presentation is lovely too. Would highly recommend a visit...

We had a wonderful meal here on a quiet October evening. A very cosy atmosphere even with only a few other diners. The food certainly delivers on presentation, flavours, and textures and feels deserving of AA Rosette or Michelin recognition. The menu highlights the key...

By far the best seafood we have had in the Highlands and Islands so far. Wonderful scallops in particular. Lovely service from the waiting staff too. Thanks, Clare and Rhona!

Perhaps a strange place for us to eat particularly as neither of us are big fish eaters. But the restaurant had been recommended and there was a limited choice of non fish options. So after a walk on the island we had booked a table....

We had dinner at the North Harbour Bistro tonight. The combination of the main menu and the specials menu provide a surprisingly extensive choice. The Bistro very much specialises in seafood and the choice tonight included Scallops, Langoustine, Prawns, Cod, Turbot, Halibut, Monkfish and Salmon...

Unassuming forum the outside, warm and welcoming inside! Staff helpful, knowledgeable and very friendly. The best meal we’ve had in a long time. We had the Shellfish Bisque as a started (amazing) and the fish mains were outstanding, beautifully cooked and presented. We’ll definitely be...

As others have said don't judge a book by its cover. The food was of a very high standard and very tasty. My only gripe was how the starter was served, the narrow black plate was too small but other than that I'd highly recommend.

Amazing food - cute restaurant in the small town of Scalpay. Beautiful presentation as well. We enjoyed turbot and rock cod with scallops and shrimp. Dessert was chocolate creameaux - amazing! Highly recommend if you are staying on the Isle of Harris!

Unassuming exterior and simple interior but friendly welcome and clearly very popular place. The Staff were lovely and the food was superb. Very reasonably priced for such expertly prepared and presented food. Probably the best dining on the outer Hebrides! Would definitely return.

Well worth the visit and booking a table ahead of arrival to avoid disappointment. Food (quite pricey) but well cooked and served by pleasant staff

The Bistro doesn't look anything from the outside, in fact looks pretty plain on the inside. and is in one of the most isolated locations possible on Lewis and Harris (which is saying something). Don't let any of that fool you. The dinner we had...

The food was fantastic. Unfortunately this was let down by the terrible service. Waitress took our drinks order including 2 large Harris gins. They were served with grapefruit however no ice! Even after asking for ice none of the next drinks we asked for were...

Just a stunning meal - outside the restaurant doesn’t look much but go on in and you will be greated like an old friend Had the crab risotto to start with which was fresh clean and the bisque that was used to make the risotto...

An indulgent treat for the tastebuds! Seems to specialise in seafood, and the food was delicious and beautifully presented. Staff were friendly and the service was quite quick. Overall, a quirky place whose unassuming exterior belies a gourmet treat!

We always make a point of visiting here when we are in the area so we booked a table a few weeks ago. Lots of choice on the menu and also the specials board. We both started with Harris crab risotto which was delicious followed...

Not a very Christian welcoming. Prices were astronomical yet portion sizes did not seem to reflect this. Lack of ingredient advertising which is difficult for someone with food allergies/sensitivies. Once the waitresses found out we were English, their attitudes towards us changed and we felt...

My second visit to this wonderful place and it did not disappoint my previous memory of it. Amazing menu of locally sourced food. The service and ambience are both fantastic. Would recommend you phone rather than email for table booking as with many places at...

4 of us made a return visit to this wonderful cosy restaurant. The menu is unbelievable and it was difficult to choose what to eat as its all good, be it the locally sourced sea food of fillet steak....superb. Staff were very pleasant and attentive....

We were staying near Tarbert and enjoyed the drive to Scalpay. There are about 34 covers in the bistro with views of the loch. The menu is predominately seafood but steaks and vegetarian options are available. I had the shellfish bisque which was excellent. My...

Lovely food, service was great and super non fish options too that were very tasty. Five stars. Highlights were the Carrot soup, Chicken Gnocchi, Monkfish and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Yum!

The restaurant is set in the old harbour in Scalpay, in an unassuming single story building. Despite Covid, the North Harbour Bistro served gorgeous food which was extremely well presented and of the highest standard. The main course was supplemented with a small bowl of...

The food at the Bistro is so inventive and also delicious. My smoked salmon starter was delicious and my haddock main was amazing.

Best food I have found in the Hebrides. Excellent chef. Very remote and understated building. Worth a trip if on Lewis / Harris.

The food is some of the very best I have eaten ever - and I'm including two star Michelin in this comparison. The fish / seafood dish I had was so good, I would have licked the plate, if I could. Vegetarian and Vegan options...

We had a fantastic meal here. So pleased I messaged since the Google maps says still closed- which it isn't. Only able to do evening meals since the Chef is advertising for a chef or even a trainee. It would be a fantastic opportunity for...

Not our first visit & hopefully not the last. We were thrilled to find North bay bistro open on our recent visit to Scalpay. Booking is essential as it’s such a popular place. The food was fabulous with everything beautifully prepared & presented - obviously...

A wonderful evening consisting of an outstanding meal for 5 people with delicious seafood and vegetarian option served by delightful staff totally ruined by charging £32.50 for ONE bottle of Borgo Magredo Pino Grigio which costs £9.99 from Home Delivery Wines. Not acceptable!!

Fantastic location, beautiful views, excellent service and really really nice food - would go back in a heartbeat.

We stumbled across this little eatery quite by chance and despite it's outward appearance decided to have dinner, the beautifully presented dishes were a delightful surprise. Fresh produce cooked to perfection and the presentation was indicative of a chef that really cares about his product....