Arlene's Coffee Shop in Argyll & Bute

We were in the Craignure area and looking for a hot drink and cakes. There was a large queue early on, but we called back later and got served easily. We sat outside which gets a great view of the ferry terminal, though it's worth beng aware that there is limited seating inside and outside, so if the queue looks big it may be difficult to get a seat. The coffee and cakes were lovely. My only small criticism is that I wasn't offered a tray to carry my order on, and because we were sitting outside, it was quite awkward to carry everything. This should have been plain to see to the woman serving me, but instead another customer offered me help. I appreciate that only counter service is offered, but this did suggest that hospitality and service were perhaps lacking and is why I never left a tip on the day.

Unfortunately I think we may have been another couple of annoying tourists needing fed before the next ferry after a long day for the lady behind the counter. No savoury food left before 4pm, only cake on offer. Lack of any smiles and friendly interaction made up our minds to drive 20 mile round trip down the road to the friendly coffee pot at Salen who happily made us fresh sandwiches with a smile.

The coffee is great and a good size for the cost. However we didn't buy lunch as we felt the sandwiches on offer and the cakes (which looked amazing) were very expensive.

Arlene's was only able to do takeaway due to staffing/covid problems. However the lovely lady brought our food out to us at the tables outside. Very nice food and coffee.

We were staying in Craignure and called for a coffee, also had chocolate ginger slice, oh wow. Would defo go again.

Don’t waste your money on this place. The coffee is like tepid dishwater, and I found a piece of plastic in the lemon drizzle cake. Also the service was atrocious. The miserable woman serving behind the counter is clearly in the wrong job.

On first visit we had very good lattes but not so good cake and, on the second visit, we had nothing at all! Almost incredulously, given their location next to the vehicle ferry queue, it doesn’t open until mid morning!

Service with smile? A smile and a friendly “hello” wouldn’t go amiss! It’s a shame because the food and coffee here is ok, but you can’t help feeling you are a bit of an inconvenience!