Cafe at Aberdour Castle in Fife

Delightful cafe, inside, outside seating(grand views), plenty of variety cakes, coffees and cream teas. Very friendly and efficient service.

the serving area is via an open internal door next to the eating room ( if that makes any sense ? ) - small room with a handful of tables and sturdy wooden chairs ( one larger table has a backed bench for seating - perhaps better for a family. One slight minus is that there is not much scope for movement if perhaps you need more than one stick to get around and can't see you getting a double buggy inside. Hot chocolate recommended and the raspberry and white chocolate muffins left me so full that I did not need any evening meal ( this is a compliment not a complaint ) - well a bit of toast much later in the evening. - also numerous other appetising bakes to choose as well ( next time ! )

I had the gingerbread cake and an Earl Grey tea, so gooood! 🍰☕ They also had other cakes and sandwiches.

DO NOT visit here if you are a wheelchair user. Yes it’s a castle and I’m aware it’s old but it’s virtually impossible to get in the cafe if you use a wheelchair. There is a step in and 2 steps once you’re inside. Both would be accessible if a ramp was provided but it appears the folk in charge of this establishment don’t want the custom of disabled people. As I struggled to get in with my disabled father, a man who obviously worked in the cafe stayed inside the kitchen behind a closed door. I’m not suggesting he help me but a friendly word or acknowledgement would have gone a long way. Don’t bother with this place. Try the cafe in Shore Road as it’s accessible!

It was nice to stop and get tea and a bit of cake after spending time walking the grounds. The lemon drizzle cake was very good by the way.

Aberdour Castle, in the care of Historic Scotland, is a national treasure. Historically important, it offers much for tourists despite the ravages of time. With beautiful gardens expertly tended, fascinating buildings, a striking dovecot , and sweeping views, it attracts huge numbers of visitors from around the world. Yet there is a serious problem: a tea room that offers dreadful catering. Outside tables where dogs are allowed, are a so pleasant on a fine day. But there the experience of the famous Scottish Hospitality grinds to a halt. We went on a busy, sunny summer day. One young woman, rushed off her feet, taking orders and payments, making the tea and coffee, serving the food, prepping the miserable sandwiches. A choice of sliced bread: white or so-called brown (actually grey), spread very sparingly with what was a butter-substitute. The choice was beef, ham, ham and cheese, tuna mayo. Early lunchtime: beef run out. Two tuna mayos: grey slop tasting of nothing other than poor mayo on rather dry grey bread, with a scattering of salt and vinegar-flavoured crisps. Coffee acceptable. Just. A monument of national significance. Why, they are even about to floodlight it. Tourists from all over. Yet the catering is quite unacceptable. Historic Scotland will probably say that it is a concession, which is no excuse. They should have proper control over such contracts, and make a point of insisting on a decent quality of catering. Doesn't have to be superb, though there's no reason why not, but it must be better than this. Luckily there are two decent tea rooms in Aberdour, very close by - and one permits dogs!

After visiting Aberdour Castle we thought what better a way than to finish off our visit with refreshments in the Castle. Well, this was a big mistake, and we are sorry we visited the tearoom now as it somewhat marred a pleasant afternoon visit to the Castle itself. We entered the tearoom, it was fairly busy when we went in, but mostly with people waiting for light refreshments. We found an empty table and sat down at it. A large table was served after we entered. They just ordered drinks and cake/biscuits. Another table that were seated in the opposite corner then eventually had their order taken. Meantime we still waited. Another couple came in and sat down, presumably got fed up waiting and left. Meanwhile we still waited. We hadn't even been acknowledged. We got up and went to the counter, and were asked to take a seat and someone would see to us. We returned to our table and still waited. The first table that ordered eventually got their cakes/biscuits. The member of staff put their cakes/biscuits on individual plates and virtually slid them up the table to them. By this time we had, had enough, it got too painful to watch, so we got up and left and not one of the two staff members uttered a word to us. Incidentally the first table still hadn't received their drinks by the time we left. This is the first time in several years that we have walked out of an establishment in disgust after such a lengthy wait without being served, and is also our first negative experience with Historic Scotland. Couldn't help but getting the impression that the customers were an inconvenience to the staff. Prices were on the expensive side too for the poor offerings that were available. Come on Historic Scotland, something urgently needs sorting out here, perhaps staff training in the very first instance.

We had no idea this place existed and were amazed by the selection offered! Very reasonably priced and lovely seating area inside and outside the castle

If you are lucky, you will be greeted by the wonderful aroma of freshly cooked cakes and gingerbread. One lady is in charge of the tearoom but she works really hard to provide soup, sandwiches and cakes for visitors. There is a small fridge which holds a good range of Mackie's ice-cream. The actual tearoom is down a few steps and not very large. A huge dresser - which I really covet - dominated the room. Prices are very reasonable.

Lady in charge did a fantastic job but struggling on her own. Couldn't fault the food but they had run out of some things. Girl who served us was great and really did the best with what was available. They really need to see if they can get some volunteer help as it could be a great facility.

Having had our tour,the warm welcome in this cafe enhanced the visit.The coffee was delicious and the scones were tasty.

Sally was such a nice person. We arrived right at closing time but she happily made us tea and some of her homemade scones. Everything is made fresh and is a single employee establishment so things can take some time but it was so nice to be able to sit in such a pretty atmosphere.

Sorry to give this Tea Room a bad mark, but the day we visited, there was only cheese to be had for a sandwich, and no rolls, just dry white bread. Woman explained the supply truck had not come and she wouldn't have much of anything on the menu until the next day. The soup was indistinguishable vegetable of some kind - thick and hot, but not very tasty. The kitchen area was in disarray and did not appear very sanitary. We asked for water to drink, so she grabbed a couple of glasses, pushed some dirty dishes out of the way, and filled the glasses from the tap. The very small, low-ceilinged dining area would have been charming, but there were several women with a very rowdy child, and he wanted to leave. Apparently these women knew the cook, and were in no hurry to depart, so the child made more and more noise banging on the table and yelling, and in the small room, it was almost unbearable! Needless to say, we left as quickly as we could.

I have eaten here a couple of times and the sandwiches are always freshly made to order, the Cakes are home made and the lady who runs the cafe is lovely. It is a small cafe with outdoor seating too. Counter service and because it is a single person operation don't expect fast service, everything is made to order. I will happily eat here again.

Mi sto ripetendo, lo so, ma in quasi tutti i locali dei paesini si viene accolti con sorrisi gentilezza e cortesia; veramente complimenti! potete fermarvi qui dopo la visita al castello per un caffè ed una buona fetta di torta

Home made cakes and soup. Lovely and fresh. Gorgeous surroundings and friendly staff. Gone back several times

Visited the cafe at the castle for tea and a scone. All food made on the premises, soup, baguettes, cakes and scones. The tea is unusual as it comes in leaf form and spooned into big tea bags. It tasted brilliant and there was a choice of breakfast tea earl grey and fruit teas. Really friendly chatty staff, recommended.

Good Scottish fare available and a good price. It is comfortable and welcoming with friendly staff. The coffee was properly hot

Took an outing with my wife and 84 year old mother in law for her birthday.Caught the train from Newcraighall and arrived in Aberdour in time for lunch.Never been there before we but gathered there was a tearoom at the castle and headed up there.We sat for five minutes before we were told it was counter service but she continued to take our order. We were told it was Mushroom soup and Cheese or Ham and Cheese sandwiches. We ordered the soup and sandwiches. After sitting for which seemed a life time (no one else to be served as we were the only ones there) we eventually got our food. The soup was awful....I am sure she chucked mushrooms into some milk boiled it up while she was making the sandwiches and really the bread wasn't that fresh!! During the time when we arrived and when we left all the discussion we could hear was about how things were being run and a phone call on a mobile to discuss business matters....NOT PROFFESIONAL! Had we known we should have turned right instead of left and we could have eaten in 3 maybe 4 better establishments one of them being McTaggerts where we stopped for coffee before returning home! Historic Scotland....this lets you down badly!!!!

A limited but acceptable menu with soup, paninis, sandwiches, cake, biscuits and tea/coffee, soft drinks. Order at the counter and squeeze into the small room with wooden furniture, dresser and small windows looking out onto the gardens... on a fine day there is some outdoor seating.

First time in there but burger was dry and had nothing on it. Chips were dry and tasteless too. wont be back. Or maybe just for a coffee, no eats.

Enjoyed sitting outside at a picnic bench & drinking in the peaceful surroundings. Scones & cakes were much enjoyed & service has always been very pleasant .If the weather is not too good then the café has a cosy room. Offering decaf tea & coffee would make the visit perfect.

Lovely little cafe with picnic tables outside. I brought my 4 year old for a picnic one day(historic scotland member) and I had coffee outside. Great little spot to spent an hour of 2 exploring!

Food and drinks excellent quality and value. Set in lovely garden grounds cose to the lovely sandy beaches of Aberdour.

A great setting for tea and cake. Part of the castle with outside seating and lovely gardens. A good way to relax in these historical souroundings.

Charming restaurant. Offering a limited selection of coffee, tea and hot chocolate. As long with cake and chocolate. Cold Beverages are also available. The guest room is decorated with beautifu Wooden furniture. An scenic view on the terassed garden is provided.

Cozy. Fresh made sandwiches. Hot soup. Great scones. View over the castle grounds. Takes credit cards.

We visited the tearoom for lunch during our walk around the castle, it was a lovely little room, felt so authentic with the wooden chairs and tables that it was as though the history of the place was being carried right through.The young girl who served us was so pleasant and friendly. Being just me and my two sons (age 10) we had a light lunch of toasties. The menu is limited but as it is such a small space this is not a drawback and there is plenty to satisfy a hungry tummy anyway. The toasties were so filling that we had to forgo the delicious looking home-baked goodies as we couldn't eat anything else which was a great shame as there were huge slabs of traybakes, scones etc!Would definitely come here again when we return to the castle.

Love the home baking and the atmosphere is great in such a lovely setting.

Arrived at Aberdour Castle and Gardens with my two children for a visit, just as a bride arrived for her wedding ceremony. After watching the wedding party enter the castle, we did our own tour and half an hour later were ready for lunch. Well, the tea room is just perfect. The two ladies could not have made us more welcome. We ordered the home made soup (leek and potato) and watched as our sandwiches were being made. Massive slices of thick brown bread with egg mayo for my son, cheese for my daughter and bacon for myself. Two milks and a pot of tea for me (could have been stronger), then a slice of rocky road cake and a packet of hand cooked crisps to take away for a stroll to the beach at Silver Sands. Well worth the money, so well done Historic Scotland and the two members of staff.PS Dont forget to get your discount if you are an HS member. I forgot!!

Cakes are amazing. Always great service when visiting too :)