Cafe Eighty2, Drumnadrochit

Another day, another new find on the Highland cafe scene! We’ve had a wee run of finding new cafes to try on our days off – it’s nice to see that small businesses are continuing to start up as tourist season comes around once again!

This time we were off to Drumnadrochit, less than 30 minutes driving south from Inverness, towards Fort William on the A82. Just south of the village, and before you hit the stunning Urquhart Castle, you approach the signs for Cafe Eighty2!

Inside, it’s a warm (as in temperature and in friendly), quirky, original space with the menu written on hung blackboards, (including a brunch menu that is served every day until 4pm – happy days!), with books to swap, vintage furniture that wouldn’t be out of place at your granny’s, and a piano to play.

A big counter displays the cakes (including a good selection for those who require gf or vegan choices) and tables have their own spray of flowers in a mini vase.

Special love also goes out to the playlist, we were loving the chilled indie tunes courtesy of Megaaaatron– definitely reminiscent of Glasgow’s West End!

Onto our food and it was mid morning. I had snaffled some cereal following my morning swim, so settled on a piece of layer cake, (though I was very close to ordering French Toast from the brunch menu for a Hobbit Style “Second Breakfast”) and Mr B who had not been awake that long, chose the Full Highland Breakfast with hot drinks to accompany.

Jeni’s cakes are just fabulous – we always buy something from Bad Girl Bakery when we see her at local fairs and shows, so it was always going to be a slice of her instantly recognisable layer cakes for me. As it was still pre elevenses time when we visited, I went for the Peanut Butter and Banana cake as it sounded a little more virtuous than the Chocolate & Strawberry Cake for that time of the morning! It didn’t disappoint, the layers of buttercream were perfect and so was the wonderful banana flavour of the sponge.

I did though, have food envy when I saw Mr B’s breakfast plate brought out – as well as the black pudding, haggis, sausage and bacon (!) there was a thick slice of toast with butter, homemade baked beans which had a touch of heat and spice to them, a fried egg and a bundle of cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach! I was slightly concerned that Mr B was going to embarrass me and lick the plate – he was very quiet (which is a good sign) as he was eating the contents of the plate. As well as quantity, there was definite quality of ingredients too.

Cafe Eighty2 has definitely rocketed into my top 10 Highland Cafes, and I will definitely be back to try out the French Toast! Highly recommended.