Ben Lora Cafe & Bookshop

4.6 ( 496 reviews )

Checking... 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM See Hours

2, 2 A828, Oban PA37 1QW, United Kingdom

Ben Lora Cafe & Bookshop, nestled in Oban, UK, is a delightful destination where culinary flavors meet literary adventures. Customers rave about the inviting atmosphere, complemented by an array of homemade delights. Abby Swoveland marveled at the ham, cheese, and gherkin sandwich paired with savory soup, praising both the friendly staff and the appealing prices.

Michael Slade’s experience echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the superb scones and coffee while enjoying the outdoor seating with his dog. The cafe's outdoor charm is perfect for pet lovers looking to unwind. Lindsay Wilkinson and Philip Fell also celebrated the beautiful decor and the cafe's focus on quality, from paninis to a lovely selection of historical and children's books.

Dan Neelands left invigorated by the combination of rich coffee, raspberry scones, and an indulgent bacon roll, noting the attentive staff as a highlight of his visit. With free parking and a warm, welcoming vibe, Ben Lora Cafe & Bookshop is not just a place to eat; it’s a cozy corner for both foodies and bookworms alike, highly recommended for travelers and locals seeking a delightful experience.

Service options
- Outdoor seating
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Toilet
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cosy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed

Abby Swoveland

Jun 30,2025

Wonderful place! I had the ham, cheese, and gherkin sandwich with the tasty homemade soup. Great little bookstore with all sorts of Scottish history and historical fiction and great kids books. Incredibly friendly and welcoming, great prices too! Highly recommend and would go back in a heart beat!

Michael Slade

Jun 25,2025

Very nice cafe and small bookshop with free parking. Friendly staff, superb scones and enormous coffees! We had our dog so sat outside. Closes for the winter in October.

Lindsay Wilkinson

Jun 23,2025

Beautiful cafe. Great scones and a lovely selection of books.

Philip Fell

Jun 22,2025

A lovely friendly cafe and bookshop. In door and outdoor seating (outdoor if you have a dog). The food is panini/toastie/sandwich based, but beautifully prepared and served. Very good value. Very friendly staff too. Highly recommended cafe!

Dan Neelands

May 31,2025

Coffee, raspberry scones and a killer bacon roll. The staff was really cheerful and attentive. Top it all off with a selection of great books at good prices.

Kelly Neelands

May 28,2025

Super friendly staff, delicious food, good prices, great outdoor seating area. The scones are especially good.

Tan Ting Lee

May 8,2025

I stopped by Ben Lora Cafe out of urgent necessity, and their staff was incredibly kind and helpful in letting my friend and me use their restroom even though we weren't customers at the time. The restaurant's vibe was amazing too, and their welcoming attitude definitely makes me want to go back again. Thank you!

Malene Aspesæter

May 5,2025

We visited this lovely cafe for lunch and some coffee before hiking up Beinn Laoighre (Ben Lora). Tasty food, quick service and friendly staff. Their toilet facilities were clean and indoors. Would definitely go again! [Good Covid measures: Staff wore facemasks, the tables were spaced well apart from each other, and there were plenty of hand sanitizer available to visitors.] I would also recommend the pink and blue grocery store across the road if you're looking for kindling, toiletries, car services, or grocery essentials. There is also a recycling station, some benches and good parking opportunities. A great pit stop for car tourists, cyclists and campers. The Ben Lora hike is an excellent day activity which will still leave you with plenty of energy left by the end. The track is mostly dirt road or grassy hillside, so not too scrambly. When you get to the top you'll get a 360 view which is well worth the moderate climb. The trek is about 10km, and we got to the top and back in ca. 2 hours and 15 mins.

Ben Lora Cafe & Bookshop

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