Lochmaddy Lounge - Eilean Siar

Great bar and restaurant, friendly staff and beautiful tasting food. Will definitely go again. Will advise to book if you want to go as it's a popular place

This place is fine for meat eating pub food, their burgers/fish/pie and chips were all fine. But the vegetarian options are really poor, I tried two of their vegetarian options, both were tasteless, bland and derisory portions. I’ve visited the bar many times over many years, usually with birdwatching groups I take to the island was very disappointed, this year. Despite mentioning it twice to staff I was offered nothing, just told they would mention it to the chef.

We have been to Loch maddy Hotel three times in our two weeks on north Uist, but regularly over the 15 years we have been visiting the island. The first time on our own, we noticed the service was poor, however food was good. Second time we came we went with family, about 8 of us. The lovely gentleman that was working the bar was chatty and friendly and even put a dessert to the side for me as there was only one left I liked. However, you are not encouraged to eat the desserts in the restaurant, they are served in a take out box, and you are not offered a menu or asked if you would like to know about the desserts once your table has been cleared. Once you have your food, you aren’t asked how it is, or checked on in any way, you have to go to the bar for anything else other than ordering food. Staff are borderline rude, other than the jolly man with red hair who was working the bar. On the third and last) time we visited we opted on a take away option, we sat and waited in the restaurant for our takeaway. A blonde lady dropped it on the table infront of us, didn’t say a word until she dropped one of the boxes on my foot on the floor, she said sorry and I picked it up. She started talking across the bar to another worker about one of the staff that had gone outside. She quickly disappeared without a word, and we left. When we opened our meals, the fruit salad and drink advertised to come with the children’s meal wasn’t there., which is shocking, considering it cost £33 for a cheese pizza, kids nuggets and a burger. The rest of the food was ok, and the fact we ate it overlooking a beautiful beach nearby made it much more enjoyable.

The food arrives quickly and is decent, but the service is terrible. I understand that there is a lack of staff, but some of the young women working here need to improve their hospitality skills, especially the one with the brown ponytail and glasses. She was unfriendly, unhelpful, and sometimes downright rude. I cannot recommend this place. They have the potential to improve drastically.

Having arrived for a family meal with adults in the party, my 19 year old daughter was asked for proof of age as ordered an alcoholic beverage. As she didn’t have any proof of identity the gentleman Paul agreed to serve her the drink but stated “ he has asked the question” I offered at that point to go to our accommodation to collect my daughters proof of identity but was told there wasn’t any need. As we ordered the next drink it was declined on this occasion by Paul as my daughter didn’t have her proof of age. I at this point left to collect the identity in order not to embarrass my daughter any further and for her to enjoy a drink with her meal. On my return my meal had been served and was verging cold. When I went to the bar I highlighted this as an unsatisfactory situation, not the question about proof of identity but the attitude of this member of staff. My daughter had been there the previous month celebrating her 19th birthday with a family meal and drinks. We were not asked for any proof on that occasion. What is very disappointing is that if Paul was only willing to serve one drink (this was not clear)I would have gone at that point to collect the proof of age. Also the fact that his attitude was abysmal when I returned, asking to check the ID card twice as though it was a fake item! Very disappointing experience having had an excellent experience on our previous visit. However the other 3 members of the Team were excellent as they had been on our previous visit. We will not be returning!