A Winter Lunch at The Three Chimneys at Talisker

Sarah
16 minutes ago
2 min read

Cozy café with wooden tables, blue and yellow chairs. A person stands at a counter with coffee machines. Skylights and hanging lights add brightness. — The bright modern interior of The Three Chimneys at Talisker

There are some places that instantly feel made for slow winter afternoons, and The Three Chimneys at Talisker is absolutely one of them. Set on the waterfront in Carbost with gorgeous views across Loch Harport towards the Cuillin, the restaurant’s bright, modern space glows even on a cold wet January day, especially with the mountains dusted in snow.

From the moment we stepped inside, the welcome was warm and relaxed. The team struck that perfect balance of being friendly and attentive while never interrupting the natural rhythm of the meal—a level of service many aim for but few truly achieve.

Starters

Sesame-crusted toast triangles with chives on a white plate next to a small cup of red dipping sauce on a wooden table. — Prawn Toast - but refined

I began with the prawn toast, a far more generous portion than expected. Wonderfully crisp without being heavy, it came with a sauce that was tangier than a traditional sweet chilli—bright, fresh, and absolutely moreish.

Grilled salmon with sliced cucumbers and fennel on creamy sauce, served on a black-rimmed plate atop a wooden table. — Tandoori Salmon

Alex chose the tandoori salmon, served with fennel and cucumber, the salmon was subtly spiced yet full of depth. The generous serving and gentle warmth of the spice made it incredibly satisfying, with layers of flavour that unfolded as you ate.

Mains

Steak with creamy pepper sauce and herbs, served on a blue plate with a baked potato, on a wooden table; cozy dining setting. — Quite tricky to photograph, but amazing to eat!

My flat iron steak arrived cooked to perfection—tender, flavourful, and paired with a peppercorn sauce that added just the right amount of warmth. The roasted new potatoes were golden at the edges and soft within, the kind you keep reaching for without even thinking about it.

Crispy duck leg atop mashed potatoes with green sauce and mixed vegetables. Served on a white plate, set on a wooden table. — Comfit duck leg, cassoulet and smoked mash - perfect winter food

Alex’s confit duck leg was the richer choice, but beautifully balanced by smoked mash—new to both of us. Lightly smoked rather than overpowering, it complemented the richness of the duck perfectly.

Some of the other tables were enjoying the seafood platters, which looked gorgeous, with a huge variety of fish/shellfish/crustaceans served with homemade bread, seaweed chips and salads. If you are a seafood lover, this should be high on your list of dishes to try. (We'd had crabs and langoustines this week at home at Beachcomber Cottage from our local fisherman Iain at Loch Bay Shellfish, so chose other dishes this time).

Dessert

We shared Shirley's marmalade steamed pudding, something I hadn’t enjoyed in far too long. Comforting, citrus‑bright, and nostalgically soft, it was the perfect winter dessert. Thank you Shirley!

Final Thoughts

The Three Chimneys at Talisker combines exceptional cooking with outstanding service and one of Skye’s most striking locations. With the snowy Cuillin beyond the window and a menu rooted in comfort and craft, it’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve left.

If you find yourself on Skye—particularly in the quieter winter months—this is absolutely a must‑visit. I had pre-booked, but there were walk-ins happily getting seated. I should think that this could be a risky strategy high season and it would be wise to pre-book April to September.

Our meal with 2 glasses of Crémant and 2 no alcohol beers came to £127 before adding a tip.