In most cases, if I started a restaurant review by saying that the food was quite plain, you would assume it was going to be a poor one. Quite the contrary where the Cyber Bistro is concerned. During a recent long hotel stay on Islay,...and having dined on restaurant food for the best part of a week--and lovely as most of it was--we found ourselves craving something a bit more normal, a bit more like home cooking. And then I remembered reading about this place on here. So we headed down to Port Ellen, threaded our way through the alley running back from the main road, and there it was. Modest and unassuming, like the staff, and very much like the food. The building is split into two sections: one is a youth club/cyber cafe, the other part is the cafe/bistro. The Cyber Cafe/Bistro is mainly for the benefit of the locals (although don't let that give you the impression that they don't welcome "strangers", because the very opposite is the case), and in particular the local youth, giving them somewhere to go and meet, hang out, eat cheaply, offering a great alternative to the ever-present dangers of drugs and alcohol which, even on a small island such as Islay, are never far away. On offer in the cafe was a great selection of sandwiches, paninis, baked potatoes, fish and chips, chicken goujons, etc. We ordered a baked potato with haggis, a portion of southern fried chicken goujons with chips, and a side of onion rings. What we got was some of the best food we ate all week! The chips were exactly as I would cook at home, baked potato likewise, and the onion rings had been fried with something--either pepper or chilli, I couldn't decide which--in the batter, which really pepped them up. Such a great idea! The chicken goujons were perfectly cooked: crispy spiced breadcrumbs outside, moist chicken inside. I can't praise this place highly enough: the food was excellent, the staff friendly and talkative (in a good way!), and what they're doing for the local community is wonderful. The entire meal, with two drinks, came to just £14, so it was also one of the *cheapest* meals we ate all week! I left them £20 because a) the food was worth that and b) I think they're doing a fabulous job. Thanks very much to everyone involved in the Cyber Bistro; we will be back next year for certain!More

The immediate location and building are not particularly appealing. However, the food and the service were great. We had soup and cake for lunch, both of which turned out to be home made, very tasty and very good value. The service was very friendly and...informative.More

We had a great family lunch in this cyber bistro. The food was great and an amazing price! Home baking is amazing! A must go!

Not the "poshest" restaurant in town, but for price, quality and service it takes top marks. The staff are volunteers and enjoy what they do for the community and from the reviews I've read, have a standard to maintain. Well done all. Famed for their...fish and chips, don't leave it too late in the day to try it as they do sell out, don't be disappointed.More

Understated and overlooked but not to be underestimated. Great food and excellent value combined with attentive and entertaining service.

Turned up here not too sure if what we would get - but like the rest of our trip to Islay it surpassed expectations. Good choice of freshly made food. I had the fish and chips and these were excellent and the portions were superb....The onion rings were 'huge' and the salad part of the meals (not usually my favourite) were delicious and the coleslaw was something to be enjoyed. Our 'waiter' Angus was exceptionally friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the island and what to visit. We will put this place on our 'must visit again' list for our next trip to Islay. Full stomachs and happy faces all round 😀More

After searching for somewhere to get Fish and Chips, in Port Ellen, we finally decided to ask some locals. 3 different people recommended this place. Don't let the basic decor dissuade you from going in. The fish and chips were the best I have ever...had, and a great price as well. I would recommend this place to anyone travelling to Islay.More

Four of us called in for lunch and had the most delicious fish and chips for a very modest price. The food was very nicely cooked, hot and plentiful, the fish was fresh and the batter light. In fact the meal was half the price...of the local restaurant we ate in earlier in the week and just as nice. The young man who served us could not have been more helpful, he told us lots of information about Islay and pointed us in the direction of the places we might be able to see deer, seals and otters. You really can't go wrong if you go for a meal at the Cyber Cafe, but just be aware that it is tucked behind the houses on the front.More

Had an excellent value, well cooked meal here when all of the other so called 'catering' outlets in Port Ellen were closed for meals and were only offering coffee if you were lucky. This was at 3pm on a sunny August afternoon - Port Ellen...hotels and restaurants really need to do better. The Cyber Bistro however came to our rescue and the, welcome, food and service could not be faulted.More

Fatty food where the frying oil wasn't the best. Free internet is not provided There are plenty of other nice restaurant that can be visited in this area

We went for coffee to this Bistro and the staff we're wonderfull, at first we were a bit hesitant, an older couple going into a Cyber Bistro. When we got in the staff and other customers of all ages were just great and we some...good banter. The food was good, but the Homemade Maltereser cake should be thawed before attempting to eat it, or like me dunk it in your coffee. We done to everyone concerned staff, locals and financial sponsors, we'll be backMore

Don't ignore or write off this cafe based on the outside because the food is very nice and reasonable. The haggis and onion marmalade toastie was fab. Their menu is great for snacks or lite bites with a good selection.