Cafe. Lerwick, Shetland Islands

April 2021

I fell in love with Lerwick - a labyrinth of narrow cobbled lanes, where you can reach out and touch both sides simultaneously, rise steeply from the harbour, ripe for exploring; quaint shops - the dingy, musty Wine Shop is a particularly atmospheric experience; the cluster of colourful fishing boats bobbing on the silver blue of the shimmering harbour; the unexpected park hidden between buildings, perfect to pause and savour, sample edible goodies purchased from the water side shops, or even read a book from the post box library.

To refuel, Peerie Cafe is a great option.  Meaning 'tiny' in Scottish, one would assume it lived up to it's name based on the small, unassuming doorway.  Inside though is a spacious and convivial seating area across two floors, and a bar filled with homemade cakes, cheesecakes and scones.  Peerie automatically wins several points from me as everything is made in house by James - the daily changing soup is great for warming up, particularly if you happen to be there on a cullen skink or local reestit mutton (traditional Shetland method of preserving lamb) and tattie soup day.

For some serious indulgence on a miserable day, Coffee Culture has you covered with some outrageous hot chocolate offerings - monstrous works of art, thick and silky with liquid chocolate dripping down the chunky glass and a tower of cream topped with the chocolate bar of your choice.  Don't think of the calories, just immerse your senses in the luxuriousness.


Find both Peerie Cafe and Coffee Culture in Lerwick town centre on Shetland Mainland.

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