Spider on a Bicycle — Restaurant in Scotland

Overall, I had a pleasant experience, though there were a few areas that could be improved. Upon arrival, it wasn’t immediately clear whether we should wait to be seated or find our own table, and the distinction between table service and counter service wasn’t obvious. I noticed a few other customers seemed unsure as well. At one point, a staff member ended up taking an order from a table after they called him over, not realising that orders need to be placed at the counter.

The food was lovely, but I did feel that the portion sizes were a little on the small side. For example, having just one sausage and one slice of bacon felt a bit stingy. It would have been better with two sausages, two rashers of bacon, or both, for a more satisfying meal.

I was also a little disappointed with how the condiments were served. When I asked for tomato ketchup, the large 1L bottle of Heinz was simply left on the table. It would have been far nicer if the ketchup had been decanted into a ramekin with a spoon, or if smaller bottles had been provided. As it was, it felt a bit like something you'd expect in a budget cafe.

Finally, the menu still listed Wark Farm Pies, but when I asked which varieties were available, I was told they no longer serve them and now offer their own in-house pies. It would be an easy fix to update the menu to reflect this change, so customers aren’t left confused.

In summary, the food quality was good, but there are a few small tweaks that could make the overall experience...

I emailed the cafe as a result of my experience, this is just the crux. We left feeling embarrassed and like we had to defend ourselves when we left. They brand themselves dog friendly, but you'll get loud comments announced to the entire cafe (by the man who I assume is the owner) if your dog isn't perfect. Our dogs reacted by barking at another dog invading their space uninvited. He aggressively shhht them and embarrassed us by saying "we are dog FRIENDLY" in a taunting manner to the whole cafe. Don't call yourselves dog friendly if you can't understand dog behaviour. Our dogs were not the problem. 99% of the time they were lying at our feet like angels. I don't expect all dog owners to be on the same page, but I'd expect a so-called "dog friendly" establishment to give customers some grace when their dogs act like dogs. The man made several remarks for the whole cafe to hear aimed at us, it made us really uncomfortable. I don't believe we were the only table subject to his "banter".

I won't be visiting again. Which is a shame, because the food was brilliant and the other service staff were lovely. I wish I didn't have to give such a low rating, but I cannot shrug this off.

EDIT IN RESPONSE TO COMMENT: It was never at any people. It was always at the dog who invaded their space & was barking first setting them off. While other reviews are valid, it does not take away from...

We stopped into Spider on a Bicycle in July, mostly because the name was too good to pass up — and it turned out to be one of those unexpectedly moments in a trip that stays with you.

We’d just left Ballater and stumbled upon the café by chance. Inside, it’s cozy and full of character — the kind of place that feels authentic without trying too hard, with a natural charm that’s hard to fake. We ordered breakfast and a few pastries, all of which were genuinely delicious and clearly made with care. Most of what we saw behind the counter looked homemade or locally sourced, which only added to the charm.

What made the visit truly memorable, though, was the owner, who sat down with us and turned a simple meal into a moment of connection. He told us he’d recently taken over the café and shared a bit about its history — including the origin of its quirky name — all while entertaining our two girls with a spontaneous scavenger hunt around the shop. It was the kind of warm, welcoming exchange that reminds you why it's worth slowing down while traveling.

If you’re anywhere nearby and looking for good food in a relaxed, character-filled spot, this place is well worth the detour — even if it’s just because the name...