This review is based entirely on my personal opinion. We have only rated establishments that we have tried or use ourselves on a regular basis. Wherever you chose to eat, one thing you should find everywhere is kind and friendly service and a warm welcome. Where possible links lead directly to sample menus. Enjoy.
The Best
Located on the foreshore in the picturesque village of St.Margarets Hope, The Creel has led the pack here and in the North of Scotland for more than two decades. Multiple award-winning foodery culminating in May of 2006 with the prestigious Scottish Restaurant of the Year Award. Alan Craigie is a Masterchef and if you eat nowhere else on your visit then eat here. Booking essential, usually well in advance in the summer months. Prices are as you would expect.
The Foveran is a comfortable small hotel situated on the outskirts of Kirkwall overlooking Scapa Flow. The modern dining room offers excellent local cuisine cooked to high standards by chef Paul Doull. Booking essential, often well in advance is advised as they are very busy in the summer months.
Hamnavoe
Hamnavoe Restaurant, at 35 Graham Pl, Stromness Tel. 850606. No website yet, simple high-quality venue with small but excellent quality menu. Last meal I had at Hamnavoe was outstanding. Very much worth booking.
The Lynfield has been on an upward path with large scale refurbishment and regrading to four star staus already achieved. Their previous Westray establishment, The Cleaton House Hotel, had an enviable reputation for food which they are fast re-establishing at the Lynfield. A welcome addition to the local Kirkwall food scene. Booking essential
I could be accused of bias because the Manager, James Bryan, is a good friend. However, Woodwick House was listed in 2006 The Independent as No 3 most romantic dining venue in Scotland. The food is good home cooking, the location is magical.
The Good
Recently refurbished to a high standard the dining room is now very sumptious. Food is good quality with an emphasis on local produce.
The Shore
Formerly the Queens Hotel, renamed and refurbished it is now probably the most modern 21st century style establishment in Orkney. Very good and fair value for money, your expectations are often exceeded, which is usually a very good thing when eating out.
The Stromness Hotel is a major landmark in the town with lively bars, sometimes a lot of locals and often the venue for great local events. Food is OK, the atmosphere can be great.
Basic simple good pub restaurant. Stick to local produce and you will have a very good meal.
Light Lunches
At the turn of the century in Orkney we had no round-abouts, traffic lights or espresso coffee. Times have changed and all three are now in abundance. Sadly few establishments have mastered the art of making really good espresso, but all the other usual coffee varieties are generally available and sometimes even good.
The general quality of lunchtime food is very good. These are some of my favourites. The AYRE Hotel on the Harbour front in Kirkwall produces excellent pub lunches, especially sandwiches.
Trenabies in Albert Street is a very reliable Cafe, often very busy. The Peppermill deli opposite has just opened a competitive cafe upstairs which suffers somewhat from lack of daylight but makes good use of quality ingredients. Less obvious is the Wellpark Garden Centre, off Mill Street next to the Arts theatre, which hosts the Willows Coffee Shop, with a never less than outstanding supply of scrumptious home bakes making this a must stop.
Opposite the peedie sea, The Pickaquoy Leisure center off Muddisdale Rd was built in 2000 and after a few false starts now contains an excellent cafe. With easy parking and plenty of space this is a good choice, and they too will seriously damage your waste line with great home bakes.
Leaving Kirkwall the West Mainland has spawned a collection of very good lunchtime stops.
Appie’s Tea Room located in the parish of Sandwick is the current holder of the "Taste of Orkney Award," for light lunches. The Tea room is very smart, lovely views and after some very good food you can peruse Pam Farmers photographic work in the gallery which is outstanding.
200 yards from the ruinous Earl's Palace the Birsay Bay Tearoom opened in 2006 as a diversification from Bob Nelsons very successful Tomato produce business. He has done a great job with the unfailingly awesome coastal backdrop of Birsay Bay turning good food into a great memory.
More traditional perhaps, the Merkister Hotel on the shores of Harray loch, serves first class pub lunches. Breathtaking views make the Merkister a venue that is hard to beat on a bonnie day. The Merkister was originally Eric Linklater's family home.
Stromness has a selection of good pubs but by far the most successful lunch stop is Julia's Cafe in Ferry Road opposite the Harbour. Julia started trading in 2000 and the refurbished Cafe is probably now the best in Orkney.
Finally, as we are local, you should try the Peedie Chippie take away van which visits on Friday's from 4pm-8pm, based at the Finstown carpark opposite the cementary. Many visitors (and locals) rate their fish suppers very highly indeed.
