Food
Apart from breakfast we are happy to provide picnic lunches. The guest dining room is for guests to use at any time, microwave available for heating meals / snacks and use of fridge, crockery and cutlery. We do ask that hot food is consumed in the dining room and not in the bedrooms.
Orkney produces its own whisky, wine, gin, rum, beer, ice cream, coffee, cheese and fudge to name but a few. It is a food lovers dream with excellent seafood and meat on offer, often followed by wonderful desserts or homebakes. For those with a sweet tooth we recommend you do not leave without sampling Orkney Fudge Cheesecake or a visit to Gerry’s Ice Cream Parlour in Stenness! Our guests have also been very pleasantly surprised at the choice of Gluten Free meals available in Orkney.
In our food folder we have a selection of sample menus from several bars/restaurants. A great selection of local produce is used in all eateries.
During particularly busy times it is recommended to book well in advance. We are happy to make reservations for you. It should be noted that Orkney eats early with many places starting serving at 6pm and stopping between 8.30 – 9pm. Some suggestions of good places to eat are as follows:
Evening Meals
Kirkwall – Helgi’s - www.helgis.co.uk, The Ayre Hotel - www.ayrehotel.co.uk/dining, St Ola - www.stolahotel.co.uk/bars.html – Orkney fayre, all giving good views over the harbour.
The Merkister, Harray – bar suppers or The Skerries Restaurant. One of our favourite places to eat and all Straigona guests get 10% off their food bill on production of one of our discount cards. Lovely views over Harray Loch and great menu choice.
The Foveran, Orphir – www.thefoveran.com/menus/ - excellent food, small restaurant and definitely requires pre-booking to avoid disappointment.
Lunches
A good number of cafes in Kirkwall to choose from including The Strynd and Trenabies. A little walk to Wellpark Garden Centre and you will find a great cafe there as well.
Birsay – Birsay Bay Tearooms – birsaybaytearoom.co.uk/ - sit and watch seals most days while you enjoy your lunch.
Sandwick/Skaill – Both the Orkney Brewery - www.orkneybrewery.co.uk/visitor-centre/tasting-hall and Skara Brae Visitor Centres have cafes.
Stromness – again quite a few cafes to choose from including The Pier Bistro.
St Mary’s, Holm – Barrier View Café with Celina Rupp Jewellery
Burray – The Fossil centre cafe and The Sands Hotel.
South Ronaldsay - In St Margaret's Hope there is Robertsons Coffee Hoose and Bar. Lovely atmosphere, good food AND some local crafts. Also, the Murray Arms serves both lunches and evening meals.
Snacks....
There are various small shops selling filled rolls and local bakery products plus some excellent snack vans around and about, including the Snack Pot opposite Lidl, Mrs Chips opposite Ortak, Hatston, The Orkney Grill on Grainshore Road and Leigh’s in the car park at Finstown.
