Top Kirkwall Restaurants: Taste Orkney's Culinary Delights
2025-06-26
Nestled off the north coast of Scotland, the Orkney Islands are a hidden gem for food lovers. With a rich history, vibrant culture, and a deep connection to land and sea, Orkney offers visitors the chance to savour some of the finest traditional food in the UK. If you're planning a trip this June, prepare your taste buds for a journey through heritage, freshness, and flavour. From fresh seafood and slow-reared meats to award-winning cheeses and baked goods, Kirkwall restaurants provide a delightful guide to what to eat in Orkney this June.
The Culinary Heritage of Orkney
Orkney's food culture is deeply rooted in its geography and history. The islands' fertile soil, clean waters, and mild climate make it ideal for producing high-quality meat, dairy, seafood, and vegetables.
Historically, Orkney’s cuisine evolved from Norse and Scottish influences. The Norse settlers introduced preservation techniques such as smoking, drying, and salting, practices still used today in products like smoked fish and charcuterie. Crofting and fishing shaped daily diets, with lamb, mutton, herring, and bannocks becoming staples.
Today, Orkney celebrates this heritage while embracing modern, sustainable food practices. Many Kirkwall restaurants proudly source their ingredients locally, supporting farmers, fishers, and producers on the islands.
Traditional Orkney Dishes to Try
When visiting Orkney, there are a few must-try dishes and ingredients that define the local food scene:
1. Orkney Beef and Lamb
Orkney beef is protected under PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status, known for its tenderness and flavour. Lamb and mutton from North Ronaldsay sheep. Those who graze on seaweed also have a distinctive taste.
Here are five popular local dishes made with Orkney beef and lamb:
- North Ronaldsay Mutton Stew: A rich, slow-cooked stew featuring the island’s seaweed-fed sheep.
- Orkney Beef Fillet: Often served in fine dining restaurants with local vegetables and a whisky sauce.
- Lamb Shank with Clapshot: Tender lamb shank paired with the traditional potato and swede mash.
- Beef and Bere Bannock Pie: A hearty meat pie made with bere barley bannock crust.
- Haggis with Lamb and Oatmeal: A traditional take using locally reared lamb, often served with neeps and tatties.
2. Fresh Seafood
From hand-dived scallops and langoustines to crab, haddock, and cod, Orkney’s waters are a treasure trove. Fish and chips are a staple in many local restaurants.
Here are five popular local seafood specialities to try in Orkney and Stromness:
- Hand-Dived Scallops: Sweet and tender, often pan-seared and served with garlic butter.
- Orkney Crab: Fresh and flavourful, available in salads, sandwiches, or as a dressed crab dish.
- Langoustines: Succulent shellfish usually served grilled with lemon or in creamy pasta dishes.
- Smoked Haddock Chowder: A comforting, creamy soup made with locally smoked fish.
- Battered Haddock and Chips: A local favourite, especially on Fridays at many eateries, including Scapa Flow Restaurant.
3. Orkney Cheddar and Local Dairy
Orkney’s award-winning cheddar has a smooth, rich profile. You’ll also find creamy ice cream, artisan butter, and fresh milk produced locally.
- Orkney Cheddar Ploughman’s Lunch: A classic countryside dish featuring slices of mature Orkney Cheddar, crusty bread, pickles, and salad, often served in local pubs and tearooms.
- Cheddar and Orkney Oatcakes: A savoury snack pairing sharp Orkney Cheddar with crumbly oatcakes made using traditional island recipes, perfect with a cup of tea or local ale.
- Orkney Dairy Ice Cream: Made with creamy local milk, this indulgent treat comes in flavours like rhubarb crumble or heather honey, widely available at cafes and farm shops.
- Cheddar and Leek Tart: A warming, rustic tart filled with buttery leeks and rich Orkney Cheddar – frequently found on lunch menus in village cafés and bakeries.
- Homemade Butter on Bannocks: Soft, freshly made butter from Orkney dairies served over traditional bannocks (flat oatcakes), a popular choice at breakfast tables and guesthouses.
4. Bere Bannocks and Barley Dishes
Made from a rare type of barley called “bere,” bannocks are traditional flatbreads that go well with soups and stews.
- Traditional Bere Bannocks: Rustic flatbreads made from ancient Orkney bere barley, often served warm with butter or local cheese, a staple at community gatherings and markets.
- Barley Broth with Bannocks: A hearty soup featuring bere barley, root vegetables, and lamb or beef, traditionally paired with a slice of bannock for a comforting meal.
- Bere Barley Risotto: A twist on the Italian classic using nutty bere grains instead of rice, cooked slowly with seasonal vegetables and finished with Orkney cheddar, found in modern bistros and farm-to-table restaurants.
- Bannock and Smoked Fish Sandwich: A wholesome bite made by stuffing soft bannocks with smoked haddock or salmon, salad greens, and a touch of mustard, a favourite at seaside cafés.
- Bere Barley Porridge: A filling breakfast dish made by simmering bere barley with cream or milk, often sweetened with local honey or fruit compote, served in traditional guesthouses and rural B&Bs.
5. Traditional Puddings
Clapshot, a mash of swede and potatoes, often accompanies main courses. Locals also enjoy rich puddings and home baking, especially with rhubarb or berries.
- Clapshot: A traditional Orkney side made from mashed swede and potatoes, often flavoured with butter and chives, typically served with haggis, sausages, or roast meats.
- Rhubarb Crumble: A comforting dessert made with sharp local rhubarb and a buttery crumble topping, best enjoyed warm with Orkney dairy custard or cream.
- Treacle Pudding: A rich and sticky steamed sponge soaked in golden syrup or treacle, often served with custard, a nostalgic favourite on pub menus across the islands.
- Orkney Berry Cranachan: A local twist on the Scottish classic, made with whipped cream, toasted oats, honey, and fresh Orkney berries, a refreshing yet indulgent treat.
- Bere Bannock Fruit Pudding: A sweet variation of the bannock using dried fruits and bere flour, spiced with cinnamon, usually served sliced and buttered with a cup of tea.
Where to Eat in Orkney: Top Restaurants for Traditional Cuisine
Here are five top-rated places to eat traditional food in Orkney this June, each offering a memorable culinary experience rooted in local culture.
1. Scapa Flow Restaurant – Fine Dining in Stromness
Scapa Flow Restaurant is the crown jewel of the dining scene in Stromness. Located inside The Stromness Hotel, this fine dining establishment is named after the nearby Scapa Flow, a natural harbour rich in maritime history.
The restaurant offers dishes inspired by Orkney’s seafaring heritage and island produce. Using only the freshest seasonal ingredients, Scapa Flow Restaurant serves up traditional favourites with an elegant touch.
- Fish and Chips Fridays: Enjoy a classic dish done right with locally caught fish, golden chips, and house tartare.
- Sunday Roasts: Served every Sunday with seasonal vegetables and homemade gravy.
2. Foveran Restaurant – Kirkwall
Situated just outside Kirkwall, Foveran Restaurant is renowned for its commitment to local sourcing and elegant presentation. The menu changes seasonally and showcases Orkney beef, lamb, and seafood in refined, contemporary dishes.Kirkwall restaurants like Foveran offer a unique dining experience that highlights the best of local produce.
Highlights include:
- Orkney crab and scallop starters
- Slow-roasted beef fillet
- Cranachan with local berries
Their wine list complements the menu well, and the scenic views over Scapa Flow make it a lovely evening out.
3. The Orkney Brewery Taproom – Sandwick
For something more relaxed, head to the Orkney Brewery Taproom. While it’s best known for craft ales, the food menu offers delicious traditional fare with a pub-style feel.
Enjoy:
- Orkney ale-battered fish
- Aberdeen Angus burgers
- Clapshot and haggis bonbons
The setting inside a converted Victorian schoolhouse is full of charm and history.
4. The Hamnavoe Restaurant – Stromness
Just a short stroll from the Stromness Harbour, The Hamnavoe Restaurant offers simple, honest food with a focus on local produce. It’s a great place for a casual meal and often features specials based on what’s fresh that day.
Favourites include:
- Local crab salad
- Haddock mornay
- Rhubarb crumble with Orkney cream
The warm service and unpretentious atmosphere make it a reliable choice for lunch or dinner.
Seasonal Food Events in Orkney This June
June is a fantastic time to visit Orkney, not just for the scenery, but for the abundance of seasonal food and events.
Look out for:
- Farmers’ Markets in Kirkwall and Dounby featuring jams, cheeses, crafts, and baked goods
- Rhubarb Season, many restaurants will feature rhubarb crumbles and tarts on their dessert menus
- Seafood Specials, scallops, crab, and fresh-caught cod are at their peak in June
Local chefs often incorporate these seasonal ingredients into weekly specials, so don’t hesitate to ask what’s fresh!
Final Thoughts
Orkney’s food scene is a delicious reflection of its land, sea, and history. Whether you're tucking into fish fresh from the harbour, savouring a slow-cooked Sunday roast, or indulging in local cheese and puddings, there's something in Orkney to satisfy every palate.
Explore the islands through flavour, book your table at Scapa Flow Restaurant, support local producers, and make your visit a feast to remember.
Tags:activities
