The best restaurants Orkney & Shetland

In the north-west of the Mainland, in the small village of Brae, you will find this address with an exceptional reputation. In 2015, it was voted "Best Fish & Chips in Britain" by the National Fish & Chips Awards, and is also the northernmost in the country! Whether you take it to go or eat in, freshness and quality are the order of the day and other dishes are also available à la carte. The establishment also offers guided tours to discover the taste of seafood and seafood fishing in Shetland.

The very popularFerry Inn attracts for its bar and restaurant in Stromness. The all-wood interior has a maritime theme, with portholes, ropes of sails and photos of boats. On the menu, the dishes are national classics, with burgers, fish & chips, magpies, salmon and omelettes. Evenings of live music are regularly offered. The establishment is also a hotel and offers beautiful rooms with bathrooms (about 20 in total) located in the same building and in the Royal Hotel (same owners).

Both a bar and restaurant, as well as a hotel, The Shore has built its reputation on a menu featuring local products and a fine selection of beers. The dishes are more elaborate than those of a classic pub, and you'll come here for a somewhat formal meal in a modern and sought-after space. You can also drop in for a drink at any time. The hotel is also friendly, with 17 rooms (double, family, suites), each with its own private bathroom, comfortable, modern and spacious.

Italy is on the other side of Europe, but it can boast an outstanding ambassador in Lucano. The service is charming and the food excellent. Pizzas as pastas, the recipes are skillfully executed and there is no shortage of toppings. There is also fish and meat à la carte, as well as small dishes for lunch. The surroundings are elegant but relaxed, with beige colours on the walls and large black and white photos. The chef and part of the staff are themselves Italian. Breakfast is also served here.

This gastro-pub has an unshakeable reputation in Orkney, thanks to its good traditional cuisine and the real ales that accompany it. Located in a small white house facing the port, it is named after the warrior Helgi, a Viking hero of the local folklore. The interior is very typical, with big slabs on the floor and a wooden bar. Here you can enjoy burgers, curries, fish & chips and pasta, among others, in good portions. You can also come just for a drink. Attention: under 18 years old are not accepted.

To the south of the city stands this small establishment on the waterfront. The contemporary space has beautiful views and serves breakfast and brunch in the morning, sandwiches and salads for lunch, as well as fish, seafood, burgers and meat or vegetarian dishes in the evening. It is also possible to have a snack break thanks to the beautiful pastries. Everything is fresh, local, and changes with the seasons and arrivals. After dinner, the bar takes over to offer cocktails and beers.

This excellent little canteen in the Toll Clock Shopping Centre in Lerwick is a good place to eat well, quickly and cheaply. It is not for nothing that the locals flock here during their lunch break. Cakes, quiches, sandwiches, wraps, bagels, paninis, soups and salads are just a few of the options to choose from before sitting down to eat in the lively dining room. You can also take away, or just have one of their delicious hot drinks to warm up between two excursions.

This friendly café is hidden at the back of a colourful shop selling delicacies and gift ideas. At breakfast and during the day, locals meet there to chat over sandwiches, baked potatoes, salads, burgers and quiches, or simply enjoy a snack with coffee. The result is very convincing and the pleasant decoration consists of plush deer heads, thick wooden tables and blue-tinted panelled walls.