Skerries Bistro - Orkney Islands

I really admire the spirit of Carol and Hamish who are keeping this remarkable restaurant going in the face of acute staff shortages. The service they provide is outstanding and the location is breathtaking. But, perhaps inevitably, too much of the food was pre prepared food that needed no cooking such as smoked fish or cold lobster. One hot fish dish, even simple grilled or fried plain fresh fish, would have made all the difference. My advice is to check before you book perhaps we were unlucky and ask what’s on the menu. But a restaurant must offer more than the choice we faced. We had a a very pleasant time, but a rather limited meal.

What with the pandemic and running a B&B we have not managed out to Skerries since we tried the pod experience. It was worth the wait! Carole and Hamish have decided to just open 3 evenings a week and they ARE the staff. Understandably the menu is, therefore, small and only a limited number of tables available. BUT... as usual, the seafood offered is superb, beautifully presented and just the right amount. Forgot to photograph the starters of Fish Chowder and Smoked Mackerel Pate, did remember to take a pic of the excellent homemade rolls! Main corses were Half a Lobster, Lobster Salad and Seafood Salad, how fresh is the seafood?! For desert we settled on a wonderfully light and fluffy Pavlova with Strawberries and an Orkney Fudge Cheesecake. Service as expected, just perfect with Carole in charge. At the end of the night Hamish was allowed out of the kitchen and we enjoyed some of his particular brand of banter, always amusing, and some great stories! A thoroughly enjoyable evening, you forget what lovely views you get here across the sea watching various boats passing and looking out onto Pentland Skerries.. It was a pleasure to catch up with you Carole and Hamish and so pleased you decided to open for this season. The food was amazing. Thank you.

We went to Bistro again this month for the second time and we highly recommend it. The chowder is absolutely delicious – the best I have ever tasted and I would love to have the recipe. We didn't know that it was recommended to make a reservation, but the kind lady, Carol I think, managed to find us a table and took great care of us. We will definitely return next time we visit Orkney on holiday.

The restaurant is impressive. The bizarre tour of the supposed otter tomb is nonsensical. The woman trying to manage it is lovely, but her efforts are overshadowed by a man who I can only describe as a bully.

Don’t go here if you are a vegan you will get soup while your friends will get a wonderful menu to choose from. I understand they are seafood specialists. But not having vegetarian and vegan options makes no business sense. We travelled 600miles to get here. Had a coffee and left