Richans Retreat in Orkney Islands

Turning left off the ferry from the mainland, Richan's retreat is the first house on the right, 100 yards up the road. Step inside to a genuinely warm welcome and a trip back into the island past. Run by a Westray lady married to a Mancunian exile, the cafe offer's excellent value basic fare - the soup was homemade and utterly delicious - accompanied by friendly conversation and a genuine insight into island life. The cafe also features handcrafts, all made on Westray itself. Not to be missed on any trip.

Never been anywhere quite like this. A low key place which was a garage but has traded for ten years . The food options are limited but decent and very well priced. The homemade carrot cake is known throughout the island, but the star of the show is mine host Paul. He has a vast fund of island knowledge and rich anecdotes from his past to share.

Amazing delicious food. The guys who works here is so kind you’ll even get a sit and have a coffe and Kitkat and a little chat with them 👌

Here with the fam a lam and had a great time! Wish i could turn back time and go back there. I recommend the teriyaki chicken it is lovely jubley with a cherry on top! Hope the mrs back her.

Love richans retreat! very good spot for a quick cuppa and biccy with the hubby and pals. the stirfry was a toptier food with it tickling my tastebuds every bite, yum!

i am coming here in 2056 in my Ferrari i cant wait to get a biky and a cuppa someone also said that they make a killer stir-fry so i cant wait to dig in to that i am exited for a nice chat ill see you then

a great place for a cuppa and a nice biccy would definitely recommend the stir-fry it was definitely a blast for my taste buds. definitely gonna pop in again

We did a one-day tour of Westray, and whilst waiting for the ferry, we popped in for a tea. Paul is the most welcoming and friendly person you could ask for, and our quick visit in his shop was memorable. If you visit Westray without stopping by, you’re missing something!

Our first day trip to Westray and we had a lovely welcome from Paul and Linda. Amazing mushroom soup and rolls all home made. Felt like we'd called in on friends, highly recommend. We went with 3 children aged 11 to 17.

As soon as we got off the boat from Orkney we spotted Richans, and had a great cup of tea and chat to welcome us to Westray. Thoroughly recommend.

Looks unpreposessing from the outside but the owner is the star attraction with a fund of information and stories. The coffee was good too. So if you are waiting for the ferry, I really recommend calling I here.

Great little place for a lunch snack on any day even in January. Paul is an enthusiastic host who quickly whips you up a tasty sandwich and cup of tea.

If you have an hour to spare waiting for the ferry to Kirkwall this tiny cafe by the pier with excellent cafetiere coffee is just right.

A small little place run by friendly locals. I unfortunately did not have any cash with me so we struggled to get the card reader working but Linda was very patient. A nice little break before seeing the rest of the island.

Called here on a couple of occasions whilst on the island. Very comfortable surroundings and the owner is very friendly,felt like chatting with an old friend. Coffee excellent

The lady who runs this place couldn't be more friendly or welcoming, but without seeming to be 'in yer face'. If you want cake, a cuppa and some friendly chat, including useful local information, you can't go wrong. I believe snacks and sandwiches can be made to order, too, although we didn't require those. The seating is arranged so that customers feel more like they've popped round to a friends house for a social visit, thus encouraging sociable interaction between complete strangers - which we thought was great! You leave Richans with your spirits lifted, your body refreshed, but your pocket barely noticing the effect at all :-)

We stopped here waiting for the ferry. We had two coffees and three cold (!?!) drinks for about £5, the cheapest of our pre-ferry retreats. However, the best point of this stop was chatting with the owner and the two other customers. All the questions the kids had accumulated during the visit to Westray were addressed, such as local schools, football teams (and their away matches) and darts league (OK this was my husband's), weather in the winter, good spots to visit (too late for us)... It also sells postcard, T-shirt and other local crafts, and probably a lot more.

This is just a room in a house. On the walls are paintings prints and local handicrafts to buy. A very simple menu, and very hospitable. A short walk from the ferry quay, I don't think there are any other refreshments on this side of the island.

Stopped off here, while waiting for the ferry in the rain. Very friendly staff. Offers drinks and biscuits. Sells local crafts too.