The Shore Restaurant in Orkney Islands

Great wee place ,just next to Kirkwall Hotel.It belongs to Kirkwall Hotel and breakfast is in main Kirkwall Hotel.Nice and quiet room.

The hotel has been completely refurbished since my last visit and it has been done to a very high standard. They have a variety of rooms and all have modern facilities and beautiful decor. It is a complete transformation from a few years ago.

very good service bed very comfortable

The world's smallest room, as you are an annex of the hotel next door you are forgotten about. Uncomfortable bed, can hear everything next door, paper thin walls so kept waking me up. One pillow only. Have no choice to stay here due to hotel shortage due to the festivals. Breakfast is good though.

March 12th, a bitterly cold evening and the warmth of the reception and the elegant dining room instantly warmed us up. Quickly served drinks and menus to browse in the cosy, friendly ambience helped us relax. The menu is creative and inviting. We were dining late and had a selection of starters and the lamb dish. The smoked haddock risotto was exceptional and the slow cooked lamb was delicious too. We couldn't resist the desert menu and found the baked cheesecake and pecan pie to be a perfect end to the dinner.We have enjoyed The Shore's consistently high quality dishes many times now and this was another gold star dinner.Food, environment, service all excellent- Thanks once again!

We had dinner in the bar area today rather than the restaurant. We only had mains and a drink. I had lamb which was tender, well cooked and very tasty. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her haggis dish. The staff member who seated us was exceptionally helpful. Serving staff were also excellent. Great eating experience. The only minor complaint was some other customers chatting excessively loudly. Eating in the restaurant area would have suited us better however it was otherwise excellent.

Tasty soup to start, Vegetarian option of wild mushroom haggis was excellent, local cheers to follow then a couple of local Scapa whiskies with expert tasting notes from the owner...

The Shore is rather pricey but the food is of the highest standard as is the service and welcome. It also has nice selection of wines and beers on tap. Smoked Haddock risotto - excellent , Scallops - excellent , Seafood Vol-au-Vent extremely good.

Til tross for at det var februar og øyene er kjemisk renset for turister fremsto menyen som meget spennende. Og når kjøkkenet leverer så ble dette riktig så bra. Ferske kamskjell med bacon kan vel aldri bli feil, men også det langtidskokte lammet leverte perfekt med sin sammensetning av smaker og krydder. Og når også prisen er helt ok (35 pund for en pint, forrett og hovedrett),ja da blir det full score fra meg.

We visited on a Wed eve, service was really friendly and the meal was excellent. Will definitely visit again.

I have been here a few times now and I think it gets better every time , great food helpful and friendly staff nothing to much bother for them . There is a nice bar to sit for drinks and order food before you are taken through for your meal, highly recommend.

Was staying in the hotel at this location and had one evening meal. Starter was Monkfish Cheeks and main was Wolf fish (often known as Stone Bass). The food was excellent at the waiting staff very pleasant and helpful

A rather drab exterior leads to a well appointed back room small restaurant. Really good food makes you feel that you have made the right choice!

My wife and I dined at The Shore in June and enjoyed a fine meal with wines in a delightful dining room. Excellent service from the staff and great food. We would return.

We booked just to pop in for breakfast and we were not disappointed! Chef took onboard our request for crispy bacon and it was perfect! A really good feed that set us up for the day exploring Orkney

The Shore had been recommended but it does not look muc from the outside. Don't let that put you off.

This was really the highlight in our experiences with the food fare while visiting Scotland and the Orkney Islands. When traveling abroad we enjoy food of the country and having it prepared well. This was accomplished at The Shore Restaurant and is a fond memory for us now. We enjoyed a flavorful appetizer of Scallops, perfectly prepared on a Sweet Potato Puree' with spring greens and petite tomatoes accompanied by the wine we had selected pre-meal. The main meal of simple Lamb Shoulder on a bed of real mashed potatoes with gravy and carrots was absolutely EXCELLENT!! Service was outstandingly attentive and the ambiance' of the establishment enhanced the dining experience.

The atmosphere is good too. I had the Lamb. And it was exquisite. I would highly recommend the lamb if you are craving it. The soup of the day (which I did not have) was tomato basil, but it looked awesome. The other entrees are note worthy too. So if you are looking for a great restaurant in Orkney with a great vibe, this is the place.

Superb dinner on two different nights. Everyone is very friendly, service is stellar. The food was the best I had while in Scotland and that included nights in Edinburgh, Glasgow and surrounding cities. We felt very appreciated and really enjoyed the experience. I would highly recommend if you are tired of the pub food scene and would enjoy a lovely plate of food.

We were staying in this hotel for a single night but it was clear that it would be an excellent place to dine too. So it was. We enjoyed a delightlful, sophisticated meal, prepared and served by professional staff. Very welcome: very satisfied.

This was probably our best meal on Orkney, a really nice menu and cracking food. They seat you in the bar for a drink and a look at the menu and invite you through to the restaurant when the starters are ready. The service was excellent also. As with most places in Orkney you need to book.

Took a chance on this after seeing a photo of the dining room.

Absolutely fabulous,food was amazing,staff were very attentive and great chat...loved it. Very clean loved the evening.

We went to Shore after a really heavy day touring the Island. What an absolute treat! The food was excellent and the service was perfect. I can highly recommend this place.

We loved this restaurant so much! The breakfast was simple but so yummy and cooked to order. Our dinner was absolutely amazing. In fact, the majority of the group said it was the best dinner we had throughout the 2 week trip!

We pre-booked as the restaurant is quite small. The menu had a choice of several dishes. There was a good selection of wines. We were shown into a small area with view to the harbour to make our menu choices and have an aperatif. Then when our food was close to being served we were shown to our table which was towards the back of the building in a nicely decorated room. The food arrived and was delicious. I would recommend a meal at the Shore.

Good food with local produce, well presented. Good selection on the menu. Service friendly and efficient.

If you want a special meal out in Kirkwall this is the place. Local produce, beautifully presented, friendly staff - would definately go back.

Thsi was a samll, dark dining room that smelled very strongly of fish. My friend and I simply could not stay and eat here as it was an unappetizing situation all around.

Having been turned away from several cheapo restaurants that were full we had no great expectations when we asked if the Shore had a table for three but were warmlly welcomed. The food, particularly the scallops, was excellent though maybe the panacotta might have been a little more wobbly. Excellent sympathetic staff.

Much to recommend here: we were warmly greeted and although we didn't have a reservation the host recommended we wait at the bar until one opened up (which it did, in relatively short time). The meals were delicious. The lamb shoulder was simply amazing and the best dinner I had while staying in Orkney. Not a single chip in sight.

Our meal was fine but nothing special. They have an unusual system of keeping you in a small bar until your meals are ready and then you get shown to the dining room. If you have a few nights in Kirkwall this is a reasonable choice.

We were lucky to visit The Shore on the first night of our stay. The service was superb and the food was delicious! It was the best meal of our stay and we had a lot of good food in Orkney. We both had scallops to start and then I had the pan fried chicken supreme and my husband had the special-a seafood risotto. Each dish was fantastic and we can not recommend it highly enough. Definitely a restaurant not to be missed!

Visted The Shore on both a Friday and Saturday evening. The food was delicious. There were four of us and the first night two had Lamb one Chicken and one had Wolf Fish which was a special. Lamb was superb refected in the fact that three had it again on the Saturday. Wolf fish may put people off just because of the name however it was delicious and I would recommend trying it if you haven't before. Had the scallops the second night which were also delicious. The staff were extremely polite and professional. Loved The Shore on both nights and if you are in Kirkwall I would recommend you have a meal here you won't be dissapointed, we certainly will be on our next visit to Orkney

Très bonne organisation dans la gestion de ce restaurant qui se veut être de qualité.

The food was well prepared and presented, including the vegan option for my daughter. Service was friendly if not highly professional. I would definitely recommend visitors to Kirkwall to eat here.

Really fresh and well-prepared seafood. Thoughtful and attentive service. A nice more formal break from tearooms and cafes.

Smoked haddock Risotto as starters and seawolf (bass) with potatoes and vegetables - very satisfying. Friendly and yet reserved service, we had a nice evening.

We had a very nice meal here. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but there's something not quite right with the menu. It seems a bit unexciting and limited. But still a good option for a visit. I'd go again.

I managed to get an early evening table at short notice and enjoyed one of the best meals of my trip to Orkney. The Chef is clearly both skilful and imaginativei

Thank you Lance for an amazing meal in every respect.

Excellent meal here last week. The shoulder of lamb was exquisite. Pre dinner drinks in bar where food was chosen. Excellent and friendly service. Would eat here again. Make sure to book in advance as we did

The restaurant is nice and the waitresses are gentle and energetic. There is much effort to create some new and revisited plates. We had the bruschetta (sorry but the pesto actually covers all the flavours, would be better without, imho), the scallops, the pork 4 ways and the monkfish. The plates all in all were good, maybe nothing extraordinary but it was a good dinner. The prices are in the average range of Kirkwall.

We asked about a table here on Saturday but they were booked up, so we got one for Monday evening. The staff could not have been more helpful.

very nice food, good service. I enjoyed wolf fish, not one I'd had before. The Scallops were delish.

I strongly advise reservations, or you will not get a seat. When we were welcomed in we initially were sat in a small pub section where the bartender came to our table and recommended some local gins from various distilleries. After a leisurely respite, he took our order there. Later when our appetizers were ready we were moved to a private dining area. There a limited number of tables exist. The personal attention was given, but not smothering. Entries followed by dessert with coffees was next. I never felt rushed. The cuisine was very typical for Orcadians: Cullen skank, fresh seafood, local beef. I would return.

vom Campingplatz aus ist es ein kurzer Spaziergang bis zum Restaurant. Aber Achtung; unbedingt reservieren! Wir brauchten diverse Anläufe, bis wir einen Platz fanden! Zur Bestellung wird man zur gemütlichen Bar begleitet, kann dort sein Apéro einnehmen und zugleich die Speisekarte studieren. Wir entschieden uns für Fisch; eine ausgezeichnete Wahl. Solch ein frischer Fisch hatte ich schon lange nicht mehr gegessen. Dann wird man an den Tisch begleitet. Sehr nettes Servicepersonal. Hat mir gut gefallen.

Srrange though it may seem for a town in the Orkney's, a reservation Really is a must if you're looking for dinner at any point during the high travel season. There's a good reason for that - the food is exceptional! My wife and I both had the lamb shoulder chop and it was exceptional - tender, full of flavour and very generous portions were provided. Service was very good, despite there only being two people working the floor which seated approx 30 patrons. Pricing was fair though not cheap, for should it be at restaurant of this caliber. One quirky thing - when you arrive for your reservation you are led to the bar/lounge to sit and enjoy a cocktail, or other drink of your choice, Almost immediately, menu's cooer and your order is taken. Perhaps 10 minutes later, your table is ready and you are escorted in to the dining room. It seems this is done to ensure your wait for your dinner is reasonable - certainly, we had no problem with the way the evening unfolded. All in all, an excellent experience and I will certainly return if I have a chance to get back to the area.

Stayed at the hotel Saturday and Sunday, ate in the restaurant Saturday evening. Fairly elaborate presentation, food good if a little on the expensive side. Can certainly recommend the thick-cut, ultra-slow cooked lamb shoulder from a local butcher. It claimed to be melt-in-the-mouth and it was!

Went for an evening meal and it was so very tasty. The haddock risotto was off the scale, best we have ever had. The menu was terrific and had something for everyone. The team are a great bunch of folk and chef obviously knows his stuff. Booking is advised and it is well worth dining here.

We both had the monkfish wrapped in parma ham etc and whilst it was ok i have to say the fish was very overcooked.I also had a lemon tart for sweet but that was very ordinary. Its a nice place to sit and the staff are attentive. I cant judge anything else really but would not rush back.

We were staying at the Shore and going by the quality of the breakfasts knew the food would be of good and it was, you are welcomed into the hotel lounge to order your food and have a drink and then taken to your table when the food is ready to be served, which is a odd but it works. Would recommend you book as the restaurant is quite small.

Lovely welcoming restaurant. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The specials were excellent, locally sourced products and a good choice of wines at a reasonable price. We had wolf fish that was delicious.

Congratulations to the chef and thanks for the Monkfish dish I ate last night. I do not ordinarily write reviews of food, but this was exceptional. The fish was moist, the flavours imaginative. It was certainly worth the price. If I were a good critic I would give it 5 stars!

When we were at the Sheila Fleet Jewelry Kirk and Cafe (another great place) after arriving in Orkney our server there recommended The Shore for dinner (and especially the lamb) and let us know her brother worked there. Always go for a local recommendation - we went a few nights later and were quite happy with both the meal and ambience. We had drinks in the bar, quite comfy and welcoming, one of us had some local whiskey and I had a cocktail made with the Orkney Gin. Followed by dinner in the dining room which was delicious. I did order the lamb. I love everything about Orkney and hope to come back, and will go to The Shore for dinner again.

Nous dormions à l'hôtel. Excellent accueil. On nous a fait agréablement patienter dans un petit bar où nous avons dégusté une bonne bière. Le resto est bien, ambiance tranquille. Bon service. J'y ai pris un excellent repas.

Wonderful meal with heaps of local ingredients well cooked and presentet. Service with a smile and good timing for a largeish group.

We ate here two nights in a row and both times were very good. The menu has good choices and the staff are friendly and efficient. The beef, pork and fish choices are fantastic. You must book though and it’s very popular.

We booked a table and were not disappointed, a few drinks in the bar with Karen and then through to the restaurant, Steve (meow meow, still laughing) and the rest of the staff pull out all the stops to make you welcome, settled at our table and then ate the most amazing meal.

We booked as advised and enjoyed some wonderful meals - plus I can also recommend the house Itslian red wine.

Lovely food well presented by an efficient team. Fish special and steak - both very good though the steak arrived covered in mushrooms (which my husband isn't keen on) but it didn't detract from the rest but should have been on the description.

Hotel has very comfy beds, nicely decorated spotlessly clean rooms. Small, but fabulous restaurant. Head chef Lance shared his recipes, treated us like VIPs, and created very, very tasty, locally sourced food with his team that definitely didn't need a pepper mill or any additional seasoning to improve it! :-) Manager Steve squeezed us in when we arrived back starving one day, even though they were fully booked. Nothing was too much trouble for Katie and all the other staff we met (sorry, can't remember all the names!) As for barmen Rob and Matthew........ great music guys, loads of laughs, and you are both forgiven for 'making' us drink so much ;-) Stayed in many hotels, but never one where we've ended up issuing and open invite to all the staff to stay with us if they want to visit the Highlands! However, if they don't come and visit, I may have to come back and rewrite my review! (Only joking) Thank you all for giving myself and Andy an even most memorable 'getting engaged' trip to your beautiful, fascinating island. We will be back someday so you've been warned!

This was fantastic. What a lovely lunch we had. Local seafood was particularly good. Well priced with great service. Highly recommend.

Not the most salubrious of dining venues but they serve terrific food. The smoked haddock risotto was wonderful, the crab tart excellent and the feta cheese dish beautifully presented. I understand the catfish was good (not for me!) and my lamb was delicious though a little on the large side. In all our group was well impressed with the quality and presentation of the food and we’d really recommend that you eat here – you won’t be disappointed. Only request, please get some pepper grinders for the guests to use.

After being turned away the night before, we booked ahead. On arrival we were offered a drink in the bar and the menu to peruse. The menu had been crafted by a chef with imagination using locally sourced food where possible. We selected our meals and then were shown through to the dining room. We were impressed with the service and the casual but attentive staff. Our food was excellent, perfectly cooked and presented.

Food was so good we returned two days later . The chef came out to say hello and told us how he cooked some of the dishes . Next time he was dining there and said hello again . Food was excellent as was the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I had a haddock risotto starter the first night and had to have it again the second time,something i wouldnt normally do ,thats how good it was

Booking is recommended, it was busy when we went in April. Starters were both good: Brie bruschetta, and scallops. Well cooked and seasoned. Slow-cooked lamb for the mains. This was tender, tasty, and with good supporting vegetables.

We had previously been into the bar at The Shore and from that I was surprised that their food kept cropping up on 'best food in Kirkwall' lists (the bar part is a pretty standard Kirkwall pub).

Whenever my wife and I visit her mother in Kirkwall we have supper in this excellent restaurant. We usually have the Scallops, well prepared and served with a smile. They have a first class selection of wines and beers. Their prices are very reasonable indeed. Should you be in Kirkwall on vacation, visiting family, or for any other reason, this fine restaurant is the place to go for lunch or supper.

great environment, lovely food, polite service. Deodorant could be used by staff as odour was offensive when leaning over to set/collect plates. But really enjoyed evening. will return

Real ingredients, cooked by a great chef and served by professional yet very friendly and super helpful staff member.

Dined last night for a birthday celebration, with friends who were visiting Orkney for the first time - 12 of us altogether, including 7 kids between 9 & 16yrs. The lounge was cosy and our host was so patient as orders were changed and added to! When our starters were ready, we were taken through to the dining area, which was quiet (until we got there at least...) and pleasant. Then the meals came... Wow. Not one dish disappointed - far from it. I think between us we probably had one of almost everything and the chef even kindly produced plates of macaroni and chips for the youngest 2 kids. The scallops were beautiful, the bruschetta, the fish cakes and the soup all deliciously fresh. The mains were impressive - steak, scallops, lamb shoulder, plaice, chicken supreme with haggis - and such large portions, which was unexpected. When a fussy 12 year old compliments the chef on the chicken and says the haggis was amazing you know he's doing something right! The desserts were everything you'd hope for too - apple crumble, sticky toffee pudding both served with Orkney ice cream and a choice of sorbets too, if we wanted. My only regret was I could not finish my sticky toffee pudding as I was so full! I apologise for the lack of pictures - all the dishes were beautifully presented and we just dug straight in! Well done to staff at The Shore - we will have been far from your easiest customers, but you helped make it a brilliant evening and we will definitely be back and will recommend to anyone!

Honestly, I’m stumped… I cannot understand the reason for all those positive reviews , because it’s not what we experienced here!

At The Shore we were seated in the Lounge Bar for a pre-dinner drink while our order was taken. We were then led through to the restaurant when our starters were ready. This made for a relaxed start to our meal. The restaurant had smart decor, pleasant lighting and a cosy atmosphere.

We had a large group 'drop in' & we were accommodated without any issues. The food oh my the food was of excellent quality & tasted sooooo good. Having a group of 12 with everyone's meals being exceptional, that was impressive.

We booked The Shore for our work Christmas night out as we’d been hearing good things of late - and they were right!

I'd had a tough day and decided at the last minute to try dinner at The Shore with my husband. From the moment we walked in the door, the service was excellent; professional, discrete, and unfussy.

Delicious dinner! We had an early dinner at The Shore. The cozy front pub had a fire going where we had a drink. We were then shown into the lovely dining room at the rear. Service was quiet and attentive. Both the Salmon with Herring Risotto and the Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder entrees were superlative. The price were reasonable for the quality of the meal and dining ambiance.

We sat in a small lounge area whilst choosing our meal and pre meal drinks. Then, when the first course was ready, we were taken through to the restaurant. The staff were very friendly and the food was of a high quality. The price was what you would expect for the quality. Overall it was a nice place to have Dinner.

A warm welcome on a wet evening ... the outside doesn't look much, but inside is a cosy bar and a very pleasant bar and dining room. A great range of local gins was a great greeting. The scallops on crab linguine was outstanding. As a lone traveller I felt comfortable and welcome.

The third harbourside pub/restaurant we tried was the star. the menu was upscale with reasonable prices. The food was delicious--I had the special Pork Four Ways plate. Service was excellent. Definitely our best meal in Kirkwall.

Last night we had an excellent meal at The Shore, in fact we had an excellent experience all round. The staff could not have been any better, they were so pleasant without going over the top and their efficiency was impeccable. The seats in the restaurant were so comfortable. We have been to many restaurants in various parts of the world and can happily say that The Shore is up there with the best. Keep up the good work and hold on to your excellent chef.

My wife and I had a truly excellent dinner here. My starter was scallops with black pudding (don’t be put off) and a warm spicy sauce - absolutely delicious. We both had slow cooked lamb for mains. This was melt in the mouth food. Good bottle of Malbec and a slightly pricey meal - but worth every penny.

First class service, excellent food. Fellow guests asked the server about the sweet they had chosen, chef came from kitchen & gave them not only the recipe but exact details on how to do it. Highly recommend there food quality.

Went here a week ago with several members of our tour group. We all enjoyed our meals. It was a nice change from the hotel fare. Good service and a nice variety to choose from. Would love to return again some day.

A very good meal at a very reasonable price, just didn't make the five stars but easily 4.5. Very friendly service and a good menu. Its location in Kirkwall is a big plus if you don't have a car.

Came across The Shore while walking along the harbor and thought we would give it a try. Food was incredible, sophisticated and so well cooked. I had the roast lamb and my husband the sea bass. We shared a scallop dish for a starter and ended with a very light cheese cake. It will be a dinner were remember.

Wonderful lamb dish and delicious chicken with sun dried tomatoes. The chef does an excellent job. Make sure to reserve a table ahead of time.

Our first visit to Kirkwall and decided to try The Shore. The bar and restaurant are very well presented and warm and cosy. The friendliness of the server, think his name was Ashley, was second to none. My husband had the crab and i had the soup as a starter. Both were really lovely. We followed with the chicken dish and it was very very tasty. The raspberry cheesecake for dessert was sublime. a great place to eat, hope to go again before we leave this wonderful place.

Tried this on a vacation in Scotland, one of the best dinners on the whole trip. The crab and salmon mousse appy was amazing as was rhe belgian chocolate. Add to it the server had to do it all, clear plates, take orders, host, poor drinks, amazing!

My wife and I both had the scallops (locally sourced by divers!) with an amazing crab pasta. It was very rich and filling. We enjoyed the ambiance of the ‘pre’ lounge for drinks before going to the dining room for dinner. Our host was amazing.

From the outside it does not look much, go inside & you'll see a small bar area, Without any hesitation we have no problems in recommending this place for its food, we all had the lamb, about an inch thick, cooked to perfection so tender, we liked it so much we visited it 3 times durning our two week stay in august ( but ) do ring and book up as its a very sought after restaurant and you unlikely to get in if you don't book.

Très bon restaurant au charme un peu suranné mais plats de très bonne qualité et un peu recherchés . Portions généreuses, service attentionné. Certes c'est un peu cher mais ça le vaut. C'est mon meilleur repas à Kirkwall.

When we heard about the crab linguini with scallops, it was decided, we had to have them. And the dish did not disappoint. Every mouthful was a pleasure, and the scallops were enormous and very fresh. Great food!

We chose to eat at The Shore because of the generally good reviews on Trip Adviser. To begin with we were underwhelmed by the service. They made s pantomime about being both full and busy, which they were not. The attirude of stadd was patronising. Some of the food was good - the smoked haddock risotto was excellent - but the accompanying monkfish was overcooked which is unforgivable in a Kirkwall restaurant. The atmosphere was drab and we cut short our meal. Disappointing.

This is a review of the Shore Restaurant in the Share Hotel, in Kirkwall, Orkney.

Das Shore ist eines der besseren Restaurants in Kirkwall.

We had our last dinner in Kirkwall at the Shore Restaurant, and after excellent starters of parsnip soup and Salmon with crab mousse we both had the day's seafood special of local scallops and crab, in a cream sauce, over linguine. The main was outstanding. We both commented on how delicate the sauce was, how flavorful the scallops and the local crab, and how all the flavors worked together over the pasta. Unfortunately, the starters and mains did not leave room for desert. Also, the service was leisurely, and you obviously have your table at this small restaurant for the evening, so there is no rushing anything. Reservations advisable, because as we were waiting in the bar lounge after ordering our meal, several couples came in asking about tables, and were turned away. They know their table and service limits in this small restaurant.

Good value food in rather gloomy surroundings. Good service from efficient staff and a varied menu. Lively bar adjoining.

The outside of The Shore Hotel looks a little non-descript but the food serviced inside is simply delicious, made with excellent ingredients served in generous portion sides. Service was very friendly Don't forget to book in advance