The Taversoe in Orkney Islands

Great place for a very good and varied dinner, very nice staff and a fantastisch view over the sea towards Orkney Mainland.

Went to the restaurant and bar for a meal with family that live on Rousay. The bar staff were welcoming and very friendly. The food was excellent. It was freshly made and there was a good selection to suit all tastes. The restaurant has lovely views out to the sea. Prices are very reasonable and I was extremely surprised (in a good way) with the final bill bearing in mind it included drinks and the meal. The restaurant/bar is a very unassuming building on the road, but don’t be put off as it really is a nice venue for a meal on the island. PS…definitely do the island tour when on the island with Patrick, he’s an excellent guide!

We stayed for 2 nights at the Taversoe and it was great! Lovely rooms with fantastic views. Breakfast and supper were excellent, way above the standard you might expect for a remote location. The packed lunches were so nice, including local cheeses. We did the Rousay tour, which we loved and really recommend. Stay or eat at The Taversoe if you can!

Friendly attentive staff, fabulous food and view. Lovely gardens and friendly Newfie guard dog! Easy to find

I loved this place. It doesn't look much as you approach but the rooms are stunning and the south facing ones have their own French windows and decking with chairs to enjoy the view across the water. Idyllic Very welcoming, friendly, extremely helpful and obliging staff, and great food.

We came for coffee after visiting Midhowe. Even though we phoned only 10 minutes before they were closing they were very welcoming. And we enjoyed watching the starlings from the window. A very peaceful small place, a must if you are on Rousay.

We visited the island for the day and thought we were not going to find anywhere to eat. This place saved our bacon and provided an excellent substantial snack lunch for 4 hungry souls. open at limited times so take care to check before visiting. Beautiful outlook and hotel looked interesting if staying to explore the many island sites. Good food. Good service.

Midhowe Cairn has reopened! Made a day trip to Rousay. Fish and chips were highly recommended by a local but I had the seafood platter instead and the cullen skink. The cullen skink was good, would have gotten 4.5 stars from me if it came with a crunchier roll. The bread was fresh and soft though. The seafood platter was a very reasonable price with the spread. I especially enjoyed the crab and the smoked mackerel. The landlady was very helpful when my car became a bit temperamental and volunteered help when she noticed my bonnet up. Overall, a very excellent hearty meal followed by some exercise climbing down to the Cairn.

We popped in between tombs on our day at Rousay. Hot drinks and amenities just when we needed them, and the kids were welcomed.

In for lunch with friends. Friendly staff, brilliant service and the tastiest burger I've had for ages 😊

We stayed here for a week...and loved it! The menu is creative and diverse...the food is soooo delicious and beautifully presented. The views are stunning and our room, clean and spacious. Hosts are friendly and there's even a well stocked bar!

We stayed for one night, so had dinner and breakfast too. We nearly missed the entrance as it's quite unassuming; but they're ever so welcoming and friendly, and made us feel very at home. Carey also helped us because I had missed the ferry - she talked to the guys running it, and was very reassuring. The food was great, and we spent ages talking to other guests, eating the fine food, and chatting at the bar. They helped us find nice places to see, despite the weather. The views are lovely, over the sound to the mainland. You can sit out on the patio with chairs for each room.

Loved this wee place, stunning views, we even seen seals, they have binoculars for you to have a better look :) meals were gorgeous, staff friendly

What a fantastic place on the beautiful island of Rousay. Wonderful food and a fantastic location. Super friendly staff as well. This really is a hidden gem!

My family and I (2 adults 3 children) visited today for lunch whilst on a day trip to Rousay. The staff were lovely, food was very good indeed and the views are sublime. Highly recommended ☺

Staff friendly even though we rang to tell them we would be late.Also as we had a ferry to catch advised us what not to order as it took a long time.The fisherman's platter was perfect for the occasion and would recommend it to anyone who visits the Taversoe.

Thank you to The Taversoe for providing the best accommodation, food, beer and view during my cycling tour of Orkney. Great value too.

We all had the Fisherman's Platter, which was absolutely delicious! Beautifully presented and excellent value for money. Lovely friendly pub with excellent views and very welcoming staff

I walked here from the ferry for lunch, and was pleasantly surprised, I had Cullen skink to die for. The dining room was nicely decorated with wonderful views, friendly staff and very reasonable prices. My 5 friends called in after cycling round the island and also loved the soup, and in some cases the beer. A real gem

Fuimos a comer 2 adultos y 2 niños de 9 y 10 años.

Came here after taking the boat over. Their fish and chips are great. My daughter was able to get gluten free food which was great. Well worth a visit. Staff are helpful too.

Chanced upon this place whilst dragging reluctant children round the Neolithic sites of Rousay. Unprepossessing externally, but inside all is cheerfulness, and the view is sublime. Full marks for the availability of vegetarian haggis!

We visited 3 times and had a good experience each time. The food is very good and reasonably priced. The selection for Vegetarians was much appreciated. I would recommend the haddock and chips, the veggie and the beef burgers, the cullen skink and the fisherman's platter. My daughter fell in love with the Orkney fudge cheesecake. We also loved the berry pancake stack and strawberry shortcake sundae (pictured)

Visitamos el Taversoe para una comida ligera el viernes pasado. Cada uno de los ingredientes era de 5 estrellas. La preparación y la presentación eran ambos de 5 estrellas. La ubicación, con vistas a mar y tierra con los binoculares disponibles en la ventana de imagen, era de 5 estrellas. El personal era servicial y amable de 5 estrellas. Que hace una clasificación de 25 estrellas en mi vista. Gran relación calidad-precio en un entorno encantador.

Very helpful and friendly staff. We sat at a table overlooking the sea watching the seals. We had soup and seafood platters then coffee- all very good. Orkney eating establishments are getting better over the years. We will come again as we were unable to...

We had an excellent lunch with very friendly service at the Taversoe earlier today. We were surprised to find it empty as booking had been advised (which we did before catching the ferry), and it certainly deserves more custom! Both the Ploughmans ad Fishermans lunches...

We chose this due to its listing on Whatpub which recommends the beer. Two cask ales were on offer, the Scapa Special was great and the Magnus Blond even better. Lunch was Cullen Skink, more creamy and with more fish than some places, and a...

Me alojé en el hotel y comimos allí 4 días. La comida era excelente. Muchos viajeros detenido en y disfrutamos de la comida y las conversaciones.

A este pintoresco café poco Rousay. La comida era deliciosa y el servicio fue estupendo. Tienen un buen menú y sus ofrendas son todas caseras.

Las habitaciones con baño recién reformado son preciosas, con vistas sobre el sonido y los pollos. Nos alojamos por 4 noches y comimos en el restaurante 3 de las noches. Había mucha variedad, incluyendo opciones para vegetarianos y preciosa casa vegetariana sopas caseras.

On our first evening on Rousay we found this hotel with a restaurant and called in for a meal on the off chance. Although it was quite busy and we hadn't booked we were made very welcome. We both had fish and chips and local beer, both of which were lovely and good value. The waitress was helpful and friendly and the atmosphere was pleasant.

Kerry was very helpful and pleasant telling us the best place for rock pooling and a good walk and she wasn't wrong. The breakfast was second to none. Our rooms were lovely with our own patios overlooking Eynhallow. Chickens and Rabbits. The main meals at supper were good except for the chickpea salad which was a few ingredients on a plate without dressing. Everything else was so good, I'd give it a 5.

The staff was lovely and helpful, made sure all four adults + 4yo child enjoyed our lunch and gave us useful tips to guide the rest of our day in Rousay. Lunch was absolutely delicious, simple but tasty and wonderful. The crab sandwich was excellent and the Cullen Skink was one of a kind. The view is gorgeous - we just loved everything about the Taversoe.

We had heard very good reports of the Taversoe and wondered if it could really be so good. We weren't disappointed. The food was excellent, everything was clean and well presented, the staff attentive and friendly and the view from the window amazing. Good home made soup with lovely sandwiches and one portion of delicious chips between the three of us. The scampi, served to our granddaughter as a child's meal, was also really tasty

We had a delicious dinner.Cheap but TOP Quality.Great Service and very nice People!A very nice view to Orkney Mainland.We come back again.

A day trip to Rousay allows plenty of time to walk from the ferry terminal to The Taversoe for lunch. You will be well rewarded for the effort. Firstly it's a restaurant with a seriously good view. It was too windy to sit out but I'm sure in the summer it would be fantastic. Secondly, the staff are very welcoming and service is attentive and friendly. And thirdly, the food is seriously good. We had haddock & chips, one with mushy peas and one with garden peas. The fish was sensationally good and perfectly cooked to be soft and melting and not tough like a lot of fried fish. On a nearby table, one diner had the ploughmans that was served with awesome looking homemade bread. And I saw thick and juicy burgers being served to another table. Food is clearly cooked to order - it does take a little time to come but I have no problem with that. Just have another beer and enjoy the view. I can't vouch for dessert as we only had room for coffee, but I have no doubt it would be good. Compliments to the chef! One warning, portions are generous so come hungry. But then you can burn off the calories with a walk back to the ferry. What's not to like?

The location is wonderful, great views from the dining room windows. We visited on a sunny day, where we (four of us) all tried something different from the menu. The lunchtime meals arrived hot and well presented and very tasty. The staff serving - bar lady was very friendly and chatty. We would go again.

Our trip to Rousay (our third) was to show our friends Trumland House and Midhowe. The Orkney weather was usual rain and sunshine rushing through. The Taversoe provided local beers and superb cullen skink and fish and chips - excellent.

We came here last year whilst visiting the Orkneys and it was very good. This year we were on the island of Rousay for a week and came to eat at the Taversoe twice. Both times the food was excellent! The waiting staff were very friendly and nothing was too much trouble, we were made to feel very welcome by all and will definitely be returning. We were even given a tour of the new rooms that have recently been added and they are beautiful, finished to a very high standard and with stunning views of the ocean and Orkney. Well worth a visit :-)

We toured Rousay on a wet and windy April day, wishing we had brought a flask and sandwiches with us - but what a find! Warm and welcoming and with excellent views across to mainland Orkney. We had some of the best pea and mint soup ever, followed by some very good sandwiches. Can thoroughly recommend.

The view from the pub stretches over the ocean to the main Island of Orkney, beautiful. Nice pub, good food, decent atmosphere and not too expensive. They have no competition yet still go to a lot of trouble, nice and clean, well worth a visit.

Don't be put off by slightly drab exterior. Some of the best tasting food in Orkney, a good choice and very reasonable prices too. Nice selection of drink also.

Nine weary cyclists were relieved to arrive at the Taversoe and tuck into an excellent lunch of soup, sandwiches and milkshakes! Just what we needed, prepared freshly to order, substantial portions and very good quality. Definitely recommended.

Took our boat out from mainland Orkney for a family get together with cousins from Canada. The owner and staff here couldn't be more helpful and attentive. There were fourteen of us which is quite a handful but it didn't seem to be a bother at all. The food and service was excellent. Thank you for making our day even more special!

We dropped in here for a drink whilst we waited for the ferry back to mainland Orkney. It's a lovely, friendly place, with great views of the sea. We didn't eat, but the food looked good. The beer was excellent!

Nothing was too much trouble, they were able to cater for customers dietary requirements, food was delicious. Coffee fragrant and plentiful!

I live and work in Orkney as a professional tour guide.Whenever I take my guests to Rousay this is where we stop for a light lunch. Lovely homemade soup and the very best home baked cakes make this a firm favourite with our visitors.

Can't really think of a title. We've eaten here many times and are always blown away that we have so many options. We've even had several Christmas dinners here and they always cater to everyone's needs, vegans included. There are always several options for vegans on the menu and quite often we also get more rare vegan options such as vegan burgers, schnitzels etc rather than the more normal restaurant options such as chilli, pasta, Thai curries etc. All of the food I've had here has been amazing and a special mention has to be given to the home made soups. Not always vegan, but on many occasions they have been and I could live on these alone. They also offer desserts although I have to say they are far simpler and less drool worthy than the dairy choices which have somewhat a reputation with the locals. But hey, that is often an issue with veganism. The fact we have options is amazing enough and without making her own vegan ice cream not sure how they would compete with the Orkney fudge ice cream. A very friendly atmosphere, the are staff always lovely and the views looking over the Eynhallow sound to Orkney mainland are nearly impossible to beat. Also an amazing selection of malts. :DI have eaten and drunk here with my partner, friends and family and also at varied times of day (barring breakfast).

We had a very rainy day on Rousay, and just stopped here for a cup of tea to get us out of the rain. We thought 1 teabag in a large pot for 2 people was a bit mean, but it was wet and warm, and got us out of the rain.