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Cafés
in Orkney.

It’s 20:07 in Orkney.
Orkney

Tea at Birsay, coffee in the Hup.

Orkney's cafés sit at opposite ends of the islands. At Birsay, in the north-west corner of the Mainland, a small tearoom looks out over the bay to the tidal island and the cliffs of Marwick Head. All the baking is done in house, with scones fresh every day. Down on South Ronaldsay, in the village everyone calls the Hup, a family-run coffee house and bar fills an old general store, with food all day and sometimes local music. Time a Birsay visit with low tide, and you can cross to the island after your tea.

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Café of the day14 hours ago

Robertsons Coffeehoose Bar.

A family-run coffee house and bar in an old general store in St Margaret's Hope, with food all day and music.

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From our guide3 hours ago

Polly Kettle.

Polly Kettle is a small white timber tearoom at Ardage on Burray, an easy stop on the drive south over the Churchill Barriers. It is family-run and proud of its island roots, and everything on the menu is made from scratch with Orkney ingredients wherever they can be had. Alongside the food there is handmade pottery and gifts from Orkney makers. The Italian Chapel is just to the north and the blockship beaches are minutes away, so it slots neatly into a day on the barriers.

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From our guideJust now

Birsay Bay Tearoom.

Birsay Bay Tearoom looks straight across the bay to the Brough of Birsay and the cliffs of Marwick Head, and on a bright day that view is half the pleasure. A small team bakes everything in house, with fresh scones every day, and the menu leans on Orkney produce. There are gluten-free, egg-free and dairy-free choices too. Sit outside if the weather allows, where dogs are welcome. It makes a natural stop before or after a crossing to the Brough at low tide.

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