Kirkwall

Kirkwall is Orkney's main town, and a place built around eating and staying. With a dozen or so hotels and guest houses, plus two well-regarded campsites, it clearly functions as a base for visitors to the islands. The Kirkwall Hotel and Ayre Hotel both sit comfortably at 4.3 ratings, while The Shore offers something smaller and quieter at 4.2. For those wanting a bed and breakfast, Ardconnel has a perfect 5.0 rating from 78 reviews. Kirkwall Bay Touring Park, rated 4.9 from 106 reviews, is particularly well-regarded if you're coming by caravan or motorhome.

The restaurant scene is notably strong for a town of this size. Archive Coffee stands out at 4.7 from over 500 reviews, which suggests it has become something of a focal point. Helgi's and Caffe Lucano Ristorante both hover around 4.3 to 4.4, offering variety—one presumably Nordic in character, the other Italian. Picky Cafe rates 4.5, while Indian Garden provides another option at 4.0. The Ayre Hotel also operates as a restaurant, suggesting these two functions often overlap here. This density of dining choices means you'll eat well without hunting far.

What makes Kirkwall work as a stop is that it has gathered the basics competently. You can find a bed without difficulty, eat somewhere with genuine personality, and move on to explore the islands from a solid base. The ratings across both accommodation and food are consistently in the 4-plus range, which means the town does these things reliably rather than exceptionally. For Orkney visitors, it serves its purpose straightforwardly.