We arrived about 10 minutes before the kitchen was closing for the afternoon and boy were we happy with that. We ordered a fish and chips and it was big enough for us to share. One of the best fish and chips I've ever had. The service was amazing as well. read more

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Food service and ambience is top notch just what you'd expect for a Scottish pub! Not big on space so fortunate when you do get a table read more

Helgi's - Fish and chips along with a Guinness beer - British Near Me - Kirkwall, ORK

The fish and chips were beautifully prepared. Best mushy peas I've had. Haddock lightly battered and cripsy. read more

Helgi's - British Near Me - Kirkwall, ORK

It was my birthday so we picked Helgi's. It was just ok. We had a reservation, ate upstairs next to the wall. The servers came up to take the order and drop it off and that was it. I got the Scallop and Prosciutto Tagliatelle and the scallops were right off the boat that morning, couldn't be fresher. The dish was extremely bland though. They came complete with their roe (see the picture). The steak was nice and dessert was good. I think I just felt pretty unwelcome here because as I thought back to my visit, it wasn't really a good one. read more

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Best fish and chips I've had outside Alaska (where I eat beer battered halibut every chance I can). Onion rings were also excellent, and the local beer (Swannay Ola) was cold and delicious. Service was friendly and fast. Warning if traveling with children: they can't by law allow anyone under 18 inside the bar (some people were informed while we were there). We weren't, so they've earned 5 stars. read more

Pretty good food, small menu. I liked sitting at the bar while waiting for my table and then in the booth. They give you lots of time to hang out and enjoy the evening, which is great. Downside is they turn the tables very slowly, so you absolutely must have a reservation. Warning to Americans that they do beer the British way of barely below room temp. read more

Great place for a quick bite to eat. I had the Italian fish pie and it was delicious! They have a fairly good selection of beer, with some craft beers from the local breweries. It seems to be one of the more popular places to eat in Kirkwall, as it was pretty full (compared to some of the other pubs I walked past) for a Sunday night. With an extensive, unique menu, I don't think you can go wrong eating here. read more

Helgi's - Turkey club - British Near Me - Kirkwall, ORK

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Reservations for dinner is a must. Food and service exceptional. Portions are generous and their selection of adult beverages is above average. I highly recommend the Seafood Platter Appetizer, its a meal in itself. I also had a bowl of the seafood chowder, very good. My partner had Mac and cheese, let me say it looked great and she said it was very good. Lastly I had a few pints of Tanner as per custom. read more

A loquacious local at Helgi's bar told us, "This place serves the best food in all the Orkney Islands. I've been here fifty times. Try the fried farm cheese, the fish 'n' chips, or the rib eye." Given this endorsement -- and the fact that we were pointed here by a neighbor tending her garden next to our B&B -- we knew we were in for something special. Helgi's is exactly the kind of place the fam and I were looking for: a charming Scottish pub serving well-conceived, fresh local cuisine. Bonus points awarded for Helgi's picturesque location overlooking Kirkwall Harbour, warmer-than-usual hospitality, and clean, classic decor. Despite a lack of reservation (apparently recommended due to the small size of the restaurant), we were shown to possibly the best table in the house: a corner booth with its own window, upstairs facing the water. Thanks to the advice we'd received downstairs at the bar, we ordered the Fried Farm Cheese, a special on that evening. Two thick wedges of the crumbly, creamy local cheese were coated with thick, crunchy batter, fried until golden and served alongside green salad and sweet chutney. We all agreed it was a divine appetizer, each of us eyeing the last few morsels greedily. Since no one in our party is especially fond of rib eye, we passed the steak up in favor of a couple orders of Fish 'n' Chips, a Chicken Burger, and two Megrim Vierge. The local gentleman hadn't lied: the Fish 'n' Chips were out of this world: giant fillets of haddock in batter so crisp it shattered. The Megrim Vierge was the stand-out surprise, however, steamed Megrim fillets on "crushed new tatties" with herby, citrus sauce vierge (to my palate, it was pesto). I'd never had megrim before, but it turned out to be a supremely enjoyable, flat white fish with a sweet, mild flavor complemented perfectly by the herbed potato mash. Only the chicken "burger" (really, a breast) was average. Everything else -- including the local Orkney beers -- was top-notch. And, considering the quality of the locally-sourced food, an incredible value for the money. A meal (or two or three...) at Helgi's is recommended without reservation. Er, hesitation. Reservations encouraged. read more

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HORRIBLE service. Sat at the bar for 10 minutes with 2 staff behind the bar and were not greeted, let alone asked what we wanted to drink. Maybe because we were dressed like tourists because the next couple to come in after us received an apology for the wait of one minute while we were putting our order in. Had to ask three times if we could order a meal before a friendly waitress took our order and a nice waiter brought it our food (tasty) and later checked in on us. Wondered if we smelled bad, but did shower this morning....Everyone else looked like a local, so maybe they don't like American looking people. The sure did like our music though. Lovely assortment of Frank, Etta, Louis and Nat read more

Great place to grab dinner while visiting Kirkwall in a great location. The service was friendly and prompt. They had plenty different options to choose from. I would certainly recommend them if you're in town for a visit. read more

Nice pub. Enjoyed our beers. The staff was very friendly. We didn't eat anything, but it wasn't time for a meal. Had it been we would have.

Doing the tourist thing about town. We stopped in for an early dinner. Found that from 2ish to 5 the only thing available is light fare. Hmmm....killed an hour at the bar exploring the local Swannay beers...I liked the dark munro...tasty. Its served at room temp. Being Scottish. The service is fine, don't rush, be pleasant, it'll happen. I had the sausage and mashed pie, enjoyed, keeping the local fare fest alive...thanks. read more

An authentic Orkney Restaurant based on its history, Helgi's delivers excellent food and service with a view of the harbour. Open for lunch and dinner, it is also a bar outwith eating hours. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed with a very clean and polished interior. Well worth a visit. It is also very popular so it may be an idea to book to ensure you get a table. read more

Pretty good place to eat for visitors. The menu is great for families. Food tasted as fresh as is can be considering your on an island. Service was decent, Im giving it a 4 because its one of the better places in Orkney. read more

Best Food in town. The Starters are very delicious. The Location is very beautiful. You Must Reservat nearly one day before but it is worth.

Good food and drink, but the bartendress was curt and bordering on the surly. Maybe they dislike American tourists?