Shetland.org

Eating Out

Shetland has a rich and varied larder and there are several places across the islands in which you can enjoy the best of what the islands have to offer.

There’s a strong emphasis on local food. Highlights include native Shetland lamb, which has been recognised as unique and worthy of special protection by the European Union.  Fish, of course, is of superb quality: there is organic salmon, which may come smoked or marinated, along with the freshest of haddock, mackerel, herring and other species.  Shetland mussels, grown entirely naturally on ropes, are exceptionally good.  All of this is complemented by seasonal vegetables from the croft and there’s locally-produced cheese, too. Several restaurants and cafés offer menus emphasising these wonderful ingredients and making it clear exactly where they came from. 

Morning and afternoon breaks are well catered for too and there are several places where you can relax over tea, coffee, cakes and freshly-baked scones.  During the summer months, local people and visitors enjoy Sunday afternoon teas in local community halls throughout Shetland.  Run on a voluntary basis in aid of charity, these events are deservedly popular and the range of mouth-watering home baking on offer is always really impressive. 

If you’re in the mood for other world cuisines, we have restaurants that offer Indian, Nepalese, Chinese, Thai and Italian food. All of them (and some smaller establishments) do takeaways, too. Speaking of which, you’ll seldom, if ever, find fresher (or more generous) helpings of fish and chips. We don’t, though, have any of the well-known national burger or coffee chains, which you may think makes a nice change.