The Plout Kirn - Orkney Islands

We were passing through this small community and decided to stop for dinner. The cozy restaurant had friendly and helpful service, and the food exceeded our expectations. The scallops were outstanding, and the steaks were perfect. They also had a selection of kids' menu items and a variety of beers and ales to choose from, making it even more enjoyable.

Dounby may not be a destination on most people's radars, but the Plout Kirn Restaurant at the Smithfield Hotel is worth a visit. The restaurant offers a small and cozy atmosphere with surprisingly delicious food. My wife and I savored the perfectly cooked scallops, served with a delicate cream sauce and vegetables. Overall, it was a very satisfying dinner experience.

We made a reservation to dine at the Smithfield Hotel Restaurant on our first night in Orkney. I was pleased to find out that they could accommodate my gluten-free diet, but I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of options available to me, even in late November. The owner mentioned that his wife is also gluten-free, making it a specialty of the restaurant. The menu featured gluten-free pastas along with the usual rice and potato-based dishes I typically look for. I chose the flavorful mushroom risotto, which was delicious, while my husband, who does not follow a gluten-free diet, opted for a pie. The orange juice was from individual packs initially, but on our return visit a few days later, they offered freshly squeezed orange juice and new, enticing menus for both the restaurant and bar. We treated ourselves to dessert on the second visit, and both the sticky toffee pudding I chose and my husband's lemon dessert were delicious. The service was not speedy, which is expected when food is prepared fresh to order. The staff were friendly, and the owner was very helpful, allowing us to use the hotel phone when the local phone booth was out of order. We will definitely dine here again when we have guests. I also found out that they can cater to vegetarian and vegan diets in addition to gluten-free options, and they offer plenty of meat and fish dishes using locally sourced ingredients. The hotel where the restaurant is located is situated at the Dounby crossroads and also includes a café, bar, restaurant, and accommodation. I initially wrote this review under the hotel's name, but later realized it was the name above the door of the restaurant.

A wonderful discovery on the west mainland of Orkney varied menu all beautifully cooked and presented.Try the Steaks Aberdeen Angus Orkney Gold at its best. Can't beat the local beef.

Apperances can be decieving, we ate here as my daughter spotted it when we were in the shop across the road and begged us for days to go there. We were not dissapointed, my husband ordered the fillet which was cooked perfectly and came with an abbundance of side dishes the kids menu had more than just chicken nuggets and chips which was great to see, they serve a good selection of local ales, and the service was first class would definately reccomend