We were really looking forward to dining at Houlme, especially given its James Beard nomination and the $50 reservation deposit that set expectations high. Unfortunately, our experience was profoundly disappointing.
The service was friendly but full of excuses—our food took over an hour to arrive, and when it did, it was baffling. The hot honey glazed carrot (yes, one single carrot for $20) was served cold, unseasoned, and flavorless. The main protein item on the menu was already unavailable at 5:30pm, leaving very limited choices.
We reluctantly settled on pizza, which was both undercooked and burnt—somehow simultaneously—and lacked sauce or flavor. Despite their special pizza oven, it took 90 minutes to arrive. We were offered a single free glass of wine as compensation, but that did little to offset the frustration.
In the end, we paid $70 for a meal that left us hungry and incredibly let down. We left feeling scammed, not just by the price, but by the massive gap between the hype and the actual experience. This was not just a bad night—it was a disheartening one. Profoundly disappointed
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ken Davis
We had a great dinner. We are vegetarian and were so happy with the menu. The staff was great and it was fun to be able to watch the chef in the open kitchen
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Megan Stack
Reserved in advance and paid $25 per person for our honeymoon dinner reservations to arrive to a completely closed business and a placard outside indicating they were closed for the day for a birthday event. This was very disappointing - there was no number available to call, no cancel notice, in fact only a reminder to attend our reservation. We saw others outside in a similar situation. Ultimately we did receive a text message, a refund of the booking deposit and
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dr. Kat Lopez, MD
They do not allow even small well behaved dogs in their yard-like outdoor casual seating area of large wooden picnic tables on a lawn. I took my business elsewhere, seems a little overly strict.
Shiraz Nicpon
wine: good quality wine options. got the Gemini Pollux Chardonnay and I was happy with my choice.
kale salad: good for what it was.
scallop and carrot skewers: good quality scallops. fresh and unique taste in the way it was prepared.
fried whole chicken: uniquely flavored with fresh herbs on top and good fried crunch, but was slightly too salty.
leek pizza: good crust and good flavor, but nothing to write home about.
tomato and cheese pizza added pepperoni: they forgot about this order and took an extra 40 minutes to bring out. it was an average pizza.
Houlme definitely has a specific vibe and it’s not for everyone— my family and I included. To be fair, we’re from SoCal so we do get spoiled with amazing and diverse food and mixed company. If you decide to dine here, I recommend planning on sharing the food as everything comes out at different times; for us the salad took about 15 minutes, the scallops 20/25, the chicken about 40, the leek pizza about 50, and the pepperoni about an hour 30 minutes. By the time my sister’s pepperoni pizza came out we had finished our meal and still had to wait for her food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Jamie D.
Love absolutely everything about this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy Limones
Houlme isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a destination.
Tucked into the serene beauty of Orcas Island, Houlme delivers a dining experience that is both grounded and transcendent. Here, exceptional service, carefully sourced local ingredients, and chef-driven innovation converge to create meals that don’t just nourish—you remember them.
And then there’s the hot dog. But calling it a “hot dog” feels like an understatement. Chef Jay Blackinton’s take on this classic is an unforgettable moment—playful, deeply flavorful, and so meticulously crafted that it turns comfort food into pure culinary art. It’s the kind of dish that stops conversation at the table as everyone takes a second to process how good it is.
The vibe is welcoming and warm—refined without being stuffy. Every dish that leaves the kitchen tells a story, one rooted in the island, the seasons, and the chef’s unmistakable creativity.
Though quietly nestled in Eastsound, Houlme commands attention far beyond the island. It’s the kind of place that lingers with you long after the last bite, that makes you want to come back, and then tell everyone you know to do the same.
If ever there was a place that blends creativity, heart, and Pacific Northwest soul—Houlme is it. Don’t miss it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elliott Jacobsen-Watts
Excellent food quality and great vibe. Felt welcome and well taken care of.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza, Cod
Jeff Sharpe
We were on a Wednesday when there was a reduced menu, but the food we got had loads of flavor. The small plates were veggie-forward with a couple seafood options. The wines were a small curated list of diverse and intriguing options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Randy Fan
I'm disappointed to leave my first low rating in quite some time. While the servers were genuinely friendly and kind, and the ingredient quality was good, the service timing was unacceptable. We were told the chicken would take 45 minutes to an hour, so we opted for the pork belly and pizza instead, expecting it to arrive much sooner. The pork belly (which was 3 pieces) took 45 minutes, which is on the border of reasonable, although we should have been given a heads up about the wait time.
However what was totally unacceptable and causes this review to be 1 star was the pizza took an excessive 1 hour and 5 minutes to arrive (I timed it). This delay caused us to miss the sunset and derailed our entire evening itinerary. Given how difficult it was for us to reach Orcas Island, this poor timing management significantly impacted our experience and ruined what should have been a memorable end to our day.
Loved every second here. Staff was so friendly and they were able to accommodate our family of five (three kids ages 6,4,2) without reservations outside. The outside seating was perfect for us. The food was amazing and overall, experience was top notch. It was a perfect meal to celebrate Father's Day! Everything looked so delicious that our 6yo tried raw oysters and flower garnishes on the fried chicken.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Karen R
One word -- DELICIOUS!!!! Do yourself a favor and order the carrots and yogurt!! Not joking - it will change the way you think about carrots! ;). The service was perfect -- helpful, friendly, but not overbearing. We ate here during our very first (but not last!) visit to Orcas Island in May. If you're planning a visit, PUT THIS RESTAURANT ON YOUR LIST OF MUST-DO PLACES TO EAT!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
kornblum43
A soothing evening with an exquisite view into an ever changing dining experience. The wine list is thorough, but what we loved most was the accessibility in the wine by the glass options. Then pair that with the rhubarb puree based scallop dish, oh we were off to a good start. Diving into the slightly garlicky, slightly spicy spinach pizza, we needed something to cleanse our palette, so Houlme decided to give us Brown Butter ice cream dashed with a sage sauce and an anise crumble. Such a wonderful meal to start our trip to Orcas!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
K Jack
I give credit were credit is due. This review is long overdue and they definitely deserve credit even if photos may be a TAD old. That by no means degrades the quality or value what you will get when you dine at this fine establishment. Houlme may become your favorite place to patronage when visiting East Sound, if it isn't already. You will be welcomed with open arms and a beautiful warm smile. The service is genuine and personable. The owners work hard to create seasonal menus with the proper quality regional wine pairings. - that's important not just any two buck chuck will do. 😆 You will be fed with the finest local luxuries without the attitude that comes with that. The love for art, food, and culture is what power this chef and everything that comes out of his kitchen is proof. As neuro-spicy person who doesn't like different food textures or abnormal food pairing. I know this is a safe space to try new foods- photos below are proof. You will leave Houlme with a happy belly, full heart and dreaming of planning your next reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sadi Kneipp
No patio for dogs until memorial day, even though it's hot and sunny :(
---
⭐☆☆☆☆
We were really looking forward to dining at Houlme, especially given its James Beard nomination and the $50 reservation deposit that set expectations high. Unfortunately, our experience was profoundly disappointing.
The service was friendly but full of excuses—our food took over an hour to arrive, and when it did, it was baffling. The hot honey glazed carrot (yes, one single carrot for $20) was served cold, unseasoned, and flavorless. The main protein item on the menu was already unavailable at 5:30pm, leaving very limited choices.
We reluctantly settled on pizza, which was both undercooked and burnt—somehow simultaneously—and lacked sauce or flavor. Despite their special pizza oven, it took 90 minutes to arrive. We were offered a single free glass of wine as compensation, but that did little to offset the frustration.
In the end, we paid $70 for a meal that left us hungry and incredibly let down. We left feeling scammed, not just by the price, but by the massive gap between the hype and the actual experience. This was not just a bad night—it was a disheartening one.
Profoundly disappointed
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
We had a great dinner. We are vegetarian and were so happy with the menu. The staff was great and it was fun to be able to watch the chef in the open kitchen
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Reserved in advance and paid $25 per person for our honeymoon dinner reservations to arrive to a completely closed business and a placard outside indicating they were closed for the day for a birthday event.
This was very disappointing - there was no number available to call, no cancel notice, in fact only a reminder to attend our reservation. We saw others outside in a similar situation. Ultimately we did receive a text message, a refund of the booking deposit and
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
They do not allow even small well behaved dogs in their yard-like outdoor casual seating area of large wooden picnic tables on a lawn. I took my business elsewhere, seems a little overly strict.
wine: good quality wine options. got the Gemini Pollux Chardonnay and I was happy with my choice.
kale salad: good for what it was.
scallop and carrot skewers: good quality scallops. fresh and unique taste in the way it was prepared.
fried whole chicken: uniquely flavored with fresh herbs on top and good fried crunch, but was slightly too salty.
leek pizza: good crust and good flavor, but nothing to write home about.
tomato and cheese pizza added pepperoni:
they
forgot about this order and took an extra 40 minutes to bring out. it was an average pizza.
Houlme definitely has a specific vibe and it’s not for everyone— my family and I included. To be fair, we’re from SoCal so we do get spoiled with amazing and diverse food and mixed company. If you decide to dine here, I recommend planning on sharing the food as everything comes out at different times; for us the salad took about 15 minutes, the scallops 20/25, the chicken about 40, the leek pizza about 50, and the pepperoni about an hour 30 minutes. By the time my sister’s pepperoni pizza came out we had finished our meal and still had to wait for her food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Love absolutely everything about this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Houlme isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a destination.
Tucked into the serene beauty of Orcas Island, Houlme delivers a dining experience that is both grounded and transcendent. Here, exceptional service, carefully sourced local ingredients, and chef-driven innovation converge to create meals that don’t just nourish—you remember them.
And then there’s the hot dog. But calling it a “hot dog” feels like an understatement. Chef Jay Blackinton’s take on this classic is an unforgettable moment—playful, deeply flavorful, and so meticulously crafted that it turns comfort food into pure culinary art. It’s the kind of dish that stops conversation at the table as everyone takes a second to process how good it is.
The vibe is welcoming and warm—refined without being stuffy. Every dish that leaves the kitchen tells a story, one rooted in the island, the seasons, and the chef’s unmistakable creativity.
Though quietly nestled in Eastsound, Houlme commands attention far beyond the island. It’s the kind of place that lingers with you long after the last bite, that makes you want to come back, and then tell everyone you know to do the same.
If ever there was a place that blends creativity, heart, and Pacific Northwest soul—Houlme is it. Don’t miss it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food quality and great vibe. Felt welcome and well taken care of.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza, Cod
We were on a Wednesday when there was a reduced menu, but the food we got had loads of flavor. The small plates were veggie-forward with a couple seafood options. The wines were a small curated list of diverse and intriguing options.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I'm disappointed to leave my first low rating in quite some time. While the servers were genuinely friendly and kind, and the ingredient quality was good, the service timing was unacceptable. We were told the chicken would take 45 minutes to an hour, so we opted for the pork belly and pizza instead, expecting it to arrive much sooner. The pork belly (which was 3 pieces) took 45 minutes, which is on the border of reasonable, although we should have been given a heads up about the wait time.
However what was totally unacceptable and causes this review to be 1 star was the pizza took an excessive 1 hour and 5 minutes to arrive (I timed it). This delay caused us to miss the sunset and derailed our entire evening itinerary. Given how difficult it was for us to reach Orcas Island, this poor timing management significantly impacted our experience and ruined what should have been a memorable end to our day.
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved every second here. Staff was so friendly and they were able to accommodate our family of five (three kids ages 6,4,2) without reservations outside. The outside seating was perfect for us. The food was amazing and overall, experience was top notch. It was a perfect meal to celebrate Father's Day! Everything looked so delicious that our 6yo tried raw oysters and flower garnishes on the fried chicken.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One word -- DELICIOUS!!!! Do yourself a favor and order the carrots and yogurt!! Not joking - it will change the way you think about carrots! ;). The service was perfect -- helpful, friendly, but not overbearing. We ate here during our very first (but not last!) visit to Orcas Island in May. If you're planning a visit, PUT THIS RESTAURANT ON YOUR LIST OF MUST-DO PLACES TO EAT!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A soothing evening with an exquisite view into an ever changing dining experience. The wine list is thorough, but what we loved most was the accessibility in the wine by the glass options. Then pair that with the rhubarb puree based scallop dish, oh we were off to a good start. Diving into the slightly garlicky, slightly spicy spinach pizza, we needed something to cleanse our palette, so Houlme decided to give us Brown Butter ice cream dashed with a sage sauce and an anise crumble. Such a wonderful meal to start our trip to Orcas!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I give credit were credit is due. This review is long overdue and they definitely deserve credit even if photos may be a TAD old. That by no means degrades the quality or value what you will get when you dine at this fine establishment. Houlme may become your favorite place to patronage when visiting East Sound, if it isn't already.
You will be welcomed with open arms and a beautiful warm smile. The service is genuine and personable. The owners work hard to create seasonal menus with the proper quality regional wine pairings. - that's important not just any two buck chuck will do. 😆
You will be fed with the finest local luxuries without the attitude that comes with that. The love for art, food, and culture is what power this chef and everything that comes out of his kitchen is proof.
As neuro-spicy person who doesn't like different food textures or abnormal food pairing. I know this is a safe space to try new foods- photos below are proof.
You will leave Houlme with a happy belly, full heart and dreaming of planning your next reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
No patio for dogs until memorial day, even though it's hot and sunny :(
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