Dumfries Galloway
Garden Wise

Garden Wise

Castle Douglas Road, Dumfries Galloway, United Kingdom, DG2 8PP

Soup • Coffee • Cheese • Salads


"My sister insisted we came here for her birthday lunch... despite me trying to get her to go elsewhere. Her choice. Was a palaver trying to book online but managed to get 11.30 lunch slot for 4. Then we were told full menu wasn’t available until 12. Ridiculous. Only light bites available between breakfast and full lunch menu??? Why doesn’t it say that when you book online???? Anyways, persuaded the delightful Lyndsay (waitress) we would just have drinks until full menu became available. I had the cheese and onion quiche, Sis the steak pie, hubby the burger and brother in law the curry chicken breast. My quiche was delicious, paltry amount of salad with it, and why bread and butter?? Hubby’s burger was tough and dry, Sis’s steak in her pie was too salty. Think bro in law got the best deal with his chicken curry!! Ordered a pavlova for Sis and hot chocolate fudge cake for bro in law , and a portion for hubby and I to share. Thank goodness the cafe is part of the government scheme ‘eat out to help out’. We paid half price for the meals which I think was a fair price for what we had. Sis’s pavlova was one meringue shell with some fruit on top and some whipped cream at the side. For £4.80? The dearest dessert on the menu?? Can’t fault the waitress service. That was exemplary. But the food is average. So much better at nearby Kilnford Barns and elsewhere."

Central Cafe

Central Cafe

17 George St, DG8 8NS, Dumfries Galloway, United Kingdom

Cafe • Cafés • Coffee • Chicken


"When we saw this place from the outside we were not sure what to expect. It was 3:30pm(ish and we were hungry. In Europe this is a less than normal time to eat out unless you go fast food. In Scotland, we didnt see many fast food places so we took a chance on this place and we are glad we did. Not only is this place quaint, small, and inviting...but the owners (clearly a couple are very friendly. It was clear after only a few minutes that this was a local favorite stop for candy and quick drinks. I saw at least two guests pop in while I waited for my sit in meal and talk to the owners using their name. I had a family of four, three of us eating as my infant was too small to eat but she did cry a bit which they didnt seem to mind. My husband ordered a fish and chips platter, me the spicy chicken plate (I was kindly warned of its spicyness , my 6 year old the chicken nuggets (or whatever they were called plate. It did seem to take a minute for our food to be cooked, since it was all fried I expected it quickly...once it arrived I knew why. It seems only my plate was not hand-breaded. My husband was presented with a generous portion of what he called 'absolutely delicious ' fish and fries. My sons plate consisted of a generous portion as welll, which after tasting also seemed hand breaded, delicious! My plate however, while yummy and only a bit spicy (I love spicy things! had what looked like frozen patties of spicy breaded chicken. It was good, I ate it all. The fries were crisp but the color of them was different, I couldn 't tell if their oil needed to be changed or if they made their own fries. Regardless they were delicious and we 're eaten! They provided a surplus of condiments at the table. Packets of ketchup, malt vinegar, and euro style mayo...and also something called 'brown sauce '...of course I was curious! This sauce could be totally normal for Scotland but as an American traveling abroad, I can only say it kinda tasted like bbq sauce mixed with maybe mustard and vinegar; I didnt love the sauce but it was a fun try.Upon payment, after we ate it seemed wild expensive...the walls priced were not outrageous, alas somehow all three of us costed £30?! Not what you would expect from a corner candy store cafe. Of course we paid it, didnt argue. I also wanted to try their candy...I saw something in a bag called 'treacle candy '...tbh I had no idea what a treacle or treacle candy was. So I asked, he (the owner humored me...trying to describe a clearly normal UK candy. Afterwards I felt as if I had asked something absurd like explain what a butterscotch candy tastes like?!I tried them, mannn were they addictive! All around we were content, and felt full aside from the cost of the food. I would recommend stopping here if you are in the area for a yummy fried dish and some friendly folk."

Waterfront And Bistro

Waterfront And Bistro

7 North Crescent, DG9 8SX, Dumfries Galloway, United Kingdom

Cafés • Steak • Bistro • Seafood


"For some reason I can not reply to your answer. Sadly you are absolutely wrong in everything you have stated, I find your tactic of attacking people who give less than 5 star reviews. I am not going to try to defend myself, as I stand by everything I said. I have made an appointment to see a solicitor about your untruthful comments. I would really of liked to put a good review up, however, I would not recommend this hovel to my worst enemy. Firstly the room was so small, and tatty, extremely dated with an alarm clock, which surely has been taken from a chalet from Pontins in the 1970s, that even the amazing view could not compensate. There was dog meat/food on the carpet, and I assume ash. When I went to look for someone to let them know, there was no one about. The bathroom was not fit for purpose, one as it was a converted cupboard, and the notice in the room explaining that the steam from the shower which was cracked set off the sensitive smoke alarm, so you could not even have a shower. Then when we went for breakfast, after waiting for 40 minutes for a breakfast which was a 1 sausage, a piece of streaky bacon, uncooked tomatoes and mushrooms, haggis, b pudding and beans. When I went to complain about this on the way out, I had the pleasure of speaking to someone called Donna, who was at best obnoxious, and as unhelpful as it was someone else 's fault, I quote I don 't clean the rooms, I don 't cook the breakfast . I would rather sleep in a tent than give money to this place, please look elsewhere, unless you want to feel as though you are being ripped off. In response to your reply I thankyou for it. I do not deny that I was irate, and if she cried, I feel terrible about that but I have also left things out, like the denial of the previous evenings attempt with the same lady about the state of the room, however I stand by everything I said, As you are true to form, as it never ever seems to be your fault, if you look at the previous low reviews, it is always someone else 's fault. Oh by the way breakfast took 40 minutes, and as you were not there, maybe you can check CCTV and see that the uncooked food was left, as was the haggis, however the toast provided was superb. I applaud your defense of your staff, I truly do. Hopefully you can maybe if you get another less than favourable review, see that it is the same points over and over again, and try to address them points, just a thought. Thanks again for your reply below, and I stand by everything I said, and truly can 't be bothered dissecting your reply, one slight point, I have witnesses about the night before, so I take with a pinch of salt, your comments"

Reivers

Reivers

Cairndale Hotel Leisure Club, Dumfries Galloway, United Kingdom

Meat • Pasta • Coffee • Cheese


"Dinner was lovely, staff were extremely attentive, service was quick and slick. We came down to Dumfries for filming my university documentary, we always stay at the Cairndale hotel. Monday night after hard graft out filming myself and my girlfriend were knackered. We couldn’t face going into the town for dinner or just ordering a takeaway. Contacted reception for the set menu, which my girlfriend had. I ordered off the a la carte. We hadn’t booked as it was a last minute decision we were met by the manager, who told us not to worry, and we were sat quickly. Server came over with menus, (we had a good idea of what we were having but it was handy to just have another look) then manager came over to take our orders. My girlfriend ordered the soup and chicken bacon cheese burger. I ordered the goats cheese crostini (I felt quite embarrassed as I had to ask what the crostini was, but was pleased to know the manager had to go and double check himself. We shared a laugh about this later) I ordered the lamb shoulder for main. Draft options for soft drinks were plentiful, we were pleased to hear Pepsi max was an option my only bug bear was the price of the drinks, I feel £7 was slightly steep for 2 soft drinks, however I do understand there has to be a certain pricing within hotels. However it didn’t hinder our quality experience. Starters arrived promptly and the quality and service of food was really nice, the manager was over quickly to ask for feedback. Starters scuttled, time for the main, mg girlfriends cheeseburger was massive 3 breaded chicken fillets 2 rashers of bacon and a lovely amount of smothered cheese, I actually wish I’d ordered it myself. And her chips were plentiful too, I don’t know what it is about the quality of chip in Dumfries but it trumps anything in Glasgow. As I say we’re down to the Cairndale often and are always impressed with the quality. You get what you pay for and especially the £40pp per night brd and breakfast deal at the moment, you’re laughing. My lamb was absolutely beautiful, I’m t total myself so I always get concerned when there’s a red wine sauce however, I wasn’t to be worried here. The sauce was lovely and sweet and I’m not one for turnip but even ate that alongside the beautiful roasted potatoes. It was a lovely meal and we chatted away with the servers and manager who were all very accommodating, we look forward to coming down again in the next few weeks. Apologies I can’t remember the names of those who dealt with is, it was a very busy day and we were just so glad to have a lovely evening with some gorgeous food. All the best during the refit and we hope the Cairndale gets its deserved 4th star, we’ll continue to support the restraunt and hotel whenever we are down!"

The Grapes

The Grapes

United Kingdom, Dumfries Galloway

Pubs • Lunch • British • Chicken


"On the outside the Grapes Hotel looks very unassuming and like any regular village Hotel of its kind, but.....parked the car and went inside and we did get one big surprise. Yes its oldie worldy and thats one of the things that make this place special for us and probably many more. Small hotel but plenty of parking for the restaurant for those who are just popping in for a drink or a meal. At the moment its just changed to the winter months opening times for the bar which is around 5pm but if a guest they open the bar and they did just that for us when we arrived. Checked in and shown to our room. Yes the stairs can be a little steep but hand rails allow you to manage them and there is a landing between the floors. Key for the room and key for the outside door. The room itself was a good size even although the ceilings are low due to being in the roof space. We are quiet short people so no issue. En suite was a must for us and we had one. It was a twin room and clean and fresh enough. Bed comfy too and had a good nights sleep and the traffic didnt bother us at all from the A75. We sat in the beer garden to the back of the property in the lovely warm weather for September and had a glass or two of wine. Our stay was due to attending a hospital appointment the following day as we travelled 76.3 miles and can take 1hr 32 mins on the A75 but to ensure on time for 11am appointment we stopped overnight before and we will be using it again for the same purpose. Only 15mins to the hospital at Cargenbridge depending on traffic but arrived 30mins early which is good. Anyway a really good menu available and the special that night was Sirlion steak with chips and onion rings and we asked to hold the onion rings and could hubby have mushrooms instead and it was not any bother at all. To start I had the soup option and it was a choice of tomato(homemade) or chicken and mushroom so plumped for the tomato and it was beautifully flavoured and served with seeded bread and butter. It makes a change from just white (nice touch). Hubby had the Garlic mushrooms with salad and garlic mayo...tasty and just the right size of portion. Next the main course and I had difficulty choosing but went for the Fish and Chips and it was breaded instead of batter and again a nice change. Crispy fish with the chips and peas and only left a few chips as full up. The steak for hubby was asked for cooked Blue and although cooked rare to ensure that the steak was not cold in the middle it was beautifully cooked and very tasty and well worth the money served with chips and mushrooms. A glass of Merlot to wash it down with . I finished my meal with a glass of port. After dinner a few games of pool and a game or two of darts, drinks and then bed. Good music choice too. The inside is so cosy and homely and there are a good number of tables. Good nights sleep and breakfast at 9am and had been asked the night before whether we would want a cooked breakfast and we said yes please. Freshly cooked a sausage and bacon and black pudding and haggis and tattie scone and fried egg. Toast white and seeded and asked if we wanted more oh and a cooked tomato fresh from the greenhouse. Coffee and tea. Orange juice too. All in all a fantastic stay and fantastic meal and the best breakfast we have had in a hotel for a very very long time. Thanks Wilma and Fred .....See you soon .£69 for one night and breakfast included thats what we paid."

Granite Cafe

Granite Cafe

Main St, Dumfries Galloway, United Kingdom

Cafe • Fish • Coffee • Breakfast


"We were on a family day out and had just visited the amazing Dalbeattie Museum (can’t recommend this enough! and were recommended the Granite Kitchen as a lunch option. The restaurant itself has a cosy atmosphere. We were welcomed to a table and given menus. The waitress, who was lovely, came to take our order and we asked for the soup and sandwich deal from the menu. I’m not sure if it was the cook or the owner, but a lady came from the kitchen area and told us in a very stern tone there would be no soup as ‘it’s summer, and too hot for her’. Given that we were asking for something that was listed on the menu we were a bit taken aback by her attitude she made us feel like we’d asked for slugs on toast and the other people in the restaurant turned to look at the table as they too had been surprised by her tone. Given that soup and a sandwich takes up at least a third of the menu and also that we hadn’t been told there were any changes to the menu we were really surprised at her attitude and it made us feel really uncomfortable. We had two young children with us so took another look at the menu and decided to opt for the fish and chips. To which the cook/owner lady came to announce there was ‘NO FISH!’ (Which ruled out most of the rest of the menu! The lovely waitress looked a bit embarrassed by her attitude and it was an all round awful experience. Maybe they were having an off day, but they absolutely need to work on their customer service skills. The waiting staff should be versed on what is/isn’t available and there is NEVER a need to make someone feel uncomfortable for ordering something which is quite clearly listed on the menu. There are lots of lovely eateries nearby and I would recommend giving this one a miss."

At Kirroughtree Country House

At Kirroughtree Country House

United Kingdom, Dumfries Galloway

Tea • Fish • Wine • Coffee


"This was a difficult one to review. It is the most expensive restaurant we have eaten in and I have to admit to feeling like a fish out of water at times. I have gone for Very Good as it was certainly not Average, but...maybe somewhere in the middle. I wont go into the pricing as this has been covered in a previous review by Darren B and I have to say I also agree with everything else he has written. We were in a party of seven adults. Our initial waitress (although I think she was more than a waitress, I didn't get her name unfortunately) was lovely and very attentive. Drinks in the lounge and our order taken, we were shown into the dining room when our food was ready. Large jugs of iced water on the table, beautiful surroundings too. The starter of scallops black pudding was delicious although very small for the £9.95 charged. I ordered Brie Beetroot tart for my main meal, I was surprised when it arrived because it filled the entire plate! I could not possibly eat it all. My husbands meal however was more in keeping with a la carte, loin of lamb, a very small portion of lamb on top of a very small portion of mash. You definitely need to purchase the side of vegetables with most of the dishes or you will have finished eating within minutes. My sister had the Ravioli which she thoroughly enjoyed. My only disappointment with regard to taste was the Brûlée, the top of mine was so burned I actually thought I could smell smoke in the restaurant, then I realised it was the food in front of me. I could not eat the top at all, again it was a very small portion, half a tea cup, but I do understand that this style of eating means you are not full to the brim when you leave. I made no fuss about the dessert because our meal was paid for by an elderly relative so I did not feel it was appropriate. Two niggles about the service, when my meal was brought in by a waiter along with my sisters, he said Raviloi And my sister said That's mine he walked to the other end of our table with it. He then said Tart and I said Me he replied with.... Nothing personal and a smirk. I have a sense of humour, but good grief! That was not expected in the restaurant of this calibre. This same waiter, when my sister excused herself from the table because she had a coughing fit, stood in the hallway looking at her, mimicking her cough, this was not a young lad. In fact he was probably older than most of us. A little more training is needed there. Our waitress saw my sister in distress and quickly brought her some water. On the whole we all had very nice food, served in a beautiful hotel, but I have to say I would not visit again."