GlenWhisk Cafe & Bistro in Dumfries & Galloway

An interesting menu of snacks and meals, with good coffee and cakes in a charming village. Friendly and good value.

On a weeklong break near Moniaive, we had a very pleasant lunch here on the day we arrived. What really sets Glen Whisk apart, though, is the quality of the cakes! We had coffee and cake twice here, and the Victoria sponge, Bakewell tart (twice!) and banoffee pie were all wonderful.

Nice coffee shop in the strange but nice wee village of Moniave, its a bit off the beaten track but worth the visit. Nice coffee, very nice cake and helpful staff.

Travelled from Cumbria to Moniaive for the first time in many years in order to visit my grandmother's birthplace at Craigdarroch. We liked the look of the building, which is very inviting. Excellent food and service in an attractive traditional/contemporary setting - highly recommended.

On holiday not far away from this little gem of a place. We went for lunch here and had lovely food we both had burgers I went for the wild boar my husband went for the venison which were full of flavour and came with s couple of potato wedges and a lovely salad. The staff were very nice and we didn't have long to wait for the food. The bistro had s lovely homely feel my only regret was that I couldn't manage a piece of the delicious looking cakes. well worth a visit

Quaint little cafe serving really nice soups and cakes at lunch time - no dogs inside but a big garden with lots of seating where you can take your dogs at the back if the weather is good.

Went here for a spot of lunch and was very pleasantly surprised by the choice and the quality considering the fairly remote location. Salads are distinctly different and delicious so are fully recommended.

We met friends at Glenwhisk Cafe in Moniaive for lunch.We were not disappointed. The proprietor and staff provided excellent service and 4 wonderful meals.The cafe is located in the heart of Moniaive festival village near the two hotels, shops and garage.Highly recommended. Outside seating with wonderful views for good days.

This is a lovely place to lunch, relaxed friendly atmosphere, good service and tasty food and desserts, all at very reasonable prices.

Midweek lunch with a couple of friends. Very nice food, very lovely waitress, and clean relaxing environment. Thank you.

Excellent home made food and friendly, efficient service, in a pretty tranquil setting. Clearly run by someone who takes pride in their work. How refreshing.

Pop into the wee Bistro on our way to New Galloway yesterday and we have to say it was amazing the food is outstanding in every way and the atmosphere is so lovely and the staff make you feel so welcome you don't want to leave will sure be going back ever soon. :-)

On a two-week holiday in Moniaive we pretty well camped out here. We came to relax after a very stressful time and to be able to sink back in the sofas with a great cup of coffee or herbal tea and a fabulous cake was just what we were after. No hurry, spend as long as we like there. A wide variety of meals and snacks available too which were delicious and everything clearly marked as to whether suitable for vegans, vegetarians or gluten free which is helpful for us since my wife has intolerances to dairy, wheat and gluten. We did feel that some of the meals were a bit pricey. The waiting staff led by the wonderful Gabrielle were very attentive and efficient, always smiling and making us feel valued customers.

An absolute pleasure to eat here! The food is AMAZING! With a really extensive menu. Most products are locally source and the staff are the loveliest and ever obliging. Recommend 100% Located in Moniaive, the most beautiful and exciting little village in Dumfries and Galloway.

Easily missed because it has very little signage to catch the eye and is a bit overshadowed by the George Hotel next door.(Lack of signs apparently not their fault, but something to do with local regulations).

It is a nice caffee in a small village. Nice staff. Good meals, acceptable coffee. We have been there on celebration.

Really Delicious food, loads of choice on the menu, great service and relaxed atmoshere. Loved it, will be back very soon

Excellent cafe lovely service and big portions. Visited here with the family. Lovey small town and such a nice find to top of a lovey day

Amazing choice of food on the menu and special boards. We really enjoyed our venison burger and sheeps cheese and fig tart. Unfortunately no room for a pudding - shouldn’t have had the delicious treacle tart with our morning tea earlier in the day.

We had a lovely 6 mile walk in the Moniaive area and ended up at about 1.00pm in this cafe for our usual walking day lunch. The cafe was very welcoming and in no time at all we had our orders taken and drinks brought over. We had hardly waited any time at all when our charming host arrived with our order. It was excellent and well presented and us 3 hungry walkers finished and were on our way home within 40 minutes of entering the Cafe.We will certainly be back and recommend it to other walkers and friends.

Lovely tearoom/cafe, welcoming, delicious homemade soup, very good service Staff helpful with local information

Went today (Sunday) and when I arrived there were no tables free. The place was packed however the service was wonderful and when my lunch arrived it was one of the nicest I have ever had - well done all!

Lovely atmosphere whe you walk in.Friendly fast service.Two blackboards plus a Menu. One blackboard of food , like sweet potato baked with feta cheese and sun dried tomato, chicken and leek pie, fish pie.We had soup which was delicious.All the food had (V) or (GF)...

Popped in to this café on a cold dreich August morning. The large pot of tea and warm toasted tea cakes were perfect and the service very welcoming. The lunch menu looked so appetizing we were tempted to stay. Impressed by range of GF and...

2nd visit in 2 months. Looking forward to the next trip already. Food excellent, staff really helpful and a good choice of GF dishes

Dejamos aquí para el almuerzo mientras estábamos en la zona. Por desgracia era un día húmedo, así que no hay oportunidad de sentarse en el jardín, pero el café es espacioso por dentro y tiene un ambiente cómodo en cualquier caso. El menú ofrece una...

Mi marido y yo comimos almuerzo aquí y estábamos muy contentos con nuestra experiencia. Ambos tuvimos hamburguesas. Tuve el venado con manzana y pera y delicioso chutney mi esposo tiene el jabalí hamburguesa. Estaban llenos de sabor. Todo era fresco y casero. Nos sentamos en...

Cafetería fantástica, encontré por casualidad mientras el ciclismo, encantador y limpio y bien ventilado, camareras muy educado tablas especiales explicó, la comida era fantástica, una gran comida durante todo

Stopped here while out on a run on my Motorbike and was surprised I hadn't spotted it before. The food was excellent , there is an excellent selection of cakes which look home made and the coffee was great too and I am fussy about my coffee, topped off with great service by the lovely young lady who went about her business professionally and with a lovely smile ( what a difference nowadays) . I would give the GlenWhisk ten out of ten for value for money. If your out on a bike run you owe it to yourself to try this cafe out just watch some of the local roads which in the Councils infinite wisdom have had loose chips put down , they obviously don't care about the safety of motorcycles or damage to cars so just slow down and enjoy the scenery .

It was a gastronomic pleasure to have lunch twice in this pleasant bistro at moniave. The meals were outstanding the coffe had a rich aroma and the atmosphere was vivid. Most importantly we apprecited the vey friendly service. Gabrielle the hostess and Bessie the owner are doing the best to serve the customers. Brilliant 5 star bistro. L B

Popped in for a light lunch with an elderly friend. The place was spotless. The service was excellent and value for money brilliant.

Excellent cake, good coffee and a lovely log burner. Was exactly what 2 cold cyclists needed :-) Thank you.

Really great cafe. Visited several times whilst on holiday as we enjoyed it so much. Very friendly staff and lovely food, all served up in comfortable, homely surroundings. First rate.

Had a great soup and sandwich (and 2 cake) lunch, tasty and fresher than anything I have experienced for a long time. Friendly staff were attentive efficient and discrete. The view from the restaurant was so appealing that I went for a walk along the river, then back to the Glenwhisk for coffee. Atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, with locals who I have seen here several times before and plainly are frequent customers, which is a good sign.

We've made several visits and always find such a varied menu. Aubergine bake is an especial favourite. Lovely cakes. Super value. As this is one of very few places to eat during the day in Moniaive the Glenwhisk might be tempted to rest on its laurels but the high standard of service and food never varies.

Had a lovely lunch her with family on a Sunday in December. Excellent & interesting choice of food. The baked sweet potatoe was amazing, as was the soup. We had our mind set on cake but in the end had to go for a walk first and come back as we were too full! A true gum in Moniaive, worth a detour if you are not passing through ;-)

Popped in as we were passing on a really cold day, what a lovely warm welcome. Great food and different, with vegetarian options anyone could eat. Beautiful homemade pie. First rate service even though they were busy and reasionable prices to boot. We'll be back

Nice atmosphere, delicious food and lovely atmosphere at reasonable prices. the vegetarians really liked their's and I had probably had the best burger I have had in a long time. We also bought some cakes for tea and they were also very nice. Would recommend the coffee and walnut cake.

The food was delicious, the service excellent and all overseen by Bessy's smiling face. We had soup and a sandwich each and didn't need to eat for the rest of the day. The menu is different, combining Scottish with Eastern and, surely, even the hard to please will find something to enjoy

Both of us had the Shepherd's Pie and it was really delicious.Service was first rate and reasonable prices.Highly recommended.

Great food, excellent friendly service. This place deserves no less than 5 stars!Had coffee and Panini with home made chutney. Next visit we had home made soup which was delicious! Would highly recommend

Four of us went for a meal here and it was outstanding. Big bowl of mushroom soup with bread , blt baguette with side salad and a couple of chips. So full I couldn't manage one of their lovely looking cakes. Very fast and efficient service. Well worth it.

We popped in here for an early lunch after cycling the beautiful road from Dalmellington. Had a simple bacon sandwich and sweet potato soup. Tasty food made with care and the cakes were very tempting. Friendly service and there is a nice garden out the back.

We are so pleased we booked ahead to get a place at the Bistro evening with a far Eastern theme. Started with cocktails and worked our way through the delicious menu.

Returned here recently for lunch with my wife as we took the scenic route down to Gatehouse of Fleet, passing through attractive countryside.The menu offers a large variety of light meals supplemented by a number of specials on the blackboard. Everything is made in-house (or has the feel that it is) with the benefit that the food is fresh and has flavour. Selection of cakes was enough to tempt us and by the time we added a coffee and glass of wine each our bill was still under £30.The staff were friendly and efficient in our experience.If the weather is good there is a nice garden at the rear with views to the hills (and the wind turbine!).

I've been to Glenwhisk cafe now on numerous occasions and can highly recommend it. The food is consistently of a high standard and really delicious. The staff are attentive and friendly. If it's a sunny day, you can dine outdoors where you are surrounded by amazing views which are stunning. If you're in Moniaive, take a visit, you won't be disappointed!

We chanced upon this café/restaurant while travelling through the area. Pleasant on the inside but as it was sunny it was lovely to sit outside in the garden area. This makes it very suitable for cyclists & walkers. Good selection of food was reasonably priced. Although we chose quite "simple" food - I had a large sandwich & my wife had a baked potato, - the food was delicious with generous amounts of salad, coleslaw etc. Service also very good.

We visited twice in one weekend- cycling so very hungry!Great service, amazing cake selection, lovely garden with seating. Great to see this sort of place in D&G, deserves to do well

Delicious, well - presented lunch while meeting family. Pleasant bustling bistro suitable for meeting friends or family for an informal lunch. Also very suitable for locals or tourists passing through.

There is a lovely outside seating area and the food is always good. We only had coffee and cake this time but continue to be impressed. Friendly staff too.

Glen Whisk is one of those little gems that you sometimes find tucked away in country villages. They sell a range of scrumptious cakes and pastries - one of our favourites is Red Velvet, which is a chocolate and beetroot sponge that's totally yummy. There's also a selection of tasty hot and cold lunches. On top of all that there are also occasional bistro evenings that are worth watching out for.Many cafes are let down by unhelpful serving staff but that is not the case here. And it's not uncommon to find yourself chatting with the cook/proprietor if she can escape from the kitchen for a few minutes.If you feel like an alcoholic drink that's covered too. There's a corridor connecting the cafe to the adjoining pub and you are welcome to bring drinks through.We count ourselves very lucky living only 20 miles away, so we get to visit when we feel like a drive out.Very highly recommended.

Lovely place to sit in however the food doesnt quite live up to expectations. We ordered stilton soup and it was the most watery tasteless soup weve ever had. We did say to staff who were helpful and said they would pass on our comments. Weve also been twice before and the food was very bland. Another table had to send their soup back twice as it was still cold. Weve persevered but sadly not really impressed.

My wife and I went to Glenwhisk for one of their bistro nights.We had one of the best meals we have ever eaten. Excellent food and very pleasant staff.

We stopped at this little gem for lunch great food and staff. They offer a selection of the most delicious gluten free cakes too. Would definitely recommend this place

Had a lovely lunching experience with my family and friends at Glenwhisk...food was very tasty and well presented, venison beef and passion fruit cheesecake is must try...Definitely recommended to everyone who is looking for a lovely lunch reasonable priced.

This is a lovely cafe, with friendly staff and excellent wifi (we found the mobile phone signal in Moniaive to be poor). My husband and I enjoyed bacon baguettes (which were large and filling) and lovely, fresh coffee. The homemade cakes were too good to resist and we ended up staying longer than we intended to enjoy a cake and another coffee. The prices are very reasonable and we will definitely visit Glenwhisk Cafe again when we are next on holiday in the area.

Very good, friendly and efficient service. A real gem when you've cycled 8 miles from Thornhill and need a cappucinno, and scone with jam and cream. And so close to a chocolate making shop cross the road!

My wife and I dropped in at the cafe on a very busy lunchtime as the Blue Grass Festival was going on in the village.We had our dog with us - as did lots of other people. We sat in the garden on a sunny and warm day. Another couple who we didn't know joined us on the table and we had an excellent hour or so talking to them and eating.The food and coffee was good and reasonably priced. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the inside of the cafe looked good too.

Located on the main road passing through Moniaive, next to the George Hotel, you’ll possibly need to park just before the humpback bridge if coming from the east (turn right and the official car park is behind a couple of cottages) or just after the bridge if coming from the west. The main street is very narrow through the village and parking in the street is quite limited.The café only opened in April 2015 and operates Tuesdays to Sunday, 10.30am to 5.00pm and occasionally in the evening for “Bistro Nights”. From a quick look around it looked the best option in town for a late lunch and on a sunny afternoon a few people were eating out at the picnic benches in the garden which looks on to the hills beyond.The interior is bright, nicely furnished, more spacious than expected and by the time the garden seating is taken into account there is plenty of capacity. It’s on split levels so watch the step when moving from front to back and vice versa. The menu consists of soups, salads, paninis and small selection of “specials” which sounded a bit different from your average café fayre. I opted for the homemade quiche served with a potato salad whilst my mum was happy with the bowl of soup with seeded bread rolls. It’s licensed so I was able to have a decent glass of wine to accompany the meal. To finish I had the berry cheesecake and a coffee and my mum, staying traditional, had some Victoria Sponge with a cuppa. All the food was tasty and the staff who served it very pleasant and chatty. To add to the attraction it wasn’t expensive either - well under £20 for the lot. There’s a nice lounge area with a comfy settee at the back which would make a good spot to catch up with the newspaper or admire the paintings by local artist Melville Brotherston which were exhibited for sale and decorated the walls very nicely!Gents toilets had a view to the countryside, were basic but clean.Recommended if you’re in the vicinity and looking for a bite to eat or refreshments.

Stumbled across this very pleasant café, sort of in the middle of nowhere, on a touring holiday of Dumfries and Galloway. In fact it was recommended by the proprietor of a hotel further along the street, and he couldn’t have been more kind. From GlenWhisk you may take food away, sit in a pleasant café area, in a sumptuous group of sofas or in an airy conservatory section. In the more clement weather you can sit outside on the back lawn. The food is very good, fresh home-baked dishes with a warm reception from the friendly staff. A pulled-pork, good sized baguette came accompanied by a green salad including couscous, potatoes and coleslaw. Similarly did a mushroom and cheese panini. If you have a good appetite you may follow this course with a slice from a selection of freshly baked sandwich cakes. £23 for two people with coffees was good value.

Went for lunch, this is a little gem of a place offering home cooked fresh tasty food.Home made cakes alsoon offer, I would definetly reccomend this place for great food.

Like many we always eat here at the many festivals we attend. Were told that the new owners did not open in evenings so we had to arrange for our party to go elsewhere. Very surprised when told they were open after all. Report of food etc very good and we will try them at the Blue grass weekend and report back. One star for communication though!

Great budget stop-over for lunch. Good selection that I'm sure will please everyone who stops there. Atmosphere is a little bland, but you can't fault the service or the food.

Food absolutely marvellous price very good portion sizes very good and staff excellent well done. They were extremely busy as it was the Moniaive Folk Festival weekend but nothing was too much trouble for them

We stopped in Moniaive for lunch while out on a long cycle ride and found Glen Whisk. Great panini, venison burger and coffees (extra marks for having soya milk). Great service. We'll definitely stop in by again.

We come to Moniaive twice a year and always ate in the Green Tea Room. When we came in May discovered it had changed hands and we spoke to Bessie she agreed we could come inside with our two little dogs due to the bad weather. When we returned in August again she agreed. We eat in the tearoom twice a day and always went during her quiet times and sat at the back door so we did not annoy others with the dogs. However out if the blue in the middle of our holiday week and despite having spent £100 in her business she told us we were no longer welcome to bring the dogs in. Extremely offended by this as our dogs are small, exceptionally clean and did not annoy anyone. Her reason seemed to be she would need to let other dogs. Had there been sheltered outside seating or better weather we would be happy to sit outside. However our holiday was saved by the extremely friendly owner of the Craig Darroch who serves the best coffee in the village and excellent breakfasts.

We had delicious venison burgers and beers. We'd go back today if we were still in Moniaive. There is a nice beer garden.

Stopped here on the way up to the Red Kite Feeding Station in Laurieston. Nicely set out cafe with the usual chairs/tables, excellent outside seating area and also 3 large comfortable settees, much needed after a couple of hours on the Vespa. The staff were lovely and friendly, and offer an extensive selection of cakes/ scones. I can recommend the fruit scones and coconut and raisin slice. Good hot coffee and hot chocolate. You could easily drive past without noticing Glenwhisk, but seek it out, you wont be disappointed!

used to be the Green Room. Gorgeous Victoria sponge made with fresh cream. Not over keen on the decaff tea but my husband's regular tea was fine. Lovely location, can sit out in fine weather. Friendly staff. Haven't had lunch here since it changed hands so can't comment on main courses.

We had lunch here two days running whilst exploring the area. Homemade soup choices were delicious, sandwiches good and cakes amazing. The staff were very attentive and pleasant and we look forward to coming back to this wee gem. You deserve every success.

Have been several times. Staff friendly and attentive; food home made and delicious; prices reasonable; loyalty card scheme

we did not know it had changed but we were pleasently suprised nice food and friendly staff soup was very tasty wife had an open sandwich which was tasty

We had lunch for the first time at GlenWhisk Café. We sat outside in the pretty garden admiring the view of the distant hills whilst we ate. the menu is extensive and would cater for most tastes. We opted for a baguette each which was served with a very fresh and tasty salad and home made chunky chips. Our lunch was beautifully presented and very tasty. Even the tea tasted good. We would highly recommend a visit to GlenWhisk and intend to return again soon ourselves.

Good range of soups, hot dishes and sandwiches. Very comfortable place to have lunch, with friendly staff. Good value for money.

Good tasty food. I visited during the folk festival so they were a bit overwhelmed at times. Friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere.

It was very friendly with a homely feel and the staff couldn't have been more helpful. The venison burger has to be one of the best I've ever had the chutney really added to the flavour of the burger of it. I would highly recommend here to anyone.

Friendly little place which tries hard but we had revolting mushroom soup and a rather rubbery quiche. The place was busy with locals and walkers so maybe we hit it on an off day.

Wonderful bright and airy cafe.We had a wonderful lunch of chicken and leek pie with roast potato wedges and salad all were excellent. The cakes look homemade and we're very nice too I would recommend the lemon drizzle cake we will definitely be back