Palmerston Cafe in Dumfries & Galloway

Well 1st I have visited what can I say service was not the best. Stood while so call management I assume in a white shirt! spoke to a customer for at least 15 minutes whilst I was waiting for an updateon order.went to toilet to explain water was coming through back of systerm lass was polite but then waited to yet be told was 7 inch pizza was veg with chicken,to then repeat my order and before I could say no vinegar on 1 orlf my orders it was on and also onion rings well and rest of nit best won't be back and given I've don't hospitality for long enough and also could have been a mystery shopper DISSATISFIED

Is it new owner,s or something else? But I always thought apart from fantastic food it was spotless but today it shocked us how dirty it was . I have never seen a crumb on floor behind counter before today it’s was literally l it’s of paper etc everywhere, The Batter I have always admired how after you have finished battering u clean round the container with batter in it . Never saw fingerprints or very few on glass of ice cream it was covered, signs or leaflets falling off walls or out of date . Your canopy,s need cleaning your windows cleaner should be able to do it as when I had a fish and chip restaurant in Blackpool window cleaning people kept canopy fresh . Never saw all the staff laughing at something in side room behind fryer. Maybe if they have time is to brush front of cafe and clean behind counter. Someone took out a big tub of cheese in square why I don’t know and just left next to raw fish . I,m sorry your place is looking old and tired but staff are not helping by keeping it clean .

We bough two fish suppers plus a sausage supper,fish and sausage fine,chips in all three were over cooked and hard,very disapointed, been a customer for many years owner was not on duty.date was the 11th September around 6pm.

Ain’t been for back for several years!! Hmm 🤔 need to go hame! I bloody miss the Palmerston Cafe. Born in Dumfries lived there for 17 odd years!! 😋 fried Mars Bar!! Xx

Such a busy place! Plenty staff to deal with each customer and other than waiting for food to be cooked, everything was professional, done quickly and with a smile! Nice tall boy served me and reassured me that the food wouldn't be long. The food was delicious, piping hot and enormous portions... here on holiday so will definitely return next visit! 10 out of 10!

Stopped off here one night while in the area. Young girl who served us was as pleasant as a plank of wood and as thick as one also. Couldn’t understand basic English or instructions. Asked for two pickled onions in each of the two sausage suppers. She points to the eggs we said no onions then point to the onions and said these? Also asked for salt and vinegar on both suppers. Said lots on both. Once out and in the car all the pickles put in one supper and no salt or vinegar could be tasted on the suppers? As for the food it was more like a kids portion one sausage and a scope of chips. Amount of chips lucky if you put the chips together it would have made up a medium size potato. So glad I lived in Glasgow up here you get two sausages and loads of chips in a supper. Plus you can taste the salt and vinegar.

food is 100 % beautiful best carry out in dumfries service was exelent food was great could not fault

We decided to visit the Palmy for an easy tea since it was on our way home. Having visited before we knew that the food was good. When we got home and opened our boxes of food our first impression was someone had eaten some of our chips. Part of the box had no chips in it they were so spread out. Well disappointed on the portions. However thankfully what was there was tasty but we will be choosing somewhere else next time for our chippy tea

First time customer ordered a fish supper and a haggis supper to take away. Both very well cooked and non greasy chips.!!! Nice dry chips, dont know how you do that. Didnt taste like they had been lying for a while. Haggis too was dry on outside but moist inside. Only negative point was the fish could have done with fattening up!!!! Bit on the thin side. Good selection of ice cream too though didnt sample.

Visited last week with big order for the family. Really nice fish, chicken nuggets, chips, etc Unfortunately the pizzas we ordered were some of the worst I have ever tasted. They were caked in tasteless cheese, making every slice heavy, and the flavours from the toppings were non existent. Really nice base though so hopefully a wee change could make a huge improvement.

Went here last night group of 4 staff arrogant food arrived after a LONG while food greasy and tasteless will never set foot in here again BEWARE!!!!!!!!!

Delicious, fresh and moist fish with tasty, dry - that is “not greasy” - chips were the best fish supper that I have eaten for a very long time. In addition, the interior was great and the toilet facilities were sparkling clean. Great vanilla ice cream with good, juicy strawberries was fantastic and a cup of Lavazza coffee made for an introduction to this institution; if I lived in the town I’d be a regular. Very good service by a helpful, engaging and friendly staff.

Brilliant takeaway fish and chips restaurant. Traditional style, neo Italian with excellent value and menu. Had a seafood basket and chips and the quality, amount and value does not disappoint. Had ice cream to follow, with a bewildering array of flavours. Again, impeccable quality at a reasonable price. Totally recommend this cafe.

We have been using the Palmerston cafe for years and always enjoyed it but a bit disappointed tonight, my wife's scampi and chips were good as usual but I had the seafood basket but sadly some of the items were missing, instead of 10 pieces I got 7, thought about phoning but as it was a Friday night and busy I didn't bother and as we live out of town there was no chance of going back.

Me and my boyfriend went in for two fish suppers not only were we over charged £18 (should of been £12.20) one of our fish suppers had a dirty cigarette paper in it!!! They have no quality control!

A lovely cafe to stop off at and get wonderful ice cream. I ordered fish and chips having tried them a couple of years ago, being dissapointed with the fish and none crispy batter, but seen such rave reviews decided to re try.The chips were lovely, but yet again I am left baffled with Dumfries and Galloways lack of a fish and chip shop that can get good fish and not be coated in soggy batter.I would recommend this place to anyone, but not for fish and chips...

Been here a couple of times now. The food is absolutely lovely and it is not just fish and chips,the staff are all very friendly and chatty. I will be going back again.

Whenever me and my family fancy a chippy we ALWAYS come here despite the drive from Carlisle to Dumfries. Everytime we come we come its our family rule to get a litre tub of ice cream for the drive home back to Carlisle! the staff are very friendly and always smiling. People in Carlisle say where crazy driving to Dumfries for a chippy but as we took them with us to try for themselves our friends now do the exact same as us I couldn’t recommend this chippy enough ive been coming to this chippy since i was 13 when my parents use to take me now 14 years later its still my favourite chip shop ever!

Went here for a takeaway as staying about 15 miles away. Ended up sitting in, glad we did!! Food was excellent, nicest chips I’ve tasted!!!

Visited this because they do gluten free on certain days. Bit disappointed, some of the staff didn’t seem interested and I found the food very greasy and the chips weren’t that hot

The Macaroni & Cheese is the best and most creamy that I have ever tasted. The welcoming & friendly service is always someting to look forward to, as well.

The ice cream is good it’s just a shame it’s served by such grumpy women, between rolling their eyes - sighing ‘what d’you want’ its shocking. The meals are ok, sitting in you tend to get fresher food slapped down at your table (no eye contact/no smile/ no here you go) however taking away you get all the cold scraps. This place has potential but it needs to promote basic manners.

Was served by the lovley Emma... speedy, friendly service and the food was perfect!!! Will be back... thank you!!!

Went in to the shop as a daily thing for one of my clients I work for who is bedbound and always ask for the same thing which has never been a problem in the past. To then get spoken down to and ranted at by the owner in front of other customers while I was in my work uniform was just uncalled for!!! Staff need to cheer up it’s a cafe not a funeral parlour!!! Owner states he is loosing money by giving a half portion, yet again greediness at its finest!! Will not be back and if you want service with a smile I would stay well away from here!!!

Hands down the best ice cream in Dumfries, big selection too and very well priced, and let's face it every day is an ice cream day! The takeaway is great too, often busy so time your dinner right to avoid the longer wait.

Huge range of ice cream to choose from, friendly staff, nice and clean. This was not our first visit & definitely won't be our last. There's definitely something for everyone here.

Regular diner here all prepared fresh to order, Have usd both the carry out and dined in, Great chips and tasty batter on their fish, Give it a try.

make a visit once in awhile Food is always freshly cooked and hot premises are clean and great staff

So my boyfriend and I were in Cumbria for a wedding and had a day free so decided to head to Dumfries as it was the closest Scottish town. We wanted to try some Scottish food and found the Palmerston cafe online. Don’t get me wrong the look of the place wasn’t my cup of tea but the food was banging. Order battered pizza and battered haggis. Honestly I could of ordered it again it was so good. Definitely recommend!

The Cafe was very nice and clean me and my partner went and had a a fish supper the chips was nicely cooked and the staff was really friendly down side was the tables not got much room part from that nothing to complain about

Wonderful place with a massive selection of icecream. Chips we’re cooked well and would recommend again.

Live close by so handy to use ..... never had an problems with great food and lovely service from all the assistants.

Returned today and thought we’d give the place another chance after a previous experience with cold chips. Purchased 2 portions of chips and took them to the car just outside, only to find yet again they were not warm, verging on being cold. Immediately returned and handed them to the young lad who’d served me, told him they were cold and asked for my money back, which he promptly did. A blonde waitress intervened and said there was no way the chips could be cold as they were just fresh out. I confirmed they were indeed cold, at which point an older member of staff came over and asked what the problem was. I explained what had happened and she opened a portion, tried one and agreed that they were not hot. She asked what I wanted and I said I already had my money back and that was all I wanted. To be fair, she seemed concerned by what had happened. I said to her that this was the second time we have experienced this. Previously we have been in when the owner is there and the chips were excellent, but that seems to be the exception now as opposed to being the norm.

I usually get just a chip roll or maybe sausage and chips .... quality is great, never let me down in 3 years of regular visits. There’s an ATM inside I use a lot also

Ok food not too bad for price. But for heavens sake please ask your staff to cheer up! No friendly welcoming smile nothing. Just your food put down in front of you and that's it! Definately will not be going back.

well PAUL you never let me down your ; food always fresh and good quality,keep it up and your always trying different iteams.

Bust fish and chip restaurant with takeaway on Glasgow St Dumfries.They do G/F on Wednesday afternoons from 2 pm.Not many in this area do this so for Coeliacs it is real treat,and the food is lovely and reasonably priced.Great that they make the effort so top marks

Very popular 50’s style cafe, always clean, always busy, always damn tasty. Our family chose to dine in rather than take away which led to us being served first.. fish suppers all round followed by the vast choice of ice cream. Staff always pleasant.

It's not a weekend on-call in Dumfries if I am not getting a battered sausage from here. Not disappointed yet. Generally busy on a Friday night.

If you are in Dumfries and are looking for a traditional Fish Supper,then look no further!It get`s no better than here!I prefer the breaded fish and always with a pickled onion and brown sauce!

I have attended this chip shop for approximately 30 years and have continued to support due to beautifully freshly cooked breaded fish . I travel now quite a distance to treat myself to a fish from whatis probably the best chippy in Dumfries.I would like to think I have no bias whatsoevertowards this establishment but I like quite a few of the customers find the staff quite unpleasant .Previous visit not so long ago vulnerable adult discussed by staff in front of customers.I draw their attention to their comments, all I got was a scowl.Please remember no matter how someone looks portrays their self they are still customers and deserve to be treated with dignity .I usually call in when it's busy and I pay for food up front before I get my takeaway.on last two occasions spoken to quite abruptly .Saturday as I left quite an aggressive, have you paid and certainly no apology. It is nice to be nice, your product is lovely.Please note senior staff member someone ordered a fish , one left in cabinet , this senior staff member wearing glasses stated it was not big enough , gold star. This establishment has lovely staff, lovely food ,it's only a small percentage of staff that stops this brilliant establishment from absolutely shining .

Had a lovely pizza and my husband had fish and chips will go back my daughter loves all the different flavours of ice cream

my sister brought my tea over the other night when I was working late. Gluten free sausage and chips. Absolutely delicious- have not had this for over 20 years !! Batter was so crispy... chips were the best. Wednesdays- get this in your diary all you gluten free foodies.

well where do i start been going here for 41 years .paul and his staff are just tops food great christine and the rest of the girls are just great puals dad peter would be very proud he has carried on the restaurant with his mum AMALIA STILL P0PING IN .carry on paul and family.

Reliably good fish and haggis suppers and chip rolls etc. Dour staff at times. Doesn't cost to smile!

Can be a hit or a miss depending on who's on shift. But 9/10 the food is great. Best chippy in Dumfries I'd say. Great ice cream selection too

Great fish + chips served by friendly staff in a bright, clean and fresh diner/takeaway - what more could you ask for!

.......customer behind me orders 3 portions chip and gets right away. Woman puts my haggis supper in a box and asks if I want salt and vinegar. I explained I wanted separate chips too. Not enough chips left. Have to wait 10 mins for another...

Fui hace un mes y fue servido por la dueña, que nos dio las mejores patatas fritas de todos! Fui hoy y las patatas estaban frías y horrible! No creo que volveremos. Según lo que hoy hay mejores tiendas chip en otro lugar.

Primera noche en Dumfries paramos y usamos este café. Éramos los únicos con la parte café pero estaba muy ocupado por el pescado y llevar chip. Esposo e hijo podía quejarme como el pescado y cena chip era muy sabrosa. Tuve la patata chaqueta con ensalada y esto también era delicioso justo.

Sigue siendo de elección. chipper Dumfries Gran pescado. Gran patatas fritas. Dado algunos gemido en otras críticas respecto del servicio al cliente, en el pasado me han dicho que a veces el servicio de negocios, pero así como ocupado, creo que el servicio es más amable en estos días incluso cuando mucha gente!

Cena haggis era genial. Muchas patatas fritas también. Helado es preciosa, aunque un poco caro. Puede sentarse en el lugar o para llevar

La comida está bien, no es tan buena como ahora, pero la prosiga hacia el servicio es horrible. chicas permanente beber de latas, frota su nariz y generalmente ignorando los clientes. maquillaje/barniz de uñas, muy por encima. 5 / 10

This is a fish and chip establishment mainly takeaway but with area booths. Toilet very clean. However although fish etc good it is the ice creams!! There must be at least 40 different flavours. Dairy free and another alternative available. Flavours from red bull to Scottish fudge/tablet, mint, vanilla etc. Choice mind boggling. Husband had parma violet Ice cream heaven for kids big and small.

We always used to go to the Balmoral chip shop when in Dumfries but since its decline we have discovered this true gem. The Best fish and chip place in Dumfries also many gluten free options , the homemade ice cream selection is to die for.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

We came here primarily for ice cream which has rave reviews on trip advisor! It was nice and we went back a second time to try other flavours but honestly it's just like normal ice cream from an ice cream store. The staff both times we were there though we're unfriendly, took other people. before us even though we were waiting longer, and one member looked very unfit for work due to her "just been in a fight appearance" (blood, cuts and all) and she came up to us and said "I'm just gonna steal some of the ice cream before I leave, I'm not serving". I would 100% go elsewhere in future.

It's been way too long since we had food from here, never fails to disappoint! For anyone popping in though, don't go without a scoop or two of ice cream, the bright blue Cookie Monster one is to die for, as is the Scottish tablet flavour!

Still chippie of choice in Dumfries. Very good fritters too. Has had a full refurb, interior looks good.

Great place for fish and chips often have a carry out can be really busy but we usually phone ahead with the order, special fish is a favourite

Freshly cooked food due to the shop being extremely busy. A little waiting time as but if you want food cooked you have to wait. Loads of great deals on.

This cafe should get an award the fish and chips are to die for nice crispy not burned chips, not greasy and the fish is coated in lovely batter or you can get the special in bread crumbs.If you fancy dessert the nice home made ice cream comes in various flavours.Premises are spottless,free cash machine,served by delightfull and friendly staff.

Everybody loves the palmy cafe it has the best fish and chips ever and the kids boxes are brilliant value then the ice cream its fantastic the only trouble is deciding what flavour to have i love too that they have dairy free ice cream as my grandson has a milk allergy but doesnt need to be left out its just a brilliant cafe theres nothing not to like

Called in on Saturday teatime , as we fancied a "sit down" fish and chip tea . Place was very busy with take away meals , and only , seemingly , one young girl serving and taking orders on the restaurant side - think she needed a little bit of assistance , personally. To be fair , once our order was taken , the food arrived quickly , was of a high standard , and excellent value for money

4 of us who were curling in Dumfries on the weekend of 17th/18th September had tea at the Palmerston Cafe on the Sunday prior to one of our games.Lovely cafe,very helpful staff, attentive and prompt service. Cannot be faulted.Will definately go back next time in Dumfries.

For this visiting American, palmerston cafe hit the spot for a quick meal in between playing fitba and taking the sites throughout the town of Dumfries. Hamburgers, pies, pizza. Anything fried, they got it!

I highly recommend this as a takeaway for fresh food. Staff always very friendly and service first class.

We stumbled across this as we were on holiday, staff were really friendly and the fish and chips were lovely, not too much batter on the fish just a light coating, it was well presented, for afters we got ice cream, there is a wide choice of flavourings and they were really nice and creamy, we called back several times during our stay as it is well priced and when we go back to Dumfries again we shall again dine here

Sat in for something to eat with my family on the way back from a day out. The staff were friendly and we got served ok. I ordered a battered chicken and when it arrived the batter didn't cover the whole thing, and there was a small pool of oil on my plate. The chips were ok but not great. The rest of my families seemed to be ok. A plus was the salt and pepper squid my wife ordered which was an unusual thing to see in a chip shop but was good.

We've been twice and really enjoy the fish--lighter coating than most. This time we got a steak pie, too--delicious. Parking half a block down, but easy walk from town center. Got to try the dessert pizza next time!

Love this place! Never had a bad meal from here. The menu has lots of choices & is always adding new things. The homemade Italian ice-cream is amazing & you'll be spoilt for choice with all the yummy flavours.

I always enjoy my food in here! The place is nice and clean, the food is lovely and great value for money and the service is really good! It is always busy and never felt disappointed with the taste food! The Ice cream side is lovely with so many flavours to choose from. Very good quality ice cream.

This morning I went to Palmerston cafe to get something to eat around 10.30. I never really thought about going here for a breakfast roll before but I'm glad I did. Just a simple bacon, t/scone and egg roll with all the ingredients not only quality but cooked to perfection. Il definitely be back !

Having never been to Dumfries we passed through it and wanted to stop and get food before driving on through Scotland. After not being able to park as Dunfries is all permitted we gave up and spotted this place on the way out. We went for the combo platter at 8.95 which gave you fish chips, garlic bread, scampi, squid, peas, curry sauce AND chicken.We thought it was 8.95 per head but it was for it all!!! With drinks our meal came to £10 and we were so full all day we couldn't go for out planned evening meal!The place was clean, the service was good and we will be detouring to Dumfries to go back to the Palmerston!

Nipped in here with kids after a long day, we all enjoyed the food hot and tasty an cooked perfect, now gona be the chippy we use instead of previous as no complaints from my house. Will be back next month

Take away always top notch best dressed fish and chips in town. To add to this the ice cream - especially raspberry - with old school raspberry sauce untouchable just the best ever!!

Regularly visit Aunt in Dumfries who is elderly and struggles to get out. Tried several places to get a breaded fish supper and eventually found this diamond of a place on Internet. We have had takeaway on 2 occasions now and both have been fantastic. Having had a fish and chip shop myself many years ago I appreciate the skill and expertise of this I am very fussy after knowing the trade and I have to say this is definitely one of the best. Thank goodness we don't live in Dumfries as temptation might prove too much! Thank you for making our day with Aunts treat. Look forward to trying all the fab ice creams in the summer. Keep up the good work.

After working and then shopping , a treat of fish and chips sounded an idea ! Greasy anaemic chips and greasy batter , will not be back !

Had one of the best fish suppers for a long time at this excellent establishment. Susan fried our large Haddocks to perfection and a genourous portion of chips with mushy peas finished it off classically. Friendly staff, spotlessly clean premises and a wide range of delicious items to choose from a large menu. Next time I'll leave room for one (or two) ice creams from their display cabinet. Only thing that would have made our trip to Dumfries better would have been a result at the football game . . . but you can't have everything!

We went to see a match ang got parked outside the cafe which was extremely handy and for football cafe catering the food was very good with an excellent range to pick from. Service was efficient and friendly and along with the banter a fun place to eat.

Run by Paul Tambarini, who took over from his parents, excellent sit done and take away cafe. The staff are friendly especially young Emma

if you and the kids like ice cream this is your place so many flavors to choose from and all as good as each other though some of the female staff prefer to stand and gossip or chat up boys before they serve you don't let that put you off the ice cream is worth the wait

Fab ice cream - massive choice of flavours.Confusing shop appearance - as large ice cream cone sits alongside a red and white striped American Diner theme, yet the outside signage states it is a Fish & Chip Shop!! Inside the menus seem to offer just about everything and at really remarkable prices! Well worth trying. Very clean and hospitable.Situation is busy main road, so not the best to find, but there is a car park just a short distance away, that runs alongside the main road.

Went in just for Coffee and Ice Cream, amazed at the choice, a good 20+ on display. Service was good, the coffee matched our illy machine at home which makes us very hard to please coffee wise and the ice cream so so good we bought two tubs to take home. The raspberry ripple had real whole raspberry's plus the normal sauce stirred through and the Twix had chunks of chocolate covered biscuit pieces. The other varieties looked just as good, even one with Jammie Dodger biscuits in it.

Been a few times served by loads of different staff and out off them all there has only been one girl thats been welcoming, friendly, smiley etc as soon as i walked in one time it was a case of "what do u want" Without even having looked at a menu or time to look round, whilst reading the menu on the wall which you have to look up to read so was obvious what i was doing the same person asked every 5 seconds "what do u want" firstly what would you like would sound better and secondly wheres the fire? Ive sat in on 2 other occasions and the foods been lovely and staff more friendly but if u want a takeaway the foods half cooked rushed and service is appauling

I come here as a local to the area, I love the ice creams and the choice is very extensive and fantastic quality! The owner is lovely and friendly, however I have a big problem with the rest of his staff! I went in late at night - to be fair it was 15 minutes to closing, but only wanted 2 small tubs of ice cream... There were a lot of customers in waiting on the fish and chip section of the shop, it first of all took them 5 minutes to acknowledge that I was waiting for service to then be grunted at for "what do you want?" not "Hi, can I help you?", I was then in the process of being served when I was asked to move as i was being swept around by another member of staff and i was stood where she wanted to sweep, i politely stepped to the side with no Pleases or Thank You's received... Safe to say after this experience I would seriously reconsider coming out for some food to this restaurant again, sad to say. This was not a one time occurrence as any other staff I have encountered in the last 6 months have been rude, uninterested or has absolutely no customer service skills, when I try to make light conversations to ease the silence and general moody demeanour of the staff, Please sort this out!!

Brilliant!!!Fish and chips are so hard to get right (GOOD FISH AND CHIPS).We visited as the shop was packed and I'm glad we did.The fish was fresh cooked along with the chips. Yes you had to wait but isn't that worthwhile?Flavoursome,obviously cooked in nice clean oil and a healthy portion enough for me!!

Beats the Balmoral, which is closer to us Really good fish. 1950s style booths. Nice ice cream too. Potato fritters as well!

The Balmoral is good, but we go to Palmerston even though further away. Wife is fussy about fish and says really good. Can also sit in in 1950s booths set up.

the food is fantastic good price and selection of ice creams and sweet selection .its on Glasgow st, handy when you come out off football,i used to work in café across te road many years ago café roma but would always use baccis(palmerston café)

A standard fish-and-chips shop with a sort of American diner feel. The food is good quality and the service is good. No real complaints.