The Usual Place in Dumfries & Galloway

Visited this place when I was in Dumfries catching up with my brother. The venue, an old church, is just stunning and the staff are amazing. The supervision given to the younger staff is exceptional. We had a brunch which was huge! Fantastic food and value for money. I will be back when I'm next in Dumfries

We love this place. Ethics are amazing. The work they do to help young people is so admirable. Food excellent. Can’t find anything to complain about. Just keep doing as you are.

My friend took me here for lunch as I was visiting her from Edinburgh. O I wish I lived nearer this 1st class cafe. I took macaroni and I must say it was the BEST I have ever tasted. The staff were very friendly and the place was spotless. Can`t wait until my next visit. Keep up the good work and a huge thank you to you all.

Was visiting Dumfries for work and someone recommended we try the usual place. From the minute we walked in the door we felt a warm welcome. The staff were amazing!! the best service I have had anywhere for such a long time. What the usual place is doing to help create equality and opportunities is just brilliant. The food was great!! served very quickly despite the cafe being quite busy! Would 100% visit again when in the area!

Excellent food Fabulous venue Top notch service The philosophy underlying this cafe is admirable. I only wish there was a similar initiative in my area

Was doing some tourist stuff in the Dumfries area and through trip advisor found the usual place which was showing excellent reviews. The usual place cannot be faulted! I can’t believe how cheap the prices are and yet how amazing quality the food is! My husband and I both had macaroni which came with garlic bread and chips, I eat macaroni about 4 times per week (terrible diet lol) and I can say this was excellent macaroni cheese! Nothing but smiles from everyone that served us and it was a lovely experience from the moment we walked in. Finished off a really brilliant day for us!

Came across the Usual Place by accident Great lunch menu. Very friendly staff Food came quickly and was very good Nice buzz about the place Great that it's helping young people from the community also My only complaint was that the prices were too low!

We visited here with our 3 year old granddaughter and baby grandson . We received a lovely welcome. Everyone was so helpful. The food was lovely . I had a cheese scone it was delicious . The service was great and the food arrived quickly. Afterwards our granddaughter enjoyed playing in the park . Perfect for families .

We purposely stayed in Dumfries to visit The Usual Place on the way home (Staffordshire) from our break on the Isle of Bute. Great location and a warm welcome from Charlie who explained things very well. Our order was served quickly and was delicious. I would visit again if in the area. Keep up the good work.

We visited today (after a quick visit a month ago) we were wanting to spend time and take in the fantastic vibe, the added piano music was wonderful. The young people were extremely professional and totally engaged in their work. Food & drink was fabulous- soup & cornbread, toasties, and jacket potatoes 👌 the staff were attentive and our visit was more that we expected. Well done to you all, a most fabulous place with good values, respect and dedication. If you want to experience how the community supports young people into work - visit - enjoy and be a part of an amazing opportunity to enrich the lives of young people into employment 🙌

This was our first time, and will not be our last. The welcome was warm and well - welcoming, then the food was out of this world. Fresh sandwiches with plenty of filling. The scones were simply divine, proper not bready like you get In some café. And, not jam but conserve (very nice touch). Proper portion of cake, we had carrot cake and it was so light, and a lovely cup of tea served in a China cup and saucer. Highly recommended 10/10

Sean, 37 yo, Bellshill I loved my experience at The Usual Place. The food was delicious and I loved hearing the music being played while I waited for my takeaway. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Dumfries and I’ll definitely be back!

We visited here for lunch with a friend from Ukraine and her almost 4 week old daughter. All of us had the Large Combo of soup of the day (cauliflower cheese) 😋😲 and a toastie (2 of us) and a hot roll. As always, the food was delicious and the staff were a delight.

We stayed for one night in Dumfries ,but ate here twice. We had coffee and cake on a Wednesday and returned for lunch the following day , on our way further north. All the staff are very welcoming and friendly. Our meals were excellent and the portions were generous and very reasonably priced. This a great community orientated establishment which gives young adults the opportunity to gain work experience and converse with visitors to the area and residents within their community. Keep up the excellent work. The young adults and volunteers are a credit to themselves and the community… well done to all.

This is simply the best place in dumfries for anyone who wishes great food and great friendly staff. I recommend that you visit the Usual Place

This cafe set in a converted church is run to provide jobs and experience for people with additional support needs. So the order may take a little longer to put through the system than elsewhere, it is of no matter as you see the concentration on their faces as they learn the ropes while being supported by an experienced mentor. The table service was good too. There appear to be lots of staff who all appear to be giving their best The food is very good too. The baked potatoes were overflowing with filling and all for a very reasonable price. Great place. Recommended.

Great little cafe Went for the first time last week First attempt to get in and saw the "Full" sign by the entrance - turned out places are limited to ensure COVID safety Tried again a while later. Great staff, explaining how things now worked with Covid Had a bowl of lentil soup with fresh chunky bread. Portions are BIG - big bowl of soupr for me and I watched some of the big bowls of chips coimng out! All the staff were very friendly and helpful. The place looked spotless even though it was very busy. Building itself is light, spacious and airy with a lovely ambience And the bonus is the cafe trains up young people with support needs so they have the skills and confidence to get into the job matket Well done all!

I've followed the Usual Place on Facebook for months but never visited until today due to the pandemic. What a treat! Covid restrictions were followed thoroughly, and the restaurant is a large bright, high ceilinged room, where we couldn't have felt safer. We each had a breakfast roll and an espresso. Both were excellent, and we were really pleased the coffees arrived after our food, which is pretty rare these days. On the way out we passed the gift shop, which also offered freshly made cheese scones, which proved irresistible. A great visit, looking forward to returning.

I love everything about this cafe. The building is so airy, spavioys and serene being in a converted church, you feel especially safe here during COVID times, every precaution is taken. I love that they employ young people with additional support needs, valuing their input and improving their skills and confidence great to see on the Facebook page the staff's continued development and qualifications gained. There is a good choice for food, but there are wonderful cakes and scones on offer if you just fancy a drink and a treat 👍😊This time I went for Macaroni cheese, and greedily having a portion of chips, should have had the salad,or maybe opted for half a potion which is offered. It was very tasty and filling! I always buy something from the shop which has a geeat selection of gifts, and fresh baking to take home. Visiting here is one of the highlights of my trips to Dumfries, and a short walk from the Gracefield Arts Centre which always has great exhibitions on, also close to the railway station. Well done to the team, especially during this last year. Keep up the good work!

Absolutely lovely place. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Perfect place to visit for a wedding, which we have just attended. 💒. Thank you all!

We stopped in for lunch today while visiting Dumfries. The staff were ever so welcoming and friendly, the building interior is beautiful and the food was fantastic! So pleased we chose to have lunch here. Highly recommend!

I cannot fault the Usual Place, you can see how much it is helping the staff gain skills and confidence. Top marks to all those involced in making the food, it is delicious! Also there is a wee gift shop where you can buy more...

Came in for a coffee to pass some time. The whole experience was great. All covid prevention in place. Friendly, helpful staff. Felt welcome and not rushed. Bright airy atmosphere. Good food and coffee.

Today for my lunch I visited The Usual Place for the first time in six months and had a really delicious lunch of a bacon brie and cranberry toastie with side salad and delicious coleslaw on the side followed by Alabama chocolate fudge cake which...

Visited the Usual Place for the first time today, for an impromtu lunch with a friend. What a lovely place! Beautiful open and airy space, spotlessly clean, delicious food, wonderful service from friendly, helpful staff. I cannot recommend this place enough, it was a truly...

Popped in for coffee so organised for covid in one way out another first u use sanitiser then take a pen fron one cup fill in track and trace and put in a box yourself then put pen in another box given a table number...

This is a great and unexpected find in Dumfries, situated in an old church building with very friendly staff, the All Day Breakfast was superb. Plentiful good quality ingredients, cooked to perfection, I loved the inclusion of both black pudding and haggis, and I can...

Lovely Venue and amazing service. The whole ethos of this place is great. The food and service are fantastic

Had lunch with some friends. Between us all we had a good selection from the menu. Sandwiches soup which looked really nice home baked scones and an all day breakfast. Everything was nicely presented and the staff were all friendly. It was a church originally...

Each time I have visited The Usual Place I have left with my heart (and stomach) feeling full. I definitely recommend. I have been for Afternoon Tea, tea and cake, and lunch on separate occasions and would recommend each. The shop area is lovely for...

Freshly cooked food in historic surroundings. Everyone, staff and helpers were really friendly and helpful. Only quibble was that they've stopped doing inclusive breakfast deals, ie, bacon roll and a hot drink for fixed price- now you have to buy them separately. Looking forward to...

Fantastic lunch with family. Usual high standard. Lovely prompt service always with a smile. Would recommend to anyone, especially if you have a disability as the facilities are superb.

Really nice place and - sadly unusually - extremely disabled-friendly. Staff especially friendly and helpful and there are plenty if seats. Highly recommended.

Beautiful surroundings in a converted church, plenty of very attentive staff and good food at reasonable prices. Nothing is too much trouble and attention to detail is lovely.

Prompt, good attention to detail, nice food, very reasonably priced. Ands its a social enterprise so its nice to be supporting a not-for-profit organisation.

Chose here based on reviews of others - and they are spot on! Great place in an old church, fantastic staff and wonderful all day veggie breakfast. They also do smaller size portions of main meals - great for those not so hungry. Finally big...

Good food well prepared. Limited choice but I always find something to enjoy. Comfortable surrounds in an old church with good access for disabled. Staff are always friendly and keen to assist if required. Very reasonable prices. Very limited vehicle parking but on street parking...

Good food (delicious homemade bread with our soup) in a lovely, light and spacious building, reasonable prices (e.g. £12 afternoon tea for 2, £5.95 for all day full Scottish breakfast), friendly, welcoming volunteers working here and all profits go to help young people with special...

Great surroundings, good menu and very friendly and efficient staff. Always busy but there's plenty of space and both tables and floor are kept very clean. The full Scottish breakfast and afternoon teas are particularly good value for money.

Visited this week and was really impressed with the delicious food, we had the afternoon tea which was £12! There was so much food that we put some cakes in a box to take with us to finish later. The building, staff and facilities were...

What a great place for an afternoon tea we took our friends for this and was blown away really really good folks give it a try and see for yourselves you won't be disappointed

My daughter rang the day before our visit and asked if gluten free food was available. Very kind responses, and please believe some are not from many catering establishments. Friendly and prompt service, food excellent, a lovely space to be in, great prices, building SOOO...

Visited for the first time today, with 2 friends and my little grandson. Lovely airy space, which has been sympathetically modernised to make great use of the space. The food we had, scones, cake and a child’s lunch box, was delicious, fresh and beautifully served....

Popped in as near our hotel, lovely sunny day so sat outside had tea for two and a toasted teacake each with butter and jam would have prefered a scone but did not have any fruit ones only plain and cheese , good gift shop...

Having read some articles in local media we decided to visit whilst waiting on our car to be serviced. What a surprise, truly full marks on all counts. The building itself has been renovated sympathetically with a lot of the features of the church still...

When you are in Dumfries going to or from the Ewart Library and are looking for a nice place to go for lunch then the place that I'm about to review is the place for you, and that place is The Usual Place located in...

A former church, then the dining hall for the Academy (opposite), now an excellent eaterie, The ambiance is splendid, with many of the features of the old building kept. Very friendly staff, speedy service, very good value.... and an extensive menu. Went for lunch at...

Although we live in Dumfries we had never used this establishment before but did today and were very impressed. It is a lovely building inside with a range of nice Christmas related goods to buy. Service was excellent and we were particularly impressed with the...

Afternoon tea for 2. Very nice . Freshly baked .Good portions . We had to take some away. Friendly staff . Will definitely be back

This was the my first visit for lunch and certainly won't be my last. The young people on duty were friendly, welcoming and efficient. The tuna mayo baked potato was probably one of the best I have ever eaten as the balance between tuna and...

Lovely toasties and fabulous tray bakes were the order of the day in this great cafe. Staff were friendly and attentive. Fab old church with an inviting atmosphere.

Friendly, good food and doing a great job for young people giving them an opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications.

Have used this cafe a few times for get together with friends. It’s housed in a old church and was the dining hall for Dumfries Academy (just across the road) until it was taken over by a charity and turned into this great cafe. The...

This is a wonderful establishment with superb ethics. The food is freshly cooked and tastes wonderful. The staff are very efficient and friendly, with ongoing mentoring for the younger staff, who show their knowledge with every interaction, which brought tears to my eyes.

Visited here for lunch. Food was good and great service. The actual building is stunning inside. It's run by a charity too, so as well as enjoying the food and surroundings, a visit will contribute to keeping this charity and it's fantastic people and their...

Love everything about this place. Spacious building . Lovely food and excellent value. V.relaxed. Will be back for sure

We came for lunch with friends. Food was excellent, as was the service. The craft shop had some lovely items too. We ordered lentil soup and brie bacon and cranberry baguettes. The soup came with a good piece of granary bread and the panini were...

Took my mum here for lunch. Service was excellent, food was delicious and served attractively. The setting is lovely and the live piano playing was just at the right volume to enjoy, but still have a conversation. Everything was immaculately clean.

A girlfriend is a regular visitor here & suggested we meet up here for a light lunch. What a fantastic venue for breakfast, lunch, snacks & afternoon teas. Converted church with wonderful stained windows. A very special concept/project giving youngsters experience in a catering/retail environment...

The food is great, and the service too, and by eating at the Usual Place you support a wonderful team and you wont be disappointed on any level.

Lots or reasons to pop in here, good food, good service and good prices is only the start of the list...

Whether a local or a visitor, this is a must to visit and enjoy. If you've been once you WILL return. Check their website for details of the values, ethos and purpose of this establishment which is located at the junction of Lover’s Walk and...

on arriving in dumfries 3 of us went to this wonderful cafe.we had the afternoon tea for 2 plus a coffee.the sandwiches etc were more than enough to share between us and beautifully made too x

When you are in Dumfries looking for somewhere nice for lunch then the place that I am about to review is the place for you, and that place is The Usual Place located in Academy Street across the road from the Ewart Library. I visted...

My wife and I dropped on for lunch and we are really glad we did. It was great. What a fantastic venue. We discovered that it's actually a project for inclusive working giving training and work experience for people with barriers to both. I can...

My wife and I recently visited this unusual venue, which has been pleasantly converted from a church to a eating place. Staff were attentive and friendly, surroundings were spacious and attractive. We dropped in for hot drinks and the most delicious home made scones we...

i visited this wonderful place in 2016.will def be returning this year when i return to dumfries .food if freshly cooked and superb .the surroundings are out of this world. stained glass windows etc.the staff are fantastic and look after you very well.well worth a...

Was here today with my husband for lunch. We were impressed by the staff so helpful and very friendly. And that its helping young people gain qualifications in catering and retail as they have a shop selling hand made good at reasonal prices. The usual...

A slightly odd concept using an old church as a food outlet however hats off for initiative. Young people with special needs are being supported in training in the catering business and are active participants in serving. Opting for fruit scones and bacon rolls with...

This is a lovely cafe in Dumfries town centre which serves excellent breakfast, lunch and snacks. The converted church is beautiful and often hosts concerts and other events. Well worth a visit.

amazing converted and restored church, tasty food,friendly service,clean and bright.Well worth a visit

Dropped in to this converted church a few weeks ago and was most impressed. The food was lovely, well presented, affordable and most importantly served with a smile! A corner was reserved for locally made goods..quilts, bowls etc. These are all for sale and some...

lovely building supports the community nice food .Cream tea after 2pm excellent value and very tasty.

I like this place - it is a great social enterprise cafe making a difference. Lovely surroundings and good atmosphere. But sometimes the food just doesn't quite cut it. My fishy ploughman's had way too much mayo on it and I'm not sure that chutney...

The Usual Place is housed in the former Townhead Church on the corner of Lover’s Walk and Academy Street, a short walk from the town centre. There are plenty of potential on street parking spaces in the surrounding streets. Select your table, make your selection...

I went in for a snack and they had a nice selection of snacks and the where worth the money. They also do sandwiches and herbal teas and hot meals.

When you are in Dumfries and are looking for a really nice place for lunch, then the place that I am about to review is the place for you, and that place is The Usual Place located in Academy Street. I visited The Usual Place...

Great use of a tastefully converted church. Relaxed atmosphere. It provides experience and training for young people who require additional support. But the quality of food and service is at the highest standard. Breakfasts, lunches and snacks are available, with hot and cold drinks, all...

the service is very good there are people with learnig problems and other people with dificultesthe food is all home made the cheese scones well i usualy have cheese scone and a latta you order at the counter and a young server brings it over...

How good is this - you get good food and at the same time are making the world a better place! 'The Usual Place' is a great very well priced cafe, serving delicious cakes, teas and coffee, breakfasts and simple lunches, snacks etc. in a...

Our first time here, and was rewarded with fantastic staff,great food and surroundings. we will be back....very soon. It is a must visit place to have something to eat.

Young people are being trained in aspects of the catering industry which could help them gain future employment. The staff and mentors are amazingly helpful. The chef produces fantastic soups and there are various breads, toasts, sandwiches, baked potatoes, etc to choose from with a...

Friendly staff, eager to please, tasty wholesome food. A wee bit different and very welcoming. Some interesting articles for sale in the shop.

If you are looking for a lovely and unique place for a snack or just a coffee, this has turned into one of my favourite places to go. The cafe is situated in an old church building and is simply stunning. Old stone walls and...