The best restaurants in Dumfries & Galloway Lowlands

My husband and I had an evening meal at The Smithy with a couple of friends on Saturday evening. The meal was excellent, as was the welcome and the service. The menu was imaginative and the atmosphere was very good. We would certainly eat there again if in the area and would thoroughly recommend it.

Just stopped off in passing for a coffee and scone. Excellent. Not one of the oversized scones that you often find nowadays. Very friendly and welcoming. Nice selection of gifts available too many of which are locally made. Will definitely be back.

Great food-both veggie and non veggie. Really reasonable-and the service was lovely. Dog friendly and if you’re in the area-it’s a must visit!

Not sure where to start, but one thing is for sure, there isn’t a single negative in this review. Home Restaurant, it’s exactly what the name suggests - Home. It’s home because when you walk in you will be made to feel at home. Friendly, welcoming and a huge smile greets you. Around 20ish tables, lovely decor and lighting, views of the kitchen and bar and small but very tempting and amazing menu with a choice for everyone. The knowledge of the food is beyond what I have experienced anywhere else. This included where, when and how sourced. Also any ingredient used in cooking and prepping the dishes. This was only my second visit and honestly I left the first time saying the exact same as I am now repeating. Absolutely outstanding in every category and manner. My advice is listen to the owner’s recommendations and let her husband in the kitchen wow you with his skills. I have been to Michelin star restaurants that having nothing on Home, if you get the chance to eat at Home in Dumfries, my advice is seize it with both hands. And if you have a spare seat going let me come too ! Home was reviewed by a very well know food critic and she rated it as a hidden treasure (my words but she absolutely loved it), I believe “refreshingly perfect” were actually Grace Dents words. She wasn’t wrong and a full 5 stars from me. James is the best chef within at least a hundred miles for sure.

Great welcome, varied menu, superb food which is very well presented, very nice atmosphere and environment and excellent dessert and coffee to finish a beautiful meal!

Went today for the Sunday Carvery, first class!! Food all home cooked and the staff were lovely. As it was so good, had to have puddings and all light and tasty. Will definitely be back.

We stopped here on the off chance they might have vegan cake, little did we know they had cake and so much more. The owner is lovely, he had lots of options for us and was happy to mix and match anything on the menu we fancied. Vegan mayonnaise too! I had the linguine with a vegan ploughman's lunch knowing I'd be taking half the ploughman's home for tea because it was going to be really filling but I wanted to try both. My husband had a fabulous salad with a really great selection of veg and balsamic dressing with fries on the side. For afters I had vegan Victoria Sponge cake and my husband had the vegan cheesecake, I took an extra piece of the cake with me it was so good. Phenomenal food, and phenomenal service. I've rarely felt so welcomed at an eatery, such a hidden gem, plus, there's a castle next door! We'll return next time we're up this way. Oh yes, and very dog friendly too : D

Thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Owner was very pleasant and accommodating. We opted for the a la carte menu but the lounge menu options looked lovely also going by other diners.

Lovely to see this smashing little cafe open and busy we have been several times before and are never disappointed. This time chose the margarita pizza with loaded wedges, fresh and tasty . Such a friendly welcome and delicious food we will be back very soon.

This place was just awful!Table was sticky.When we tried to order it appeared there was a problem with a broken fridge/freezer which meant that most menu items were unavailable,would have been nice if they told us that when we arrived.My husband decided on a bacon and sausage roll,they had no rolls (seriously?) so he settled for a bacon and sausage sandwich which he said was nice enough.Sadly by this time i was a bit hacked off so i only had an appletise.I never considered going here before but most places were strangely shut!They said it was a little late in the day to be eating-it was just past 2pm!I wouldn't go back and i can't recommend the place.I had to grab a roll at Greggs which in hindsight would have been a better first option!

This café is the best we have ever visited. Everything is homemade ache absolutely delicious. We had sublime soup and couldn't choose which cake to have so had 6 small pieces to try them all! The owner is incredibly friendly and so welcoming. Couldn't recommend this place highly enough. Absolutely fantastic.

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

Passing through towards the end of a long journey, we were delighted to find this open on a Monday morning. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, and the breakfast was the most delicious I’ve ever tasted - especially that wonderful bacon! Definitely worth a detour! Thanks so much!