The best restaurants serving British food in Lowlands

Popped into here for a bite of lunch. First time in Kirkcudbright. Picked here as it had a lavatory and was quite desperate. Once inside, it was a lovely clean space with a friendly welcome from the staff. We chose the soup and scone; two choices, one of each flavour. After a few minutes we were presented with too substantial bowls of soup and half a huge scone each, as we’d only ordered one. Both soups were delicious and hearty; the scone was light and tasty. We couldn’t finish it all, so the staff carefully packed up the leftover soup for us, which we look forward to having for lunch tomorrow. Great find, great food.

After our lovely trip up to Coldstream, we decided to stop for some food. Terrible does not even cover it. When we came to order we asked for two “gluten free fish and chips” to be told you could have told us so we could have put the separate pan on. Not once did anyone ask about any allergies or make us aware before ordering. After we said we happily wait for food to be a bit longer. Food came after 20 minutes which was fine. We asked if it was possible to have some gravy and apologies for not ordering it at the same time, to be told “well I’m busy making other peoples food” which was fine they did end up bringing it. After eat a few bites of the fish I realised that it was not cooked inside the batter was still powdered and cold. We got a lady’s attention to which she said it was cooked and walk away not even a sorry or an offering to help.

Lovely friendly welcoming pub with excellent food and charming service from all. We were well looked after and the staff got it just right.

Some places accept dogs _ The staff at the Roxburghe love dogs. We have stayed in a two bed cottage, the Bowmont Suite and stay and King Estate Suite which all provide luxury and space. We are welcomed with open arms, as are the dogs, who can go everywhere bar the space, the find dining restaurant and the whiskey bar. Thanks for another great stay.

Very disappointing standard of food. We each had macaroni cheese which had cheese melted over the top. This seemed the only cheese in the dish as the white sauce was tasteless. I had some sauce with my macaroni but my husband's pasta was dried up with no sauce at all.

Visited on Saturday and went upstairs for a coffee. Tea room is traditional which is very nice. Staff member who served my table was very pleasant but when I went to pay I was met by a very surly rude older member of staff. When I didn’t have a bill to hand over, she was visually not pleased and I then said to her I didn’t know I needed one because I had never been before. She then retorted, without looking up at me, and said, “ Well, I’m here every day!” Really ?? Come on…it doesn’t take much for politeness and good customer service. Sadly that attitude lets a whole staff team down which Barbours need to address through staff training if they wish to maintain high standards.

Had intended having coffee at a nearby garden centre with a group of friends before we all went our separate ways having been together for Hogmanay. But the garden centre was closed so we thought we would try the nearby hotel. Phoned to check they could accommodate us and were told "yes". It turned out to be a very enjoyable visit as we were made to feel welcome despite only having coffees. A lovely end to our New Year celebrations. Thanks to all the staff at Hetland Hall!

Faulty Towers has nothing on this place..Nice setting ok food..very very expensive for the quality but would I go back ..no

We ate here and finished our meal, the waitress cleared away and we decided we'd have another round of drinks before leaving. We waited 5, 10 minutes and the waitress never came back. I went in search of someone but couldn't find our waitress. I didn't like to open the doors to the kitchen. We waited another 5 minutes and my wife said 'this is ridiculous' and went off in pursuit. She found our waitress in the bar (was she watching TV, did she fancy the barman?) and asked if we could get some service. The waitress said 'the restaurant is closed', as if we were being unreasonable in expecting to be served a round of drinks. No, the restaurant isn't closed if you've still got people sitting at a table you're serving and you haven't asked them if they want a dessert or offered them the bill but simply buggered off. So we said OK, can we just pay the bill. Which we did, and obviously didn't leave tip. We won't be going back.

Lovely setting ,unfortunately the meal was very poor 😢 gammon fatty chewy and very salty , chips over cooked and veg soggy ..nobody around to take sweet order so rang the reception bell to pay and leave ..disappointing .

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!

We call in regularly for a good, well-packed, well-priced sandwich; not a vast fancy choice, but fresh and tasty. Fish and Chips on a Thursday evening is also pretty decent! Service can vary depending who is working, from very friendly and helpful to downright indifferent.

We had a day out yesterday and ended up here for coffee. The sign at the entrance said the cafe was open until 4.30. As it was just before 4 when we parked round the back we thought we had plenty of time. However when we entered the cafe I approached the counter to order I was told in no uncertain terms that they were shut. When I pointed out that their sign had said it was open until 4.30 the rude assistant pointed to the sign on the counter which said last orders 4. I said it was 4 and we only wanted coffees she said 'well we're shut'. You would think that after 2 years of pandemic that businesses would be grateful for any money they could get, well that's not the case in this cafe. We had been going to buy some plants but left empty handed and on the way out told the assistant in the shop that we wouldn't be back. Their loss is someone else's gain

Excellent food, lots of gluten free options for the wife. Staff were brilliant.

Went and waited 20 for a smoked sausage supper, staff were horrible and just rude and later to find i was over charged by £1! Ik its not alot but still not okay. Wouldn’t rush back as staff are rude and overpriced.