Castle Douglas Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Castle Douglas

October 23, 2017 Toi Mattera

Castle Douglas (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Dhùghlais) is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It lies in the lieutenancy area of Kirkcudbrightshire, in the eastern part of Galloway, between the towns of Dalbeattie and Gatehouse of Fleet.
Things to do in Castle Douglas

1. Cafe at Designs

179 King Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1DZ, Scotland Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards Cafe, British, Scottish, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +44 1556 504552
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 224 reviews

Cafe at Designs

Reviewed By allanglens - Glasgow, United Kingdom

And in a very, very, good way!
Called in for a bite to eat on the way down to Kirkcubright for a few days. Not really expecting much more than a 'standard' gift / craft shop café, but one look at the menu changed that. And the food did not disappoint.
I would give it an even higher mark for the free W's - water and Wi-Fi. The latter might be standard now; but to be shown the free water jar flavoured with citrus fruits rather than being provided with a glass from the tap was a bonus.
We would definitely return.

2. Carlo's

211 King Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1DT, Scotland Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, European, Vegetarian Friendly Dinner, Late Night +44 1556 503977
Excellent
68%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 239 reviews

Carlo's

Reviewed By scusi14

Visited Carlo's on strength of previous reviews. We were not disappointed. Small, cosy and informal restaurant. Food was great...starters (pate, spicy mushrooms, garlic bread) all good and made even more special by the complementary breads with smoked salmon butter - which was gorgeous - and spicy sausage. Mains were tasty and filling just as pasta dishes should be. So glad I saved room for dessert as the white chocolate pannacotta was the best I've tasted, creamy and sweet. Bliss. Waitresses were friendly and great with our son and service was speedy - which really suited us. Would love to return when we're back in the area. Recommended.

3. Mad Hatters

53 King Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1AE, Scotland Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Takeout Cafe, British, Scottish, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +44 1556 502712
Excellent
49%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 112 reviews

Mad Hatters

Reviewed By richardi - Staffs. UK.

Called in for coffee while visiting Castle Douglas. Quirky, busy cafe with good service and really good coffee !

4. Jewel in the Crown

17 King Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1AA, Scotland Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Delivery, Highchairs Available, Full Bar Indian, Asian, Balti, Vegetarian Friendly Dinner, Late Night +44 1556 505999
Excellent
47%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 151 reviews

Jewel in the Crown

Reviewed By hmsguernsey - Guernsey, United Kingdom

Met at the door and treated like royalty shown to our seats and ordered onion baji and spring pakora the baji was exceptional crispy on the outside soft on the inside as it should be... the spring panoramic..a nice mix of spices and chicken both served with side salad and yoga Rd sauce...main course a king prawn vindaloo and chicken ticka masala..the plates served like lava the service exceptional..excellent food the prawns nice and fleshy ..the masala sauce sweet and subtle flavouring of spices..the vindaloo with a nice afterburner..chilli rather than Pepper as it should be very nice..the naan bread has very nice tasting bubbles and a texture to die for...this Indian looks poor on the outside the building is need of a refit...but the service and food is exceptional..recommended..and this is for a guy who likes his Indians...better than my local indian

5. The Willow Tree

Glen Road | Palnackie, Castle Douglas DG7 1PH, Scotland Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Outdoor Seating British, Scottish, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Drinks +44 1556 600092
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 112 reviews

The Willow Tree

Serving freshly cooked breakfasts and lunches 6 days a week Tuesday to sunday 10-4 with fine dining evening meals Friday - sunday 5-late.

Reviewed By bonnechancetoyou - North Yorks

This ​small ​restaurant was recommended to us by ​the​​ owners of ​a​ nearby B&B w​h​ere ​we were ​staying. ​First impressions: ​​I​t's an unpretentious property. However, on​ce inside you ​immediately​ ​benefit from​ the effort​s​ made to ​create a snug relaxed dining atmosphere - enhanced by attentive friendly staff.
Cheryl, the chef, is at the top of her game. ​Her​ food is modern fine dining - where flavour, quality of ingredients and attention to balancing the dish takes precedence over massive portions.​ She's not phased by cooking in front of her customers. And despite being a 'one person band' serves dishes that would not look amiss in​
a Michelin starred restaurant.​​
We ​both ​enjoyed scallops with bacon and black pudding; ​my wife had a​ chicken​ ​dish and I went for the​ duck ​breast with fondant potato​ (cooked ​pink ​as requested). We ​finishing with pana cotta with rhubarb and honeycomb. All perfectly prepared and presented​.​ I understand the menu changes ​monthly​ - so regulars won't be disappointed!
Cheryl's talent is obvious to see - as is her ambition to grow her business​ by hard work​. ​Underlying her modesty is skill and talent capable of wowing the most discerning palate.​ Whole heartedly recommended. A real find! Book ahead to avoid disappointment and remember Cheryl's cooking for you in real time - and only has one pair of hands!! (Expect to see you on The G.B.M. one day soon Cheryl).

6. The Schoolhouse

A75 | Ringford, Castle Douglas DG7 2AL, Scotland (Formerly Tjhe Schoolhouse) Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Cafe, British, Scottish, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Dinner, Drinks, Brunch, Breakfast, Lunch HK$47 - HK$157 01557-82-02-50
Excellent
55%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 182 reviews

The Schoolhouse

Situated beside the main A75, just outside the village of Ringford and some 3 miles inland from the artists town of Kirkcudbright. The restaurant is in what was the local primary and junior school for the village and surrounding area and closed in 1977. Originally opened around 1983 as a tea-room, we are now only the third owners having taken it over in 2006. Our background is in retail delicatessens as much as in restaurant food and when you visit you will see that in the refrigerated display in the restaurant. We are proud of our food and almost everything that can be made on the premises is - the list is long but includes our own bread, all the cakes, desserts and traybakes, home cooked ham, our own jam, cranberry sauce, hummus and much more. We are open from 10 am serving food all day through to last orders at 6 pm ( 4 pm some days in the winter months) but closed on a Wednesday. Whilst we are open all year we do close for a break in November and go into hibernation for January.

Reviewed By Ruaridh18

I went to the Schoolhouse today for the first time for lunch . I had the Christmas lunch special - roast Turkey followed by homemade cheesecake. The food was piping hot (I mean hot ?) and really good. It was also excellent value for money....MoreOh yes! Our hot plates are just that, good food should be hot and that is of paramount importance to us - thus the mats placed to protect the tables. The team look forward to welcoming you back.

7. Streetlights

187 King Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1DZ, Scotland Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible Cafe, British, Soups, Scottish, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +44 1556 504222
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 147 reviews

Streetlights

Reviewed By Mick S

Street Lights is a wonderful cafe, with lovely staff serving excellent food, coffee etc.
The range of soups, snacks, cakes and scones should satisfy all appetites. The coffee is great, there is a wide range of teas and infusions. And then there is the hot chocolate!
The atmosphere is cosy and informal. Dogs are welcome and in the many dozens of visits I have made there I have seen no problems whatsoever with the canine customers.
Your visit to Castle Douglas would be incomplete if you didn't pop in to Street Lights.

8. Nikos Apostolakis

139 King Street | L, Castle Douglas DG7 1DX, Scotland Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible Mediterranean, Greek, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Breakfast, Late Night +44 1556 504345
Excellent
70%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 255 reviews

Nikos Apostolakis

Reviewed By Mark A

I chose this restaurant as my son had been before. It was quiet for a Saturday evening, but chose a corner table.
We decided on the mezze option.
4 starters and 4 main. Loved the vegitarian dishes but found the meat dishes only warm, thought it was normal.
Next the main dishes, great choice but again the vegitarian dishes were lovely, the meat dishes only warm. Tasty enough though. Maybe should have spoken up.
Will go again.

9. Laurie Arms Hotel

11-13 Main Street | Haugh of Urr, Castle Douglas DG7 3YA, Scotland Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Bar, British, Pub, Scottish, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner +44 1556 660246
Excellent
56%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
5%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 92 reviews

Laurie Arms Hotel

Reviewed By ecrouch9 - Birmingham

Was visiting nearby Threave Castle when we cleaned to check serving food. Most helpful on a Sunday afternoon with great choice of hearty meals and a fine selection of drinks. Welcoming for children with great selection of toys and games ans we even had a dog in tow. Highly recommended and most friendly Thank you

10. The Skyreburn Teapot

Cardoness | Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG7 2EP, Scotland Outdoor Seating, Seating, Takeout Cafe, British, Scottish Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Excellent
43%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
11%
Terrible
16%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 36 reviews

The Skyreburn Teapot

Reviewed By Stephen F - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Occasionally call in here while beach walking near Cardoness. Ample parking for vehicles travelling the A75. Small shack but has a decent range of hot and cold foods. Reasonably priced as well. Nice views across the bay makes for a relaxing pit-stop on a sunny day. Worth a visit.

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