Dumfries Arms Hotel

Masala Indian

➤ 14 Ayr Road, KA18 1DW, East Ayrshire, United Kingdom

Carte • Pizza • Sushi • Asiatic • Mexican

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"The photos of the venue on tripadvisor are not of the actual place. It is a takeaway, with 3 booths and a few tables, which look like they have been pulled out of an old closed down restaurant. This place cannot be classed as a restaurant. All the fast food takeaway customers are coming and going and the delivery drivers are sitting about. We ordered 2 starters, 2 curries, a mixed xxl kebab and some drinks. The curries were decent, no complaints, the kebab was anaemic looking, on asking they said they had cooked it in an oven as opposed to a grill or tandoor. If nowhere else is available, and you need a meal, then take your chance, I will be avoiding in the future, bill for 3 was £52, certainly not cheap for a small town."

The Thistle Inn

➤ 22 Glaisnock Rd, KA18 3AB, East Ayrshire, United Kingdom

Carte • Pizza • Kebab • Sushi • Cafés

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"On holiday in the area and found this place online for somewhere to eat. Menu looked great. Arrived and the impression we got with the mess around the building continued indoors. Lady who took us to our table was lovely but then it went downhill again quickly when we were given the menu definitely not what it was online). It was litterly falling apart and only a fraction of what was on the online menu. We ordered food and while waiting 2 women with 5 children came in. Noise from the children was heard as soon as they got to the front door. I don't believe any of the children were at fault as the women didn't try to get them to be just a little quieter they both just shouted louder to hear each other. Both my teenage daughter and I expected the waitress to ask them to maybe just turn the volume down just a little but it turned out she knew them and like the mums she just shouted louder to be heard! Food arrived hot. Steak pie was very tasty but pizza was the kind I can buy in supermarket for about 50p. Desserts of cheesecake and sticky toffe pudding both tasted odd. We didn't eat them and just left to get away from the noise. I totally understand the staff can't dictate who frequents their establishment but they could ask rowdy customers to lower the volume instead of shouting over them. Food was nothing to shout about and we left wishing we had just stopped at the local chip shop instead"

Library

➤ Dumfries House Estate, East Ayrshire, United Kingdom

Carte • Pizza • Cafés • Coffee • Seafood

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"The Stables Bistro is located on Dumfries House estate, next to the café and a 5 minute stroll from Dumfries House Lodge. At the time of our visit it was only open on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunchtime and therefore to avoid any issues we reserved in advance when we booked a room at the Lodge. The setting is unusual in that the tables are arranged within the “stalls” of the former stables although thankfully they have long since been “mucked out”! The decoration is plain. Our table for two was accommodated in one of the stalls with another couple’s table and there was plenty of room to spare. There were a few groups occupying some of the other stalls giving each party a private space and providing a good atmosphere. There was no dress code and most guests we saw were “smart but casual”. There was a choice of 4 items per course, all freshly prepared to order. I felt as if we could easily try any of the choices however for starters I opted for salmon pillows (stuffed with a trout mousse) whilst my wife had breaded stuffed wild mushroom with salad; for mains I had hake on a bed of spinach assorted vegetables, my wife had chicken with chive mash and vegetables and to finish we shared millionaire shortbread and then the Scottish cheese board. The dishes were all well presented, focussed on quality rather than quantity and were very enjoyable. With only a short stroll to our lodgings we enjoyed a couple of bottles of wine with the meal at around £18 each. Service was pleasant and efficient and our bill was £80, ex tip, but including the wine. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would go back when we next visit Dumfries House. There is a toilet for disabled guests on the ground floor and the main bathrooms (very well maintained) are upstairs where there also appears to be a small function room."