13 miles WNW ~20 min drive DG7 1DX
June 2024: Nikos’ has changed to The Olive Retreat. It’s still a great place to eat!
Read morePlaces to Eat
Review of Lunch at The Old School House
Distance from the lodge: 21 miles W ~30 min drive
On a previous visit to the area, we travelled to The Old School House Café/Restaurant (on the A75 a few miles SW of Castle Douglas), only to find that they were closed for holidays. This time we checked they were open and eagerly awaited our lunch.
We arrived around 1:30pm on a Friday. We’d just managed to get in before they closed at 2pm for a few days staff holiday over the weekend, so were relieved!
It was much larger and spacious than we thought. We were a little concerned that it might be ‘too nice’ for us with all the family in tow ?, but we were quickly put at ease.
A friendly gentleman showed us to a free table, everything on the menu – plus specials on the boards – was very tempting!
Shezan Indian Takeaway in Dalbeattie
This one split opinion in the family! Two of us like spicy food and the rest can’t take the heat!
We sometimes order a few dishes and share them out rather than just having one each. This time we ordered:
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Mr Pook’s Kitchen Restaurant Review
Distance from the lodge: 13 miles WNW ~20 min drive
Mr Pook’s Kitchen website says they ‘showcase some of the best produce from Dumfries & Galloway using ancient, classic & modern cooking techniques’.
We went for a meal there one evening and we’re happy to thoroughly recommend it based on our experience. We noticed a children’s menu was on display outside, but we were child free this time!
Read moreJJ’s Fish & Chip Shop – Southerness
This chip shop is open 8 months of the year from March to November. It’s a little further away than the one in Dalbeattie.
Read moreCream o’ Galloway Ice Cream Parlour
Cream o’ Galloway has been in the news in the last few months (Mar 2025). The Visitor Centre/Ice Cream Parlour that we visited when reviewing below is now closed. This is because the company was bought in January 2024, by a company called Brymor. Excerpts of a statement in Jan ’25 from Brymor are below.
“In January 2024, Brymor purchased the Cream O’ Galloway Ice Cream Brand.
Brymor manufactures and distributes premium ice cream, made on the farm on their site outside Masham, North Yorkshire and has been trading for 40 years.
It was evident from the outset that the manufacturing equipment [at the Cream o’ Galloway farm near Rainton, Gatehouse of Fleet,] and the whole site was tired and required significant new investment. Therefore, we are consolidating the manufacturing to the Brymor site.
Brymor has over 40 years’ experience in ice cream manufacturing … the brand will benefit from newer, more efficient equipment, as well as benefiting from the sustainable and environmentally friendly resources that Brymor has implemented over the last 4 years.
We will continue to distribute the Cream O’Galloway range from [The Cocoabean Company, Ashland, Twynholm, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4NP] … This means all local customers and holiday visitors can continue to use the full range of ice cream at The Cocoabean whilst enjoying the fabulous facilities, events and of course chocolate at the Cocoabean.”
Distance from the lodge: 29 miles WSW ~41 min drive
Cream o’ Galloway is a great place if you love ice cream!
They have a wide variety of flavours and a range of price options.
We spent a sunny afternoon there.
Read moreThe Beagle Country Pub
The Beagle closed in January 2025, but the pub is reopening in March 2025 as The Crab Pot!
The Beagle Country Pub on site Bar & Restaurant is run by Barend Holiday Lodges. A large canopy and heaters in the courtyard make outdoor dining even more enjoyable.
Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro
Bainloch Deer Park Visitor Centre & Bistro is right next door to Barend, and so it’s very convenient for a late breakfast, lunch or afternoon treat.
Parking spaces are plentiful and the large cafe has indoor and outdoor seating. We went in the afternoon and enjoyed drinks and cakes sitting out on a picnic bench on the terrace. The prices seem reasonable, and there’s a good selection of cakes and snacks. The kids particularly enjoyed their ice cream milkshakes. There’s table service and the staff are all very friendly and efficient. On our first visit we spent an hour or so there, but we’ve been back a few times since…
Rose Garden / Ship Inn Restaurant and Chinese Takeaway
Distance from the lodge: 5 miles NW ~11 min drive DG5 4DJ
We chose between the two Chinese takeaways in Dalbeattie. This time we decided to order from Rose Garden Chinese Restaurant and Takeaway, because we could order online and pay by Card.
Read moreThe Chip Shop Dalbeattie
Distance from the lodge: 5 miles WNW ~11 min drive DG5 4HE
This is the nearest chip shop to the lodge and we’re pleased to report that it’s a good one!
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