Food & Drink in the Scottish Borders

Discover some of the best places to eat and drink in the Scottish Borders during your stay. From relaxed cafés and traditional pubs to popular restaurants in Melrose, Kelso, Gattonside and Peebles, this guide helps guests staying in our holiday cottages plan where to eat out locally.

Melrose Gattonside Kelso Peebles

Plan your stay

Browse our holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders, check availability, explore local attractions or contact us to book direct.

Melrose

Burt’s Hotel

Restaurant & Bar · Market Square, Melrose

Phone: +441896822285 Booking: Booking recommended, especially at weekends Parking: Public parking nearby

One of Melrose’s best-known places to eat. Ideal for evening meals and special occasions.

The Ship Inn

Traditional pub & restaurant · High Street, Melrose

Phone: +441896953136 Booking: Advisable in peak season Parking: Street parking nearby

Very popular with visitors and walkers. Classic pub food and lively atmosphere.

Monte Cassino

Italian restaurant · Market Square, Melrose

Phone: +441896820082 Booking: Recommended for evening dining Parking: Central Melrose parking

Reliable Italian menu and family-friendly option.

Apples for Jam

Café & daytime dining · Abbey Street, Melrose

Booking: Walk-ins only Parking: Nearby public parking

Excellent breakfasts, lunches, and cakes. Very popular mid-morning.

Quins

Café & deli · Market Square, Melrose

Booking: No booking required Parking: Central parking

Great for coffee, light lunches, and takeaway before heading out walking.

Greenhouse Café

Café · Abbey Street, Melrose

Booking: Walk-ins Parking: Street parking nearby

Relaxed café with a friendly local feel.

George & Abbotsford Hotel

Hotel bar & restaurant · Tweed Street, Melrose

Phone: +441896822308 Booking: Recommended at busy times Parking: Hotel and nearby parking

Easy option near riverside walks and the town centre.

Ristorante Il Castello

Italian restaurant · High Street, Melrose

Booking: Recommended Parking: Town centre parking

Traditional Italian dishes in a relaxed setting.

The Kings Arms

Pub · Central Melrose

Phone: +441896820101 Booking: No booking usually required Parking: Central parking nearby

Good for a casual drink or informal food after sightseeing.

The Hoebridge

Pub & restaurant · Short drive from Melrose

Booking: Advised at weekends Parking: On-site parking

Quieter option slightly outside town, ideal if guests are driving.

Gattonside

Hoebridge Inn

Pub & restaurant · Short drive from Gattonside

Phone: +441896822285 Booking: Advisable at weekends Parking: On-site parking

Popular local pub with food, often used by guests staying in Gattonside.

Melrose town centre (various)

Restaurants, cafés & pubs · 10–15 minute walk over the Chain Bridge

Most guests staying in Gattonside use Melrose for eating out. The Chain Bridge gives easy pedestrian access.

Kelso

The Contented Vine

Mediterranean & contemporary dining · Horsemarket, Kelso

Phone: +441573224777 Booking: Booking recommended, especially weekends Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Consistently one of Kelso’s top-rated restaurants. Great for a relaxed, high-quality evening meal.

The Cobbles

Freehouse & dining (gastro pub) · Bowmont Street, Kelso

Phone: +441573223548 Booking: Recommended for dining (especially evenings) Parking: Central parking nearby

Award-winning pub dining with a strong local following. Good choice for food plus local beers.

Saddlers @ Cross Keys Hotel

Restaurant & bar · The Square, Kelso

Phone: +441573223303 Booking: Advisable at weekends and peak season Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Comfortable dining in the heart of the Square. Handy option for lunch or dinner.

Cafe U

Café & kitchen · Roxburgh Street, Kelso

Phone: +441573225177 Booking: No booking required Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Excellent for brunch, lunches and coffee. Popular spot with great veggie/vegan options.

Rutherford’s Micropub

Micropub (craft ales, gins & bar snacks) · The Square, Kelso

Phone: +447933887344 Booking: Walk-ins (small venue) Parking: The Square / town centre parking

Scotland’s first micropub — ideal for a drink and atmosphere. Often busy, especially weekends.

Ednam House Hotel

Hotel bar & restaurant · Bridge Street, Kelso

Phone: +441573224168 Booking: Recommended for dining Parking: On-site / nearby parking

Lovely setting by the river. Great for a meal or drinks with a more upmarket feel.

The Waggon

Family restaurant & pub · Coalmarket, Kelso

Phone: +441573224568 Booking: Advisable (popular for food) Parking: Nearby parking available

Friendly, reliable option for classic meals. Good for families and casual dining.

The Queens Head Hotel

Restaurant & bar · Bridge Street, Kelso

Phone: +441573228899 Booking: Recommended at busy times Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Historic inn with a good food offering — a solid all-round choice for lunch or dinner.

The Cream Chimneys

Café / coffee & light meals · The Square, Kelso

Phone: +441573228257 Booking: Walk-ins Parking: The Square / town centre parking

Great daytime stop for coffee, cakes and light lunches. Very popular, especially weekends.

Sultans of Kelso

Indian restaurant & takeaway · Roxburgh Street, Kelso

Phone: +441573221177 Booking: Recommended for sit-in at peak times Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Excellent option for an easy evening meal. Good for takeaway if guests want a night in.

Peebles

Cocoa Black

Chocolatier, patisserie & café · Cuddybridge, Peebles

Phone: +441721723764 Booking: Walk-ins (very popular at weekends) Parking: Town centre parking nearby

A Peebles highlight for coffee, cakes, hot chocolate and handmade treats — perfect for a daytime stop.

Coltman’s Kitchen, Deli & Bar

Brunch, lunch & deli (seasonal produce) · High Street, Peebles

Phone: +441721720405 Booking: Recommended for busier lunch periods Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Great for brunch and lunch with excellent local produce. Deli counter is ideal for takeaway treats.

The Tontine Hotel

Hotel restaurant & bar · High Street area, Peebles

Phone: +441721720892 Booking: Recommended for dining Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Central option with a good food offering — handy for lunch or dinner in the heart of town.

The Crown Hotel

Pub, restaurant & bar · High Street, Peebles

Phone: +441721720239 Booking: Advisable at weekends Parking: Town centre parking nearby

A classic, well-known Peebles choice for food and drinks in a traditional setting.

The County

Pub & restaurant · High Street, Peebles

Phone: +441721720595 Booking: Recommended at weekends Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Popular pub for food and drinks — good all-round option for casual dining.

The Cross Keys

Traditional pub · Northgate, Peebles

Phone: +441721563120 Booking: Walk-ins (busy at peak times) Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Historic pub right in town — handy for a casual drink or informal bite.

The Neidpath Inn

Pub & pizza (bar & dining) · Old Town, Peebles

Phone: +441721588109 Booking: Walk-ins (small venue) Parking: Nearby town parking

Great atmosphere in Old Town. Good for a drink and relaxed food.

Ramblers Café

Café (breakfasts & light lunches) · Old Town, Peebles

Phone: +441721722008 Booking: Walk-ins Parking: Nearby town parking

A solid daytime café choice for breakfasts, soups and home baking.

Osso

Restaurant (modern dining) · Innerleithen Road, Peebles

Phone: +441721724477 Booking: Booking recommended Parking: Public parking nearby

Upmarket dining option on the edge of town — great for an evening meal.

Franco’s

Italian restaurant & takeaway · Port Brae, Peebles

Phone: +441721720510 Booking: Recommended for dining in peak times Parking: Town centre parking nearby

Reliable Italian option — ideal for a relaxed evening or takeaway if guests want a night in.