Location: Cumnock
Top Restaurants in Cumnock
Top Things to do in Cumnock
Cumnock Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Cumnock
Cumnock (Cumnag in Gaelic) is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The town sits at the confluence of the Glaisnock Water and the Lugar Water. There are three neighbouring housing projects which lie just outside the town boundaries, Craigens, Logan and Netherthird, with the former ironworks settlement of Lugar also just outside the town, contributing to a population of around 13,000 in the immediate locale. A new housing development, Knockroon, was granted planning permission on 9 December 2009 by East Ayrshire Council.
Things to do in Cumnock
1. The Sorn Inn Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By eilidh1725 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
We were staying with friends in Ayrshire and they brought us here for dinner. It's a very welcoming restaurant - the waiter was personable and looked after us very well. It was busy but not too noisy and there was a great atmosphere. All of the food was top notch and we all enjoyed it very much. Next time we visit our friends, we'll definitely be suggesting we eat here again.
2. The Coylton Arms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Family run restaurant deep in the heart of burns country 5 miles from Ayr.
Reviewed By Val M - South Ayrshire, United Kingdom
We had the best Christmas meal tonight on Christmas Eve. Plenty of choice but chose the Turkey and all the trimmings.....it beat all other restaurants, I didn’t have to ask for anything, it was all there in the right quantity, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, stuffing and every part of the meal was fantastic.
3. The Thistle Inn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By Sharon G - Glasgow, United Kingdom
We decided to stop here for lunch and we're not disappointed. We were warmly welcomed into the lounge area and promptly received menus and drinks. The food was fabulous and plentiful. The young lady serving us was very helpful and done a fantastic job. Would definitely visit again.
4. Library Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Rantin rover - Biggar, United Kingdom
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.
5. Dumfries House - Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Val P - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
My friend Anna and I had a lovely day out to Dumfries House, Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. It was my first visit although Dumfries house is on of Britain's most beautiful stately homes that was saved for the nation by the personal intervention of Prince Charles the Prince of Wales in 2007. The house and estate is now owned in charitable trust by The Great Steward of Scotland's Dumfries House Trust, which maintains it as a visitor attraction and hospitality and wedding venue. Both the house and the Gardens are listed as significant aspects of Scottish heritage.The 18th century house is set in lovely grounds and combines the neoclassical architecture of Robert Adam with the furniture of Thomas Chippendale.
We sampled coffee and cake at the visitor centre before touring the house and grounds. The baking was fresh and the scones the most enormous I have ever seen! We enjoyed the bright, freshly decorated cafeteria. There were many tables and it was well appointed. We enjoyed exploring the grounds and the playground is delightful. We only wished we had a child with us to enjoy it too.
On our visit around the house we were entranced by the quality of the restoration and the beautiful, original furniture that has been saved by Prince Charles. He has secured employment for many people in and around Cumnock. This is an area of Scotland that suffers from serious unemployment and a lack of investment.
I paticularly liked the yellow room in the house. It was so bright and light and cheerful. The collection of Chippendale chairs in this room is splendid. Anna enjoyed the blue room with its cool colours and original furniture.
After our tour of Dumfries House, we stopped for lunch downstairs in the original kitchen and servants' working area of the house in the basement. The cutlery and table furnishings were beautiful. We were served vegetrian parsnip soup, made from produce grown in the grounds. There was also a selection of sandwiches with various fillings. Biscuits and cakes finished off the meal. Some of the sandwiches and pieces of cake tasted slightly stale. that was disappointing. I suspect they are cut early in the day and uncovered until served, at whatever time of day.
However, after lunch we took another tour of the grounds and visited the walled garden. The beauty of the house and grounds far out-weighed the slightly dry cake.
I would defintely visit Dumfries House again and, be happy to sample the offerings in the cafeteria. Also, if I were there in the middle of the day, I would make my way to the basement for lunch. I highly recommend Dumfries House.
Valerie Penny
6. Diamond Inn Resturant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By merseybankman - Scotland
I had never been here before. Stopped off with friends after a very long journey from the north of Scotland. The early evening menu was excellent value for money. And offered a very good choice. Service was good as was the food quality. Will definitely be visiting again.
7. Masala Indian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By corrigdav
Another one of those restaurants that can be inconsistant with quality or taste. At its best the food is fantastic though it will often be average. I dont know if they have two chefs perhaps, which might explain the inconsistancy.
8. The Black Bull Tarbolton
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
Fine dining restaurant using local produce sourced fresh and seasonal with private dinning area available for functions and a unique decorated public restaurant.
Reviewed By ReadingLasses - Glasgow, United Kingdom
It was a worth coming off the A77 to visit this lovely place in an ancient Ayrhire Village. The food was a surprisingly delightful treat. well presented and quality ingredients. A perfect place for a small wedding. will go back to try the 6 course taster menu.
9. The Gas Station Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By Boyd_C214 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
A welcoming coffee/tearoom serving traditional Scottish snacks and home baked treats. Over various visits have enjoyed square sliced sausage on a roll, lovely soups and great cups of coffee. Built around a Land Rover/garage theme the surrounding are always warm, clean and welcoming. Couldn't recommend it any higher, price, quality and service top notch!
10. Woodlands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By FamilyFunEdinburgh - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This is a destination restaurant in the middle of a country estate which is well worth a visit. The menu all sourced locally and some items from on the Estate itself. The chicken liver parfait was rich and delicious, sea bass cooked to perfection, crisp...MoreThank you for the comments which I have passed to our executive chef.
