
Forests and wild moors of upland Galloway sweep majestically towards the rugged coasts where you can stand and see England, Ireland and The Isle of man. The rich rolling farmland of the region yields no lack of generosity in providing local restaurants with fresh produce.
Look out for Galloway Beef which is grazed on open pasture land all year round, local bacon, salmon and trout. Award winning dairy products abound and this area produces huge amounts of soft fruit like strawberries, raspberries and tomatoes.
Balcary Bay HotelTaking its name from the bay on which it stands, this white-painted hotel was originally used as a hideout for smugglers who were bringing contraband in from the Isle of Man during the seventeenth century.
Auchencairn, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern European
Cairndale Hotel, Reivers RestaurantCairndale is an up-dated Victorian hotel that does good business with its conference and leisure facilities and seems to have a liking for nuggets of Scottish history.
English Street, Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Linen RoomThis sleek, suave restaurant has made waves in Dumfries since opening in 2004, with its smart black-and-white interior, monochrome prints, leather chairs and boldly inventive food.
53 St Michaels Street, Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern European
Cally Palace HotelDating back to 1763, this opulent Scottish mansion was built by the owner of the Cally Estate as his country retreat.
, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern European
Masonic ArmsThe local Masonic Lodge continued to meet at this nineteenth-century pub just off the town square until the 1980s, but under its current licensees the place is now better known for its food.
10 Ann Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Smiths at Gretna GreenAlastair Houston's family have been in Gretna since 1866, and his new venture aims to brings a touch of boutique hotel chic to legendary Gretna Green.
Gretna Green, Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Cavens Country House HotelBuilt by tobacco baron Sir Richard Oswald in 1752, this country house hotel stands in six acres of landscaped grounds and generates a mood of warmth and intimacy rather than full-on opulence.
, Kirkbean, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Anglo French
The Selkirk Arms HotelIt's claimed that Robert Burns wrote 'The Selkirk Grace' while staying at this eighteenth-century coaching inn. These days, the hotel is situated in a conservation area of this pretty harbour town, with two superb golf courses close by.
High Street, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: International
Dryfesdale Country House HotelAn avenue of beech trees leads up to this converted eighteenth-century manse, which is surrounded by magnificent grounds and elevated parkland overlooking beautiful Annandale.
, Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern European
Bombay CuisineFamily-run Bombay Cuisine is a local institution in the scenic spa town of Moffat, serving regional recipes handed down from generation to generation through the family cookbook.
Lower Craignelder High Street, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Indian
The Annandale Arms HotelThe Annandale Arms has been providing hospitality since 1760 and is now a popular stopover for travellers on their way to the Highlands (it's just a mile from junction 15 of the M74/M6).
High Street, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
The Limetree Restaurant at Hartfell HouseThe much-loved, award-winning Limetree Restaurant recently moved from Moffat's High Street to a new home in Hartfell House - a listed Victorian guest house on the edge of town overlooking the surrounding hills.
Hartfell Crescent, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Well ViewMoffat was famous as a spa town during Victorian times and this admirable restaurant-with-rooms takes its name from the local well.
Ballplay Road, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Kirroughtree HotelStately as a galleon, this grand eighteenth-century mansion stands in an elevated position, surrounded by eight acres of landscaped gardens on the edge of Galloway Forest Park.
Minnigaff, Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern European
Campbells RestaurantRobert and Diane Campbell have been running this personable restaurant down by Portpatrick seafront since 1998 and have built up a loyal following of locals and tourists alike.
1 South Crescent, Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: International
Fernhill HotelPerched on high ground overlooking the bustling harbour town of Portpatrick, this well-liked hotel stands in secluded grounds with views out to the Irish coast on fine days.
Heugh Road, Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern European
Knockinaam LodgeKnockinaam is a quintessential Victorian hunting lodge, all grey stonework and immaculate lawns at the foot of a wooded glen.
, Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern European
Blackaddie HouseSet in its own fabulous gardens on the banks of the River Nith, Blakaddie House is home to one-time Michelin-starred chef Ian McAndrew and his wife Jane.
Blackaddie Road, Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Corsewall Lighthouse HotelBuilt onto the side of a working nineteenth-century lighthouse at the end of a single-track road, this unusual hotel affords superlative views of the Kintyre Peninsula, the Firth of Clyde and Ailsa Craig.
Corsewall Point, Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
North West Castle Hotel, Regency Dining RoomSituated right by the shores of Loch Ryan, this imposing stone manor house was built in 1820 for famed Arctic explorer Sir John Ross (of North West Passage fame).
Loch Ryan, Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: European
Trigony HouseTrigony started life as a shooting lodge for Closeburn Castle, but these days it is home to the Moore family, who run the place as an amicable country hotel.
Closeburn, Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway - Cuisine: Modern Scottish