The best restaurants serving British food in Central Scotland

This is a wonderful hotel, in a perfect location overlooking the Cathedral and minutes from River walks into the charming town/village. Service, especially from Moira, is very professional and efficient with a nice measure of friendliness thrown in too. Dinner menu is extensive with plenty of choices for all tastes , and food quality is of highest standard. Highly recommended!

Located just by the ferry this is a great cafe. I recommend the Cullen Skink ( smoked haddock soup), really good. Friendly service too and good value.

Arrived with 8 people for Saturday lunch at 12.30 to find it shut. No notice or reason given for closure. Automated response to telephone call (leave a message and we'll get back to you); no one did. Saturday opening hours 12.00 - 21.00 (website). What's going on?

Pretty decent, our food was good, quite a large menu which can be a worry but it seemed prepared fresh. I had a burger and it was grand, couldn't fault it. The dining areas are a little tired and spartan but comfortable enough, and dog friendly areas. Staff were great, very friendly service.

Powmill is a favourite meeting place for lunch with old school friends however after today I doubt that we will return. It's fair to say that we were served efficiently by pleasant staff but the food left a lot to be desired. Pea and ham soup was tasteless, macaroni cheese lacked any sauce and was effectively a dish of stodgy pasta, and selling Halloween decorated biscuits caused us to wonder when they were baked. We left feeling very disappointed.

Tried out Honeycomb Ice Cream - It was delicious!!!! Everytime we visit - they never disappoint with food! Try and visit!!!

We’ve been a few times before and all was well but the most recent visit was a bit disappointing. Terrine starter was ok but lacked seasoning (I know it’s difficult to get seasoning just right in terrines) but was also very dry so more sauce accompaniment would have been good. The twice baked cheese soufflé was more overcooked and there wasn’t any hint of cheese. The texture was dense and it had a pinkish colour that looked more like salmon. The leek fondue was overly runny. Where the terrine lacked seasoning, the White fish and prawn gratin was way too salty to the point I wondered if any smoked fish had snuck in! And the duck dish was tasty enough but so tough it was almost inedible. On a positive note, other dishes were good and those who had desserts enthused about them. The staff were super helpful and pleasant as always. I think perhaps just an off day in the kitchen.

Been here many many times over tge years and always found reasonable value for money. Unfortunately the service is beyond poor and the food falls into the same catagory. On our previous visit, we waited nearly 30 mins for the plates to be cleared & nothing was forthcoming. My Son wanted dessert but i couldn't wait any longer, there was only two other tables in. At that point, I got up to settle the bill, staff crowded around a table chatting with no awareness of customers. People at the Bar were talking amongst themselves saying there was no service. On looking at the menu, you would think you are in a high end establishment, £35 for Fillet Steak and £3.95 for a sauce?? I was recently in a restaurant which is on the Michelin Guide in Queensferry and they were serving Dry Aged Steak for £34, with a sauce included. The food i received came with what looked like factory prepped Carrots and overcooked Peas. I'm sorry, but if you can't prepare your own Veg and can't cook Frozen Peas then you have no right charging the type of money they are asking for in here. Soggy Garlic bread is another example.of the quality of food on offer. Looking at other reviews, the response from the owner suggests that he has possibly got a high opinion of his establishment. That mentality was maybe justified in years gone by but you can't live on past glories. It is has been quiet on my last 2 visits and going by other reviews, the reasons why should be given some merit. It is sad to see the decline.

My husband and I stayed here in 2015 and I returned with my parents in August 2024- both times were lovely. The large lodge was as wonderful- very comfortable, well-equipped, and warm, and an excellent base for wonderful walks. Food in the pub was lovely, and service is friendly, warm, and kind. I hope to be back sooner rather than later!

The food was lovely, hot and fresh, however, their system of queuing, ordering and paying leaves a lot to be desired. We waited in a queue for over 20 minutes before even ordering our food. You then have to rejoin the same long queue to order coffee and cake. If they had a separate queue for teas/coffee's/cake, people would be served much quicker and the queue would be reduced. Just a simple suggestion!

As the season narrows, it’s appropriate to say thank you before they have their very well deserved break in January & February. I have been a regular in the restaurant all summer and can’t recommend higher than 5 stars, or I would. Margaret and her team offer the warmest of welcomes, the most special part of that is the authenticity behind it. She has picked the most customer centric team who greet you with a smile, serve fantastic food and represent the castle to the highest possible standard. Thank you and I look forward to next year. Enjoy your time off. The Apple Crumble deserves a very special mention :) Garry x

Lovely, welcoming staff who were all friendly and cheerful which started our evening off well! We all enjoyed our dinner and , even though we’ve visited the pub before, we felt that the welcome we had this time was the best yet!

At about 3 p.m. on Friday 18 October I was cheerfully welcomed in and given a table at the window. I hadn't booked in advance, just came on spec. The waitress described the malts available, helpfully, and I settled on a double measure of Bowmore 14 YO. I went for the prawn cocktail to start with and macaroni cheese to follow. I was easing into my surroundings: whisky in hand, anticipating the arrival of good food and marvelling at the view over Loch Etive. There was much laughter at the next table, where two couples were. It was all lovely and relaxing. The prawn cocktail fit tight in a small glass. No lemon, no bread + butter (a little disappointing). The prawns were fresh and plentiful, but the Marie Rose sauce lacked bite. No matter - the waitress had plenty of bite in her for dealing with an awkward customer, as was soon revealed. Next up, the mains: dressed leaves and a square of garlic bread plus 4 forkfuls worth of macaroni cheese in a pie dish. Well, I was astounded! £15 for a TV supper of macaroni cheese leftovers with hot garlic bread as toast. Toss in some greens licked with olive oil. The customer won't notice. The Lochnell Arms first line of defence is "We use Isle of Mull Cheddar". Now, I don't favour Isle of Mull Cheddar above any other cheese but I do like it now and again. They'll cut it to your desired weight at I.J. Mellis (Glasgow) and it is sold prepackaged at Argyll At The Pier in Oban. Perhaps the Lochnell Arms uses Wee Isle Dairy milk for their cornflakes, if only to show they know their 'connoisseur' stuff. Honestly, what a load of snobbish twaddle! The waitress brought the menu over - assertive! - and balked "You did not ask me about chips." Indeed, I had not uttered chips when she was taking my order because I'd assumed chips were included with mains. She addressed my complaint like she was reckoning with a recalcitrant 10-year old. Bringing the menu over! The couples at the next table stopped chatting. It was shockingly embarrassing. I stood up and had my coat half on when she moved to put things right: did I want chips, then? I said no chips, more macaroni. I took my coat off and sat down. Off she went to communicate with the chef whilst I waited - slapped down, angry and by now detesting the word CHIPS. After several minutes I got up and put my coat on. I did not taste the macaroni. It looked delicious. I went to pay for the whisky and the prawn cocktail. In the bar area the waitress and another female had their heads bent together, quietly conferring. Upon my approaching them, the waitress asked was there anything wrong with the macaroni. She gave reminder the chef was preparing more. Too late, sweetheart. Change your attitude. "Sorry about that," she quipped as she handed me a copy of the receipt (total bill came to £22.85, for a double Bowmore and one starter). And out the Lochnell Arms Hotel I walked ....... over the Connel Bridge to where there is an excellently run hotel. I'll not name it - but if you're ever in Connel, people will know the one.

Had a hot chocolate & a fruit scone today. The scone was nice but the hot chocolate was the worst I’ve ever had. It was watery I think it was made with water not milk. For the price I would have expected better.

This might be the best coffee and breakfast sandwich anywhere! I know that sounds hyperbolic but… such kind and thoughtful people! The mission of the business is duly a social enterprise employing and supporting those with hidden disabilities. Everyone was amazing! The service and the food/coffee were beyond excellent!