Cavens Arms

Lovely pub inside, great looking, well stocked bar. Visited with 2 dogs and were made very welcome. Other dogs were already in and caused no issues. Supplied dogs with water bowls too. The food was nice, and chip shop style chips were especially tasty. Staff were very attentive, helpful, and pleasant. Well done, team. Overall, it was a good experience and would recommend for a spot of food in a lovely environment in Dumfries.

First time l have eaten here, and would def go back, cannot fault the service, all the staff members we encountered were polite and friendly, food was served quickly. The steak pie in particular was delicious. I removed one star as l felt it was a little overpriced and the chips weren't the best, but there were other options for an accompanying side available.

There were 4 of us. All the food was poor quality and had been warmed up in a microwave including the chips. Burgers were dried out and gravy for another meal which arrived in a small jug was like thick jelly!! Once we had the meal nobody came to see if it was ok or to ask if we needed anything. We had to get up halfway through the meal to ask for more drinks. Once the meal was finished we sat for 45 minutes with dirty plates on the table until we caught someone's eye and asked for it to be cleared and a desert menu. No menu came so after another 20 minutes we had to go and get it ourselves and then walk to the front half of the pub to ask a waiter to come and take our order. Poor quality food and poor service. We didn't leave a tip and we won't be back.

This is a great pub when visiting Dumfries. Parking outside and a warm welcome inside. The Salmon glazed with honey was the best. Couple of pints of Tennants also went down well.

It's a cold place. The staff are obviously so busy there is absolutely no warmth or real welcome. Good bits - fabulous cheesy garlic bread starter. Really fabulous. Improvement points - give staff and customers time to enjoy themselves. Actually bother to ask at some stage if the food was good - not once did this happen. If you claim the sirloin is quality, 1/3 should not be inedible gristle. Spice the haggis - it was bland. £32+ for gristly sirloin. No thanks. Being a sked the very second your bums hit the seats - no thanks. Never once being asked if the food was good or not - no thanks. It's a very popular place but not sure why.

Really excellent “home-cooked” food. Service could have been more attentive but I would definitely dine here again 👌🏽

Yet another amazing meal. Every single surface in this place is spotlessly clean. Food was outstanding, portions are massive. Best place to eat out in Dumfries. And they don't allow anyone under 14 which makes the whole experience even better - no screaming kids!

Asked for my steak to be medium. Steak came & was rare & tough as old boots. Nice beer tried the Orchney ale. Over all with both meals very disappointed. no one came to the table while we were eating to check if everything was ok. The contact with staff was very rushed. Won't be back

What a find! Wonderful food, drinks and service. As a vegan I don't expect a lot from any menu but I have found repeatedly, especially in Scotland, that there are always great choices. I had a lovely sausage in garlic, cranberry and tarragon gravy and fresh vegetables. My husband had the fish special and raved. If you are in the area, I highly recommend this lovely little pub.

To this day their Steak & Ale Pie is the best I've ever had, wish it wasn't across an ocean or I'd be a regular for that alone! Delicious and tender beef, savory gravy and a light and flaky top all made this a meal I still dream about, definitely try it if you have the chance!

Really enjoyed the dinner here. Reasonably priced, too. We ordered chicken Drambuie from the specials menu. Perfect!

Let me preface this review by saying I'm American and I love heavy Scottish food... Ok, now we can continue! I came here for a late lunch/early supper. I was starving from walking around town all day. I had been in the UK for over a week and still hadn't had my beloved fish'n'chips. My sister and I decided to swing in here and see if we could track some down. We were in luck! We had gotten in right before the happy hour crowd and had fantastic service from the staff there. The bartender remembered us from a few days prior when we came in for drinks, which was nice, and he had our round out before I had my coat off. I had the fish'n'chips and my sister had the mac'n'cheese, both came out piping hot and were delicous. The portions were overwhelming, we couldn't finish our meals. Next time I think we'll order something and split it. Decent prices and great food!

Rather big place also a pub with as they say and I believe it, the best food in town. It was pointed out to us by the girl from Starbucks. The service is great. I had chicken breast filled with haggis and a tasty creamy sauce. Jur had haddock Meditarenian style. Huge portions, with new potatoes. If you ever want to visit Dumfries, go here.

Never been so embarrassed in my entire life. After waiting 45 minutes for a table for a family meal of average pub food we where marched back into the restaurant and accused of not paying for our meal infront of the whole town. After pointing out that the staff had made a mistake and the meal had actually been paid in full we were not offered an apology and where treated like dirt. I will never be back to the Cavens Arms as your customer service is disgusting. I even left a tip for our server which I wish I asked for back. Please read this review and take it into consideration when looking for somewhere to eat as I would recommend never visiting the "best" pub of the year.

The ribeye was very good. The Malibu chicken as well. Interesting selection of beer. Some hoppier than I expected, but not as much as America beers. The have a bat of 3 beers at 1/3 if a pint. Very nice atmosphere. Almost a restaurant with a bar rather than a pub with food.

huge portions, freshly made with local produce, relaxing and very friendly. No children are allowed in this property so you can escape from your own children and ensure you have a peaceful child free meal

It is said that this is the best in town. We think it is quite average and comparable to many others around. The food was okay and much, the beer was very nice. Unfortunately, they were not able to give me a medium-rare steak. The first try resulted in a very hard more-than-well-done steak and the second try was black outside, rare inside

Just got back this lunchtime, the first time I have eaten here after hearing good reports. Food was just okay, the homemade chips were mainly bits about an inch long, the fish was a good size and lovely and white but the batter very greasy, When asking for the bill, we waited 15 minutes without anyone coming, so we went to the bar and paid. I will not be going again.

massive portions abound! if you like quality grub and decent prices, then this is the one for you, ideal for a lunchtime bite

decent pub, a bit wine bar esque. does really good food, and is quite often rammed at lunchtimes, especially weekends. not the best pub out there, but its comfortable and friendly staff, and large portions of food. I'd recommend it

Agreed the portions are large, however I'm a firm believer in quality not quantity. Sadly the quality here is poor. I'm pretty sure if it cannot be deep fried or microwaved then its not available here. The vegetable lasagne was recommended by friends, however, it arrived with what can only be described as a mountain of melted cheese on top-which was curdled and disgusting. I'm not sure it even contained pasta. The wine list was very reasonably priced, and there was a good selection of ales to please my husband. The service was friendly and efficient although we did feel we were being rushed from our table the second we put our forks down. All in all, a decent little pub, pity about the food.

Good food and service was ok. Portions usually large according to reviews but one of our party had meatballs which were very small and scarce! Others were sizeable. Staff a bit variable and service not too fast but would probably go back

A great place with friendly staff great good locally sourced large portions though they do have some for the smaller appetite they have some lovely cocktails and real ales as well does get very busy at times but it is well worth the wait. Gary, Sylvia, Barbara and all the staff make your experience of eating there a good one still my favourite place to go enjoy a meal out.

We have Been to the Cavens many times. Yes the portions are large but there is no requirement to eat it all. They do not take complaints or criticism very well. We noticed that since the new extension was added, the prices have increased. All said and done though, a pretty good place to eat, friendly staff and good food.

We've been going here for food for years including before the extension and have always found it to be excellent. By far one of the best places for food in Dumfries.