Cavens Arms

Cavens Arms, boy oh boy, one of the classics. Welcomed with open arms into one of the cosiest pubs I've been in. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, having a yarn and a chat while providing local recommendations of things to do and also the best things on the menu. The food was insanely delicious, I wouldn't steer away from their recommendations, these guys know what they are talking about. You can see why they've won numerous 'Pub of the Year' awards! I would highly recommend!

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.

This place is exactly what you're looking for if you're looking for a cozy, friendly Scottish pub. The beer and liquor flow freely as does the conversation and the delicious food. They had a lot of good looking things on the menu including the chicken criffel which is a classic Scottish dish of chicken strips (just chicken cut into stripes not that god awful frozen stuff) w a creamy herby thyme sauce and veggies. They had a specials menu too and plenty of beers to choose from. For larger groups I would plan ahead as its not a terribly large place and was quite popular. Oh and they stop serving food at 8p during the weekdays and 830p weekends.

Just had a lovely luncheon CAVENS ARMS, originally fae doon here so is a treat to integrate with the Galloway vernacular. (My rouge Aristo Great Grandfather actually penned "Bonnie Gallowa"). Great gammon, the oldies loved their fish and haddock. A 99 year old lady had her birthday with a huge cake and singing. Huge hurras to Sylvia who couldn't do enough for us. Lovely afternoon....

Fantastic pub with friendly attentive staff. Fantastic range of food on the menu and everything we had was really nice. Big portions as well. Would highly recommend and will definitely go back when we are next in the area

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!

Excellent food, got the small portions, available up to 5pm. Plenty for me! Pleasant helpful staff. Saw the 'normal' dishes, think I'd struggle to eat them if I wanted pud.

I would say booking is a must. We had a party of 9. If we did not book, we would not have got in. Great atmosphere in here for a Sunday tea time. The tables were full. The food was very good, and gluten-free options were available. I had the fillet of pork and creamy whiskey sauce with chunky chips and veg off the Christmas menu. Very delicious. And to top it off gluten-free Christmas pudding with ice cream. Service was good and staff were very friendly and helpful. Good place to go for food.

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.