2 Best Restaurants in The Borders and the Southwest, Scotland

Decorated in muted colors, this lovely little café and bookshop named for a traditional folktale (you can find it on the tables) provides a tranquil refuge in the town center. It's a perfect spot for a light lunch; choose from a limited menu that includes soup, delicious meze, and burgers with or without meat. Fair-trade products are used. The bookshop holds regular readings and book launches, and you can buy the beautiful rugs laid around the café. Somehow the relaxed environment seems to add extra flavor to this retreat.

For a good balance of art and food, look no further than this café at a contemporary art and crafts gallery in the town center. You'll find the freshest ingredients here, from soup to salads, sandwiches to quiches; everything is made on-site, including the bread, and it's all organic. The soup of the day is always a good choice, as are the seasonal fruit pies. The light-filled café is downstairs, beneath the shop and gallery, and has wooden tables and chairs. You can also choose to sit in the conservatory or the lovely walled garden, if the weather allows.