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Wining and Dining in Kilmarnock

 




Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed the first post, now it's time for another uncovering!

In fact, speaking of the first post, it is certain that, after adventuring around Dean Park, you will be left with your stomach growling!

However, it is often difficult to know where we should dispel this strong hunger, particularly in a town like Kilmarnock, possessing many restaurants of all kinds and qualities.

I have definitely been in this situation myself and it often feels like the end of the world. So, I am here to put an end to our grievance by presenting....  MY TOP 3 RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS IN KILMARNOCK!!!


***Please note that this list is in no particular order and is purely based on my own experiences and opinions***

*Restaurant pricing indicators: £ - Inexpensive, ££ - Moderately expensive, £££ - Expensive*
                                             

1. La Dragon


£££   | 3 St Marnock Place, KA1 1DU | 4.6 stars based on 502 Google Reviews


- I have dined at this restaurant twice and both experiences were fantastic. Upon entry, we were immediately greeted by friendly members of staff who guided me and my family swiftly to a table. As you are sat down at your table, you have a healthy portion of free prawn crackers waiting for you, which go down an absolute treat!

- I particularly remember being in awe of the elegant and classy decor which is clearly representative of the restaurant's quality. At times, it honestly made the experience quite awkward where I felt it was difficult to blend in, like wearing pyjamas to a business meeting.

- However, we quickly changed our minds on that matter when the food was served. I tucked into some Dragon Pork Spring Rolls, just as fiery and forceful like the creature they are named after. The same went for the Chicken Chow Mein in the main course, arguably a fairly "standard" dish, however definitely not "standard" at La Dragon. The portion was massive with every possible ingredient included, the only negative aspect was that I became full up too quickly and unfortunately couldn't finish it. 

- A magnificent experience which I now always touch upon whenever someone asks for restaurant recommendations, it is considerably pricey, but for the quality received, it is totally worth the money.

2. Café da Vinci



££ | 17 Strand Street, KA1 1HU | 4.7 stars based on 483 Google Reviews


- Bellissima!, I think that's the best way to describe my past experience here which was a birthday dinner celebrating my grand 18th birthday. 

-The setting, by contrast to La Dragon, is very comforting and inviting, of that similar to your grandparents house with most of the furniture being old-fashioned, wooden chairs as opposed to lavish seating present in La Dragon.

-But enough about La Dragon now, Café da Vinci possesses a splendid team who aren't afraid to banter with customers in true Italian fashion. I remember getting jokingly pressured to show my I.D. for alcoholic drinks even though they knew it was my 18th Birthday, surprising me with a custom cake at the end of my delightful experience. 

- I began with Minestrone Soup and frankly, I would have been satisfied if my experience ended there. It adequately filled a hole in my stomach and was just as comforting as the decor. I also had the classic margherita pizza, something you can never go wrong with and Café da Vinci proved that. I just about had room to finish off with a delightful tiramisu where each individual element was suitably constructed to unite together perfectly, ensuring a satisfying experience. 

- It was fantastic to celebrate my 18th Birthday in an iconic Kilmarnock establishment where every element was equally as iconic. I must warn that the lighting in the establishment is particularly dull, so if you do intend to experience this restaurant with young children or elderly people, please be mindful to aid their navigation of the establishment.



3. The Long House




££ | 130 Titchfield St, KA1 1PH | 4.3 stars based on 1,045 Google Reviews



This establishment is a staple of Kilmarnock's culinary culture, most Kilmarnock citizens have dined here numerous times and rightly so, it possess a great deal of quality and value which I'm now happily recommending to others.

I have never been left disappointed here, the service is consistently superb despite seeing new waiters each time. In fact, it is one of the quickest services I've experienced where an eternity hadn't passed before receiving my food.

I was always a fussy eater, so I haven't explored their full menu offering, always sticking with the trusted fish and chips. But, they do have great menu variety with something for everyone (except for younger me), featuring a whole host of meat and vegan options ranging from many different countries. 

Other elements which gravitate customers to the restaurant include its stylish decor, pretty fancy but nothing to make you feel out of place like La Dragon. Also, they possess a well-renowned positive atmosphere which is even better during the summer when diners can eat in the garden space available.

Honourable Mentions:

  • The Duke - ££ | 53 John Finnie Street, KA1 1BL | 4.3 stars based on 353 Google Reviews
- Easily accessible town centre location, service was not the greatest upon recent visit, part of the Buzzworks restaurant family, hence possesses similar menu variety as The Long House.

  • New Five Star Restaurant -  £ | 12 Titchfield Street, KA1 1PH | 4.3 stars based on 376 Google Reviews
- Very well-known amongst Kilmarnock citizens, offers a cheap "businessman's lunch" deal with several courses included, also offers a takeaway service at night.




After writing all of this, I'm absolutely starving and I am sure you are too. There are evidently plenty of options where we could go feast right now, however don't just take my word for it, go indulge!


Thank you very much for your engagement in this article! What restaurants do you recommend from your local area? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below, alongside any other relevant feedback, it is greatly appreciated as always!
























Comments

  1. THE URBANIST. excellent set menus. Delicious food. Wheelchair friendly. Dog friendly. Love it!

    ReplyDelete

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