Flavours from Afar
Everyone loves their local larder – but sometimes flavours from further afield are called for!
The Tweed Valley has a healthy number of restaurants serving up top Scottish produce and signature favourites. There may be fewer offering dine-in Asian, Italian or Spanish cuisine, but those we do have are worth shouting about.
Top of our list for authenticity and character, Innerleithen’s Saffron Indian Restaurant and Take Away may be diminutive in size, but it certainly packs a powerful punch. Not much larger than your average front room, this contemporary restaurant featured in TripAdvisor’s Top Ten curry houses of Britain in 2013 and has never looked back. On the menu front, all-time favourites sit comfortably alongside mojadar dishes (unique recipes created in the restaurant’s own kitchen) with vegetarians and allergy sufferers superbly catered for too. The pakoras are always special and, if you’re not afraid of the heat, we recommend giving the Naga Chilli Chicken a go.
For a touch of spice further up the valley, look out for the bright green façade of Prince of India on Peebles High Street. This spacious curry house specialises in authentic Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine and is ideal for larger groups looking for a pre-theatre (or post-drink) bite. It’s a popular takeaway spot so get your order in early to avoid going hungry …
A short hop over the road is birthday restaurant of choice and Peebles institution, Franco’s Ristorante. Francesco and family have delivered an authentic taste of Italy to the town for well over two decades, with their signature ‘alla Franco’ pizza, seafood and meat specials and a tiramisu to die for guaranteed to entice a return visit. Cycling World Champion, Mathieu Van de Poel, certainly couldn’t stay away when he visited this summer – his signed race jersey, along with other road cycling memorabilia adorn the walls of this intimate, family-friendly eatery. Ask for a table by the wooden-gabled windows for uninterrupted views over Tweed Bridge and beyond.
Slightly off the beaten track, Mandarin Garden is another favourite worth tracking down in the town. Its proximity to the river, and the historic Chambers Institution on Peebles High Street, make this Chinese restaurant and takeaway an ideal stop-off after a day of exploration. The extensive menu features core family favourites, an impressive char siu selection and a handful of exotic seafood specials – all served in a simple but warm and cosy environment. Just the ticket for these colder, Scottish months.
A friendly welcome also awaits at Lychee Restaurant on Peebles’ Northgate, the town’s other Chinese eatery and takeaway option. The décor may be minimalist, but the range of dishes is far from it! A perfect spot for families or couples seeking a quiet evening out.
And finally, the family-run From Scratch Restaurant at Peebles Golf Club is making waves with its weekend dishes inspired by Spanish and South American flavours. The rotational dinner menus feature sensational seafood paellas, tacos and an Argentinian parrillada (traditional barbecue) all rounded off with the restaurant’s signature caramalised crepe with dulche de leche. It’s a triumph! Regular clubhouse meals are also available throughout the week, while the Sunday roasts come highly recommended too. Non-golf members always welcome.
Further info
You can explore more of the Tweed Valley’s cafes and restaurants, hotels and inns on the Food & Drink pages of our website. Do also keep an eye on our Cosy Tweed Valley pages for more seasonal experiences and foodie inspiration!
Photo credits: Saffron Indian Restaurant and Take Away; Franco’s Ristorante.