Located in the upstairs of a renovated 18th-Century mill, and sharing its occupancy with an award-winning tourist centre and tiny cinema, this 69-cover restaurant enjoys a steady stream of satisfied customers all year round. It is not just the warm, vibrant atmosphere of the surroundings or the picturesque views from the west bank of the River Nith that brings the diners in: Hullabaloo’s unparalleled success as one of the best dining establishments in Dumfries can be credited to a pair of professional women, passionate about food, who work hard to give their customers a dining experience that’s as satisfying for the palate as it is for the wallet.

Claire Drysdale and Alanna Rogerson have been running Hullabaloo for almost ten years. They work together in the kitchen, inventing innovative and eclectic seasonal menus from fresh, locally sourced produce. All the dishes are made in-house with freshness and quality of the utmost importance. The pair are also conscious of their carbon footprint, sourcing ingredients that are as local and organic as possible – and you can certainly taste the difference. There’s an unpretentious yet sumptuous quality to the dishes on the excellent and varied menu which, astonishingly, don’t carry hefty price tags. Diners are treated to a colourful selection of choices influenced by Mexico, Europe and the Med, along with the occasional hint of Far Eastern flavour, designed to complement the premium Scottish produce at the heart of each dish. The food is fresh, delicious and beautifully crafted by chefs who know their ingredients, their cooking times and how to please their customers.

The restaurant itself has a convivial, intimate atmosphere without feeling stuffy and exclusive. During lunchtime it has a café feel, bustling with life and chatter – a favourite venue for locals and tourists who come for its wide selection of home-baked breads, packed with delicious ingredients, or a bowl of their famous soup of the day. In the evening, Hullabaloo transforms into a candlelit bistro and offers one of the finest dinners in town.