As a family, we recently visited Southerness in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland. We stayed at the Parkdean resort, which offers a chain pub. We ate on-site on the first night, and were so disappointed we vowed never to eat there again. Instead, I searched on Google for local eateries and checked out the menus. We decided to try The Steamboat Inn in nearby Carsthorn. It was the best decision of the holiday.
When Did We Visit?
We first visited The Steamboat Inn in Carsthorn, Dumfries, on the 15th of August, 2023. It was so good that we returned for the following two nights.
Who Is the Team at The Steamboat Inn?
The Steamboat Inn is an award-winning, family-run business in Dumfries. A married couple is currently at the helm of the pub, and there is a chef with more than 40 years experience in the food industry. The team also includes bar staff and servers from the local area, all of whom were friendly, helpful, and welcoming.
What Did We Eat at the Steamboat Inn?
There is a wide selection of dishes on the menu at The Steamboat Inn, with something to suit all tastes. Due to the venue’s coastal location, half the menu is devoted to seafood dishes, but there is plenty to suit those who prefer meat or vegetarian options. I was blown away by the generous portions and the quality of the food.
Items from the Starters and Main Menu
RIBEYE STEAK/ FLAT IRON STEAK served with chips, homemade beer-battered onion rings, mushrooms, and tomatoes on the vine. We all ordered medium rare steaks, which were cooked to perfection. I ordered peppercorn sauce, which had a fantastic consistency and a very peppery flavour. Others at the table ordered sides of garlic butter sauce or gravy.
CHICKEN WINGS
My son ordered the chicken wings starter with some chips to eat as a main course. There were options for sauces to accompany the wings, including blue cheese, but my son opted to eat the wings without sauce.
STICKY BBQ RIBS served with chips and homemade coleslaw. An absolutely huge portion of ribs with a thick and sticky glaze.
BEEF FAJITAS (Chicken and vegetable variations are also available).
My son-in-law, a chef, is a huge fan of Mexican cuisine. It was no surprise to see him order the fajitas. The beef is actually sliced steak with sizzling onions and peppers. It comes with a plate of accompaniments to build your own fajitas, including tortilla wraps, salad, salsa, chilli sauce, grated cheese, and sour cream.
SEAFOOD CHOWDER
Both starter and main course versions of the dish are available. My daughter ordered the starter portion to try as she loves seafood but has never eaten chowder. The seafood chowder was served with lemon slices
CLASSIC BURGER WITH CHEDDAR AND BACON
The burger comes in a bun with optional additions, including bacon, cheddar cheese, and blue cheese. It comes with chips and homemade coleslaw.
We also ordered the cajun salmon with fries and coleslaw, the scampi, and the loaded nachos with sour cream, cajun-spiced cheese sauce, salsa, and jalapenos. Unfortunately, photographs of these dishes seem to have disappeared from my gallery.
Items on the Specials Board at The Steamboat Inn
Some of our party also opted for items from the specials board at The Steamboat Inn. We specify that the following items appear on the specials board to avoid disappointment if you do not find them on the menu during your visit.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN with rice.
The member of our party who ordered the sweet and sour chicken said that it was better than he had eaten at any Chinese restaurant.
MUSSELS IN CIDER SAUCE with garlic bread and chips.
My middle son is an adventurous diner who enjoys trying new things while on holiday. The mussels looked and tasted amazing!
SWORDFISH IN LEMON BUTTER with baby potatoes and vegetables. My adventurous son ordered the swordfish on the first night as it was a fish he had not tried before.
Inside the Pub and Restaurant
I loved the inside of the pub. It boasted original features, such as low ceilings, thick walls, and ceiling beams. the dark wood gave the pub a cozy and welcoming feel, despite offering three spacious dining areas.
There was an array of interesting photographs and artefacts to look at while we waited for our food- which wasn’t too long as the service is fast, despite the food being cooked to order. Many of the decorative items and photographs on the walls relate to Scotland’s hunting and fishing heritage. For example, there are photographs of local fisherman and hunters returning to the area with their catch and kill.
There is also an eclectic mix of decorative items that do not relate to the area. I asked the chef about them, and he told me a previous owner had varied collecting habits. African figurines stand at each end of the bar in one of the dining rooms, and the backdrop to the pool table is an antique gilded painting with molding depicting religious scenes.
The Location
The Steamboat Inn is in the small, pretty village of Carsthorn. It is a coastal location overlooking Cars Gut, which is an inlet from the estuary between the River Nith and the Solway Firth. The village is close to nearby villages, including Southerness, Arbigland, and Kirkbean. It is
There is a small beer garden across the road from the pub where drinkers and diners can enjoy the views and fresh air. The views extend along the Solway Coast and, on a clear day, across to the Lake District. It is approximately 30 minutes by car from the market town of Dumfries.
Overall Dining Experience
The Steamboat Inn is one of the best pubs with food we have ever visited. The food was outstanding; perfectly cooked using fresh ingredients and plenty of options to suit all tastes. Also, the location was delightful, the interior was warm and welcoming, and the customer service was second to none.
Other Information About the Steamboat Inn
- Address: The Steamboat Inn, Carsthorn, Dumfries, DG2 8DS
- Telephone: 01387 880631
- Website: https://thesteamboatinn.co.uk/
- Kitchen opening hours: Closed on Mondays. Lunch service is from 12 noon to 3 pm, and dinner service is from 5 pm to 8.30 pm Tuesdays to Saturdays. Open from 12 noon to 7 pm on Sundays. These times are correct at the time of publication. Please check before your visit.
- Disabled access: The main entrance is level, which is accessible. Inside, there are steps to some levels. If you speak to a staff member, they will seat you in an area that is accessible. There is a toilet for people with disabilities.
- Parking: There is customer parking at the front of the property.
- Accommodation: We only ate at this venue. However, the inn has a range of twin and double rooms. It also boasts a one-bedroom lodge that can sleep up to four people.
- Vegetarian options: Yes, The Steamboat Inn in Carsthorn serves several vegetarian options, so it is a good option for vegetarians dining out in Dumfries and the surrounding area. Examples include vegetable fajitas, loaded nachos, a sharing cheese platter, macaroni cheese, and vegetable curry. Also, check out the specials board.