Restoration Yard
WHERE
Dalkeith
What it’s like
A shop, café and restaurant set around a courtyard in Dalkeith Country Park, good for a wander and a lunch stop rather than a full day of activities.
This one's less about rides or play equipment and more about a nice mooch. The courtyard at Restoration Yard has a Foodhall with local produce, a proper shop selling homewares, fashion, books and kids' stuff, plus somewhere to eat. If your children are the sort who'll tolerate a browse in exchange for cake afterwards, it works.
The Coffee Bar runs 9am to 5pm daily for a quick stop, no booking needed. The Kitchen restaurant does breakfast through to afternoon tea, with last orders at 3.45pm, and there's a kids' menu plus vegan, vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free options if you've got a fussy eater or an allergy to work around. Booking a table is recommended if you want a specific time, though they hold some back for walk-ins, so turning up on spec isn't a disaster, just maybe a short wait.
It's flat and buggy friendly into the courtyard and Store, with a lift up to the Loft (not accessible when a Wellbeing class is on, which is a small faff if your timing's off). Parking is £3 a car, paid online or by card when you arrive, and there are accessible spaces at the Laundry House Car Park close to the courtyard. Dogs are welcome outdoors, in the courtyard and on the walking routes, but it's assistance dogs only once you're inside the Store or eating indoors in The Kitchen.
Given it sits inside Dalkeith Country Park, you'd probably pair a visit here with a walk rather than treat it as the whole outing. The park gates shut between 7pm and 7am, so it's not somewhere for an evening wander unless you've got a Friends of Dalkeith Country Park card.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- Last orders 3.45pm
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended but walk-ins welcome at The Kitchen
- Parking
- £3 per car, pay online or by card on arrival
- Food
- The Kitchen restaurant (breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea 12pm-4pm Mon-Fri), The Coffee Bar (9am-5pm)
- Pushchairs
- Space for prams and buggies in all areas, flat surface into courtyard and Store
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible parking at Laundry House Car Park
- Dogs
- Allowed in courtyard, walking routes, The Larder (seasonal), and outdoor Kitchen terrace
- Getting there by bus or train
- Lothian Bus 3 to Dalkeith High Street (5-10 min walk)
- Park gates close between 7pm and 7am, so this isn't an evening spot unless you hold a Friends card.
- The Loft isn't accessible by lift during Wellbeing classes, worth timing around if you need it.
- Afternoon tea runs 12pm to 4pm Monday to Friday in The Kitchen.
- Dogs can't come into the Store or indoor dining, only the courtyard, terrace and walking routes.
Plan your visit
What are the opening times?
The Store is open 10am to 5pm daily. The Coffee Bar runs 9am to 5pm, and The Kitchen restaurant serves from 9.30am with last orders at 3.45pm.
Do we need to book a table?
Booking's recommended if you want a set time, but they keep some tables free for walk-ins. Turn up and you might just wait a bit at busy times.
Is there parking?
£3 a car, paid online or by card on arrival. Accessible spaces are at the Laundry House Car Park, a short flat walk from the courtyard.
Is it buggy and wheelchair friendly?
Yes, it's flat into the courtyard and the Store, with no steps into the restaurant either. There's a lift up to the Loft, though that's out of use when a Wellbeing class is running.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are fine in the courtyard, on the walking routes and on The Kitchen's outdoor terrace. Indoors in the Store or restaurant it is assistance dogs only.
Is there food for kids?
There's a kids menu in The Kitchen, alongside vegan, vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free options if anyone needs them.
How do we get there without a car?
Lothian Bus 3 stops on Dalkeith High Street, five to ten minutes' walk away. Trains run to Eskbank Station, about 25 minutes on foot, or you can take the 46 bus to Dalkeith High Street.
Can we visit with a group or for a birthday?
They take private events, corporate bookings and larger groups, with more detail through Dalkeith Country Park. There's also a private Boudoir space for daytime dining or exclusive evening use of The Kitchen.
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