Brunching About Kelso
Move over breakfast, brunch is officially the most important meal of the day. Here in Kelso, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to satisfying those mid-morning munchies. Whether you’re in need of a caffeine fix during your workday, craving a quick yet delicious bite while passing through the town, or seeking a leisurely catch-up session with friends, we’ve curated a selection of must-visit spots for your brunching pleasure. Join us as we explore the finest destinations where brunch isn’t just a meal – it’s a lifestyle.
What is Brunch?
You’d be forgiven for thinking that brunch would be a relatively modern term. We’re a generation of habitual abbreviators after all, much too busy to articulate full words and phrases. Brunch, if we are getting technical here, is called a Portmanteau– a creative combination of two words together, which express the meaning of both it’s parts. Think ‘Brexit’ (actually don’t think about that), ‘Glamping’, ‘Mocktail’, ‘Romcom’ or ‘Vlogging’ to name but a few. It’s no wonder we would expect ‘Brunch’ to be a post-modern portmanteau along with ‘Chillax’ and ‘Bromance’, but you would be wrong there.
The origin of the term ‘brunch’ is said to be traced back to 1896 from a Punch Magazine article that cited the concept of brunch as a Sunday meal for “Saturday Night Carousers” to allow them to sleep in a little and make their life a little brighter. Anyone who has ever had a hangover in their life will strongly resonate with this sentiment.
Brunch is one of life’s simple pleasures – a moment to slow down and enjoy a little indulgence during your day whether for yourself or to connect with others. So, whether it’s a dose of caffeine and pastry, a bacon butty or two for the road, or a leisurely catch-up with loved ones over delicious food – we’d like to raise a toast (with a mimosa of course) to the inventor of the Breakfast-Lunch.
Where to have Brunch in Kelso
Whether you’re passing through, enjoying a Scottish Border staycation or perhaps just a peckish local, we are here to bring you the top places to get brunch in Kelso.
The Cream Chimneys, Kelso
The Cream Chimneys offer brunch to all! They have gone to great lengths to cater to many different tastes and dietary requirements and even include your furry friends by offering a doggy menu, that way the whole family can join for brunch. At the Cream Chimneys, you’ll find delicious gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan brunch options and everything can be taken away for brunch on the go.
With a wide range of classic coffees available, matcha and a large selection of loose teas, you’ll always find a cosy corner to hunker down in for some cake and coffee. Fancy a cool down? Try their delicious, iced coffees perfect for summertime brunching.
The Cream Chimneys is the perfect place to park up and watch the world go by – even better they are open seven days a week for brunching whenever the mood takes you. The Cream Chimneys is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 3.30pm and Sunday 11am to 3pm.
Rothbury Home Bakery, Kelso
Rothbury Home Bakery can be found nestled in the heart of Kelso’s Square, a bustling bakery which is a beloved brunch spot for locals and visitors alike. Serving a host of hearty hot food options including stovies, pies, macaroni pasta and soup, as well as an extensive selection of tempting traybakes, cakes and classic Scottish Borders bakes such as the Selkirk Bannock and Kelso Tart, local delicacies that are a must for anybody holidaying in the beautiful Borders. Open from 7am to 2pm Monday to Saturday.
Scott’s of Kelso, Kelso
You would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped off the cobbled streets of Kelso and into a cosy Parisienne bistro when you enter Scott’s of Kelso. This butcher come delicatessen come restaurant is all about serving only the best quality food with a heavy emphasis on local produce, carving up some delicious and classic dishes for the unsuspecting hungry visitor.
Some of the French artisan-inspired options include French onion soup, steak frittes as well as a host of other fresh and creative meals to delight your lunchtime palette (not to mention the extensive wines available if you’re in the mood for a little bit of a boozy brunch). Scott’s of Kelso is the perfect brunch spot for when you want to slow down and enjoy something a little extra special.
Seasons Coffee Shop, Kelso
Seasons Coffee Shop is truly a dream destination for coffee connoisseurs, offering a specialized selection of Torelli coffee – a freshly roasted Italian blend for that mid-morning pick-me-up like nothing else. Offering sit-in and take away options, Seasons is the perfect stop off for coffee lovers on the go.
For an invigorating brunch, they offer breakfast bagels, BLT’s and filled croissants, the perfect accompaniments to one of their signature coffees. Open from 8.30am – 3.30pm Monday to Saturday, make sure to pop in Seasons when your morning needs a little caffeine kick to it.
Saddlers @ The Cross Keys, Kelso
Saddlers Restaurant & Bar is located inside of The Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso’s Square. This welcoming restaurant serves coffee and light bites, lunch and a delicious dinner menu at night. Moreover, Saddlers know the importance of brunch and now offer a mouth-watering brunch menu at the weekend served between 10am to 12pm. Whether you’re a full Scottish Breakfast kind of person or a serving of sophisticated smoked Salmon and scrambled eggs is more up your street, Saddlers has something just right for you on their menu.
The Knowes Eatery & Coffee House, Kelso
Take a wander from town down to the riverside, and you’ll come across a brunch hot spot that is perfect for taking the weight off your feet for a while. At The Knowes, you’ll find classic eats such as hot paninis, soups and jacket potatoes as well as cooked breakfast options, so you can truly customise what Brunch means to you.
They go to great lengths to offer delicious gluten-free options, so everyone is catered for at The Knowes. Guaranteed to never leave this establishment hungry, the Knowes has a wide selection of freshly baked cakes, traybakes and desserts including gooey blondies and brownies (when we mean brunch can be anything, we mean brunch can be anything).
With a designated dog-friendly area, this coffee shop is perfect for a pit stop with your pet in tow. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4p, and on Sunday from 10am to 3.30pm.
Sook Jai, Kelso
The perfect place to catch up over coffee and cake, Sook Jai is a cosy coffee shop offering classic eats as well as a wide selection of Thai dishes to let your taste buds travel. Try their bubble tea while you pop in for a brunch of waffles, scones and filled rolls or something flavoursome from their specials. A warm and friendly welcome awaits you at Sook Jai open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.
Dessert Diva, Kelso
Sometimes you just crave something a little bit… devilish; something so sweet it should be a sin. That’s where Dessert Diva comes in. If your brunch needs to be topped off by something sugary, then head here for a selection of tantalizing treats including cheesecake, brownies and stuffed cookies. Treat yourself to a Dessert Diva from 10am to 5pm Wednesday – Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Bumbles of Kelso, Kelso
Tucked away in the corner of The Square, is a little haven for hungry travellers – Bumbles of Kelso. Offering your classic savoury eats including pies, sausage rolls and pasties, as well as customisable filled rolls and hot paninis and the most tempting of sweet treats and traybakes; you’ll find an array of tasty food to take away for brunch on the go.
If you fancy a bolder brunch, may we suggest their Neapolitan pizza served from 11.30am, these hand-stretched pizzas are made fresh to order and offer something extra special for a mid-day meal. Bumbles is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 2.30pm, Friday evenings for pizza from 5pm – 7pm and Saturdays 11.30 to 2pm.
For any help or guidance on visiting Kelso, feel free to reach out via our Contact Us page. If you’ve had a brunch in Kelso worth buzzing about, tag us on socials @visitkelso.