Housed in an A-listed building that was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and is his last surviving tea room having opened back in 1903, Mackintosh at the Willow is cared for by National Trust for Scotland. These beautiful tea rooms are internationally recognised and can seat 200 customers across three floors that each have their own unique flair.
The main menu has just a few starters for you to choose from, and each sounds totally delicious. The soup of the day is served with white or brown sourdough bread, and then there are haggis bon bons with whisky sauce, and smoked salmon with dressed leaves and buttered bread. The main courses include locally sourced cumberland ring sausage served with creamed potatoes, carrots, tenderstem broccoli and a rich onion gravy, a quiche of the day, beer battered North Sea sustainable haddock, and Miss Cranston's curried mince and potatoes – a dish that speaks to the history of Mackintosh at the Willow.
Sandwiches and toasties are perfect for a lunchtime treat, including a super tasty pairing of warm maple pulled chipotle chicken in a brioche roll with autumnal slaw, and Scottish roast beef and caramelised onion chutney in a pretzel bun. Children are well taken care of, with their own selection of mains including chicken goujons, toasties and mac and cheese. We wouldn’t leave without a sweet treat, and would find it hard to choose between the options available. The apricot and almond tart is made with crisp shortcrust pastry filled with a homemade jam and frangipane, whilst the spiced plum pavlova is an autumnal take on a summery favourite.
If you're partial to the refined, British afternoon tea, you will certainly love the selection at Mackintosh at the Willow – which includes a great assortment of sandwiches, scones, and tasty cakes and sweet treats.