Polton Inn

The Polton Inn sits tucked into the wooded Esk valley below Lasswade village, a proper neighbourhood pub that doubles as a reliable dining room for southern Midlothian. The kitchen leans into honest pub-food territory — thick-cut homemade burgers, fish and chips, meat pies, and a sticky toffee pudding that earns repeat mentions in reviews. Dishes come generously portioned and cooked fresh to order. There is a dog-friendly bar on one side and a family restaurant on the other, with a beer garden for warmer months. Karaoke nights and occasional live music keep the calendar busy. Booking through OpenTable is straightforward; the inn also takes private hire for celebrations. Reviewers consistently call out the friendly, unhurried service as the room's biggest asset. For commuters escaping the Edinburgh sprawl, it is a dependable local stop that would not look out of place in a quieter stretch of the Borders.