Food and Drink
Whether you are after exciting street food or a five star dining experience, there are plenty of options in and around Stirling.
While exploring our famous historic Old Town, there is no shortage of options for delicious food and drink. The Portcullis (next to Stirling Castle), is a traditional pub located in a converted school dating from 1787. Nearby is Hermann’s Restaurant serving a delicious mix of Austrian and Scottish dishes. If its light bites you’re after, head further down the hill for some of the best homemade soup and fresh toasties in town at Darnley’s Coffee House.
Cowane’s Hospital Coffee Shop serves breakfast, light lunches, teas, coffees, soft drinks, and delicious cakes to enjoy in the historic surroundings of the Guild Hall or on the garden terrace. Once a historic jail and courthouse, now an award winning music venue and cultural hub, head to the Tolbooth Café Bar for cakes, homemade soup and a range of hot and cold drinks while planning your next gig or securing tickets to a Scottish Trad or Folk concert. View Tolbooth’s opening times and current programme here.
As you head into the City Centre lookout for Cronies Bar & Restaurant at the Golden Lion Hotel on King Street, Robert Burns himself dined here with his Cronies in the summer of 1787. Other local favourites include the top rated Friars Wynd restaurant on Friar Street. Try Fletchers, voted Stirling’s best restaurant in 2025 for a delicious three-course meal suitable for all the family, and keep an eye out for Tava, a brand new Turkish restaurant. For authentic Neapolitan Pizza, look no further than Piosta.
If you’re looking for the place to catch up with friends over a drink, try No.2 Baker Street, Nicky Tams or Slanj-A-Va, all of which host live music and have options for food. For cocktails that never disappoint try Meraki.
Stirling has many fantastic cafés offering delicious vegan options. The Book Nook on Upper Craigs, was featured in The Herald as one of 20 best second-hand book stores in Scotland. They offer various bagels, drinks and sweets and a relaxing atmosphere to browse books. Vera Artisan Bakery on Barnton Street has a wide selection of sweet and savory treats. Another one on Barton Street is HBW Coffee, perfect for brunches with their delicious pancakes and avocado toast. Cafe Aina on King Street has delicious Mediterranean food from souvlakis to homemade cakes, vegan options available. If you’re looking for vegan hot chocolate head over to Unorthodox Roasters on Friars Street. Toast on Forthside Way is a local’s favourite, with a wide selection of sandwiches they cater for everyone’s taste. Janna’s, nominated for Best Café/Coffee shop in Stirling for three years, has a range of cakes and pastries that will stop you in your tracks.The newest addition vegan cafe on Upper Craigs is Nooch. The menu is seasonal and produce is sourced locally where possible.
If you have your four-legged friend with you, Darnley’s Coffee House, The Book Nook, Vera Artisan Bakery, Toast, HBW Coffee, The Bean Tin, White Dove Coffee, The Burgh Coffee House, and more, all gladly welcome dogs.
Vegan burger, Nooch
The Gallery Restaurant at Forth Valley College provides the ‘wow’ factor as their catering students combines the art of affordable fine dining with breath-taking views of the Wallace Monument, the River Forth and the Ochils. For that beautiful, atmospheric dining experience, also try the Riverhouse restaurant.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a luxury dining experience then why not try Brea, an award winning Scottish restaurant on Baker Street, The Red Herring in Bridge of Allan or The Kailyard by Nick Nairn, where you can savour signature dishes by a Michelin star chef. This restaurant is located in the Apex Dunblane Hydro Hotel. For a special treat visit the Glasshouse restaurant at Cromlix hotel, run by award-winning executive head chef Darin Campbell, or head to The Gleneagles for that truly memorable Scottish experience.
Monterey Jacks [Copyright Thunderwerx Ltd]
As you explore beyond Stirling, drop by the Poppies Hotel and Restaurant in Callander for fine food and great wine. For more information on cafes in Callander check Callander food and drink. The Woodside in Doune is a short walk from Doune Castle, filming location for Games of Thrones, Outlander, Outlaw King, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Head north 13 miles and drop into Mhor 84 a modern roadside ‘motel’ which is a local food destination brimming with personality and a relaxed friendly atmosphere.
