Top 10 places to eat in Stirling
Enjoy the Scottish cuisine
One of the things you can't neglect, even when you're on holiday, is eating. It takes a lot of energy to do all the tours we want to do, doesn't it? And I'm sure most of you have already been scouring the internet to find out what you can find to fill your stomach in this cold country.
Most people who have typed "Scottish food" into the Google search engine have probably already read about Scotland's most famous dish: haggis. But for those of you who are a little less well prepared, haggis is all those parts of a sheep that you don’t really want to eat, but much less waste: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and so on. All these scraps are ground up and mixed with onions, oats and spices, and cooked in the animal's own stomach. Fortunately, nowadays it is usually wrapped in other, more hygienic materials and comes in two forms: meat-based and vegetarian. It's a pretty heavy meal, but it's definitely one of those things you have to try. Wherever you go...
Haggis is usually eaten with mashed potatoes and turnip mash (you'll see it as neeps & tatties on restaurant menus) and a whisky sauce. You can also find haggis in the full Scottish breakfast, not to be confused with the English breakfast, which is only served south of Dumfries.
But it's not just haggis that Scottish people live for. Another quite typical thing around here is soup or, as we would call it, a kind of chunky mash. It's usually made of various vegetables and lentils, with quite a strong flavour and, as I said, tends to be a bit thick. It's ideal for warming the stomach during the winter months and one of the most typical soups is Cullen Skink, a soup made from onion, potato and haddock (a fish that can be found off the coast of Scotland).
The last thing you can't leave without trying is the tablet, and no, I don't mean the one you used on the plane to watch Netflix or play Candy Crush, I recommend you don't sink your teeth into this one for your own good. The typical Scottish tablet is a sweet made from condensed milk, sugar and butter, usually flavoured vanilla or ginger. For me, it's definitely a must-try if you have as much of a sweet tooth as I do.
And now that we've finished our brief overview of Scottish cuisine, let's get down to what really matters to you: where can I eat in Stirling? Well, here are the 10 best places we could find to recommend:
1. The Bannockburn Coffee House
Located next to the famous Bannockburn Esplanade (the one where William Wallace's battle was fought), here you can still taste the regional gastronomy at a very good price. It also has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and homemade cakes that you can feast your eyes on.
41 Main Street, Bannockburn, Stirling FK7 8LX
2. The Bluebell Tea Room
Tea rooms are a very British thing where people go, effectively, for tea. This one, located in the centre of Stirling, is an ideal example of what you would expect from such a place. They offer breakfast, brunch and lunch, and a wide variety of teas and sweets.
3. The Allan Park Pub & Restaurant
Holding the title of best restaurant in Stirling, this is a pub offering traditional food located in the city centre. From breakfast to dinner, it has a varied menu (with alternative options of course), great quality and an unbeatable atmosphere, a place that is definitely worth a visit.
20 Allan Park, Stirling FK8 2QG, United Kingdom
4. Portcullis
Located near the castle, the name refers to those huge metal grates that could be raised and lowered to cut off access to the castle. Considered the second-best pub in the city, it offers a very local atmosphere and good food.
Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EG, UK
5. No 2 Baker Street
Could this be a reference to the famous private investigator Sherlock Holmes? Maybe. What is clear is that this is a great place to eat and drink, with an extensive menu in both respects. Elementary, my dear Watson.
6. The Allan Water Cafe
Great cafe and restaurant in the centre of Stirling with a good number of years and a family history behind it. It has a wide variety of food on offer, the chippy or fish & chips being one of the most popular with locals, another must try.
15 Henderson St, Bridge of Allan, Stirling FK9 4HN
7. Brae
For quality Scottish food, using fresh, local ingredients. This restaurant has won several awards for its dishes in recent years.
8. Monterey Jack's
Can boast some of the best burgers in Scotland!!! Located in the Old Town, next to the Athenaeum.
Especially the cheeseburger is excellent.
1 Corn Exchange Rd, Stirling FK8 2HX, UK
9. Nicky-Tams
One of the oldest pubs in Stirling. It offers a wide variety of beers, and you can also eat here. Located in the Old Town.
29 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ, UK
10. Hermanns
Very elegant place, with Scottish and Austrian cuisine using local produce. Very close to the castle.
Mar Place House, 58 Broad St, Stirling FK8 1EF, UK
Of course, these are just a few of what (in our humble opinion) are the best places to eat in the city, but if you find any other hidden gems, don't hesitate to recommend them - we always like to discover new things. And watch out for the Haggis, it is very filling.
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