12 Best Restaurants Near Stirling Castle in 2024
Looking for the Best Restaurants Near Stirling Castle?
Stirling Castle is one of the most visited castles in Scotland and sits between the highlands & lowlands offering spectacular views. This small town is also known for good eateries where people can enjoy good food, beautiful ambiance & a peaceful atmosphere.
Hundreds of tourists visit Stirling Castle every year as it is an iconic landmark in Scotland. After touring the Stirling castle, people often want to relax and enjoy a delicious meal and that’s exactly what we are gonna talk about in this guide.
Whether you are craving Scottish delight, continental cuisine, Indian or European cuisine, the restaurants near Stirling Castle will not disappoint you and provide you with an unmatched dining experience.
From fast-food cafes to fine-dining restaurants, there are a lot of places to eat near Stirling Castle. Here are the very best restaurants close to Stirling Castle to make the most of your visit!
Best Casual & Family Restaurants Near Stirling Castle
If you are craving some delicious food, delightful flavors and a simple dining experience then casual restaurants are the best places to eat near Stirling Castle.
The Portcullis
Location: Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EG
Cuisine: British/Scottish
Best For: Lunch, Brunch, Casual Dining
This is the nearest restaurant to Stirling Castle and offers good food, great ambiance and a vintage appeal. This restaurant has a traditional look and feel with outdoor seating and is considered one of the best restaurants near Stirling Castle for Lunch.
You can choose from their exhaustive list of food items like Steak Pies, Chicken Burgers, Fish & Chips and many more. They also have gluten-free options and vegetarian options.
The place is quite busy with foodies so please plan in advance to avoid last-minute surprises. The restaurant offers a cozy environment & the ambiance of the restaurant is enhanced due to its proximity to Stirling Castle.
Popular Dishes:
Highland Chicken, Steaked Pie, Smoked Salmon, Prawns, Fish & Chips, Soups
Hermann’s
Location: Mar Place House, 58 Broad St, Stirling FK8 1EF
Cuisine: Scottish, European
This restaurant is located very close to Stirling Castle and is a downhill walk for around 5-7 mins from Stirling Castle. Located on Broad Street, Hermann’s is consistently known for tasty & high-quality food.
The place is also known for high-quality service & quick service during peak hours. The restaurant is also a good spot to celebrate birthdays or other small events with prior booking.
This restaurant is one of the best value-for-money restaurants near Stirling Castle. The prices are reasonable with generous portions & also have a beautiful conservatory dining area to enjoy your meal. This restaurant also has gluten-free & vegetarian options for veg lovers.
Popular Dishes:
Schnitzel (especially Jäger Schnitzel and Wiener Schnitzel), Cullen skink, Fillet steak in pepper sauce, Duck pate, Baileys and chocolate mousse.
Stirling Castle Unicorn Cafe
Location: Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EJ
Cuisine: British, Scottish
This restaurant is located inside Stirling Castle and tickets need to be purchased for Stirling Castle to visit this restaurant. If you have already decided to visit the castle, then it would be good to make a quick visit to this restaurant & grab a quick bite.
The prices might be slightly expensive due to its location but the food is delicious with friendly staff. Gluten-free options are available at this restaurant but might be limited. Many people love the ambiance of this place as it gives a feeling of having dinner inside a castle.
The place gets very busy during lunch hour as tourists flock to take a break from the castle tour to enjoy a meal or grab a coffee. Service might be slow due to the high footfall of tourists. The place offers outdoor seating as well.
Popular Dishes:
Schnitzel (especially Jäger Schnitzel and Wiener Schnitzel), Cullen skink, Fillet steak in pepper sauce, Duck pate, Baileys and chocolate mousse
Darnley Coffee House
Location: 18 Bow St, Stirling FK8 1BS
Cuisine: British, Scottish, Cafe
Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Snacks
Everyone fancy a good cup of coffee after a tiring day or just to relax a bit in a cozy atmosphere and Darnley Cofee House offers the same. Situated within walking distance from Stirling Castle, the Darnley coffee house is one of the best restaurants in Stirling Town Centre. It provides a very cozy & homely vibe and is known for great sandwiches and coffee.
The place is loved for its unique ambiance inside a historic building and friendly and welcoming staff. This is also a dog-friendly restaurant in Stirling and offers free water & treats for the pets which many customers appreciate.
Popular Dishes:
Sandwiches, Baked Potatoes, Coffee, hummus, Toasties, Cakes, Homemade Cordials
Mamma Mia Restaurant
Location: 52 Spittal St, Stirling FK8 1DU
Cuisine: European, Italian
Best For: Lunch, Dinner
If you are looking for an Italian restaurant near Stirling castle, then look no further as Mama Mia is the best in town. This restaurant in Stirling Town Center is a very popular place to eat with indoor and outdoor & seating and serving some mouth-watering dishes carbonara, bruschetta, chicken cacciatore, and various pizzas.
The decor & vibe in the restaurant gives an Italian fine dining experience with a welcoming atmosphere. The food portions are fair considering the price & experience of the place and the service is good.
Popular Dishes:
Carbonara, Pizzas, Bruschetta, Mussels, Tiramisu, King Prawns
Brea – Scottish Restaurant
Location: 5 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ
Cuisine: Scottish, British
Best For: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Drinks
Brea is one of the best restaurants in Baker Street (near Stirling Castle) if you want to experience Scottish cuisine. The decor of the place is wonderful with hanging lights and a lively atmosphere. The staff is knowledgable, accommodate special requests and presentation of the food is well handled.
The food here is highly rated & the staff also takes extra care to explain the detail of the food requested. This restaurant also has gluten-free options & is a vegetarian-friendly restaurant in the town center.
This is a very popular place so it is recommended to book a table before visiting. This is a must-visit restaurant near Stirling Castle to enjoy some delicious Scottish delicacies.
Popular Dishes:
Soups, Haggis, Venison, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Seafood, Burgers, Chicken Croquettes.
Nicky-Tams Bar & Bothy
Location: 29 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ
Cuisine: British, Scottish Pub
Best For: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Drinks
Nicky-Tams is a popular eatery on Baker Street near Stirling Castle that offers delicious Scottish foods and has an indoor, outdoor & upstairs lounge area to sit and enjoy your food.
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Stirling with live music and also hosts Quiz nights. The hanging guitars & musical instruments add a unique decor and vibe to the place & the live music provides an entertaining experience for all the visitors.
This is truly a hidden gem near Stirling Castle that offers some mouth-watering Burgers, Haggis, Fish & Chips and homebaked items. This is also a dog-friendly restaurant in case you want to bring your pets.
Popular Dishes:
Haggis, Soups, Burgers, Snacks, Nachos
Sida Thai:
Location: 9 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ
Cuisine: Thai, Asian
Best For: Lunch, Dinner
Located at the heart of Baker Street, this is one of the popular eateries for Asian food near Stirling Castle that is praised for its authentic & flavourful Thai & Asian dishes. The prices are reasonable and the portions of food being offered are great.
Sida Thai’s staff are also rated highly for their friendly nature and speedy service. This is also a vegetarian and vegan-friendly/gluten-free restaurant with multiple food options.
Popular Dishes:
Prawns, Pad Thai, Fish, Duck Curry, Noodles, Tempura
Rishis Indian Aroma, Stirling:
Location: 14 Friars St, Stirling FK8 1HA
Cuisine: Indian, Asian
Best For: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
If you are looking for Indian Food near Stirling Castle, then Rishis might be the place as it is known for its flavourful, aromatic & authentic Indian food. The restaurant has a very cozy atmosphere with a fine dining setup making the experience of the visit worthwhile. The restaurant is known for serving authentic North Indian & South Indian delicacies near Stirling Castle.
Whether you like Biriyani, Naan or Chicken Butter Masala, they have got you covered. The place is quite busy so it’s recommended to call them before visiting. The Indian meals, Biriyani & Chicken Tikka masala are the favorites here. This is a must-try restaurant in Stirling Town Centre if you are looking for Indian food.
Popular Dishes:
Dosas, Naan, Biriyani, Chicken Tikka, Thalis, Ice Cream
Italia Nostra Ltd:
Location: 25 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ
Cuisine: Italian, European
Best For: Lunch, Dinner, After Hours
This restaurant is located on Baker Street and is known for its traditional Italian ambiance with notable Italian dishes including but not limited to lasagna, seafood pasta, and tiramisu. The staff is friendly, attentive and very professional.
Prices are reasonable as compared to other restaurants in the Stirling Town Centre. If you want to experience genuine Italian cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere, then this is the place to be.
Popular Dishes:
Seafood Pasta, Lasagna, Calzone Pizza, Chicken Italia Nostra, and Tiramisu
No 2 Baker Street
Location: 2 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ
Cuisine: Scottish, British Pub
Best For: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
If you want to stop for a quick bite or want to settle in for a leisurely meal, then look no further as No 2 Baker Street combines a warm & welcoming atmosphere with some seriously delicious Scottish delicacies. Live music often fills the space, adding to the overall cozy and vibrant setting.
The food at No.2 Baker Street is praised for its authentic Scottish taste and traditional cum modern decor. The sandwiches & Katsu Chicken Burgers are perfectly crafted along with some finger-licking Haggis and Halloumi fries. The restaurant also has a wide variety of drinks available making it one of the best pubs near Stirling Castle.
Popular Foods:
Fish & Chips, Burgers, Steak Pie, Haggis
Cafe Aina Restaurant
Location: 34-36 King St, Stirling FK8 1AY
Cuisine: Greek, European
Best For: Lunch, Dinner
Located in King Street, cafe Aina is a Greek restaurant near Stirling Castle that offers Greek cuisine, including homemade elements. This is a family-owned business and a casual eatery in Stirling Town center offering some great Greek food. The salads, souvlaki & nicely coated chips are to die for and the portions served are filling.
The ambiance is simple & elegant with indoor/outdoor seating and people come here to enjoy a casual time. This restaurant also has a lot of options if you are looking for gluten-free food & also if you are a vegan. You can also bring along your dog as this is a dog-friendly restaurant in Stirling Town center.
Popular Foods:
Souvlaki, Falafel, Salads, Herb coated Fries, Wraps, Milkshakes, Tofu, Pitta
Read Next: ✅ Best Restaurants In Dunfermline Town Centre
Best Pubs Near Stirling Castle:
There are plenty of pubs near Stirling Town Centre that offer good food and drinks along with a lively atmosphere. There are also a few pubs in Stirling with live music in-house which many people prefer due to the non-stop entertainment.
The list below are some of the Best Pubs in Stirling Town Centre:
The Portcullis
It is a traditional Scottish pub near Stirling Castle. The place offers a wide range of Unique drinks & people often come here for drinks more than food.
Settle Inn:
A good old pub with a historical vibe. Good range of drinks available & one of the oldest Pubs in Stirling Town center.
BrewDog Stirling
A famous chain of pubs in the UK & this one in Stirling is very popular due to its location & ambiance. This place has a wide selection of drinks, friendly staff, lively ambiance & also board games for entertainment.
The Crossed Peels (Wetherspoons)
One of the best pubs in Stirling to hang out with your friends and loved ones. The ambiance is lively and is a local favorite to eat & drink. This pub offers reasonably priced food & drinks and is a very popular chain in the UK.
Best Breakfast Restaurants Near Stirling Castle:
I have made a short table on the best breakfast to eat breakfast near Stirling Castle:
| Restaurant Name | Details |
| Old Town Coffee House | A great place to have breakfast with a variety of options for cakes, and muffins. Coffee & milkshakes are also served. |
| Cisco’s Cafe | Great coffee, Sandwiches & breakfast with a view. |
| Muffin Break | All-Day breakfast is available & highly rated for great breakfast within reasonable pricing. |
| The Pend Cafe & Bistro | All-day breakfast is available & highly rated for great breakfast within reasonable pricing. |
Where To Stay Near Stirling Castle:
The Portcullis
This is undoubtedly the best place to stay near Stirling Castle and enjoy direct views of the castle 24×7. Located within 50 meters (2 min walk) of the castle, this cute place is a very popular place to stay with a great in-house restaurant.
You also get an amazing view of the Old Town Cemetry with the beautiful garden embedded in it.
The rooms are limited so advance booking is recommended. The in-house restaurant and pub are also the best in town.
Stirling Highland Hotel
This hotel is almost a 6-minute walk from Stirling Castle and has got a very Harry Potterish vibe. It’s a large hotel with comfortable bedding, a big lounge area and a delicious restaurant.
This is located in the Stirling Town center with all local eateries & public transport within walking distance. The hotel also offers spa services.
Conclusion: Best Restaurants Near Stirling Castle
Stirling is a small town but has a lot of good eateries to offer to the oncoming visitors. From traditional Scottish restaurants to European cuisines, Stirling has it all.
Most of the restaurants are near Baker Street where you can sit and enjoy a view of the little town.
Stirling has other small villages & towns that offer great natural beauty. If you are heading out to Aberfoyle in Stirling which is a beautiful village soaked in nature, then check out our guide one ✅ Best Restaurants in Aberfoyle Scotland.
FAQs
What is the Best restaurant near Stirling Castle with a view?
River House Stirling offers stunning views of the Wallace Monument and surrounding hills. Darnley Coffee House near Stirling Castle offers a city view.
What are the Best Places to eat in Stirling for lunch?
The Portcullis, Brea & No 2 Baker Street restaurants near Stirling Castle are some of the good places to eat for lunch.
What are some of the Cheap places to eat in Stirling for lunch?
Hermann’s near Stirling Castle offers tasty food at affordable rates.
What are the Best Family restaurants in Stirling?
Allan Park Restaurant & The Meadowpark Restaurants are some of the best family restaurants in Stirling.
Is it worth going inside Stirling Castle?
Yes, it’s worth visiting Stirling Castle considering the huge historical impact it had. You can set aside 2-3 hours for a relaxed tour of the castle.
Can you walk around Stirling Castle for free?
Yes, you can walk around for free and also go inside the Castle boundary to visit the souvenir shop near the ticket counter.
