Stirling has an eclectic mix of food and drink on offer, with Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine to name a few.
With the gorgeous medieval Stirling castle, an art gallery and Stirling Old Town Jail, there are plenty of reasons to visit.
But between all your sightseeing, you’re likely to get a little peckish.
To help you decide where to go, I’ve put together a food and drink guide of some of the best places for food and drink in Stirling.
Breakfast
8am to 11am
The Wee Wolf Bistro on King Street in Stirling will absolutely set your day off right.
The bistro is named after the wolves which saved Stirling back when the Vikings tried to attack the town in the 9th century.
Apparently, the howling of these wolves woke up the townsfolk, and scared away the vikings, making the wolf the saviour of Stirling.
The breakfast menu is sizeable. You could try the Wee Wolf (bacon, sausage, egg, beans and toast) or the Wolf Brekkie (two bacon, two sausages, egg, beans, mushrooms, tattie scones, black pudding, hash brown and toast).
Dogs are allowed, and they even get to snack on gluten-free sausages while you enjoy your brekkie.
And there’s a “wee wolf den” play area in the back for the kids to enjoy.
Address: 40 King Street, Stirling, United Kingdom
Another spot for breakfast on your day enjoying the food and drink in Stirling is Vera Artisan Bakery and Kitchen.
This modern and stylish bakery has huge range of baked goods on offer, and also sell their own freshly baked sourdough bread.
On their breakfast menu, there is something for everyone.
If you’re fond of all things simple, you’ll be pleased to see that they serve a morning roll, with one, two or three fillings, choosing between bacon, black pudding, egg and more.
But if you want something more elevated for your breakfast, you can try their Spanish eggs (crispy Serrano ham on a toasted bagel with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce).
They also offer pancakes and French toast, including crispy chicken pancakes, served with chilli mayo, jalapeño, chilli flakes and smashed avocado.
If you’re even hungrier though, they have some “hearty brunch” options, like a pulled pork burger, Turkish eggs, chorizo hash and shakshuka.
Address: 51 King St, Stirling FK8 1DN
Coffee and cake
11am to 12pm
Coffee and cake is a match made in heaven, and there are plenty of places to enjoy both in Stirling.
Cafe and bean shop Stirling Coffee is a funky, modern spot in Stirling’s centre.
They have a huge range of syrups to choose from – perfect if you’re a sweet tooth like myself.
There’s the typical bunch like vanilla, caramel or hazelnut, but they also offer quirkier options like gingerbread or praline.
You can also enjoy tasty bakes in their cafe.
They have a wee shop where you can buy various gifts, like brewing equipment, flasks and mugs.
Address: 8 King Street, Stirling, FK8 1BD
Gloria’s Café is a pretty spot for a coffee and cake in Stirling.
The Instagrammable eatery offers a range of coffees and teas, including matcha and chai. They also serve fresh bakes.
Address: 4 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ
Another pop-up coffee spot to try out on your trip to Stirling, is actually found within the train station itself.
The Timorous Beastie coffee bar can get you a speedy – and delicious – coffee before you grab your train.
Just make sure to give them enough time to brew your coffee!
Address: Platform 3, Stirling station, Goosecroft Road, Stirling, FK8 1PF
Lunch
12pm to 3pm
For lunch, why not try the new Stirling spot Mato’s Cafe?
The bright and fresh eatery, run by a father and son duo, offers a Mediterranean-style menu.
The food on offer includes burgers, salads, paninis, wraps and more, as well as breakfast options which are served all day.
Why not go for their Greek salad? It would be the perfect refreshing dish to enjoy while sat outside in the sunshine.
Address: 22 Friars St, Stirling FK8 1HA
Snack
3pm to 6pm
For a snack on your day trying out the food and drink in Stirling, you can’t go wrong with the authentic Italian spot Caffe Pompei.
They have the biggest cannoli I have ever seen, which owners Mario and Connie Celiberti tell me are traditional Sicilian cannoli.
These are all made in Italy and imported over, and cost £5 each. Which may seem steep, but they are the same size as my wrist!
They also serve cakes, coffee and croissants.
Address: 55 King St, Stirling FK8 1DR
Or if crepes are your thing, you should pay a visit to Mint Patisserie.
Their crepes can be served with chocolate, lemon curd, banana or apple and cinnamon.
They also serve ice cream, waffles, cakes, pancakes and French toast.
The cute, colourful cafe also has outdoor seating which will make you feel like you’re on holiday abroad if the sun is shining (fingers crossed!).
Address: 15 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ
Dinner
6pm to 8pm
Stirling locals recommend Gabe’s Diner for dinner.
The popular bistro serves up a range of quirky and mouth-watering mains, including chorizo bangers and mash, smoked haddock risotto and sweet and sour meatballs.
If you’re not feeling so adventurous though, you could try their braised steak sandwich or the marinated chicken burger.
There’s also outdoor seating so it is a perfect spot to enjoy on a warm summer evening.
It is in a pretty handy position too, nearby the train station and cinema, so it is ideal for dinner on your Stirling day out.
Address: Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Drinks
8pm till late
For a drink or two on your visit, you can’t go wrong with BrewDog Stirling.
They sell all the usual suspects like Hazy Jane IPA and Lost Language.
This branch serves a lot of the Cold Beer lager, which is a refreshing session lager which you can enjoy in the warm weather.
There’s even a Donkey Kong arcade machine to keep you occupied between pints!
Address: 7 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ
Conversation